Artisan Azerbaijan and Culinary Traditions

Silk Road Arts, Crafts, and Food Experiences

2023

Welcome to Azerbaijan, a fascinating Silk Road country in the heart of the Caucasus, boasting exquisite artisanal works waiting to be discovered! Witness colorful glass mosaic shebeke, carpet weaving and intricate embroidery, modern art, silk production, textile design, ornate jewelry, musical instrument building, mugham singing and upbeat regional dances, centuries-old cooking and baking techniques, and so much more! You are in the right place!

A tradition of producing artisanal goods in Azerbaijan has been in existence for centuries and is deeply embedded in the country’s culture and history. No wonder, as the ancient Silk Road passed through the region sitting at the crossroads of Asia and Europe.

Our trip takes you to places well-known as well as those seldom visited to meet a wealth of talented artisans who zealously guard their centuries-old crafts and folk art traditions passed down through the generations, as well as creators of modern art enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge. You will have the opportunity to see craftsmen at work, observing their meticulous skills and practices that most learn at a young age. Also get to know artisans dedicated to bettering the lives of others by creating workplaces for the skilled rural population.

Food, of course, is an artisanal element on its own, which helps one gain a deeper understanding of the culture it belongs too. Enjoy lively market visits in the countryside—discover stalls brimming with the seasonal produce, including pomegranates, quince, feijoa, medlars, apples, and more! Meet with enthusiastic locals engaged in organic farming and indulge in authentic regional specialties served in the homes of the locals. Sip on piping-hot Azerbaijani tea in curvaceous glasses, while enjoying enchanting folk music and dazzling dance performances.

In the artisan Azerbaijan, folk traditions are exquisite, food is incredible, and guests are treated like royalty! We welcome you with open arms and invite you to make yourself at home!

Why Travel With Us

Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience: We offer 100% authentic, immersive journeys and make you feel at home in the Caucasus.

Expertise: We have a deep passion for and understanding of our culture and we work tirelessly on the ground and behind the scenes to bring it to you.

Community Support: We care for our communities and support family-run businesses and artisans.

Sustainable Tourism: We make a positive impact on the local society, economy, and environment.

Unforgettable Connections: We travel in small groups allowing for our travelers to connect and make friends with one another and with the locals.

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Private Tour Considerations

Feride Buyuran Tours - Silk Road Arts, Crafts, and Food Experiences 2022 and 2023

Tour leader: Feride Buyuran
Dates: September 22–October 3, 2023
Length: 12 days, 11 nights
Arrival: September 22, Baku
Departure: October 3, Baku
Group Size: Limited to 12 participants

Meet artists, artisans, and craftsmen
UNESCO-heritage sites
National Carpet Museum
Artisan traditions in ethnic villages (Tat, Talysh, etc.)
Medieval caravanserai in Baku and Sheki
Carpet factories
Silk factory and silk scarf making demo
Trip to a farmer's market
Cooking classes at home with the locals
Baklava and bread baking demos
Goychay, pomegranate capital of Azerbaijan
Live ethnic folklore performances (dances, songs)
Garden tours
House tours
– and many more!

$4,600 per person based on double occupancy (plus $500 single supplement*)

$4,500 if you register before March 1, 2023

Registration (deposit) deadline: April 30, 2023

* Double occupancy prices per person apply when there are two people sharing a room. The single supplement applies to travelers who require their own room. Solo travelers who wish to avoid the single supplement and share a room with another solo traveler should notify us and we will do our best to accommodate the request.

**If you missed the deadline, please contact us at tours@feridebuyuran.com to check for availability and we will accommodate you if there is space.

Tour leadership by Feride Buyuran or other qualified leader
Arrival and departure transfers (only on scheduled arrival and departure dates)
11 nights’ accommodation in 3- and 4-star hotels and guesthouses (e.g. family-run rustic guesthouses in villages)
All daily meals with group: breakfast, lunch, dinner, except arrival day meals, which are independent. Lunch and dinner on the departure day are also independent
Complimentary bottles of water, daily
All ground transportation, including private air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter van or similar
Official guided tours, including site admissions
Private cooking classes/demos, market trips
Wine tastings as noted in the itinerary
Folklore performances and entertainment

International airfare to and from Baku
Travel insurance, overseas medical insurance, or trip cancellation insurance
Visa and passport fees (if applicable)
Transfers to and from airports for travelers who arrive and depart independently, not on scheduled arrival and departure dates
Extra meals, snacks, and beverages
Alcoholic beverages (other than in wine tastings and with some (!) of the meals included in the itinerary)
Souvenirs or any personal purchases
Excursions, services, and activities not included in the itinerary
Personal hotel expenses, such as laundry, telephone calls, faxes, or e-mail service
Tips to hotel staff for luggage assistance or other personal services
Tips to local guides, performers, drivers

Number of Participants

This intimate, friendly tour will have a maximum of 12 PARTICIPANTS to ensure the best possible experience.

Tour Length

The tour is 12 days and 11 nights. including the arrival and departure days from Baku. The tour dates are September 22–October 3, 2023.

Accommodations

Stay in 3- and 4-star hotels and guesthouses, selected for their location, service, and atmosphere, and level of comfort. Your accommodation will reflects the culture and personality of your destination – such as, a historic building now hotel in Baku’s Old Town and a rustic family-owned guesthouse, designed in the local style, in the remote village of Lahij or another village. Note that the tour price is based on double occupancy. If you are a single traveler, we highly recommend that you register early as the number of single rooms available on the tour may be limited.

Activity Level – Moderate

General fitness level is required for the tour, which involves a good amount of walking on uneven surfaces and over difficult terrain such as cobblestones and steep city hills, as well as hiking hills and climbing stairs at locations not always accessible by car. Be ready for early morning wake-ups (particularly to travel to far destinations) and other typical travel-related scenarios. This tour is suitable for travelers who are in good health, are physically fit, and comfortable with long days of touring.

Food on the Tour

Food is one of the highlights of the tour. Although the itinerary does not provide detailed menus, rest assured that you will find yourself in a foodie paradise! On the registration form, please list your tastes and preferences and dietary restrictions, if any, so that our menus reflect your choices.

Information Package & Reading List

In advance of your trip, you will receive an information package to help you better prepare for the tour, including details about obtaining a visa, local currencies, clothing and packing tips, airport guidelines, and other know-hows. You will also receive the final tour itinerary and a list of suggested reading.

More Info?

Please check our FAQ page.

Add extra days to spend in Baku before or after the tour—there is a lot to see and experience. You can choose to focus on the city's architecture, history, culture or other aspects.

We can customize this tour to make it your own and even include the neighboring Georgia. Just let us know!

Registration

To register for the tour and secure your spot:

1. A deposit of $1,000 per person must be submitted using the button below by APRIL 30, 2023. If paying by PayPal, please add but add 3% PayPal charge. If you don’t have a PayPal® account, please click on the ‘Pay with Debit or Credit Card’ button on the following screen. (Note that both the screen and your credit card statement will display AZ Cookbook as the charging party.) The deposit can also be paid by check (details on the registration form). The sooner you save your spot, the more chances you have to join the tour, as space is limited!

2. Print the tour registration form we send you, then sign it and and mail (or email) it to us.

3. The balance $3,600 (plus single supplement) is due by June 22, 2023. Please pay by check (details on registration form) or by direct bank transfer (request details). Alternatively, pay via Paypal by credit card (request link), but add 3% Paypal charge.

Our Philosophy

FAQ

Testimonials

Melissa

Best Experience in Azerbaijan! Feride is very professional and courteous. She plans everything down to the last detail. A wonderful mixture of history, culture, and AMAZING food. My family and I had the best experience of our life being guided through the rich culture, hospitality, and cuisine of this magnificent country. I highly recommend Feride’s food and cultural tour!

bill_richard_rpg

;Azerbaijan Feride made Azerbaijan come alive for us like no other guide could have. The home visits, meeting her family, the triips to tiny, remote villages made this such an excellent journey that both i and my wife feel like we really KNOW Azerbaijan.

Carlotta R

Unique tour of Azerbaijan and Georgia Feride brought a unique perspective to our private tour of this part of the world. The introduction to local food and the home visits with local families in Baku and in remote and not-so-remote villages in Azerbaijan made this an unforgettable trip. The Georgian part of our tour was also amazing, led by the very knowledgeable, kind, passionate guide Dato Beridze, who gave us a thorough introduction to Georgian history and culture.

shaynab814

Azerbaijan and Georgia Tour What an incredible adventure! Went with my mother on this two and half week trip (a little over a week in each country), and we couldn't be happier about our experience. Feride is a wonderful tour guide for her food and culture tour throughout Azerbaijan and Georgia. As a native to Azerbaijan, her passion for Azerbaijani culture, food, people, and history is what makes this tour a very special experience. The most unique part of the trip is the the opportunity to travel to cities and villages throughout the country (typically stayed in each village or city for 2-3 days), and to meet with the people from the local communities from Baku to the Georgian border. We were welcomed in to various homes in the local communities for delicious home cooked meals and to learn about distinct cultural practices and cooking techniques throughout Azerbaijan. We also had a great time in Georgia learning about their unique tradition of natural wine making, while we experienced the city of Tbilisi as well as the beautiful country side. Overall, Feride's tour provides a unique, personable cultural experience that you would not get from a typical tour. I recommend the tour to anyone looking for a fun and active adventure filled with delicious food, activities, and visits to various museums, cities/villages, and cultural and religious sites.

Brian0622

Amazing tour of Azerbaijan and Georgia...a "must do" trip! The June 2019 Colors of the Caucasus tour led by noted cookbook author, Feride Buyuran, who grew up in Azerbaijan, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for its opportunity to journey to places I had never envisioned visiting. But the tour opened my mind and heart, and helped my gain a deep appreciation of the local Azerbaijani and Georgian life and culture. The balancing of lunches and dinners with local families, staying in quality guest houses and hotels, and visiting famous sites along with obscure villages to meet the locals made this a very special experience. Very highly recommended for adults, and late teen and older youth who seek to experience other cultures and are open for adventure! I also did a one-day side trip to the Debed Canyon in Armenia to see a number of UNESCO sites.