Azerbaijan was a revelation. I had been slightly sceptical about going as I had transited Baku about 10 years ago when Baku was horribly polluted. The transformation in recent years into a model city of attractive traditional and highly modern architecture was pleasantly surprising. Our tour also took us to some of the enchanting wilder parts where time seems to have stood still. It certainly merits a tour on its own rather than a hurried visit tacked on to visits to Georgia and Armenia.