breathtaking natural beauty hospitable
people quaint rural backwaters and
cosmopolitan capitals make the south
caucasus region a thrilling or feat
place to discover
[Music]
this is a cultural crossroads where
europe meets asia and tomorrow mingles
with today
russian persian turkish and other
influences have been absorbed into
distinctly local cultures against a
backdrop of astonishing natural beauty
where landscapes are peppered with
antique forts monasteries churches and
ruins
[Music]
nowhere blends the romance of the past
with the striving for a new future
better than dubli's old town the eons
old narikala fortress supervises
everything while the 21st century
presidential palace looks on from over
the river
this mysterious and long isolated
village sits amongst mountain valleys
high in the caucasus surrounded by snowy
peaks and alpine meadows
armenia's rich collection of ancient
churches is a world treasure that has
developed over thousands of years of
architectural tinkering
at first glance they appear identical
yet each has its own unique character
and design
scattered in the woodland glades and
sheep nibbled slopes in the foothills of
the great caucasus lie remote shepherd
villages some speaking their own unique
languages and separated by dramatic
canyons and wild river valleys
these much revered cave monasteries were
carved from a cliff face long long ago
a cradle of medieval monastic culture
and fresco paintings offer a startling
experience
[Applause]
may and october offer the most pleasant
temperatures in the lowlands wintry
weather often lasts into april
travel costs in georgia armenian
azerbaijan can range from less than 50 a
day if you choose hostels and simple
meals to over 125 dollars a day for
luxury hotels and a private driver
many buses provide the main transport
within the region
trains are slower than buses but
overnight sleepers are inexpensive and
more comfortable than traveling by road
despite unresolved conflicts the
caucasian states have transformed
themselves beyond belief in the last 20
years however disarming hospitality
remains a defining feature of each of
the three remarkable nations that
comprise this beautiful and
ever-fascinating region
[Music]