Snow Experience in Mountains

After a spending couple of day in urban life in the capital, you’re probably going to want to relax when you arrive in Shamakhi. The ancient town dates back almost two and a half thousand years and became the Shirvan Empire’s capital between the 9th and 16th century. Shamakhi, the birthplace of many Azeri poets, produce wine and traditional carpets today.
After visiting top attractions of Shamakhi, we will go on with the visit to Gabala former capital of the Caucasus Albanians who ruled for 600 years (no relation to modern day Albania). With our private transport it takes less than two hours to reach Gabala from Shamakhi.
The city during six centuries served as the capital of the ancient state of Caucasian Albania. Archeological investigations give an evidence that Gabala functioned as the capital of Albania as early as 4th century BC. The ruins of the ancient town are situated in 15 km south-west of the modern site of Gabala, in the village of Chukhur Gabala on the territory between Garachay and Jourluchay rivers. Here you can find the ancient walls and towers.
The fact that Gabala was located in the middle of the 2,500-year-old Silk Road turned the city in a popular and important hub between Europe and Asia. That's why Gabala has been always desired by many foreign rulers. Despite all the captures, this ancient city was able to preserve its culture and identity.
Given all these activities and events, Gabala is considered a highly popular tourist destination. Additionally, Gabala is rich in nature, with thick forests and mountain landscapes, noble deer, wild boars, hares, bears, wolves, foxes and numerous birds.
Currently, everything possible is made in the city for the sake of coming tourists. Many hotels, including world hotel chains were put up in Gabala. The city contains an ice skating rink and a Greek-style theatre, built especially for outside concerts. Tourist can make shopping in several modern shopping malls constructed within the city. Additionally, Gabala is home to Tufan Ski Complex, one of the biggest ski resorts throughout the whole Caucasus, which serves up to 3,000 ski lovers a day.
Moreover, the largest entertainment park under the open sky in Azerbaijan – Gabaland is located at the area of 16 hectares in Gabala. Visitors are provided with extreme kinds of attractions, ice arena, carting, sports fields, theatre, convenient parking, great food in restaurants and cafes.
In short, modern Gabala manages to combine both ancient greatness and modern development, and it can be said that Gabala is one of the most vivid examples of cities of contrasts, which are so loved by tourists.