3 Days in Baku: A Luxury Long Weekend in Azerbaijan

04/08/2026wareontheglobe Leave a comment

Last updated: August 2026

Our 3 days in Baku, Azerbaijan closed out our big Georgian vacation, which had been in the making since its cancellation in 2020 (due to Covid). Back then, I chose Baku due to a direct flight from Baku to JFK on Azerbaijan Airlines. The flight is no more (as of August 2026), but I kept the itinerary. Going in, I had no idea what to expect from Azerbaijan, and I hoped that we would be admitted entry after our 2020 visa was formally revoked due to border closings….

Map of the Caucasus showing Baku, Azerbaijan between Russia and Iran on the Caspian Sea

Baku on a map. It is situated right between Russia and Iran.

Spoiler alert, we had a wonderful time in Baku, and will 100% return. This article details our time in Baku, Azerbaijan and provides some practical information.

For those unfamiliar with Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan was formerly part of the USSR, having declared its independence in 1991, a few months before the USSR dissolved that December. Since then, it’s done quite well financially, capitalizing on its natural oil and gas. I’ve often heard it compared to Dubai for that reason, as well as its modern architecture. Located directly between Russia and Iran, with foreigners currently only able to enter by air (as of August 2026), it’s not exactly an easy destination to reach. A visa is also required for many nationalities, including US and Italian citizens (our nationalities). I found Baku to be, surprisingly, more European than Middle Eastern, having absolutely delicious food, friendly to foreigners, and honestly, making decent wine (a very big shock!).

Baku skyline of modern high-rise towers above the Caspian Sea waterfront

Baku, Azerbaijan. Not what I expected…

We began our trip a few months in advance, by applying for a tourist visa online via Azerbaijan’s official website. We were approved within 1 business day (we applied on a weekend and were approved on Monday). The visa cost $20 USD (as of August 2026) and was valid for 90 days from the date of issuance, permitting us a single entry for up to 30 days in Azerbaijan. We printed the visa and brought it with us, but we did not need to show it in Azerbaijan (we were not even asked about it). The only place we needed to show the original visa was at the Batumi airport leaving Georgia.

DAY ONE: ARRIVAL IN AZERBAIJAN & DINNER IN BAKU

We arrived at Baku’s Heydar Aliyev International Airport in the early evening from Batumi, Georgia. Arrival and immigration were quick and easy. Our luggage arrived promptly, and we called a Bolt (a company similar to Uber) to our hotel in downtown Baku, the Four Seasons. The Bolt cost less than $10 USD. We arrived at our hotel about 30 minutes later.

Retro Soviet-style signage inside Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku

Welcome to Baku! The airport had a lot of old school signage.

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10 Delicious Pre-Theatre Restaurants in NYC’s Theatre District

23/07/202627/08/2026wareontheglobe Leave a comment

Pre-theatre dining in NYC's Theatre District near Times Square.

I work in the Theatre District, and I see a lot of Broadway shows (29 this year alone, most via lottery wins – more on that here). One question I often hear is where to eat in the Theatre District (i.e., Times Square area) that is delicious and not totally touristy.

Moulin Rouge!

Enter, my list of 10 restaurants in the Theatre District that I recommend. I frequent each of these restaurants often and can confirm the food is good and they are not geared exclusively to tourists.

Of course, dinner is only half of it – you still need a ticket. Here is how we saw 31 Broadway shows for about $47 a seat, almost entirely through the digital lotteries and rush.

My 10 Pre-Theatre Restaurant Picks in the Theatre District

1. Cuerno, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, upscale, resy required.

Cuerno is an incredibly delicious Mexican steakhouse located on 50th Street between 6th and 7th. I love, love, love this place, and I go here pretty regularly pre-theatre and otherwise. The food and drinks are incredible. Open daily, reservations are usually necessary. Go for an upscale, delicious meal pre-theatre. Cuerno is a bit pricey compared to other options, but it offers a $37 three-course lunch during the week that is a steal.

A coupe of sparkling Mexican rose at Cuerno, a Mexican steakhouse in Midtown Manhattan.

Sparkling Mexican Rose at Cuerno. Who would have thought this is in Midtown Manhattan?

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Capital One Landing LGA Review: The BEST Credit Card Lounge at LaGuardia (2026)

17/07/202620/08/2026wareontheglobe Leave a comment

In addition to its traditional airport lounges, Capital One recently introduced a new lounge concept called “Capital One Landing”. The Landings operate like standard lounges in that your credit card gets you in and everything is included, but it differs in that it is set up like a restaurant with all table seating and waitstaff serving guests. Our first visit to a Capital One Landing came in June 2026, at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, and we were quite impressed. This post reviews our experience at the Capital One Landing.

The quick facts: the Capital One Landing at LGA is in Terminal B, past security on the bridge to gates 11–31, and is open daily from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Entry is free for Capital One Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders (physical card required), and guests can be added for a fee. You can reserve ahead through the Capital One Travel app or just walk in.

The Landing!

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What to Eat at the Capital One Lounge at JFK

10/07/202620/08/2026wareontheglobe Leave a comment

JFK is one of our 3 “home” airports. I visit often, and I always make sure to check out the Capital One Lounge JFK food options when passing through Terminal 4. You can read about the lounge generally here. This post, however, is specifically about the food at JFK’s Capital One Lounge. One of the most important things for me before a long haul (or honestly, short haul) flight is knowing where and what I can eat. This post details the food options at JFK’s Capital One Lounge in detail so you will know what to expect. Capital One’s food program is just as strong at its newest New York location, where José Andrés runs the menu. See our review of the Capital One Landing at LGA.

Overview of food spread at the Capital One Lounge at JFK

JFK Capital One Lounge food options.

Before I dive into specifics, food at the JFK Capital One Lounge takes three forms: (1) a cold/room temperature self-serve buffet, (2) hot made-to-order (“MTO”) dishes, and (3) a “NYC bodega” preparing fresh bagel sandwiches, with a few other items on offer. All of this is included with lounge access, and you can order/eat as much as you want.

The NYC-Inspired Bodega

One of the more exciting parts of the JFK Capital One Lounge is its NYC-inspired bodega. And, if you don’t know what a bodega is, it is an NYC institution – typically a small, owner-operated convenience store serving hot and prepared food, as well as selling convenience store things, often open late hours. Every New Yorker has their own bodega. Just ask, LOL. Bodegas as also quite famous for serving New York bagels and coffee.

Entrance to the NYC-style bodega inside the Capital One Lounge at JFK

The JFK Capital One Bodega.

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JFK Capital One Lounge – The [current] BEST Lounge in Terminal 4

03/07/202620/08/2026wareontheglobe 1 Comment

Salad, egg, and crostini sampler plate from the JFK Capital One Lounge buffet

Updated July 3, 2026.

Dan and I flew from New York’s JFK airport to Athens, Greece in July 2025 for a 10-day summer getaway (check out our itineraries for Chania and Naxos). We arrived at the airport early in the hopes of visiting a lounge and we were super lucky – the JFK Capital One Lounge had just opened within the week! Of course, we had to visit this brand new lounge. In sum, the JFK Capital One Lounge is a fantastic lounge, currently the best of the credit card lounges at JFK. The staff was attentive and nice, the food was plentiful and tasty, and the drinks were flowing and well-prepared. The lounge also screamed New York City and was just really fun to visit. Don’t miss it on your next visit to JFK Terminal 4! And if you’re flying out of LaGuardia instead, Capital One now has you covered there too: read our review of the new Capital One Landing at LGA.

Bar counter with bartenders pouring cocktails at the JFK Capital One Lounge

The lovely bar in the JFK Capital One Lounge.

WHERE IS THE CAPITAL ONE LOUNGE AT JFK

The JFK Capital One Lounge is located inside JFK Terminal 4, past security. Once you clear security, go downstairs and take a right (with your back toward security). The Capital One Lounge is located in the midst of numerous shopping outlets toward the B Gates, generally across from Le Grand Comptoir (a decent outlet if you lack lounge access). The lounge is very easy to find, although it’s not near most of the other JFK Terminal 4 credit card lounges (which are on the first floor to the left of security).