Budget travel in the Caucasus region — Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan — represents the best collective value proposition in any connected region right now.

Georgia: already covered extensively elsewhere. Tbilisi is the anchor, Kutaisi the cheaper secondary city, Kazbegi for mountain scenery (accessible by marshrutka from Tbilisi for $5), Batumi for the Black Sea coast.

Armenia: visa-free or e-visa for most nationalities. Yerevan is cheaper than Tbilisi ($500-700/month for comfortable digital nomad setup) and absolutely beautiful — the pink tuff stone architecture under Mount Ararat is one of the great capital city views. The cognac industry is world-class and bottles cost almost nothing. Tatev Monastery requires a detour but is extraordinary.

Azerbaijan: separate application required, stricter entry for some nationalities (check current list). Baku is the most expensive of the three but still inexpensive by global standards. The old city is a UNESCO site and genuinely well-preserved. The Absheron Peninsula mud volcanoes are a free and bizarre experience.

The combined route: fly into Tbilisi, overland to Yerevan (shared taxi, 5 hours, $15), then to Baku if your nationality permits (check — Israeli and Armenian passport holders face restrictions). All three countries in 3 weeks, around $800-1,000 including flights, accommodation, food, and transport.