Current border situations around the Caucasus?

[Declan]

Greetings from Ireland!
I'm planning a trip next May 2015 from Ireland across Turkey to Baku, and home again via the Crimea -it'll be a bit of a whistle stop tour as usual!

I have read a lot in these forums about border situations in the Caucasus but struggling to know what the current situation is.

I hear Armenia is well worth a visit but from what I can establish is that Armenia is only accessible from the north (via Georgia) or the south (via Iran). It appears that a Carnet would be required for Iran so I'm ruling Iran out due to cost. So for me it looks like Armenia will have to be entered from the north, ride down through it, loop around and back north again to exit back into Georgia - am I right in my assessment of this?

Also I'd really like to get to Baku and the Caspian sea as the outer most point of the journey, even if it is just for a quick splash in the sea! I'll be slightly under pressure for time and so Baku will be just one or two nights max before visiting Georgia and I understand that Georgia is truly a great place and I'd like to spend a bit more time there. So I'm just wondering if their are any opinions on Azerbaijan as if its really worth my rather rushed effort to get to Baku and the Caspian

After Georgia I hope to go towards Sochi and the Crimea. What is the possibility of visiting those breakaway states north of Georgia and what is the visa/border control situation? Is it safe (well is it ever, but relatively safe) to visit Grozny in Chechnya? Will a visa for Russia suffice in these places?

Finally...I'd really welcome any opinions on good places/routes/must see on route etc. All opinions welcome

Thanks