Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia that once lay at the heart of the Silk Road, and as such has seen an eclectic history ranging back millennia. Uzbekistan is Central Asia’s most alluring destination waiting to be visited by eager explorers. Ancient cities complete with epic mosques and teeming bazaars, the vast landscape of plains and mountains, which caravans once streamed carrying goods from east to west, and the warm hospitality of a people who’ll welcome you with a steaming bowl of plov and a glass of vodka.

Uzbekistan is a history lover’s dream. Booming Tashkent, the nation’s capital, is a cultural hotspot. Visit Chorsu Bazaar in the city centre for the tastes, sights and smells that have permeated the streets of Tashkent for thousands of years. Beyond the capital lie the ancient cities of Samarkand, Khiva and Bukhara. Samarkand is now a remote city comprised of gorgeous ancient ruins, but during the height of the Silk Road, it was one of the world’s richest cities. Explore the transforming Aral Sea, or hike through Uzbekistan’s Chatkal Mountains, and discover a land that runs deep with near-mythical history.