Uzbekistan

You´re thinking of taking a trip this summer. And you don´t want to sit on the beach with a Budwaiser in your one hand and a slice of pizza in your other. You want something different. Something new. You want to go somewhere and really feel like you got to know the people, the culture, the landscape. Well, have I got the way for you to travel. Why not make it active and at the same time really experience the place you are visiting? Bike, walk, run, or kayak at your own pace... through the Ancient Silk Road, ancient cities of Uzbekistan, big desert with camels...

No country in Central Asia seems to have it so good as Uzbekistan. The region's cradle of culture for more than two millennia, it is the proud home to a spellbinding arsenal of architecture and artefacts, all deeply infused with the raw, fascinating history of the country. there was a Hall of Fame for Central Asian cities, Uzbekistan would own the top-three entries: Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva. Conjuring up images of knife-twirling dervishes, serpentine desert caravans and architecture that blends with the sand and other attractions, which include dazzling bazaars, ancient fortresses like the one at Nurata, and an impressive array of largely unsung natural attractions, and the hiking and adventure-sport opportunities of Chimgan.

Our Top Picks For Uzbekistan:
1 Samarkand
The breathtaking Registan leads a formidable cast of larger-than-life Timurid architectural gems.
2 Bukhara
Exquisitely preserved holy city boasting stunning 15th-century medressas, awesome B&Bs and fascinating history.
3 Quirky Cultural Gems
Cultural Gems Carmen for a dollar at Tashkent's Alisher Navoi Opera & Ballet Theatre and Central Asia’s greatest art collection in Nukus’ Savitsky Museum.
4 Khiva
The last independent khanate frozen in time amid the desert.
5 Crafty Uzbekistan
Silk in Margilon, ceramics in Rishton, suzani (silk and cotton coverlets) in Shakhrisabz and everything under the sun in Bukhara.