Uzbekistan: Following the Silk Road Through Samarkand and Bukhara

Uzbekistan is the easiest introduction to Central Asia. It has a fast train, good value accommodation, and some of the most beautiful Islamic architecture on earth. The classic route links Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva.

Start in Tashkent, the capital, to adjust and see the metro — each station is decorated in Soviet-era style. Then take the high-speed Afrosiyob train to Samarkand. The Registan, with its three tiled madrasas facing a public square, is one of the great sights of the Silk Road.

Bukhara feels more lived-in than Samarkand. The old city is full of small mosques, covered bazaars, and carpet shops. The Kalon minaret and the Ark fortress dominate the skyline. It is the best place to wander without a plan.

Khiva is the most remote of the main cities, an open-air museum of mud-brick walls and minarets. It is worth the extra travel, especially at sunrise before the tour groups arrive. Sleep inside the old city for the full atmosphere.

Uzbek food is heavy on meat, bread, and noodles. Try plov, laghman, and samsa from local restaurants. The currency situation has stabilised, and cards are increasingly accepted, but carry cash as backup. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, when the desert heat is manageable.