Discover Uzbekistan: Samarkand, Bukhara and the Silk Road

Three monumental madrasas covered in turquoise mosaics frame the Registan square, while Timur's mausoleum Gur-e-Amir stands as the jewel of the ancient Silk Road.

A UNESCO-listed historic centre with over 140 protected monuments, including the towering Kalyan Minaret, the Ark Fortress and covered trading domes still in use today.

Caravanserais and desert fortresses across Khorezm connect Uzbekistan's cities, which once formed the crossroads linking China, Persia and Europe.

Plov, the national dish, is cooked in giant kazan pots at markets across the country, served alongside fresh non bread from clay tandoor ovens and endless green tea.

March–May and September–November offer mild weather, avoiding the extreme summer heat of the desert cities.

Citizens of the EU, UK, USA and many other countries can enter visa-free for up to 30 days.

Yes, it remains among the most budget-friendly destinations in Asia for hotels, food and local transport.

The high-speed Afrosiyob train connects Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara in just a few comfortable hours.