Tag: mosque

Samarkand, at the Heart of Oriental Legends

By wanderlustale July 19, 2026

There are cities whose names alone are enough to spark the imagination. Samarkand is one of them.

Ever since childhood, its name conjured up images of caravans laden with silk and spices, conquerors sweeping in from the steppes, and blue domes shimmering beneath the Central Asian sun. Yet nothing truly prepares you for your first glimpse of Samarkand. When you encounter its monumental architecture, mosaics painted in a thousand shades of turquoise, and a heritage stretching back more than two millennia, you immediately understand why this city has become one of the most iconic symbols of the Silk Road.

Around the world Asia Uzbekistan

Bukhara, the Merchant Soul of the Silk Road

By wanderlustale July 18, 2026

If there is one city that perfectly embodies the imagination of the Silk Road, it is undoubtedly Bukhara. With its turquoise domes, caravanserais, centuries-old madrasas, and covered markets, it seems frozen in time. Yet despite its immense historical wealth, it was probably the city I enjoyed the least during my trip to Uzbekistan.

This is certainly not because it lacks interest (quite the opposite). We spent three full days there and had enough time to visit absolutely everything we wanted to see. Looking back, however, it felt a little too long. Once we had explored the main sights, I felt the pace slow down, and two days would probably have been enough.

Nevertheless, Bukhara remains an essential stop for understanding the history of Central Asia. Even more than Samarkand or Khiva, it is, in my eyes, the city of merchants, the place that best represents the spirit of the Silk Road.

Around the world Asia Uzbekistan

48 Hours in Tashkent: Discovering Uzbekistan’s Overlooked Capital

By wanderlustale July 13, 2026

When planning a trip to Uzbekistan, most people immediately think of Samarkand, Bukhara, or Khiva. Tashkent, the country’s capital, is often seen as little more than a gateway before boarding the train to the historic Silk Road cities. That would be a mistake.

With its wide Soviet-era boulevards, spectacular metro stations, bustling bazaars, and ultra-modern districts, Tashkent offers a completely different perspective on Uzbekistan. It is a city of contrasts, where history exists side by side with bold modernity.

We spent our very first day in Uzbekistan here, and it introduced us to an entirely different side of the country.