Monday, August 31
Our guide Anna leads us through the walled city of Khiva, passing stunning Islamic schools like the Muhammad Aminkhan Madrasah. In the afternoon, Darran and I climb the highest minaret for a panoramic view before a group dinner with a spectacular view of the Kalon Minaret. The next day we visit Bokhara, again a beautiful old city with old – rebuilt – mosques and madrasahs. A new guide shares stories about the Soviet era. We explore the Samanid Mausoleum, the Emir’s faded summer palace, and follow Andy to Central Asia’s oldest mosque, Maghoki Attori, which sits in a deep pit.
Wednesday, after a market stroll, we board a comfortable high-speed train to Samarkand. We visit the D.L. Filatov Wine Tasting Complex for a 10-glass tasting and end the night watching the spectacular Registan Square light show. The next morning, guide Aziza takes us to the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum and the breathtaking madrasahs at Registan Square. In the evening we drive to the Turkmen suburb to learn how to cook the national dish, Plov, from a local family. Layering is strict: rice first, then vegetables, and meat on top. Best ever.
Friday, a morning walk and a visit to a silk carpet factory, and later we catch the train to Tashkent. We tour the city’s magnificent metro stations, with Kosmonauts being our favorite. After lunch in a beer garden, we visit the TV tower and celebrate our final evening at Tashkent City Park with a spectacular fountain and fireworks show.
