b'Off the beaten track UzbekistaninImmersing yourself in new cultures and learning about lesser-known destinations is one of the great enjoyments of travel. At Great Rail Journeys, we love taking people to many great countries all over the world, including Uzbekistan. Our customer, Ricki, recently joined us on our Uzbekistan and the Ancient Silk Road tour.LOCAL EXPERTISE Escorted tours bring a social dimension to travel as youre part of a group of like-minded travellers. You are escorted by one of our wonderful Tour Managers. In addition, we work with guides who bring that knowledge and expertise only a local could possess. The group jelled nicely. Everyone was enthusiastic about the experiences. Caroline, our Tour Manager, was lovely, organised and friendly to all. "Our local guide was superb. He injected so much more of the history BUKHARA and culture. Its worth saying that in every location, whether late or early, The Silk Road cities of Uzbekistangold embroidery shop and felt veryon my own or as part of a small group, evoke romantic images of bygonehonoured to meet the craftsman.I felt totally safe. times. With an interest in history, oneHis work was amazingly intricate and of our customers, Ricki, was excited tobeautiful, as was the silk embroideryINCREDIBLE EXPERIENCES see this fascinating part of the worldand quilting of his wife."Once again, my more Eurocentric or for herself on our popular Uzbekistanwestern mind has been enlightened by and the Ancient Silk Road tour.UZBEK CUISINEthe amazing cultures that existed for Pace yourself! Theres always more tocenturies before western civilisations. SILK ROAD CITIEScome, advises Ricki.Id read widely about the Silk Roads,There were too many highlights on the routes and history of them, andAs well as dinners each day, our tourthis tour to name them all. Timurs the likes of Timur and the Khans, saysfeatures two authentic lunchesone inmausoleum, Ulugh Begs observatory, Ricki. Its the reason I was keen to go.a yurt and another with a local family. the interesting desert forts, and the archaeological remains of the oldExploring the historic cities of Khiva,At the beginning, we ate as if we werecities and their brilliant restorations Bukhara and Samarkand is likehaving a western dinner. We quicklywere just some. stepping back in time.learned there were usually very good, filling salads, sometimes somethingWould Ricki recommend this tour All three cities were fascinating,else, then a main course which wasto others? Goodness yes. If you are continues Ricki. "The opportunity toalso very large. Then a dessert.interested in experiencing other look at the old architecture, the craftscultures, amazing sights and crafts,and culture was super. put it at the top of your list. The sites we visited showed the history and extent of the variousFor more information on our empires in this part of the world.Uzbekistan and the Ancient Everywhere had its highlights andSilk Road tour see page 46 or I took time to get up early andvisit greatrail.com/TKJwander about. In Bukhara, I visited a BEHIND THE JOURNEY 9'