Soles of a Nomad

Samarkand is one of the most extraordinary cities I’ve ever visited—layered with history, monumental architecture, and moments of quiet beauty if you know when and where to look. This practical guide covers everything you need to plan your visit, from weather and transportation to where to stay, eat, and how much time to spend, so you can experience Samarkand at its best without rushing past what makes it special.

Bukhara is a city where history isn’t confined to monuments—it spills into courtyards, markets, and quiet side streets. From the shadow of the Kalon Minaret to shaded bazaars and centuries-old mosques, this guide covers how to get there, where to stay, what to eat, and how much time to spend, with practical tips for travelers who prefer to move slowly and let a place reveal itself.

From Dubrovnik’s city walls to Thailand’s shifting travel economy and Uzbekistan’s growing list of entry fees, more destinations are putting price tags on access. Sometimes it works—reducing crowds and funding preservation. Sometimes it risks pricing out the very travelers who helped make a place special in the first place. This is a look at when charging more makes sense, when it backfires, and why tourism doesn’t disappear—it just moves.

Khiva is one of the most intact Silk Road cities in Central Asia, a place where massive mudbrick walls still enclose a living old town. This nuts-and-bolts guide covers when to go, how to get there, where to stay, what to eat, and how much time to spend—so you can slow down, wander the Itchan Kala, and experience Khiva at its best.

Everything you need to know about taking the overnight train from Tashkent to Khiva: comfort, cabins, sleep, and whether it’s worth it.