A visit to Uzbekistan means mosques, madrasahs, monuments and the metro - and a whole lot of blue! Blue domes, blue tiles and blue skies.
Starting in Tashkent, the airport is not what you would call modern but it is functional. On arrival and once through immigration (which is relatively quick and easy), you collect your luggage from the carousel and walk out the door. If you’re wanting to change money, there’s a money changer near the luggage carousel. You can also purchase SIM cards for your phone although some of the people on my tour who did, said they didn’t work all the time. I just kept my phone on aeroplane mode and linked in with the hotel Wi-Fi wherever we stayed.
If you have a transfer booked, they will not meet you inside the terminal – you need to exit the terminal, walk down a covered walkway, across the car park (follow the arrows on the road) and you will see everyone standing behind metal barricades waiting for people to arrive.
The hotels I stayed at in Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand were all very nice and small, serving a buffet breakfast and offering free Wi-Fi. The breakfasts were a bit like a deconstructed Maccas – think sausage McMuffin only better with a Uzbek twist – lamb kofta or pattie, fried eggs, fried onions with potato and one morning we even had pizza on offer! There was also a good selection of cereals, yoghurts, fruit, cold meats, bread and crepes. However, one word of warning – everything that should be hot is actually lukewarm. But, if there is a microwave on the buffet table – it’s there for a reason as I discovered after watching the locals – use it to heat up whatever you want to eat hot!
Tashkent itself is an interesting city with modernish buildings (mostly built by the Soviets during their occupation in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s) intermixed with much older buildings. The metro is a highlight of a visit to this city, along with the Chorsu Bazaar.
The fast train from Tashkent to Bukhara takes four hours and passes through nice countryside. Tip – the first lot of food they bring through the carriages you pay for. If you wait until the next lot, you will get tea or coffee and a snack for free.
Bukhara is a lovely UNESCO World Heritage city filled with iconic buildings and sites steeped in Uzbek history. Highlights include Chor Minor, the Ismali Samani Mausoleum, the Kalyan Mosque, Ulugbek Madrasah and Maghoki Attar Mosque.
If you are feeling adventurous then try the Hammam – a Turkish style bath-house and massage.
A popular highlight of any trip to Uzbekistan is a visit to Samarkand to see the Registan, but this city has a whole lot more to offer. One of my favourite places to visit was the Shah-i-Zinda – an avenue of highly-decorated and spectacular mausoleums decorated with - you guessed it - amazing blue tiles. I don’t think you tire of seeing blue tiles on almost everything as they are all different and unique.
Uzbekistan is a truly fascinating country to visit with friendly locals eager to help (and have their photo taken with you!), even though English is not widely spoken. I’d definitely add it to your bucket list.