Almaty
The bridge between Asia and Europe is Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan with a growing population of 1.5 million. Also known as the "city of apples," Almaty grows a variety of apples used both as consumption and scientific research. At night, travelers navigate their way to its bright city lights and on a clear day, the snow-capped mountains are kissed by the sun in the background. While visiting Almaty, take advantage of the aerial tramway zipping you to the top of Kok Tobe. Practice your ice skating in Medeu, the highest Olympic sized ice stadium. Stroll through Arbat, a tree-line pedestrian street or gaze in awe at the grandeur of the Presidential Palace.
Darvaza
Ashgabat
The accomplishments of the Turkmen rests in the "the city of love" also known as Ashgabat. Found between the Karakum Desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range, Ashgabat a young city founded in 1881 sprouted on the ruins of the Silk Road. Across a dry valley, this city is covered in crisp white marble, glistening gold domes, and parks perfectly manicured.
Tbilisi
According to legend, the city of Tbilisi was founded in the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali who discovered a mystical warm spring that inspired the king to build a city on the site. Tbili meaning "warm" has been rebuilt 29 times and old town Tbilisi is known for its natural sulfur bathhouses. The city straddles the Mtkvari river, sits at the foot of the Trialeti mountain range, and lies in the center of eastern Georgia.
Dilijan
Dilijan is known as the "Armenian Switzerland" due to the alpine meadows, forested mountains and valleys, and fresh air. This spa resort town is a popular spot for walking and hiking, mountain biking and hillside picnicking, due to its excellent location within the beautiful Dilijan Naitonal Park.
Tashkent
The capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent has a growing population of 3 million people. Tashkent preserves its European architecture from old Turkestan and because of its multi-ethnic population Oriental and Arabic touches makes this city a modern and medieval wanderlust.
Samarkand
Built around the same time as Babylon and Rome, the city of Samarkand has seen the conquests of Alexander the Great, Genghis-Khan and Tamerlane's. Centuries of development melted cultures from Arabia and Asia with poets and historians calling it "Rome of the East, The beauty of sublunary countries, The pearl of the Eastern Muslim World." Samarkand is a wealth of ancient architecture with spiritual value making it listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famous monuments to visit is the Registan Mosque, Bibi-Khanum Mosque, and Guri Amir Mausoleum and the Shahi-Zinda Necropolis.
Bukhara
The ancient Persian city of Bukhara, located on the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, is more than 2,000 years old. Often visited for its famous tomb of Ismail Samani and a large number of 17th century madrasas, Bhukara is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to being one of the best examples of 10th century Islamic architecture in the world.
Khiva
This ancient city, a trading center on the Silk Road has been a caravan stop since the 10th century. People gather from both east and west not only to trade, but for its tasty and cool water. Legend has it that the city was built around the well that was dug up in the old part of Khiva. This well can be visited today. Once a bustling city with a scarred past, Khiva is now a peaceful open-aired museum clustered with mosques, madrassahs and tiled minarets.
Baku
Baku is a port city known as the “city of winds” and is the capital of Azerbaijan. It is the largest city in Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea. Baku is known for its high concentration of oil fields. Rich in culture, Baku is an enjoyable tourist destination. Visitors can enjoy the national theatre, museums and galleries, philharmonic, opera, medieval old town sights, and an exciting nightlife.
Yerevan
The largest and oldest inhabited cities in Armenia is Yerevan. It's history dates back to 8th century BC however it underwent significant reconstruction to resemble Paris, Vienna, and St. Petersburg. This relaxed city is a wonderful European masterpiece with public squares built over 3,000-year-old ruins and dancing fountains, flower-covered staircases, collections of traditional and decorative folk art, and views of beautiful artistry of gardens and sculptures that give the city life!
The bridge between Asia and Europe is Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan with a growing population of 1.5 million. Also known as the "city of apples," Almaty grows a variety of apples used both as consumption and scientific research. At night, travelers navigate their way to its bright city lights and on a clear day, the snow-capped mountains are kissed by the sun in the background. While visiting Almaty, take advantage of the aerial tramway zipping you to the top of Kok Tobe. Practice your ice skating in Medeu, the highest Olympic sized ice stadium. Stroll through Arbat, a tree-line pedestrian street or gaze in awe at the grandeur of the Presidential Palace.
The accomplishments of the Turkmen rests in the "the city of love" also known as Ashgabat. Found between the Karakum Desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range, Ashgabat a young city founded in 1881 sprouted on the ruins of the Silk Road. Across a dry valley, this city is covered in crisp white marble, glistening gold domes, and parks perfectly manicured.
According to legend, the city of Tbilisi was founded in the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali who discovered a mystical warm spring that inspired the king to build a city on the site. Tbili meaning "warm" has been rebuilt 29 times and old town Tbilisi is known for its natural sulfur bathhouses. The city straddles the Mtkvari river, sits at the foot of the Trialeti mountain range, and lies in the center of eastern Georgia.
Dilijan is known as the "Armenian Switzerland" due to the alpine meadows, forested mountains and valleys, and fresh air. This spa resort town is a popular spot for walking and hiking, mountain biking and hillside picnicking, due to its excellent location within the beautiful Dilijan Naitonal Park.
The capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent has a growing population of 3 million people. Tashkent preserves its European architecture from old Turkestan and because of its multi-ethnic population Oriental and Arabic touches makes this city a modern and medieval wanderlust.
Built around the same time as Babylon and Rome, the city of Samarkand has seen the conquests of Alexander the Great, Genghis-Khan and Tamerlane's. Centuries of development melted cultures from Arabia and Asia with poets and historians calling it "Rome of the East, The beauty of sublunary countries, The pearl of the Eastern Muslim World." Samarkand is a wealth of ancient architecture with spiritual value making it listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famous monuments to visit is the Registan Mosque, Bibi-Khanum Mosque, and Guri Amir Mausoleum and the Shahi-Zinda Necropolis.
The ancient Persian city of Bukhara, located on the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, is more than 2,000 years old. Often visited for its famous tomb of Ismail Samani and a large number of 17th century madrasas, Bhukara is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to being one of the best examples of 10th century Islamic architecture in the world.
This ancient city, a trading center on the Silk Road has been a caravan stop since the 10th century. People gather from both east and west not only to trade, but for its tasty and cool water. Legend has it that the city was built around the well that was dug up in the old part of Khiva. This well can be visited today. Once a bustling city with a scarred past, Khiva is now a peaceful open-aired museum clustered with mosques, madrassahs and tiled minarets.
Baku is a port city known as the “city of winds” and is the capital of Azerbaijan. It is the largest city in Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea. Baku is known for its high concentration of oil fields. Rich in culture, Baku is an enjoyable tourist destination. Visitors can enjoy the national theatre, museums and galleries, philharmonic, opera, medieval old town sights, and an exciting nightlife.
The largest and oldest inhabited cities in Armenia is Yerevan. It's history dates back to 8th century BC however it underwent significant reconstruction to resemble Paris, Vienna, and St. Petersburg. This relaxed city is a wonderful European masterpiece with public squares built over 3,000-year-old ruins and dancing fountains, flower-covered staircases, collections of traditional and decorative folk art, and views of beautiful artistry of gardens and sculptures that give the city life!
