Photos From Turkmenistan Updated May 2025, Photos from Turkmenistan was originally written in January 2018 Turkmenistan has a reputation for being weird. One of the weirdest of the weird according to many who manage to get in, to be exact. From the bizarre dictatorship of the late Turkmenbashi, AKA President Saparmyrat Niyazov, and his fancy for […]
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10 Things to Know Before Your First Trip to Central Asia Updated May 2025, 10 Things to Know Before Your First Trip to Central Asia originally appeared on Valerie & Valise back in 2019 When I’m traveling to a new region, I like to do my research. I learn the history of that place, and
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Solo Female Travel in Iran Updated April 2025, Solo Female Travel in Iran was originally written in May 2019 Yes- it’s possible, no- it’s not inherently dangerous. You might have to deal with a few inconveniences, annoyances and a challenge hither and tither but overall solo female travel in Iran is a rewarding experience. I spent
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Darvaza Gas Crater: Camping at the Door to Hell, Turkmenistan Updated March 2025, The Darvaza Gas Crater: Camping at the Door to Hell, Turkmenistan was originally written in January 2020 Two things brought me to Central Asia initially: The Fann Mountains and the Darvaza Gas Crater. A big thing separates the two: Uzbekistan. So that quickly got tacked on,
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Rasht Valley, Tajikistan Updated March 2025, Rasht Valley, Tajikistan was originally written in November 2019 It took me five trips to Tajikistan before I finally made it to the Rasht Valley. The little-visited region of the country had been on my radar since 2017. To be fair, the Rasht Valley is a bit inconvenient to visit with the
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10 Essentials You Need to Pack for Central Asia Updated March 2025, 10 Essentials You Need to Pack for Central Asia originally appeared on Valerie & Valise back in 2019 For most people who hear about Central Asia, their first question is… “where?” That’s okay – Central Asia isn’t one of the top tourist destinations
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Day Trip to Takht e Rustam & Samangan, Afghanistan Updated March 2025, Day Trip to Takht e Rustam & Samangan, Afghanistan was originally written in February 2019 Much of Afghanistan’s Buddhist past has been razed and built over as Islam spread over the land. The few that remained through the Islamization of Afghanistan didn’t survive the
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Shahr e Zohak: Afghanistan’s Red City Updated March 2025, Shahr e Zohak, Afghanistan’s Red City was originally written in February 2019 Guarding the gates of Bamyan Valley where the Bamyan and Kalu Rivers converge sits Shahr e Zohak in its striking crimson grandeur. Estimates put the red city’s origins into the 6th century, built by
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Explore Almaty Metro: Kazakhstan’s Underground Gem Updated May 2025, A Tour Through the Almaty Metro was originally written in October 2019 This is a guide to the Almaty Metro including the most beautiful and interesting stations in Kazakhstan’s largest city of Almaty. Full disclosure: I’m a complete moron when it comes to public transportation. You could
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31 Local Central Asia Foods & Drinks to Try on Your First Trip Updated February 2025, 31 Local Central Asia Foods & Drinks to Try on Your First Trip originally appeared on Valerie & Valise back in 2019 As you already know, Central Asia is a pretty surprising region. After my trip in August 2019
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