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Uzbekistan is a country with a fascinating history that spans great eras and rulers, starting with Alexander the Great and the reign of Tamerlane and ending with the Khiva Khanate. The country has many ancient sites that are on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and wonderful things for the visitor to discover.

The glorious cities of Uzbekistan are well known, with Samarkand and its famous Registan Square and the old district of Bukhara whose streets have remained unchanged through the centuries. The fortress at Khiva is another of the country’s great sights that more than compensates any visitor who takes the trouble to cover the distance to see this historic, open-air museum. The image of the capital city, Tashkent, is one that intricately combines the colours of the East with modern architecture.

Many years ago, the Great Silk Road passed through Uzbekistan and the best traditions of those times have survived into the 21st century. The most charming of these is the tradition of hospitality that the local people have never lost, alongside a tolerance for each other’s customs and faiths.

For centuries, the representatives of different nationalities have lived here in peace and harmony. Local kindness and the secular foundations of this society make it a welcoming place for travellers.

Other traditions of the Silk Road

include a special interest in trade, which you can find in the local markets with the loud hawkers who display their skills to the fascinated crowds. People bargain here as a matter of course, and the abundance of choice and goods of every colour and smell will seduce you into joining in. If you once dreamed of visiting an Eastern bazaar out of the fairy tales of The Arabian Nights, you will find that the bazaar you imagined is here in Uzbekistan.

While here you should buy local spices. If you want souvenirs, look for items handmade in Bukhara with gold embroidery, caracul (curly sheepskin), ceramics from Gizhduvan and Rishtan, Margilan silk and Chust knives.

While it may feel that time has stood still in the market, you will find that ancient caravanserais have been replaced by modern hotels chains such as the Wyndham, Radisson, Dedeman, Lotte, Hyatt and

Hilton. However, if you are reluctant to leave the exotic atmosphere of the old Silk Road behind, then you can choose to stay in a real madrasah, a boutique hotel decorated as a palace or a traditional Uzbek house.

The climate here is beautiful. The height of the tourist season is in the spring, from March to early June, and in the autumn from September to the beginning of November. This is generally considered to be the best time to visit Uzbekistan, when the average temperature is between 20 and 25 degrees.

Spring here is truly beautiful; everything is green and blooming and the air is fragrant. The autumn season is warm with occasional rain, and it is also the season of vegetables and fruit, such as watermelons, and many more delicious varieties of melon, ripe and sweet as honey.

This is also festival season, with the most popular being the folk festivals of Silk and Spices in Bukhara and Spring of Baisun in the province of Surkhandarya. These colourful holidays will introduce you to the cultural heritage of these regions.

In the summer you can go to the mountains, climb to the top of waterfalls, follow the banks of mountain rivers and admire unforgettable landscapes from the height of the Beldersay cable car. The lake of Charvak is the jewel of the western Tian Shan mountain range, with glorious beaches and fun on offer for those who enjoy extreme sports. Do you want more? Head to the Kyzylkum desert, conquer sand dunes on the backs of camels and spend a night in a nomad’s yurt. The morning will bring you to the miraculous Aidarkul, a lake in the middle of desert with clean, salty water, golden sand and an abundance of fish.

In winter, as a rule, the temperature stays quite moderate, so it is still a good time of year to go hiking. But if you

go to the mountainous regions you will find yourself in a winter sports paradise, as Uzbekistan has well-equipped resorts for skiers and snowboarders.

The hospitable Uzbek people are happy to share the secrets of their craftsmanship, and if you take part in these classes you will not only acquire new skills but also learn more about the country’s culture and history. Crafts you can learn include the ancient technology of making paper, weaving carpets, making wine and the opportunity to take home what you have created.

It is difficult not to be seduced by the Uzbek national cuisine.

Its popularity can be explained, perhaps, by the influence of all the different cultures that passed through in the years gone by, so local dishes have accumulated knowledge from the best of many time-tested recipes that travellers brought with them.

The number one dish is, of course, pilaf (meat and rice), but served in a great variety of ways. Uzbek cooking is nutritious, aromatic and the main ingredients are meat and vegetables flavoured with spices.

Everyone will find something for themselves. The country that has been famed for its hospitality since the days of the Great Silk Road is waiting to welcome you.