6


Four thousand miles of ancient trails, vast deserts and dramatic mountain passes: there’s something quite magical about the Silk Road, the centuries-old network of trading routes that dates from the days of Alexander the Great and continued to be used for thousands of years. Today, it retains mystery as much as beauty, stretching from the historic cities of China to the sparkling monuments of central Asia and Europe, connecting east to west in a one-of-its-kind overland route. Now, adventurous travellers


are catching on. Interest in the region has been growing steadily over the past few years thanks to increased political stability, and Joanna Lumley’s recent TV series has given things a further boost. Operators have introduced tours to the region left, right and centre in response, making this glorious, culture-rich area easier to access – and sell – than ever. We’ve put together a guide to some of the best tours to help you do just that.


1


CHINA: WENDY WU TOURS’ SILK ROAD EXPLORER Where better to explore


the Silk Road than China, where it all began? It was under the Han dynasty (dating as far back as 200BC) that this ancient network first took root, carrying goods from Xi’an through the western Xinjiang region towards central Asia and beyond. Wendy Wu Tours’ 26-day Silk


RIGHT:


Sighnaghi, Georgia


BELOW: Gansu, China


ESCORTED TOURS SILK ROAD DESTINATIONS


Road Explorer itinerary takes clients to its most fascinating stops, passing Xi’an, Tibet, the Great Wall, Gobi desert and ‘singing sand dunes’ via historic, commercial towns including Zhangye, Turpan (a ‘desert oasis’) and Kashgar. Here, donkey carts bounce along narrow alleys, artisans sculpt away on street corners and traders barter at a hectic bazaar that’s been in the same spot for centuries. Book it: From £4,290 including all meals, flights, transport, visa fees and accommodation. wendywutours.co.uk


2


GEORGIA: CYCLING WITH EXPLORE Snow-dusted mountains, medieval villages, fairy-


tale castles and ancient Silk Road cave towns – welcome to Georgia. Interest in this former


Retaining mystery as much as beauty, it connects east to west in a one-of-its-kind overland route


Soviet country is firmly on the up, and it’s little surprise, with its warm, welcoming people, intriguing (if turbulent) history and glorious mountainous landscapes that invite adventure on foot or by bike. Explore’s Cycling in Georgia


trip, which is new for 2019, is all about the latter. Travelling by bus and bike, guests will visit farms, vineyards and key Silk Road


hotspots, staying in traditional guesthouses and sampling local food and wines cultivated in what’s regarded as the birthplace of viticulture. Cycling and tipples, anyone? Book it: From £1,635 including flights, transfers, accommodation and some meals. explore.co.uk


3


UZBEKISTAN: MERCURY HOLIDAYS’ UZBEKISTAN AND THE SILK ROUTE A gathering point for


thousands of years thanks to its position at the heart of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan is a shrine to all things cultural, with glimmering cities such as Samarkand, where turquoise-tiled, domed Islamic buildings shine out from mosaic-decorated squares. For those looking to


15 November 2018travelweekly.co.uk77


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