Neophron

Khiva was the first site in Uzbekistan on the UNESCO world heritage list, for a reason. Itchan Kala, the inner town within the first city wall is a living museum. Stunning views from the Islam-Khodja minaret, the minaret of the Djuma Mosque with a forest of wooeden columns inside, and the city wall give an impression. Inside the Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud mausoleum and Kunya-Ark Citadel blue ceramic tiles everywhere in ever varying patterns.

The oasis Bukhara used to be a central trading hub. Today it has more than 200.000 inhabitants but the old town gives more the impression of a city-museum. Although a very lively one since a Nasriddin Afendi (Nasreddin Hodja) festival took place with music and dance in the streets.

We traveled from Tashkent to Samarkand by high-speed train. While being one of the oldest inhabitant cities in central Asia, the modern town lies besides the remnants of historic Afrasiyab. Registan square, Gur-i-Amir mausoleum, Shah-i-Zinda necropolis and ruins of Bibi-Khanym Mosque - all impressive, hard to pick a favourite.