Uzbekistan

This landlocked country – the most populous in central Asia with 29 million residents – is dominated by dry deserts and augmented by foothills and snow-capped mountains. As such, residents are primarily limited to oases where resplendent cities will amaze with their dazzling architecture and traditional cuisine. Three cities – Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva – have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Exploring their ancient walls is a trip back to tumultuous times of rule by Alexander the Great or the conquering hordes of Genghis Khan. Iconic mammals such as the Snow Leopard prowl the mountains where few indications of settlement can be found.