Spanning over 2,000 years of history, Bukhara’s atmospheric Old Town amazes with its with show-stopping architecture, lively trade markets, and fascinating backstreet gems. One of our Uzbekistan travel experts shares his ideas for how to spend a day in this legendary UNESO-listed oasis. Read More
Uzbekistan is the heart and soul of the Silk Road. The Old Towns of its four UNESCO-listed oasis cities – Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand and Shahrisabz – are incredible mazes of exotic architecture and gorgeous decorative art. Most of our Seattle staff have been here at least once, and some have lived here, so we asked them what they liked best about this Central Asian country at the heart of the Silk Road. Read More
With bounteous food, rivers of wine, sophisticated museums, historic architecture, cutting-edge restaurants, and Soviet chic, Tbilisi, Georgia, has most everything you could ask for in a destination. Growing more popular and “discoverable” with every travel season, Georgia’s capital city is ripe for the picking. Here are 10 reasons to discover Tbilisi before everyone else does. Read More
If you can travel to only one country in Central Asia, it should be Uzbekistan. Centered at the heart of the Silk Road, this exotic nation has been the region's cradle of culture for well over two millennia, laying claim to three of the most renowned caravan cities — Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Uzbeks are famous for their strong code of hospitality, and despite modern changes, people here have held fast to traditions that have changed little throughout the centuries. Here's just a few of our favorite ways to connect with Uzbekistan's down-to-earth locals and savor a slice of real Silk Road culture. Read More
MIR’s John Seckel has lived in Moscow for nearly two decades. In that time he’s cooked many meals, with ingredients fresh from the local market. But as John explains, there’s more than just veggies for sale. Read More
Quite often the best and longest-lasting memories folks have of their travels are of the people they meet along the way. Meeting local people is an art; it takes timing, opportunity and chutzpah. Some places that turn out to be great spots to meet locals are not as obvious. In fact, you might have to be a local to know about them. Here are some of our expert travel tips on where to go to meet locals... Read More
Tour Manager Michel Behar has traveled the world for MIR since 1998, and especially loves Central Asia. Here are his insider tips and shopping recommendations in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Read More
MIR’s John Seckel has lived in Russia for years and has lots of experience hunting down great souvenirs in Moscow. John shares some of his favorite shopping tips, including at the Arbat, Izmailovo Flea Market, and Russian Gift. Read More
Bill Altaffer, Extreme Traveler and 5th most traveled person in the world (according to the website mosttraveledpeople.com) tells the story of one of his photography trips to Central Asia, arranged through MIR. Publishing on the website Open World, whose stated mission is to “help people to find more freedom, love, passion, and adventure in their lives,” Affolter recounts his travels across Tajikistan's Pamir Highway, through Karakalpakia and to the Aral Sea, among other remote Silk Road locations.
The bounteous country of Georgia in the South Caucasus is a heaven-on-earth kind of place. Georgia has everything a traveler ... Read more
MIR’s one-of-a-kind exploration of the Russian space program has gotten a starring role in several media outlets recently, ... Read more
Pin this page