Uzbekistan in $830s-$860s RT

Uzbekistan sometimes feels like one big open-air museum. The country's history dates back to the days of the ancient Silk Road, and great care has been taken to preserve its gorgeous monuments and architecture.

It's not just the old stuff that's beautiful, either — even the subway takes your breath away.

You'll want to spend a day or two wandering around Tashkent, then move on to another spot. The ancient city of Samarkand is considered a must-see for a reason, but we'd also throw 2,500-year-old Khiva out there as an underrated itinerary addition. The stunning inner city is one of the few places in the world where cars are banned, making it a paradise for pedestrian explorers.

And if you get sick of buildings that make you say wow, try the mountains next :-)