Tailor-made Holidays in Uzbekistan by Cox & Kings

There are a wide variety of cultural things to do in Uzbekistan on a tailor-made itinerary. Discover the architectural highlights of the capital, Tashkent, including Kukeldash Madrasa, Muyie Mubarak library and Tillya Sheikh Mosque. The city also has some excellent museum collections revealing Uzbek and pre-Uzbek culture. Watch a folklore show at the open-air theatre to experience the lifestyles, authentic traditions and music of the Uzbek people.

Journey south to Samarkand, once a focal point on the Silk Road. It became one of the world’s greatest cities under the rule of Amir Timur (better known as Tamerlane) in the 14th century. A highlight of Samarkand is that this ancient metropolis still displays beautifully ornate mosques and tombs decorated with vivid blue tiles and intricate mosaics, all centred on the vast Registan Square with its three immense madrasas.

Other recommendations for a tailor-made journey in Uzbekistan include the historical centre of Bukhara, where you can visit Shakristan and Kunya Ark fortress; the preserved city of Khiva, which still lies within its original forbidding city walls and has changed very little since the 18th century; and the workshops in the market town of Gijduvan, where you can buy some of the beautifully designed ceramics that are made here.