Chat - substitute for messaging discussion

Yes I thought I was on here but not sure how it worked. Stuff happens but I am looking at the idea of the Silk Road area for a trip next year so always interested in what is going on!

if I had to give just a little advice, I'd research the weather, it can be as hot as 114F. Take easy-dry clothes, take only hand-luggage, don't bother with toiletries, every hotel has them including toothbrushes, get hotels with buffet breakfasts (many) and fill up for the day as you may find yourself in a place with no food outlets at all. Also Uzbeckistan is by far the best country for seeing historical monuments, and Azerbaijan for amazing modern architecture.

Petra on forced hiatus in Porto - food poisoning wrote: "if I had to give just a little advice, I'd research the weather, it can be as hot as 114F. Take easy-dry clothes, take only hand-luggage, don't bother with toiletries, every hotel has them includin..."

Useful tips Petra - thanks. Samarkand particularly draws me. Need to start gathering ideas!! Enjoy Porto (somewhere else I've not been yet). Take care

Samarkand and Bukhara, but also Tashkent. The Soviet architecture and love of broad boulevards, parks and thousands of fountains is really nice. I sailed to Porto when it didn't have a single outdoor cafe with umbrellas, it's not like that now.