Essence of the Silk Road & Beyond by Private Train

Essence of the Silk Road & Beyond by Private Train
MIR Corporation / October 16, 2017

Traverse four of the five ‘Stans of Central Asia on this private rail journey along the Silk Road. Begin in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city. Continue into Kyrgyzstan to inspect the capital, Bishkek, and take a boat ride on the country’s most beautiful lake, Issyk-Kul. Dip into Khujand in Tajikistan to meet with a local family and hear about their daily lives. Stop in Tamerlane’s UNESCO-listed hometown, Shahrisabz, before visiting three famed Uzbek Silk Road oases – Samarkand, Khiva, and Bukhara – all of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Experience four UNESCO sites in 16 days, with seven hotel nights and eight nights onboard the comfortable Orient Silk Road Express private train. Read More

Return to the North Caucasus

Return to the North Caucasus
MIR Corporation / September 8, 2017

Join MIR on a one-of-a-kind adventure as we return to the fascinating and complex North Caucasus region, today experiencing the very beginnings of a revitalization of tourism. Discover the ravishing mountain landscapes, medley of cultures and overflowing hospitality of North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Chechnya and Dagestan, where ancient mountain tribes have guarded their way of life for thousands of years. Read More

Village Traditions of the South Caucasus

Village Traditions of the South Caucasus
MIR Corporation / August 3, 2017

Step deep into the cultures of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, experiencing local life in one of the most hospitable regions of the world. Share stories and warm meals in mountain villages, sample natural wines and fantastic local cuisine, and meet craftspeople who work in clay, stained glass, metal and wood — all of it set to a soundtrack of polyphonic singing that can give you goosebumps, and traditional instruments playing the old, old songs of love and heartbreak. Read More

Bulgaria & Romania: Frescoes & Fortresses

Bulgaria & Romania: Frescoes & Fortresses
MIR Corporation / February 7, 2017

Explore the complex history and fascinating culture of Bulgaria and Romania, two East European countries whose rugged terrain and consequent isolation have helped preserve their heritage. Discover the luminous frescoes of the painted monasteries, breathe in the fragrance of the Valley of the Roses, and spend an afternoon visiting with villagers in a tiny Transylvanian town.Read More

Backstreets & Bazaars of Uzbekistan

Backstreets & Bazaars of Uzbekistan
MIR Corporation / July 11, 2016

Taste your way through Uzbekistan, the vibrant heart of the Silk Road, during the height of the Uzbek New Year, Navruz. Explore the exciting culinary tastes and ancient architecture of three of the most celebrated Silk Road oases – Bukhara, Khiva and Samarkand – along with the modern capital of Tashkent. Celebrate Navruz with the locals as they welcome you into their homes, and discover the enduring traditions and abundant hospitality essential to everyday Uzbek culture. Read More

Essence of the Silk Road by Private Train: Eastbound

Essence of the Silk Road by Private Train: Eastbound
MIR Corporation / October 30, 2015

Roll through the heart of the Silk Road on this riveting rail journey by private train, experiencing seven treasured UNESCO Sites in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The journey begins in Ashgabat, capital of Turkmenistan, where gleaming marble monuments are counterbalanced by the ruins of Parthian Nisa and ancient Merv. Continue through the Uzbek Silk Road oases of Bukhara, Khiva and Samarkand, fabled cities of blue-tiled domes and graceful arches. End with a traditional meal in a Kazakh yurt in leafy Almaty, Kazakhstan’s business capital. Read More

Essence of the Silk Road by Private Train: Westbound

Essence of the Silk Road by Private Train: Westbound
MIR Corporation / September 16, 2015

Roll through the heart of the Silk Road on this riveting rail journey by private train, experiencing seven treasured UNESCO Sites in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The journey begins in leafy Almaty, Kazakhstan’s business capital, with a traditional meal in a Kazakh yurt, and continues through the Uzbek Silk Road oases of Samarkand, Khiva and Bukhara, fabled cities of blue-tiled domes and graceful arches. In Turkmenistan, the ruins of ancient Merv and Parthian Nisa provide a counterweight to Ashgabat’s gleaming modern monuments. Read More

Siberia & Mongolia: Spirits & Nomads

Siberia & Mongolia: Spirits & Nomads
MIR Corporation / July 23, 2015

Beautiful and exotic, Siberia and Mongolia are worlds away from the traditional beaten path. Explore the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, then fly to the red sands of the Gobi Desert. Celebrate a country Naadam Festival, far from the glitz and ruckus of the capital. In Siberia, take to the waters of great Lake Baikal, the oldest and deepest lake on earth, and ride a section of the fabled Trans-Siberian Railway.Read More

Essential Caucasus

Essential Caucasus
MIR Corporation / August 18, 2013

Armenia’s intricate stone khachkar crosses, the bounteous wines of Georgia and the ancient petroglyphs of Azerbaijan are icons of these three intertwined Caucasus countries, where you can experience five UNESCO masterpieces in 10 days. Explore cave monasteries, Zoroastrian fire temples and medieval watchtowers, and feast on the savory cuisine of the imaginative South Caucasus cultures.Read More

Essential St. Petersburg

Essential St. Petersburg
MIR Corporation / August 10, 2013

St. Petersburg, home of the czars and their courts, is a rich repository of extravagant palaces, brilliant museums and renowned theaters overflowing with music and dance. Its fashionable boulevards and serene canals glisten in the “White Nights” of summer and dazzle on sunny winter days. Built by Peter the Great as Russia’s Window to the West, St. Petersburg is one of the world’s great cities.Read More