Traveler Spotlight: An Interview with Award-Winning Author Anya von Bremzen on Traveling to Uzbekistan

Traveler Spotlight: An Interview with Award-Winning Author Anya von Bremzen on Traveling to Uzbekistan
MIR Corporation / December 10, 2019
Silk Road

Anya von Bremzen is an award-winning food writer and the author of such delectable cookbooks as Please to the Table and Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking. A passionate foodie, world traveler, and expert on the cultures and cuisines of Russia and the former Soviet Republics, Anya fell in love with the country of Uzbekistan in Central Asia on a trip there in the early 1990s, when it was still a part of the Soviet Union. Ever since that first visit, she dreamed of one day making her return to the Silk Road.After two decades of waiting, news of Uzbekistan’s progressive political and economic changes made over the last few years ultimately convinced Anya that now was the perfect time to revisit. She reached out to MIR to plan her week-long sojourn through the Silk Road — a custom-made sampler of the modern capital of Tashkent, the celebrated city ofaaaRead More

A Traveler’s Personal Story of Her Return to the North Caucasus

A Traveler’s Personal Story of Her Return to the North Caucasus
Susanna McNeil / December 5, 2018
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Russia

When MIR traveler Susanna Markiewicz McNeil signed up for MIR’s Return to the North Caucasus small group tour, she was – literally – returning. Susanna was born in a village in Dagestan, an out-of-the-way region her Polish parents fled to during the atrocities of WWII. Prior to her departure, Susanna shared with MIR that her family had once lived in Dagestan, and that she was actually born there. MIR worked diligently with our Tour Manager and local MIR guide to find a way for her to visit her birthplace and reconnect with her roots. We used our destination expertise and on-the-ground connections to make it happen. We are grateful to have Susanna share her story of her very personal return to the North Caucasus, and to the small town where she was born and lived the first few years of her life. Read More

Traveler’s Tale: Impressions of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s Peculiar Capital City

Traveler’s Tale: Impressions of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s Peculiar Capital City
Nathan Cox / March 2, 2018
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Central Asia

MIR Tour Specialist Nathan Cox was born and raised in Utah, but has spent much of his adult life living and working in Russia and Ukraine. Since then, he’s traveled to a number of MIR's destinations, including China, Central Asia, the Baltics, and Europe. Here, Nathan shares his impressions and memories of his recent travels to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan's strange and fascinating capital city.  Read More

Client Spotlight: Travel to Belarus, Ukraine & Moldova

Client Spotlight: Travel to Belarus, Ukraine & Moldova
MIR Corporation / July 10, 2017
Traveler's Tale

In the spring of 2017, MIR traveler James Burch set off on MIR’s Belarus, Ukraine & Moldova small group tour, sending almost daily reports on his progress. We saved his refreshing and good-natured missives and observant photos, and put them together for you to enjoy as we did. Follow along as James Burch shares his perspective on Belarus, Ukraine & Moldova – three countries that don’t often get a lot of love from travelers. Read More

A Traveler’s Tale: Baku, Azerbaijan and the Shores of the Caspian Sea

A Traveler’s Tale: Baku, Azerbaijan and the Shores of the Caspian Sea
Jake Smith / April 25, 2017
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South Caucasus

MIR’s Jake Smith recently traveled through Azerbaijan and its highlight, Baku. In his tour diary and photo gallery, discover his favorite finds in this historic city that features both old town charm and modern marvels. Read More

Traveler Spotlight: Dispatches from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan

Traveler Spotlight: Dispatches from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan
MIR Corporation / July 12, 2016
Central Asia

MIR traveler Fred Lundahl spent 30 years serving in U.S. embassies abroad with the Foreign Service. During his postings, he fell in love with Central Asia, and still travels there every couple of years. Recently, Fred traveled with MIR on another trip through Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, including some hiking “in the most picturesque mountains that no one in the U.S. has heard of – the Fann Mountains north of Dushanbe [Tajikistan].” Read Fred’s Travel Journal for all of his dispatches from Central Asia. Read More

A Traveler’s Tale: Yurt Living in Sary Tash, Kyrgyzstan

A Traveler’s Tale: Yurt Living in Sary Tash, Kyrgyzstan
Caroline Eden / January 14, 2016
Central Asia

Our guest blogger is Caroline Eden, a journalist and travel writer from the U.K. specializing in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Caroline’s travel stories have appeared in Conde Nast, Wanderlust and National Geographic Traveler, among other publications. Read More