Things are looking up for Tajikistan currently one of the world's poorest countries -with enormous growth potential of water, hydropower, agriculture and food processing, mineral resources such as gold and silver and a budding tourism industry.

We spent our final day in Turkmenistan on a 3 hour return trip to Koneurgench, capital of the region in the 10th and 11th centuries - a center of Islamic culture and an important stop on the famous Silk Road.

After an overnight stay in modern Mary we headed to the ancient remains of Merv - the oldest and best-preserved of the oasis-cities along the Silk Route in Central Asia, spanning 4,000 years of human history.

Continuing our tour in Ashgabat - the capital of Turkmenistan. A showcase city filled with at least 500 white marble buildings. multi lane roads with large white and gold sculptures adorn every roundabout and overpass yet there not many people around.

Ashgabat is the capital of Turkmenistan. A showcase city filled with at least 500 white marble buildings. Multi lane roads with large white and gold sculptures adorn every roundabout and overpass yet there not many people around.

Khiva is one of the most intact Silk Road cities in the world. We arrive as dusk fell, the call to pray ringing out, Khiva resembled an ancient town with clay-coloured houses and glittering minarets enclosed within gigantic fortress walls.

Continuing in Bukhara, so many highlights, including the Chashmai Ayyub Mausoleum, Summer Palace of Bukhara Emir Said Olimkhan and The Ark.

The old town of Bukhara’s small streets lined with brick buildings - cobbled lanes, arches and cupolas drawing us back in time, a subtle invitation to explore this city of poetry and legends. With blue domes and majolica tiled walls, the lace of stone masonry covered in the dust of centuries.

Leaving Samarkand we travel along more of the Silk Road to Bukhara. Some stops along the way - a caravanserai and a family business specialising in tradition pottery, textiles and carpets.

Continuing to explore Samarkand - The Pearl of the Eastern Muslim World - an UNESCO World Heritage.

Poets and historians described Samarkand as The Pearl of the Eastern Muslim World and it’s easy to see why it’s listed as an UNESCO World Heritage

Construction of the Tashkent Metro began two years after the destructive earthquake in 1966, with the first line opening in 1977 in honor of 60th anniversary of the USSR. Let's explore some of the station with unique architectural features.

Amir Timur is a controversial figure of the 14th century as he sacked and destroyed many cities during his reign. But for Uzbekistan, he is a national hero - a unifying figure of strength and courage.

Uzbekistan is the most densely populated of the Stan countries, surrounded by the other four. Its name is a combination of the Turkik words uz (self), bek (master) and the Persian suffix sta (country). This essentially translates as ‘Land of the Free’ - the country also gained independence in 1991.

The "Almaty Metro" was opened on 1 December 2011, after more than 23 years of construction. It is only 11.3km in length but a joy to travel on with each station beautifully adorned with murals

Expecting stark brutalist Russian architecture to dominate, Almaty, Kazakhstan is filled with many modern buildings with attractive sculptures dotted about. The Soviets loved big squares, huge sculptures and monuments also feature