Silk Road – Tips For Travelling

The Silk Road is a network of routes that were used for trading across Asia; the route was created in the 2nd century and was used until the 15th century. When we think of Silk Road, the name Marco Polo springs to mind, yet the route was in use long before Polo arrived on the scene. The Chinese perfected the making of silk, a sumptuous fabric that was in high demand in Europe and China was the only place where silk was made.

Security was always an issue; traders were killed and robbed by bandits, which made the route very dangerous and traders hired mercenaries to protect them on the journey.

The parts of the Silk Road are still in use by locals but it is no longer a serious trade route; air, road and rail have taken over as trade routes. If you would like to re-enact Marco Polo’s epic journey into Central Asia, here are a few tips.

Take A Luxury Train Tour

Book a cabin on one of the Silk Road luxury train tours and enjoy the picturesque scenery as you meander through many nations. The Great Silk Road Adventure is the most popular route, which takes in Almaty, Bishkek, Tashkent, Kokand, Shakhrisabz, Samarkand, Khujand, Khiva and Bukhara. This epic 15-night journey brings you the best of the Silk Road and there are 4 different cabin classes to choose from.

Choosing A Season

If you search with Google, you’ll find a leading luxury train tour operator, where you’ll find all the information you need about the various times of the year and how the weather is likely to be. You will need to book well in advance; these luxury train tours are very much in demand. Start by checking the timetables for each route and when you find a tour that ticks all your boxes, you can reserve a cabin.

Join The Land Tours

The highlight of the experience, there are many tours in the towns and cities along the way. The price is included for the main tours, while there are optional tours that you can book.

Do Some Online Research

Who would have thought that we would reach a point where we can summon up any information onto a screen? Google can find what you’re looking for in less than a second! Check out the history of Tashkent, learn about Marco Polo and his epic adventures and this will enrich the experience. You can also use the web to find out about climate variation along the route. A total of 6300km awaits the traveller who wishes to go down the Silk Road and a luxury locomotive is by far the best way to experience this unique trade route.

Learn Some Basic Language Phrases

While you won’t be able to do this with every language you encounter, at least you can find out how to say ‘hello’ and ‘how are you today?’ Of course, you won’t be on the train all the time; indeed, you have many opportunities to meet the local people. When you are touring, you will have an English-speaking guide and that makes all the difference.

This epic journey is on many people’s wish list and for good reason. You can experience the places that Marco Polo passed through as he brought Chinese silk into Europe. For more details, search the web for a leading luxury train tour company that is based in the UK and check out the many routes and trains they represent.