Thanks, everyone! I think I’ll keep two nights in each city for now, book the train in advance, and look for a guide for a few hours in Samarkand rath...

One more thing: is it worth visiting the main sites early in the morning, or is late afternoon better? I’d love to avoid the biggest crowds, but I als...

That’s helpful. I’m interested in history, but I’m also travelling with my mother, who doesn’t like rushing around all day. How did you get between ...