Latest Central Asia Headlines

Experienced gemologist Kim Rix outlines what to look for in sapphires and how to safely buy them abroad. In her new book she’s already outlined what to look for. Now she tells you how to buy.

Heading up into Nepal’s highlands by bus, Yuri Drobkov stumbles into a pretty exotic bit of authentic culture.

Most travellers to the Indian Sub-Continent steer clear during its seasonal rains. Jack Cage says this is the time to capture the real spirit of the country.

Expat life in India can be terrific, but there is plenty of red tape. Let Richard Michael be your guide to cut through the beaurocracy.

An early injury curbs Brian Fisher’s ambitious plans for travelling around Thailand. But not by much..

Kiwi traveller Mary Jane Walker revisits Turkey’s iconic Cappadocia region, and takes the trouble to put it in a historic perspective.

Charlie Walker’s continuing adventures have resulted in the launch of a new travel book. Here, for the first time, take the chance to read his prologue.

Ignoring the advice of friends, Bhupender Gupta visits the lakes of Kashmir, where he finds a warm welcome in a postcard-pretty land now starved of tourists.

Digestive problems don’t stop Cole Evanek appreciating the sense of hope sweeping through one of the world’s least visited destinations, the country once called Burma.

Bhutan, the tiny country half-crushed between China and India, is famed for it’s religious adherence and dedication to national happiness. Alex Jones has been there.

As tension mounts over North Korea, Jacob Laukaitis – who has visited both – has put together a timely video to illustrate what each country is actually like.

Lee Ruddin finds many of Sri Lanka’s famous highlights overrun with travellers and spoiled. The overlooked town of Matara is much more to his liking.

Back in the 70’s the surf scene in Sri Lanka is pretty much a paradise, according to Devika A Rosamund. It probably still is.

Charlie Walker tracks the border between Russia and Asia. It’s cold up there but Cally helps him travel a route with absolutely no transport infrastructure.

Adventurer par excellence Charlie Walker runs into legal problems as he fights his way through a forgotten corner of the Soviet Empire. Who knew tourism was so illegal.

Years before Mother Teresa was sainted there was another philanthropist handing out food to Calcutta’s poor, Devika A Rosamund was in India when Major Gardener of the Salvation Army was equally famous.

Adam Jacot de Boinod tours the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, discovering plenty of luxurious hotels but – strangely – not much else.

Goden Kerr is the master of explaining complex subjects concisely and clearly. In this extract from his latest book, ‘A short History of India’, he explains the birth of one of the world’s greatest religions in 500 words.

These days the Swat Valley’s always in the news for the wrong reasons. Back in the 70’s it was very different, as Devika A Rosamund discovers as she peels off the ‘Hippy Trail’.

Charlie Walker’s latest expedition is tracing the border between Europe and Asia. His start, in the wintry tundra of northern Russia, makes it clear just what a task he’s undertaken.

Sankar Chatterjee flies into Burma and visits its most famous temple, the Schwedagon Pagoda in the largest city, Yangon.

Every traveller has experienced that moment when an unfamiliar environment feels overwhelming and threatening. Back in the 70’s Devika A Rosamund has a wobble on her journey to India.

On her slow journey East towards India in the 70’s, Devika A Rosamund finds Afghanistan provides a vivid experience of a medieval way of life.

Trains are notoriously inexpensive in India, but air flights are also the cheapest in the world. Lopa Mohanty has her head around all the terms and conditions.

On a study course in China, Chris Brauer realises that Chinese students eat to live rather than live to eat. A trip to the Hutongs gives a rare opportunity to find food that doesn’t taste of cardboard.

Devika A Rosamund takes the legendary ‘Magic Bus’ to India in the 70’s, but breaks away in Teheran to continue independently. Her journey suddenly gets a whole lot slower.

The Indian Himalayas are pretty unforgiving, even in summer. So it’s a brave move for Sankar Chatterjee to take his wife and nephew on what he probably thinks is just a winter walk.

On a Beijing to Tehran bike ride, Charles Stevens makes some extended stops in the Steppe around Ulaangom. Here he pays homage to that symbol of nomadic life: the not-so-humble yurt.

In Afghanistan Devika A Rosamund, who’s only ridden once, rents a horse. Perhaps central Herat wasn’t the best place to do this as small boys gleefully send it bolting through the streets.

In an age where Europe was ruled by powerful regional Kings, trade was opening up to Tsarist Russia. Kit Mayers recounts the story of Jenkinson’s Map, one of the first attempts to define the Russian nation.

When Mat Ward decided to use alcoholics anonymous to help kick the habit, he decided to travel the world visiting the worldwide network of this self-help movement. In the province of Tamil Nadu he finds recovering drinkers energised and active.

Adam Jacot de Boinod takes a seasonal tour of Sri Lanka, dangling like a pendant in the warm clear waters of the Indian Ocean.

Kit Mayers follows early explorer Anthony Jenkinson as he travels from Russia’s northern coast to Moscow, deep in the reign of Ivan the Terrible.

Myanmar might have problems accepting its Muslims, but it’s not widely known there are also Jews in Burma. Sankar Chatterjee explores Yangon’s (once Rangoon) only synagogue.

With little spoken Russian but a native taste for local wines, Gabi Gimson travels from Tiblisi to Yerevan, taking in the sights, sounds – and plenty of experiences – along the way.

India’s infamous traffic holds no fear for Jacob Laukaitis as he travels, with a friend, by motorbike through the world’s most chaotic traffic.

Paul Michelson finds his first sight of Pamukkale, Turkey’s famous postcard highlight, something of a disappointment. But he gives it time and finds plenty to appreciate,

A gentle hike through the Bhutanese Himalaya proves a rewarding challenge for Sankar Chatterjee as he makes a pilgrimage to the world’s most remote and enchanting Buddhist Monastery, Taktsang.