The historic Koʻkaldosh madrasa is located in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia. Around 37 million people live here. Uzbekistan was part of the Soviet Union until 1991 and has been independent since then. It is the only country, apart from Liechtenstein, that is "double landlocked”. This means that you have to travel through at least two countries to reach the sea. The capital Tashkent is characterized by contrasts: on the one hand, it is a modern metropolis with wide streets, parks, cafés, restaurants and a metro. On the other hand, there are many traditional buildings and the legacy of the Soviet era is palpable. Uzbekistan's currency is the sum. One Swiss franc currently buys around 14,000 sum – so we were constantly handling large sums of money and felt a bit like we had won the lottery.
Fall Vacation in Uzbekistan
We chose Uzbekistan as the destination for our two-week fall vacation not only because of the exciting history of the Silk Road, but also because the climate is ideal in fall. Uzbekistan has a continental climate. This means that it is hot in summer and cold in winter, but the temperatures are pleasant in the fall, making it ideal for families. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 30 days for Swiss nationals and many other nationalities. Your passport must be valid for at least six months when you leave the country.
Transportation: Planes, Trains, and Cabs
The country's largest airport is in Tashkent. We traveled via Warsaw with the Polish airline LOT. We used cabs on site and booked them conveniently via a local cab app, paid in cash and the best thing was: we paid the same price as the locals. And yes, you can squeeze five people into a cab - seatbelts are optional here. We also often took the metro in Tashkent.
The metro stations themselves are attractions, adorned with chandeliers and mosaics.
On the night train through Uzbekistan - a highlight for the kids!
We traveled between cities by train, a mix of modern trains and others with a touch of Soviet charm. One of the kids' highlights was a night in the sleeper car. We reserved a private compartment with four beds (two stacked on each side) that we could lock, perfect for the five of us. Train tickets can easily be booked in advance on the Uzbek railways' website or app. During the long train rides, the kids listened to stories about Nasreddin Hodja, a famous trickster from Bukhara, who, much like Tom Sawyer, outwitted people with his clever and cheeky antics. This way, they got a bit closer to the culture. And yes, of course, they also watched Netflix on the iPad while traveling.
Nasreddin Hodja Monument in Bukhara
Accommodations
We booked our hotels in advance online. As a family of five, we typically reserved family rooms that offer plenty of space or two rooms with a connecting door. The prices were very affordable for us. The kids were especially thrilled about the pools at two of the hotels we stayed in.
The Hotel Uzbekistan in the center of Tashkent, the capital
Attractions for the Whole Family
Our travel route took us to Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara. Each of these cities impressed us with its mosques, madrasas, and the architecture of past centuries. Of course, the cultural highlights weren’t always the most exciting for the kids, but we made sure to balance it out: We visited the zoo in Tashkent, rode the Ferris wheel and carousels at amusement parks, and bought souvenirs at the market, such as T-shirts made from Uzbek cotton, hand-carved treasure chests, and a toy car that accompanied us with its noise for the next few days.
Food and Drink
The Uzbek national dish is called Plov, and it consists of rice, lamb, and carrots. In addition, there are salads, soups, stews, and grilled meats, especially lamb, which, however, didn’t receive the highest rating from our children. But Manty, Uzbek dumplings, were a big hit with our daughters, and we all found the Uzbek bread delicious. When the local cuisine became a bit too much, we went to a pizzeria at the children’s request. Sometimes, you have to give in to the kids, and in the end, the pizza was completely devoured. The most popular drink in the country is tea (green or black), and sugary drinks from the most well-known brands are available everywhere. Alcohol is consumed, but less than in Switzerland. There is even Uzbek wine.
Travel Medicine
We prepared well for the health aspect of our trip and brought an appropriate travel first aid kit. Tap water should not be drunk. We always bought bottled water, which was available on every corner. The food can sometimes be quite greasy, which doesn’t sit well with every stomach. Pharmacies are available in every city.
Cultural Characteristics
The people of Uzbekistan are known for their hospitality and are very child-friendly. Uzbek is a Turkic language, and while the younger generation speaks English fairly well, communication is often easier in Russian. Although Uzbekistan is a Muslim country, many women do not wear headscarves. In the cities, people generally dress elegantly, so as a tourist, you would stand out wearing casual outerwear like an all-weather jacket. It's important to dress respectfully, particularly when visiting mosques. A key point to remember: Uzbekistan is an authoritarian state, and political discussions are strictly off-limits. Homosexuality is illegal, and any criticism of the government should be avoided at all costs.