Dear comrades, it is time to share with you an offer I hope you can’t refuse! Gotta is the name and traveling is the game! I’m looking for my fellow peacemakers and travel enthusiasts to begin joining me around the world as part of my Gotta Travel tours.

To kick things off, I’m inviting you to join me in Uzbekistan just as Tony did 18 years ago. Although the area has not become well known through tourism yet, many of you are already aware of what this Central Asian country has to offer, in large part thanks to Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. It’s now time to explore how the country has grown since then, but also learn about its fascinating history. While the main cities do receive a good amount of tourists, they are mostly domestic rather than international.

One fun fact about Uzbekistan is that it is one of only two double landlocked countries, the other being Liechtenstein in Europe. This means that all surrounding countries are also landlocked, so one would have to cross over at least two countries before reaching a sea or ocean. Although the Caspian Sea is nearby, it is considered to be a lake, the largest on Earth to be exact. While border crossing in some areas is considered unsafe, traveling within the country is not to be of concern. Obviously, exercise caution as one normally would when traveling, but Uzbekistan is known for being a very safe and welcoming country. Don’t be surprised when you are greeted by golden smiles, as this is something unique to the area.

Something else specific to the area is the beautiful turquoise blue found on many of the buildings. Azure mineral powder is the secret behind the different shades of the painted tiles. The beautiful architecture will be a main focus of the tour, as we will be touring many of the historically significant mosques and madrasas. The Silk Road, bazaars and a local hammam are also included for a full Uzbek experience.

The food will also be a main focus with the Nowruz holiday especially, and 2 master classes to fully immerse us into the culture and deep rooted traditions hands-on. Also known as Navruz, this holiday is celebrated on the Spring Equinox and has been for centuries. Bread or lepeshka is considered sacred in the area. Plov or pilaf is the country’s main dish with many variations depending on the region. Tea is served regularly, but from bowls that are only half full, as a full cup is an invitation to leave. While Russia has been served that cup, so to speak, we can thank them for their influence on vodka availability throughout Uzbekistan.

Russian and Uzbek are the most commonly used languages, with very little English being spoken. No worries, though, as you will have the help of

Contact: Zamir Gotta (Tour Manager): iazamirg@gmail.com