UZBEKISTAN
1 Storied Samarkand
Renowned for its marvellous mosques, monuments and minarets, Samarkand, nestled in a large oasis in the valley of the Zerafshan River is a shimmering jewel of the ancient Silk Road with almost mythical appeal. One of the oldest cities in the world, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site was founded in the sixth-century BC and is adorned with architectural wonders. Visitors can wander through labyrinthine bazaars crammed with vibrant colours and fragrant spices and marvel at turquoise-tiled madrasas. Or lose yourself in the grandeur of the Gur-e-Amir mausoleum, the final resting place of Timur the Great, founder of the Timurid Empire and the 600-year-old Ulag Beg observatory, one of the earliest Islamic astronomical observatories. uzbekistan.travel
COLOMBIA
2 Coffee and cloud forests
From the vibrant streets of Bogotá to the lush Amazon rainforest and the beaches of the Caribbean coast, Colombia has something for everyone. History buffs can explore the colonial charm of Cartagena, with its well-preserved old town. Food lovers are in for a treat with a cuisine influenced by indigenous, Spanish, African, and even Middle Eastern flavours, and coffee that's famed worldwide. There are beautiful beaches, and adventure lovers can paraglide in Medellín or trek through the cloud forests of the rugged Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. colombia.travel
COSTA RICA
3 Wild at heart
Costa Rica is one of the most ecologically diverse countries on Earth, and its commitment to conservation is evident in its extensive network of protected areas. Traverse the Tortuguero National Park, or venture into Corcovado National Park, where you can spot elusive jaguars and tapirs. Look for sloths in the dense jungles of Manuel Antonio National Park, and traverse the mystical cloud forests of Monteverde, home to the strikingly coloured quetzal, the sacred bird of the ancient Mayas and Aztecs. visitcostarica.com
CAMBODIA
4 Temple run
The architectural marvels of Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap are Cambodia’s star attraction. The headliner is Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, with its intricate carvings, towering spires and reflective moat that leave visitors mesmerised. Other showstoppers include the delicate pink sandstone carvings of Banteay Srei; The Bayon, a labyrinthian complex of staircases, narrow paths and doorways leading to stunning bas-reliefs with 200 imposing giant stone faces; and atmospheric Ta Prohm, a breathtaking temple largely left to the clutches of the living, breathing jungle.
5 The Outback track
Pamela Wright traverses the South Australian plains, rusty red MacDonnell Ranges and the tropical landscape of Katherine and Darwin on one of Australia’s most legendary train journeys.
English couple Derek and Barbara Mobbutt wouldn’t have dreamed of coming to Australia without going on The Ghan. And it seems it’s a sentiment echoed by anyone privileged enough to board this 2,979-kilometre journey from Darwin through the Red Centre to Adelaide. Regarded as one of the world’s greatest rail journeys, The Ghan began in the 1850s when Afghan cameleers traversed the inland desert loaded with goods. Now, it takes around 204 passengers, stopping at Katherine, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy on the north-south route.
ANCIENT LANDSCAPES
I gaze out the window at the rustic land, filled with wattle trees and ant hills and feel thankful that I too have the privilege to be on board. In Katherine, I opt for a Nitmiluk Cruise and settle in an openair boat, taking in the ancient scenery and the gorge with red high cliffs which contrast strikingly with the green foliage.
Back on board, we dine in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant. Drew Cornelius, the Chef de Partie, creates dishes like crispy skin barramundi with sweet potato noodles, wakame seaweed and an oriental fragrant coconut sauce.
Alice Springs is next on the list and offers five off-train experiences including the Simpsons Gap Discovery Walk, where there are explanations of Aboriginal Dreaming in a red cliff setting. Another favourite is the Standley Chasm Cultural Walk with its red-rock gorge and the ‘Uluru’ Fixed Wing Scenic Flight. This is the part of the trip Derek and Barbara are most excited about, with the flight circling both Uluru and Kata Tjuta. I choose the Alice Explorer which takes in the Sunday city markets and The Reptile Centre where we meet ‘Terry’ the local 3.3-metre saltwater crocodile. Come evening, we sit outside at the Old Telegraph Station for dinner, and as the sky darkens, an astronomer points out the Southern Cross and many other stars of note. Then it’s onwards to Coober Pedy, with its opals and underground houses. I treat myself to the Painted Hills and Lake Eyre scenic heli-flight. The hills rise from the sweeping desert – varying shades of brown, white and gold.
In the Explorer Lounge on the last night we are reminiscing about our journey and Derek and Barbara say it was worth every minute of that long-haul flight, and not a single person disagrees. journeybeyondrail.com.au
