Sam and Rach Travel

Follow our travels: Instagram · YouTube Bukhara is an ancient Silk Road city in Uzbekistan , located between Khiva and Samarkand. Its stunning Islamic architecture and strong Persian influence make the historic centre feel like an open-air museum. With more than 140 protected historical monuments, Bukhara is one of Uzbekistan's most impressive destinations and is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary. How Long Should You Spend in Bukhara? Bukhara's Old Town and historic centre cover an area of roughly 5 km², with most of the main attractions located within an easily walkable loop. We spent four nights in Bukhara, although this included a planned rest and reset day. I would recommend staying for three nights, or allowing yourself at least two full days to explore the city. However, if you are like us and need somewhere to pause during your Uzbekistan itinerary, Bukhara is a great place to do it. It has fantastic restaurants, a lively evening atmosphere a...

Follow our travels: Instagram · YouTube Samarkand is one of the crown jewels of the Silk Road, with Registan Square serving as the breathtaking centrepiece of a city filled with incredible architecture, history, and culture. If you're travelling through Uzbekistan, Samarkand is a destination that simply can't be missed. How Long Should You Spend in Samarkand? Although Samarkand is packed with incredible sights, it's actually quite compact. We spent 2 nights (almost 48 hours) in the city and comfortably visited everything we wanted without feeling rushed. If you enjoy taking things slowly or love diving into the history of a destination, you could easily stretch your stay to 3 nights. Any longer than that, however, we'd recommend spending the extra time exploring Tashkent or Bukhara . 👉 Read our guide to Tashkent here: A Quick Guide to Tashkent Stay Connected in Uzbekistan Travel Tip: Stay Connected with an eSIM We personally...

Follow our travels: Instagram · YouTube How Long Do You Need in Tashkent? If you are flying to Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan, chances are you are quickly leaving to explore other spots along the Silk Road. Although places like Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are incredible, Tashkent has its own charm, and it is worth taking the time to appreciate it. When researching a Tashkent trip, most information you find will tell you to spend one day in Tashkent. In that day, you can see the main attractions, such as Hotel Uzbekistan, Chorsu Bazaar and the Hazrati Imam Complex. What you will miss, though, is experiencing the life of the city. Tashkent really comes alive in the summer evening. There are ping pong tables, volleyball games and people swimming in fountains until the sun sets at around 8:30pm. Restaurants are full, the city feels lively, and the food is delicious. Taking two days to see Tashkent allows you to slow down and enjoy it properly. Eat more foo...

Follow our travels: Instagram · YouTube Every country in Asia offers something different. Having travelled through Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Borneo, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China and South Korea, we've visited some of Asia's most popular destinations and found that each destination excels in its own way. Whether you're looking for amazing food, beautiful beaches, wildlife, or a budget-friendly adventure, these are the countries that we've been to that we think do it best. The Best Countries in Asia for Every Type of Traveller Best Asian Country for First Time Travellers If you are a first time traveller, you are likely looking for somewhere that you can experience a new culture but still have the comforts of home and feel safe. For us, Japan takes this one. Japan has become such a popular travel destination recently, and for good reason. We spent a month in Japan at the beginning of 2023 and it was one of our favourite months travelling. Th...

Follow our travels: Instagram · YouTube Here is a simple breakdown of what we paid, or regularly saw, during our travels through Southeast Asia. Prices can change depending on the season, location and how you like to travel, but this should give you a helpful starting point. Any accommodation we have linked is somewhere we would happily stay again and genuinely recommend based on our own experience. This guide is set for affordable travel based on how we were able to travel, you can find ways to go cheaper, and you can certainly pay up for a more comfortable experience.   Want to see some of these destinations for yourself? You can watch one of our Southeast Asia travel vlogs below. Malaysia Travel Costs Kuala Lumpur Hotel: Around RM140 - 270 per night Hostel: Around RM30 - 60 per person per night Transport:  Metro is RM5, around RM15 - 45 per grab ride, or around RM60 from the airport Local meal: Around RM15 per ...

Follow our travels: Instagram · YouTube Planning a Southeast Asia trip can feel overwhelming because every country offers something completely different. Some are better for beaches, some are better for food, some are easier for first-time travellers, and some completely surprise you once you get there. In 2025, we finished our time in Europe and began exploring Asia. Over two months, we travelled through Singapore, Malaysia, Borneo, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, experiencing unique cultures, eating incredible food, learning about history and embracing the beautiful chaos of life in Southeast Asia. This is our honest ranking of the best countries to visit in Southeast Asia based on our own experience. Of course, everyone travels differently, and what we loved might not be what someone else looks for in a trip. But if you are planning your own Southeast Asia adventure, this should help you decide which countries might suit your travel style best. Quick Ti...