TURKMENISTAN

One of the most secretive and least-visited nations on the globe, Turkmenistan is moving away from its tradition of isolation to welcome in a new generation of curious travellers, making this former Soviet republic an intriguing addition to any Central Asian tour.

A shimmering spectacle rising from the sands of the Karakum Desert, Ashgabat is a city oasis with the highest concentration of white marble buildings on the planet, thanks to a monumental post-Soviet urban renewal project. Alongside its opulent architecture, this rapidly changing city features grand squares and mosques topped with gold domes.

There are also natural wonders to explore. In the desert, the flaming Darvaza Gas Crater – known as the Door to Hell – has burned ceaselessly since 1971, while the stark, multicoloured canyons of Yangikala were formed by the passage of prehistoric seawaters. UNESCO-protected Silk Road treasures include the lost but well-preserved city of Merv, devastated by the Mongols in 1221, along with the Parthian Fortresses of Nisa, a seat of power that once rivalled ancient Rome for its influence.