Long before I became a Travel Counsellor, I worked at Laura Ashley, saving every spare penny for my own round‑the‑world backpacking trip. Among the wallpapers and fabrics, there was one design that completely captured me - it was called “Samarkand”.

I remember seeing that word for the first time and feeling something spark. “Samarkand” sounded incredibly exotic, like a place from a storybook. I would roll the name around in my head while I was at work, imagining what it would be like to actually go there one day, surrounded by all that history. Those quiet daydreams planted a seed that never really left me. While I backpacked my way around the world, the Silk Road remained this almost mythical thread, connecting places I had not yet reached but knew, one day, I wanted to visit.

The Silk Road stretches not just across countries, but across centuries of human stories - traders, scholars, nomads and explorers moving between Europe and Asia, carrying silk and spices, ideas and inventions. I have always been drawn to journeys that feel like time travel, where you can almost hear the echo of footsteps from hundreds of years ago. The Silk Road is exactly that kind of place:

• Ancient caravan cities rising out of the desert
• Mosaic‑covered madrasas that glow at sunset
• Mountain passes that feel like the very edge of the world
• Market stalls where the smell of spices, baking bread and grilling meat hits you all at once

Race Across The World 2026 – Bringing The Dream To Life

I am so excited about the latest series of Race Across The World as it feels like someone took my travel daydreams and turned them into a TV itinerary.

The race weaves through such a fascinating chain of countries:

• Italy
• Greece
• Türkiye
• Georgia
• Kazakhstan
• Uzbekistan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Mongolia

Watching the teams move across this region, navigating overnight trains, border crossings, language barriers and moments of pure awe, brings back the feeling I had when I was saving every spare pound for my own travels. That mixture of anticipation, nerves and absolute wonder at the thought of seeing the world in such a raw, unfiltered way.

Of course, the beauty of what I do now is helping clients experience that same sense of adventure, but with far more comfort, care and thoughtful planning than a race with a TV crew in tow.

Top Of My Personal Wish List: The Five Stans

Right now, at the very top of my own travel wish list is an extraordinary journey through Central Asia’s “Five Stans” and the heart of the Silk Road:

• Uzbekistan: Caravan cities like Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, where turquoise domes and intricate tilework catch the light. I can almost picture myself wandering the Registan at dusk, when the crowds thin and the architecture seems to glow.
• Kazakhstan: A blend of futuristic cities and wide‑open steppe landscapes, where you can still feel the spirit of the nomads who once travelled these routes.
• Kyrgyzstan: Alpine lakes, yurt camps and mountain passes that look like they have barely changed in centuries.
• Tajikistan & Turkmenistan (often part of extended “Five Stans” routes): Remote, dramatic landscapes and lesser‑known historic sites that appeal to that part of me that always wants to go one step further, one road beyond the usual tourist trail.

It is a trip that combines everything I love about travel:

• Big, sweeping landscapes
• Deep, layered history
• Living culture and hospitality

When I was younger, I was happy to sling a backpack on, sleep on night buses and figure things out as I went. Those experiences shaped how I see the world. Today, I still love the spirit of adventure, but I also value comfort, insight and having the right support in place. That is exactly what I want for my clients too.

So when I think about a modern Silk Road journey, I imagine:

• Beautiful, characterful accommodation with real sense of place
• Expert local guides who can bring the history and stories to life
• Seamless transfers so you can focus on the experience, not the logistics
• Unique touches like private tours of historic sites, traditional meals in family homes, or time in a yurt camp under a sky full of stars

It is still an adventure, but one wrapped in care, knowledge and thoughtful detail.

Ready To Create Your Own Silk Road Story?

If watching Race Across The World has captured your imagination, the way that “Samarkand” wallpaper once did for me, then maybe it is time to think about your own epic journey. Whatever you are dreaming of, I would love to help you shape it into something that feels every bit as inspiring as the show, but a lot more comfortable and without any of the race-day stress!