Ashgabat is the countries capital, and also home to some of the most interesting and fascinating architecture in the entire world. It feels unusually spacious due to its wide boulevards, and everywhere you go you’ll find buildings and monuments with white marble architecture and golden tints. It may seem futuristic, but it’s almost a ghost town in some places.

Things to do:
The main highlight in this marble covered city is the Independence Monument. Sitting in a large landscaped plaza, the monument is towering and surrounded by fountains, with views across the central boulevards of the city. It’s a dramatic sight, and is challenged by another key landmark - the Neutrality Monument, which is one of the most recognizable symbols of Ashgabat. Then we have the Turkmen Carpet Museum, which is shaped like a giant rolled carpet and showcases some of the most intricate textiles in the country, plus the National Museum of Turkmenistan which is huge with expansive marble halls displaying history, archaeology, and culture. And lastly for architecture is my favourite, The Wedding Palace. Parks and fountains such as the Park of Independence can provide you with some peaceful breaks from the big streets. And for a taste of religion, visit the Ertuğrul Gazi Mosque with its white walls and turquoise domes, or Turkmenbasy Ruhy Mosque.

How to get there:
Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) handles the flights, just make sure you’ll get accepted upon entry.
There are also trains and buses around cities in the country.