Blog

  • Exclusive: Sophie Turner on Her Travel Style: “I Look Like Hannibal Lecter on the Plane”

    Exclusive: Sophie Turner on Her Travel Style: “I Look Like Hannibal Lecter on the Plane”

    Actress Sophie Turner shares her favorite filming locations, go-to room service order, and more.

    Sophie Turner’s breakout role as Sansa Stark on the hit fantasy series Game of Thrones made the British actress a household name. And while the HBO show is still binge-worthy years after its finale, Turner is watching something a little lighter when she’s in flight.

    “If I’m not sleeping, any Real Housewives – I’m binging the whole way. You have to watch it!” she said, listing the “Salt Lake City” franchise as her favorite, though she’s also partial to “Potomac” and “Beverly Hills”.

    Turner sat down with Travel + Leisure to talk about her other travel essentials (beyond the Real Housewives), her jet lag hacks, and her favorite filming location.

    “Favorite Shoots and a Dream of New Zealand”

    Though the Game of Thrones ended in 2019 after eight globe-trotting seasons, Turner’s love of shooting in beautiful, far-flung locations has endured. She has gone on to star in many films, including “X-Men: Dark Phoenix” (2019) and “The Dreadful” (2024), requiring her to travel all over the world. For Turner, one location still stands out: Iceland (one of many notable Game of Thrones filming locations). “I just found Iceland absolutely astonishingly beautiful, like the landscape with northern lights. It’s also that I shot there in the summer when there’s something like 22 hours of light, and it was a very bizarre experience. It was just beautiful.” As for other dream filming locations, she would love to work on something in Norway. “I’ve never been to Norway, and I would just love to go there. I just think it looks beautiful.”

    “Sophie Turner on Herself, on the Road”

    Window or aisle?

    Window! Even though I go to sleep immediately, I need something to rest my head on, if it’s not a recliner.

    Go-to plane uniform?

    It doesn’t matter, just comfy. Hoodie and sweatpants. There is a brand that I’ve been wearing recently called Akimbo Club.

    What’s an item you can’t travel without?

    Compression socks. Even when you’re not pregnant, they really do help.  Oh, sometimes I bring face masks, like chin masks and lip masks. I look like Hannibal Lecter on the plane, but whatever.

    Ideal co-star to travel with?

    That would probably be the entire X-Men cast [which includes James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, and Nicholas Hoult]. We just had the best time flying all over the world on press tours. We had too much fun.

    Trip you want to take?

    I’ve been so lucky to travel to so many places, but I haven’t ever gone to New Zealand, and I would love to go there.

    Celeb check-in

    So, how does she survive an intense travel schedule often packed with long flights? Her moisturizer (“my Weleda Skin Food”) and a dip in the closest body of water, she told T+L. “Whether it’s a bath, a pool, an ice bath, whatever it may be. I think it just calms my system down. It also really helps me with jet lag as well. I’m a Pisces, so I just need to be in water. It’s like a rejuvenation. It feeds my soul.” For hotel pools, she recommends the Corinthia Hotel in London, but she also loves swimming out in the open, like when she went to Egypt last year and hopped into her new favorite body of water. “We were on the River Nile, and we all jumped off the boat [into the river], and I think that was probably my favorite.”

    “Feels Like Home”

    Another travel must for Turner? Immediately ordering room service when she checks into her hotel room. “Listen, my go-to order will always be spaghetti with butter and cheese. Kids food, man, it’s the best!” the mother of two said with a laugh. Though she orders off the children’s menu, she does the very adult thing of immediately unpacking after her room service meal – both routines help with a sense of normalcy.

    This summer, St-Germain will have activations in St. Tropez and Cannes. The South of France holds a special place in Turner’s heart. “I’ve spent a lot of time there. Actually, I got married there [to ex-husband Joe Jonas]. I’ve got a lot of great memories there, and I really love it. I love the landscape, I love the people, I love the food, I love the drink. I just think it’s such a romantic, beautiful, idyllic place.”

  • A Journey to Aydarkul or an Escape to a Yurt Camp Under the Stars

    A Journey to Aydarkul or an Escape to a Yurt Camp Under the Stars

    What do you do when city noise, endless calls, and constant Wi-Fi start to feel like too much? Whenever I reach my limit, I search for a place that’s quiet, remote, and close to nature. One of my best getaways was a trip to Lake Aydarkul and an overnight stay at the “Aydar” yurt camp.

    My husband and I set off on our long-awaited trip, leaving Tashkent at around 5 a.m. The drive was long—about seven hours—but we made several stops to stretch our legs. The longest one was at a spot we referred to as “Jizzakh Samsa.” Each samsa weighs at least half a kilo. Yes, it’s greasy, but it’s packed with hefty chunks of meat and scalding broth that can burn your fingers. Eat just one, and you’ll be full for the rest of the day.

    We knew we were close to the camp when we saw red sands and the abundance of saxaul trees. The Aydar camp is located in the Kyzylkum Desert, around 10 kilometers from the lake itself. I’d only seen it in my colleagues’ and friends’ social media—now it was right in front of me: a real yurt camp.

    You’ll sleep on beds with crisp sheets. Besides that, there’s not much else in the yurt—except for traditional carpets on the floor—but there are power outlets, and the mobile signal works. But after a night here, trust me, all you’ll care about is the bed.

    The shower cabins and another important room are located not far from the yurts. If you decide to visit the latter in the middle of the night, be prepared to walk under the watchful eyes of the stars. There are no dangerous pests on site—the area is closely monitored and treated regularly for insects, as you’d expect in a desert environment.

    Everything delicious begins at sunset. You’ll be invited to a kind of dining area, where a festive table will be set for you. Everyone is served the same meal: plov cooked over an open fire or beshbarmak, a few types of salad, and flatbread. Fragrant hot tea is poured generously, followed by fresh fruit and sweets to complete the feast.

    As you dine, something magical begins to unfold just beyond the walls. In less than thirty minutes, the sky transforms into a dome strewn with stars. For a moment, it feels like you’re gazing at them—and they’re gazing right back at you. The Milky Way is clearly visible to the naked eye. There’s only one thing that might distract you from this celestial beauty: the voice of an akyn, who begins his musical tale to the sound of a dutar (a traditional plucked instrument). Drawn by the music, you follow the sound and find other guests—many of them foreign tourists—seated around a large campfire, each lost in their own thoughts. Then the rhythm shifts, and with it, the mood. Local guests are the first to rise and dance, soon joined by the tourists. With smiles shining as brightly as the stars, they try to mimic the movements of the locals. At first, you simply watch. But within moments, you find yourself dancing too. A feeling of lightness takes over—you want to laugh and rush into the whirlwind of the dance. Even my husband, who never thought of himself as a dancer, was swept up in this celebration of life.

    Do you think, after a program like that, we really needed anything more than a place to sleep and those rooms next to the yurts?

    The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, we were off on a camel safari. Riders took turns, waiting patiently for their moment to glide through the dunes past saxaul bushes. Our camel handler shared stories about the desert’s plants and animals. We ourselves only spotted a jerboa and a tortoise.

    We jumped into the car and headed toward Aydarkul. It’s a striking sight — to see such a lush oasis in the middle of the desert. The lake itself is vast, with the soul of a sea, stretching over 200 km in length, 30 km in width, and averaging 13 meters in depth.

    It formed back in the 1970s as a result of water runoff from reservoirs.

    We visited in September—the weather was perfect: a little over 30°C, with gentle sun and warm water.
    The beach was clean, with sunbeds and umbrellas. One of the best things is that it feels like you have the entire lake to yourself—or, at most, to the group you came with. The water is soft and slightly salty, and the wet sand darkens to a deeper hue with every wave.

    Back at camp, a delicious lunch awaited us. And if just 16 hours ago, during dinner, the place was buzzing with noise, now everyone ate in silence, with great appetite. Filled not just with food but with vivid impressions, we slowly began to prepare for the journey home. It was faster this time—and samsa-free. All we wanted was to reach our bed, let out a contented sigh, and drift into a sweet sleep, once again accompanied by the shining stars.

  • The Karakalpak Desert to be illuminated by the fiery Yonar Art Festival

    The Karakalpak Desert to be illuminated by the fiery Yonar Art Festival

    The picturesque Barsakelmes salt marsh, located 200 kilometers from Nukus, is awaiting creative guests: early this autumn, it will host a unique event—the first-ever Yonar Art Festival.

    Festival attendees will become active participants. They will reside in traditional yurts or tents, with electricity provided by generators. Yonar is entirely devoid of money and commerce, implying participants will self-sufficiently create all necessities for living and artistic expression.

    The initiators of the festival were inspired by the renowned American Burning Man, which takes place annually in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. It lasts for eight days, during which participants abandon consumer goods and money in favor of full creative immersion. Away with routine, welcome creativity in all its manifestations! In the finale of the grand event, a large wooden effigy is set ablaze, with this “burning man” symbolizing freedom, renewal, and the dissolution of conventional constraints.

    Further synchronicity: the festival of electronic music, art, and science “Stihia” is a co-initiator of Yonar. Organizers pledge that the key outcome of the event will be five large-scale installations, created by the participants themselves.

    This innovative tourism project for Uzbekistan will take place from September 11th to 13th, 2025.

  • Unexplored Kazakhstan: Flamingo Haven in Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve Open from April to October

    Unexplored Kazakhstan: Flamingo Haven in Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve Open from April to October

    Far from busy highways and well-trodden tourist paths lies one of Kazakhstan’s least-known but most extraordinary landscapes: the Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve in Akmola Region, just a two-hour drive from Astana.

    Spanning more than 500,000 hectares, this vast protected area is home to the world’s northernmost breeding colony of flamingos, nestled along the shores and islands of Lake Tengiz. The name “Tengiz means “sea” in Kazakh—a fitting title for this inland body of water with mineral levels even higher than the ocean. Recognized by the Living Lakes Network, Tengiz is the largest saltwater lake in Central Asia with no outflow to the sea.

    Between April and October, the lake’s mosaic of islets becomes a vibrant nesting ground for pink flamingos. Ornithologists believe the ancestors of these striking birds have lived here since the Paleocene epoch, dating back 66 million years.

    To spot them, you’ll want to bring binoculars—look for the graceful silhouettes along the lake’s edges or perched on the islands of Tengiz from April to October.

    But the flamingos aren’t the only stars. The skies and wetlands are also home to black storks, whooper swans, and deeper in the reeds, wild boars roam. Occasionally, typical forest dwellers—lynxes, roe deer, and elk—wander here.

    Access to the core protected area requires a special permit, but eco-routes tailored for tourists are open from May to October. If it rains, plan to postpone—muddy trails here can quickly become impassable.

    The unique natural oasis is one of the largest and most important biodiversity conservation centers in the Eurasian steppe zone. The reserve is listed as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention and is included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage list.

  • Issyk-Kul: Healing Waters, Tours, and Surprising Gastronomy

    Issyk-Kul: Healing Waters, Tours, and Surprising Gastronomy

    If there were an official list of the world’s most underrated wonders, Lake Issyk-Kul would surely make the cut. This vast saltwater lake in Kyrgyzstan is the second-largest of its kind in the world and one of the deepest (670 meters at its lowest point). Its name means “warm lake” in Kyrgyz—and true to its name, the water remains unfrozen even in January, thanks to its mineral-rich composition.

    There’s plenty of space on the golden sandy beaches for everyone, even at the height of the season. A wide range of hotels and accommodation options makes it easy to find a place to stay that suits your preferences.

    Each year, more than a million visitors flock to Kyrgyzstan for wellness retreats on Issyk-Kul’s shores and in the nearby mountain resorts. The mineral content of the lake has healing properties, which is why the lake is rightfully considered therapeutic.

    What to Do

    Beyond basking under an umbrella with a cocktail—or a cup of kumis—there’s no shortage of activities on land and water.

    You can hop in a kayak and paddle along the shore toward Cholpon-Ata or try stand-up paddleboarding. The record for the longest trip belongs to Canadian Hugo Desrosiers, who completed a solo circumnavigation of Issyk-Kul by kayak—over 400 km of open water in 17 days. And we totally get why he did it. You can also rent a boat for a ride with swimming and diving stops, or even try parasailing.

    On land, you can set off on hiking trips or jeep tours through the Skazka, Konorchek, Jeti-Oguz, and Barskoon Canyons, with climbs to waterfalls and scenic viewpoints. For those interested in cultural immersion, horseback riding routes in the Karakol Valley and along the lakeshore are a great option—local guides will introduce you to the nomadic way of life. And if you’re craving more adventure, go for multi-day combined tours (2 to 5 days) with overnight stays in yurts, trips to hot springs, visits to the Rukh Ordo cultural center in Cholpon-Ata, and guided tours around Karakol.

    It’s also one of the best places for paragliding: 94% of Kyrgyzstan’s territory is covered by the Tien Shan and Pamir mountain ranges, offering breathtaking views of the natural landscapes.

    Gastronomy

    Sample lagman, manty, plov, tandoor-baked samsa, and fresh lake fish—especially at U Rybaka, a beachside café beloved by locals and travelers alike. The beshbarmak at Dastorkon Restaurant in Karakol wins high praise, served with generous slices of kazy (horsemeat sausage). At Cafe Zarina, you’ll find not only traditional cuisine but also vegetarian dishes and delicious sea buckthorn tea. Lighthouse Coffee and Altyn Kumara are great picks for those looking for affordable yet tasty spots with good service. Almost everywhere has terraces overlooking the lake, menus in English and Russian, and warm hospitality—the food scene here is as impressive as everything else.

    Insider Tips

    – Sightseeing boats depart from the piers of Cholpon-Ata every hour—it’s a convenient place to choose a cruise or water activity you like;
    – You can find tours both on the beach and through Instagram—many local guides post overviews of their tours and are happy to respond in Direct;
    – Download and use the Yandex Taxi app for convenient and safe trips around the area;
    – Don’t forget to install an offline map app (like 2GIS), as internet connection can be spotty in the mountains.

  • How to Choose a Hotel That Stands Out and Aligns with Your Values

    How to Choose a Hotel That Stands Out and Aligns with Your Values

    Forget counting stars. When it comes to choosing the perfect hotel, it’s not the rating that matters most—it’s the experience.

    A great stay begins with a few essential criteria: convenient location, room quality, guest reviews on booking platforms, and a culinary offering that matches your tastes.
    Cleanliness and overall upkeep—no one wants a hotel that looks tired.

    Location, Location

    If sightseeing is your goal, opt for a hotel close to the main attractions. For business travelers seeking a balance of work and leisure, proximity to both meeting spots and cultural highlights is key. Take note of nearby showrooms, jewelry boutiques, antique shops, and other places of interest to you—these details can enhance your stay.

    Prioritize authenticity—today, it’s one of the key principles behind the concepts of most modern hotels. Don’t confuse it with luxury: boutique hotels are often more affordable thanks to their design. Increasingly, they’re becoming the choice of mindful travelers.

    Ethnicity & Style 

    Tens of thousands of travelers choose to stay with comfort and heart—for example, at Kosh Havuz Boutique Hotel in Samarkand or Ichan Qal’a Premium Class in Tashkent. These hotels attract guests with their atmosphere and unique design.

    Give preference to those brands that, in addition to a cozy bed, soft pillows, and clear service, offer you the emotions and spirit of the country you’ve come to explore. Pay attention to ethnic motifs and locally sourced materials in the design, folklore-inspired activities, menus with regional dishes made from local produce—and don’t forget about the famous Uzbek breakfast.

    Be Mindful of Sustainability

    An important trend that reflects a mindful attitude toward the planet and future generations. In Uzbekistan, it’s gaining popularity, especially in the form of guesthouses in rural areas, where local produce is used and traditional culture is promoted. You can already find such examples today: Samira Guesthouse in Baysun, Green Canyon Uzbekistan, or Tashkent’s YO Guesthouse and Guest House TWINS—all of them proving that environmental consciousness can go hand in hand with comfort.

    Support those who have earned eco-status—for many hotels, it’s now a must-have credential that meets traveler expectations and offers a competitive edge in the market.

  • “Roof of the World” in the Pamirs. A Summer Festival of Global Ethnic Music Will Be Held in Tajikistan

    “Roof of the World” in the Pamirs. A Summer Festival of Global Ethnic Music Will Be Held in Tajikistan

    This summer, for two days, the central park of Khorog will resonate with ethno-music as it hosts the 18th International Festival of Culture and Tourism “Roof of the World”—the largest live ethnic music event in Tajikistan. Thousands of music lovers will gather for this celebration in the capital of Gorno-Badakhshan, not only from across Tajikistan but also from neighboring countries and beyond.

    The festival takes place in the Pamirs—often called “The Roof of the World,” which also inspired the name of this vibrant music event. Music is deeply woven into the fabric of life here; for the Pamiri people, it’s inseparable from daily existence. It’s hard to find someone in this region who doesn’t know how to sing, dance, or play a musical instrument.

    Folk ensembles from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, the USA, and Germany will come to showcase their art. The organizers promise a complete immersion into the rich diversity of cultural and artistic expression.

    The festival program is packed and diverse, offering much more than just traditional dances, music, and theatrical performances. Guests will get a chance to sample the exotic cuisine of the Pamir people, while local fairs will feature authentic musical instruments and handicrafts. Aspiring musicians will benefit from master classes by seasoned artists, and participating countries will present thematic documentaries about their traditions and culture.

    The festival is tentatively scheduled for July 19–20, 2025.

  • “A Dwelling of God on Earth”. The Sacred Shrine Langar Ota in Kashkadarya Reopens to Pilgrims and Travelers

    “A Dwelling of God on Earth”. The Sacred Shrine Langar Ota in Kashkadarya Reopens to Pilgrims and Travelers

    Langar Ota is a historical, architectural, and religious monument dating back to the 15th century, tucked away in the quiet, picturesque village of Katta Langar at the foot of the Gissar Range in Uzbekistan’s Kashkadarya region. Hidden from the hustle of the world and the popular tourist trails of the Great Silk Road, this sanctuary welcomes those in search of peace and tranquility.

    The mosque and mausoleum, which form the heart of the complex, were built in 1448. Until recently, they hadn’t undergone any major restoration, and while time was kind, it left its marks. Recognizing the need for urgent preservation, the University of Chicago’s Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures led a major restoration project. Experts reinforced the ancient foundation, stabilized the delicate tilework, and replaced the weathered roof. The project’s total cost was $250,000.

    Today, Langar Ota—one of Central Asia’s greatest monuments—once again opens its doors to visitors. Here, you’ll hear fascinating local legends and uncover the secrets of this sacred treasure. Interestingly, the keepers of these stories—the humble, hardworking people of Langar—are known for their longevity. In this village, living to 100 is nothing out of the ordinary.

    The Home of a Renowned Sufi Brotherhood and Other Facts About Langar Ota

    Langars are architectural and burial complexes. According to various sources, there are between seven and fourteen of them across Uzbekistan. The word itself has several meanings, all united by a common idea: “anchor,” “anchor of salvation,” “haven,” “refuge,” “abode of Sufis,” “last hope.” In modern interpretation, “langar” is often translated as “the dwelling of God on Earth.”

    Langar Ota is renowned for its Timurid-era tilework and the intricately carved wooden columns supporting its arches. The complex holds great spiritual significance as a pilgrimage site connected to the Ishqiya Sufi order, which found refuge in Mawarannahr between the 15th and 17th centuries. The brotherhood practiced strict asceticism, remained indifferent to wealth and worldly pleasures, and was known for the purity of its heart and intentions. The core idea of Ishqiya was to live in service and love of Allah.

    The mosque was once home to an invaluable Islamic relic—the Katta Langar Quran, created in the 8th century. It is one of the oldest surviving Qurans written in Kufic script. For a long time, it was believed to be the original “Quran of Uthman,” written by the hand of the third Righteous Caliph. Today, its surviving pages—said to be stained with his blood—are kept at the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan in Tashkent.

    Elders of Langar will show visitors two ancient stones, “male” and “female,” which have rested in the mosque’s courtyard for centuries. They are said to measure a person’s sins. According to legend, these stones—weighing 135 or 51 kilograms— must be set upright. It’s said to be easy to do if your soul is pure and free from sin.

    … To reach this blessed place, you’ll need to cover over 400 kilometers from Tashkent. Once the steppe gives way to mountain peaks, the air turns crystal clear, and the silence becomes surreal to an urban ear—that’s when you’ll know you’ve arrived.

  • Ruins of an Ancient City Burned by Genghis Khan’s Warriors Found in Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu Region

    Ruins of an Ancient City Burned by Genghis Khan’s Warriors Found in Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu Region

    The ruins of melted bricks, once part of a medieval city, have been discovered in the historical region of Zhetysu in southern Kazakhstan. Archaeologists believe the settlement was brutally destroyed during the Mongol invasion in the 13th century.

    Researchers have already called this one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in Kazakhstan in recent years. It’s likely that the ancient city in Zhetysu was an important trading hub on one of the branches of the Silk Road. Caravans from China may have passed through this settlement on their way to Central Asia, and further on — to the Middle East and Europe.

    “We found a medieval city everyone had been searching for,” said Olga Gumirova, executive director of the national foundation Hunters of Petroglyphs. “It began with traces of brickwork in a quarry, then a miraculously preserved tower—and finally, a wall buried in the earth, with scorched medieval bricks protruding from it.”

    What do the fire-scorched bricks “tell” us? Clearly, of a massive fire—this was exactly how the Mongol conquerors operated, destroying everything in their path. They wiped out prosperous cities along the Great Silk Road, literally erasing them from the face of the earth and leaving no chance for recovery. The territory of present-day Kazakhstan was traversed by the armies of Genghis Khan between 1219 and 1221. The army followed its usual tactic: annihilating any settlements that didn’t surrender without a fight.

    The research team is now preparing for a new expedition to study the site in greater detail. They hope to uncover artifacts that will allow them to date the settlement more precisely and perhaps even reveal its original name.

  • Oh, Melon, Sweet Melon! Turkmenistan Celebrates the Queen of the Fields at Gawun Baýramy

    Oh, Melon, Sweet Melon! Turkmenistan Celebrates the Queen of the Fields at Gawun Baýramy

    Every second Sunday of August, Turkmenistan honors its most cherished fruit with a full-fledged national celebration: Gawun Baýramy, or Melon Day. This year, the sweet festivities fall on August 10.

    While it’s a joyful occasion for the entire country, no one celebrates more enthusiastically than the nation’s melon farmers—and for good reason. Turkmenistan is responsible for a quarter of the world’s melon varieties. Of the 1,600 melon cultivars known globally, over 400 have been developed by Turkmen breeders.

    But the love affair with melons runs deeper than modern agriculture. At the archaeological site of Gyuar-Kala, researchers discovered ancient melon seeds, proving that the fruit has been grown in the region for thousands of years.

    Local melon growers, continuing the traditions of their ancestors, regard the melon as part of their great heritage and national treasure. For them, the melon is a symbol of skill and a reflection of hard work.

    On August 10, Ashgabat and cities across the country will come alive with open-air festivals, concerts, and exhibitions celebrating the beloved fruit. Guests will sample not only fresh melons of every shape and flavor, but also traditional dishes prepared with melon as a central ingredient.

    The best melon growers and harvesters, who become the winners of the modestly named competition “Golden Melon of the Golden Age,” will receive awards from the President of Turkmenistan.