We all seek landscapes so picturesque that they linger in memory. We seek flavors that become inseparably tied to a place. We seek emotions that render travel unforgettable. When I ascended 3,200 meters in Shymbulak, I did not expect to find such inviting cottages there. The chalets of the Tenir mountain resort, with their vast panoramic windows opening onto snow-capped peaks, seemed designed for newlyweds on their honeymoon. Seclusion, beauty, serenity. And then, as if the universe itself had read my thoughts, my Instagram feed began to fill with the most breathtaking views from across Central Asia – the Pamirs, Issyk-Kul, Amirsoy.

When I was getting married, honeymoon trips had not yet become a tradition. But twenty years later, when my daughter was preparing for her wedding, the honeymoon had already become one of the most important elements. My husband and I managed only a single romantic journey together – to Saint Petersburg. The white nights, opening bridges – it was breathtakingly beautiful. But as parents of five children, all our subsequent travels turned into lively family journeys, filled with cares. And yet, I still dream that one day I will pack a suitcase and fly away with my husband on our own honeymoon-just the two of us.

From my journeys

In Khiva and Urgench I have a personal ritual: I never miss the chance to taste tukhumbarak, shivit-osh, and fried fish. This time I not only followed all my “rules” but also sampled dozens of varieties of sweet melons at the festival. In Almaty, too, I keep a gastronomic list: beshbarmak and baursaks. I tried them in two places at once – Ayul and Jinau. On the way to Medeu I stopped at the Mountain Queen Resort and was delighted by the duck with pear, and at Manane by the  khinkali. As I explored the grounds, I wondered: how many guests could one host a wedding here?

In Almaty I stayed at the new hotel of the Resident chain – the Abay Hotel. On its rooftop there is an open-air terrace, a splendid venue for celebrations. Even from the tenth floor, the view from my room was magnificent – on one side, the city, on the other, the mountains. On Instagram I received a message from Svetlana Khaninaeva: “Barno, be sure to visit us when you come to Almaty!” Her small meat restaurant, Kazmyaso Platforma (with halal meat supplied from her own herd), is located in the Platforma food market on Abylai Khan Avenue. I felt like Julia from Julie & Julia. I had not tasted so many juicy steaks, tartares, pâtés, and medallions at once in a long time. My journeys are enriched not only with new impressions-traveling is a true delicacy.