Giant cauldrons overflow with Uzbekistan's favorite rice dish at this cavernous dining hall.

Looking for a unifying history, Uzbekistan finds its answer in a 14th Century Turco-Mongol conqueror... despite the fact he wasn't Uzbek.

The heartbeat of modern Uzbekistan’s thriving market culture.

A modern tower, symbolizing the legend of a golden egg on top of the tree of life.

An entertainment center in a huge transparent tent.

Iconic pyramid from famed British architect Norman Foster designed to represent all of the world's religious faiths.

This mysterious but iconic tapered tower appears in many Azeri fairytales and legends.

The building's fluid, wavelike walls are a true feat of architectural ingenuity.

A unique museum dedicated to culture and artistry of carpet weaving.

Resonant stone, that has been played since prehistoric times.

Home to nearly a third of the world's mud volcanoes, Azerbaijan is home to a messy, bubbling, and sometimes explosive landscape.

Mysterious hillside with a continuously burning natural fire.

Housed in an old British jail, this spot serves up Georgian, Russian, and Ukrainian specialities with a side of Turkish history.

This eatery re-creates dishes from the Ottoman Empire so you can dine like a sultan.

The only Roman honorific column in Istanbul.

Byzantine emperors ruled, lived, and died in this 13th-century palace-turned-museum.

One of the newest mosques in a city filled with thousands.

It's believed that this small church was connected to the Hagia Sophia via a secret tunnel.

Taking the subway here means doing so over a bridge located in the middle of an estuary.

Have tea in a cemetery with a dazzling view of Istanbul.

This historic hotel preserves many treasures from its heyday hosting passengers on the Orient Express.

Climb a set of vertiginous stone steps to the top of this impressive ancient edifice.

The eclectic home of a leading Turkish architect is a gorgeous piece of eye candy.

This former Imperial summer home was the venue for a royal slap that once echoed 'round the world.