A London getaway is always exciting—take it from someone who has lived here for a decade—but first, you must decide the best area to stay in London for you. Do you want to be in the center of the capital, close to the action and the best things to do in London, or a little further out in a more peaceful location? Is it important to be close to public transport options, major train stations such as King's Cross, or iconic cultural landmarks like the Natural History Museum? Or perhaps you'd rather stay in one of the best neighborhoods in London to get under the skin of life like a local? Thankfully, whatever version of London you're interested in experiencing—foodie London, arty London, cultural London, or iconic London—there'll be world-class hotels to book as your base. But we get it—as one of Europe's biggest and busiest cities, it can be overwhelming when you need to decide where exactly to stay. Below we've listed our favourite areas of London for every type of traveler.
Crossing Kazakhstan by train - a two week journey through a bygone era
30.07.2024 - 18:33 / lonelyplanet.com
Jul 30, 2024 • 7 min read
A place once inaccessible, even secluded, Kazakhstan today welcomes intrepid travelers with open arms.
This Central Asian country offers a captivating mix of Silk Road traditions, intriguing remnants of the Soviet era and landscapes that stretch out almost endlessly.
I headed to Kazakhstan’s steppes to find out more about a region unfamiliar to many travelers. Fascinated by the history of and nostalgia for ex-Soviet railways, I embarked on a two-week train journey across the country. With several stops along the way, I took seven different trains from Astana (now called Nur-Sultan) in the cold north to ancient Turkestan in the warm south. On these long rides, I took a journey through a bygone era. On these Soviet-era trains, with their particular blend of the antique and the comfortable, time seemed to slow down – and the allure of the unknown beckoned.
On board, I found no crowds of young backpackers with inter-rail tickets or businessmen hunched over laptops. Instead, I encountered a sense of community and connections. Strangers were constantly chatting with each other, families set up portable kitchens to cook warm soups and local dumplings (manti) in their compartments, and men played cards while enjoying a beer.
As the sun set, the atmosphere of the train completely transformed. Seats folded into cozy beds as each wagon became a little home. Some passengers prepared kettles of tea to share with anyone who struck up a conversation, while others built blanket forts to create more privacy. Although I was not able to communicate a single word with fellow travelers most of the time, we ended up understanding each other through hand gestures or shared knowledge of popular culture.
My journey began in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana. Here, I planned my itinerary, which involved hopping on and off high-speed trains to the cities of Almaty and later Turkestan. I spent a few days exploring each of these cities’ attractions, and also went on day trips to nearby destinations, using regional trains or shared taxis as convenient modes of transportation.
Kazakhstan’s train network offers many options for travelers. The 1200km (745-mile) journey between the country’s largest cities can be covered in just over 15 hours by fast trains (starting at €40), while regional trains provide a slower but cheaper option, with the 24-hour trip starting at just €15. Accommodation ranges from dormitory-style cabins to more private four-berth or two-berth cabins.
My time in Astana was short but essential for my trip. Here, I organized my journey and got a glimpse of what lay ahead. Unfortunately, the city’s harsh weather limited my exploration: heavy snowfalls and freezing temperatures persisted into May.
I did
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