For those who have an interest in ancient culture and history, planning a trip to the Silk Road is an experience that will last a lifetime, as you explore the ins and outs of an ancient system of trade routes that embraces parts of Europe and Asia. The ancient road also passes through some of the countries we are already familiar with. In this article, you will learn how to approach planning a trip to this exciting destination.
The Silk Road was known for its active trading that took place during the 1st millennium BCE, where the excesses of the East became a part of the Roman Empire. The Silk Road would continue to facilitate trade and the sharing of cultures well up into the early Renaissance period. When you embark on the same route, you will capture the beauty of past cultural and historical explorations.
To prepare yourself for a Silk Road adventure, you will need to gather as much information as you can. There will be many different academic books and magazines that shed light on this subject, including a wealth of art histories, historical texts, and anthropological studies. You will learn that in the past, the road accommodated the interests of many different cultures, including the Egyptians, Iranians, and Central Asians. Once you collect the background regarding the Silk Road, you will need to study a map of the region, which helps you plan the best route to take and prepare for.
Once you have settled on a course of action, you should read up on the countries you will encounter on your journey. It is important to note the kinds of currency you will encounter; various cultural habits; the current circumstances you will come across (such as conflict or war); the geography; and of course, the ancient history attached to the country. It is suggested to use a separate travel book for each of your destinations in order to receive a well-rounded coverage of the region.
Next, you will need to select the kind of transportation you will rely on when visiting the Silk Road. While some people choose a motorcycle for this journey, others feel more secure with a durable 4-wheel drive vehicle. For the more laidback individuals, going with the flow and hopping on the next train is just as satisfying. There are also higher end charter trains that provide all-inclusive tour opportunities. This portion of the planning may set you back a couple of thousand of dollars.
Some people wish to absorb a wide-range of destination stops, while others are more interested in a less-demanding agenda. In this case, focusing your attentions on one country is fine. The associated countries are more than willing to richly present the history of the Silk Road to tourists. Depending on the locales you end up during your Silk Road trip, you have to prepare yourself for mountain weather. If you are not used to severe winter temperatures and climates, you may want to rethink a voyage that includes places such as Afghanistan and Tajikistan. A route that includes high mountain passes is best experienced during the summertime.
To become the best-prepared traveler, it is important to pinpoint the places where you can receive various services or pick up supplies. Larger cities are much easier to navigate for such things, but smaller nooks and crannies require a bit of pre-planning. While the services are fewer in smaller towns, they also tend to be cheaper, which is a very good thing.
Overall, the more research you do on the Silk Road , the better your experience will be. In the end, you will create memories of this historical journey that truly last a lifetime.