Has anyone ever been to Tajikistan?

Crock Rock wrote: »

I was originally considering Iran, but I'll be putting that off for a year or two now.

I was considering a few days in Istanbul and then onto Dushanbe from there, just to see somewhere unusual.

Anyone any hints?

Bring your own food and toilet paper! I know a guy who goes to all sorts of weird and wonderful places, and he really didn’t have a lot good to say about the ex-USSR central Asian republics. He found it hard to find anything resembling good food, people were surly, and there was environmental damage aplenty. Tajikistan is smaller, more mountainous, and culturally close to Iran, so it might be the best of the bunch. If you go there with very low expectations, it will be a good start.

The same guy was raving about Libya. Obviously you’d need to read up on the security situation, but he met very friendly people and saw amazing Roman ruins that we’re just ignored, whereas in Europe there would be thousands visiting and a visitor centre, car park, etc.

He also thought Lebanon was wonderful. Another out-of-the-way place that he’s looking at is Georgia/Armenia. Apparently Azerbaijan is already getting too touristy!