Much more than an ancient trading route, the legendary Silk Road evokes a deep sense of intrepid adventure and faraway mystique. For millennia, merchants and mariners passed from the ports of the Mediterranean to the Orient, collecting stories and fortunes whilst avoiding danger and disease along the way. Even now, the myriad trails that weave their way across Asia remain one of the world’s most fabled journeys and continue to inspire the most avid of adventurers. In this Travel Geeks session, our expert panel discusses how, when, and where to do it, with plenty of insider advice and exciting tales for forging your own adventure on this iconic route.
Don’t rush off, join our after-work get togethers.
Top tips, advice, technical know-how, photo ideas… and a glass of something cheery. Our series of informal chats are tailored to fit in with your busy lives. Travel Geeks: Rush Hour is just an hour long, and offers you the chance to hear from our experts, share a drink and join in the lively debate.
Panel
Emma Thomson, National Geographic Traveller (UK) contributor
Emma is a regular contributor for National Geographic Traveller (UK) and set out on the Silk Road for our April 2017 issue, clocking over 7,000 miles across six countries on her travels. @emmasthomson
Laurence Mitchell, travel writer
Laurence is a travel writer and author of Kyrgyzstan: The Bradt Travel Guide. With a penchant for frontier zones and countries in transition, he has visited almost all of the countries along the Silk Road during several journeys to the region. @eastofelveden
Stephen Hermans, Caravanistan
Stephen is the founder of Caravanistan, an online travel guide to the Silk Road, focusing on Central Asia. He has been visiting the countries along the Silk Road and working with tourism stakeholders in the region since 2010. caravanistan.com
Simon Grove, Head of Product at Explore
Simon heads up Explore‘s product team, who travel the world to devise their exciting itineraries, including their Mountain Kingdoms of the Silk Road & Golden Road to Samarkand tour.
Edward Shoote, writer and photographer
Edward is the founder of WeLoveMountains.net, where he shares his adventures on two wheels. He has cycled across nearly all of the countries within Central Asia in the last four years, taking a different route throughout the region every time. WeLoveMountains.net
Moderated by
Farida Zeynalova, contributing editor at National Geographic Traveller (UK)
Farida is a contributing editor at National Geographic Traveller (UK) and has first-hand experience of the Silk Road, having grown up in Azerbaijan. She’ll be presiding over the evening, adding her own tips and tales along the way.
