Traveling along the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan – bordering Afghanistan and flanked by the towering peaks of the Hindu Kush – was one of the scenic highlights of my journey through Central Asia. After leaving the border zone, we reached the Tajik National Park in the GBAO region, where the landscape underwent a dramatic transformation. Gone were the high-altitude ranges with their snow-capped peaks; in their place lay a mountain landscape of breathtaking colors, dotted with deep blue-green lakes.

GBAO stands for Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast; visiting the region requires a special permit that must be obtained prior to the trip. This vast mountainous area covers nearly half of Tajikistan’s territory yet remains sparsely populated, encompassing large sections of the Pamirs with their deeply incised valleys, high-altitude lakes, and colossal mountain scenery.

In the Tajik National Park, I was particularly captivated by the mountains, whose rock faces glow in varying shades of red, brown, gray, and yellow depending on the light. Combined with the deep blue sky and the clear water of the lakes, the result was an almost surreal color palette. One of these bodies of water is Yashilkul Lake – meaning “Green Lake” – and it certainly lives up to its name. The landscape here feels incredibly vast and devoid of human presence; only the occasional yak or bird can be spotted.

Yashilkul Lake is undoubtedly one of the most impressive lakes in the eastern Pamirs. Situated at an altitude of around 3,700 meters, this freshwater lake – shimmering in shades of turquoise and green – is nestled amidst expansive, barren mountain terrain. Yashilkul lies within the extraordinary high-mountain world of the GBAO and is also part of the Tajik National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013.

A stunning landscape in Tajikistan that shouldn’t be missed on any trip.

To kick off my summer trip this year, I spent a week in late June on the idyllic Channel Island of Jersey. As the largest and most scenically diverse of the British Channel Islands, Jersey lies just a few kilometers off the French coast, fascinatingly blending a British way of life with French charm.

The island captivated me with its varied landscape of rugged cliffs, golden sandy beaches, picturesque bays, and green pastures. Interspersed among these are historic fortresses, lighthouses, and charming towns that tell the story of Jersey’s eventful past. A perfect combination!

I was particularly drawn to the north coast with its green cliffs; I explored the area by bike, on foot, and – for a completely different perspective – by boat. One especially delightful attraction is the larger-than-life “Kissing Puffins” sculpture in the northwest of the island. The two puffins are crafted from a steel framework wrapped in woven willow branches. With their beaks touching, they look like a pair of lovebirds – simply adorable!

The local company Jersey Seafaris offers various boat tours, such as trips to the Écréhous islands – a place I’ve already written about in my blog post regarding the terns that live there. Another tour takes you along the rugged north coast, offering fantastic views of the shoreline, colorful rock formations, and caves. I was particularly impressed and fascinated by the vibrant colors of the rock strata.

You can find my full travelogue about my week in Jersey – complete with photos, hikes, bike rides and boat trips –  in my Jersey trip report chapter  on my travel website. Thanks for stopping by!

In July, I spent a week in northern Brittany and discovered its fantastic coastline, characterized by spectacular rock formations. Indeed, near Primel-Trégastel on Brittany’s north coast, the region reveals a particularly wild and unspoiled side. Around Pointe Primel and the neighboring coast of Le Diben, bizarre granite rocks rise from the sea, creating a landscape shaped by wind and waves over millennia. Small coves and narrow sandy beaches lie nestled between the rocks, while numerous cliffs and offshore rocky outcrops emerge from the water.

Pointe Primel is particularly impressive; its striking granite formations resemble natural sculptures. Some rocks look like towers, others like massive animals or fantastical creatures. The scenery shifts constantly with the tides: at low tide, vast rocky expanses are revealed and small pools form between the granite blocks, whereas at high tide, the surf crashes against the rocks, showcasing the coast’s rugged, dramatic character.

The landscape is especially captivating in the late afternoon, when the low-hanging light accentuates the granite’s warm hues and casts long shadows between the rocks.

Le Diben is also well worth a visit. Here, the rocky coastline continues the interplay of granite, sea, and heathland. The massive boulders offer ever-changing perspectives of the coast. For me, it was precisely this constantly shifting interplay of shapes, light, and tides that made this stretch of the Brittany coast so fascinating.

After Uzbekistan, Tajikistan was the third country I visited along the Silk Road. The country’s most famous and spectacular route is the Pamir Highway, one of the highest long-distance roads in the world. It follows the historic trade routes of the Silk Road and connects Tajikistan with Kyrgyzstan. The road leads over passes more than 4,600 meters high, past snow-capped peaks of the Hindu Kush, barren plateaus, and deep river valleys along the border with Afghanistan. The Panj River forms the border, and at times Afghanistan seemed just a stone’s throw away, within reach – yet the world on the other side of the river was so different!

The route follows a narrow, rough gravel track through the magnificent, almost uninhabited mountain landscape of the Pamirs – always alongside the border fence, guarded on both sides. Rugged peaks, vast high plateaus, and deep valleys alternate, making each leg of the journey a unique experience.

The Wakhan Corridor, a narrow, fertile valley between the Pamir and Hindu Kush mountains, is particularly impressive. On the Tajik side, the road runs for long stretches directly alongside the Panj River, the border between Afghanistan and Afghanistan. Small villages, fields, or individual people were sometimes visible. This proximity to the border made the drive truly extraordinary.

Between high mountains, small settlements, and ancient fortifications, the Wakhan Corridor offers a fascinating glimpse into life in this remote region. The Pamir Highway is far more than just a road: it’s a journey through one of Central Asia’s most pristine and impressive landscapes, one that also reflects the stark contrast between Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

Turkmenistan impressed me not only with the white city of Ashgabat, but also with the desert and canyon landscape in the northwest of the country. The Darvaza Crater was certainly one of these. In the middle of the barren Karakum Desert lies one of Turkmenistan’s most unusual and fascinating destinations: the Darvaza Crater, more dramatically known as the “Gateway to Hell.” This enormous natural gas field, which has been burning for decades, is a spectacular natural phenomenon and is particularly impressive when the light changes at the end of the day.

The crater was formed in 1971 when Soviet geologists struck a natural gas field during drilling operations, and the ground collapsed. To contain the escaping gas, it was ignited – presumably in the expectation that it would go out within a few weeks. Instead, the gas has continued to burn for decades. Thus, one of the most unusual landmarks of the Karakum was created, a place that is now inextricably linked to any trip through Turkmenistan.

During the day, the surroundings initially appear surprisingly unremarkable. The endless, almost deserted desert stretches around the crater. Only upon closer approach does one realize the immense dimensions of the circular depression, which is 60 meters wide and up to 15 meters deep. Flames and hot gases rise from numerous points within, while the heat shimmers above the crater and is constantly carried towards us by the wind. In the bright daylight, however, the fire appears significantly less intense than later in the darkness.

As the sun sets, the scene begins to change completely during the blue hour. The sky takes on a deep blue hue, while the first flames become increasingly visible within the crater. The warm orange and red of the fire form a captivating contrast to the cool blue of the evening sky. Now the crater is particularly photogenic – the desert slowly disappears into the darkness, and the fire becomes the dominant focal point of the landscape.

After nightfall, the Door to Hell finally unfolds its full effect. Thousands of tiny flames seem to dance across the crater floor, bathing the surrounding desert in an eerie, orange glow. The enormous bonfire appears almost surreal in the complete darkness.

It is precisely this transformation that makes a visit to the Darvaza crater so special: from the inconspicuous fire in the bright desert, through the intense play of colors during the blue hour, to the spectacular glow in the deep night, the scenery changes again and again within just a few hours.

Samarkand was the third city I visited along the Silk Road in Uzbekistan. Registan Square in Samarkand is undoubtedly one of the most magnificent squares in Central Asia and deeply impressed me. Surrounded by three monumental madrasas, intricately decorated with turquoise tiles, geometric patterns, and arabesque ornaments, the square still conveys a sense of the splendor of the ancient Silk Road metropolis. Registan was once the political, religious, and cultural center of Samarkand and the scene of markets, festivals, and public gatherings.

The current ensemble is dominated by three magnificent buildings constructed around the square: the Ulugbek Madrasa, the Sher-Dor Madrasa, and the Tilla-Kari Madrasa.

The Ulugbek Madrasa is the oldest of the three madrasas and was built between 1417 and 1420 under the Timurid ruler and renowned astronomer Ulugbek. Its monumental entrance, with its high pishtaq (gateway), is adorned with intricate geometric patterns and tile mosaics. Ulugbek transformed Samarkand into a major center of learning during his time.

Opposite the Ulugbek Madrasa stands the Sher-Dor Madrasa, built approximately 200 years later, in the 17th century. Its name means “Madrasa with the Lions,” and the depictions of two lions chasing a rising sun with human faces are particularly striking.

The third side of the square is occupied by the Tilla-Kari Madrasa, whose name means “adorned with gold.” Also built in the 17th century, it is especially impressive for its richly decorated mosque, adorned with gold ornaments.

Today, the Registan is one of Uzbekistan’s most important sights and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Samarkand. The square is particularly impressive in the late afternoon when the warm light makes the turquoise facades glow. After nightfall, the ensemble is illuminated and transforms into a fairytale scene, which I enjoyed capturing with my camera.

The ancient city of Bukhara was the third city I visited in Uzbekistan. It is one of the oldest and most important cities in Central Asia and was a major trading and cultural center on the Silk Road for centuries. The historic old town captivates visitors with its mud-brick buildings, turquoise domes, mosques, and madrasas, still clearly conveying the splendor of bygone eras.

A landmark of the city is the imposing Kalan Minaret, which, with its intricate brickwork, rises high above the rooftops and is visible from afar. Right next to it is the Kalan Mosque, one of Bukhara’s most impressive mosques, with its spacious courtyard and numerous arcades.

The view from the Ark Fortress at sunset is particularly atmospheric. As the sun slowly disappears behind the rooftops of the old town, the warm light bathes the historic buildings in golden and reddish hues. After nightfall, another spectacle unfolds: the Kalan Mosque is illuminated in vibrant colors, its colorful lights standing out impressively against the night sky. A wonderful moment to end a day in Bukhara, and for me, yet another wonderful experience in Uzbekistan.

Following my initial impressions of Turkmenistan in my previous blog post, I’d like to share some impressions of the Uzbek city of Khiva with you today. Uzbekistan was the second of the Stan countries I visited on my Central Asia trip. Khiva is indeed, and without a doubt, one of the most fascinating cities in Uzbekistan. The historic old town of Itchan-Kala, surrounded by a mighty city wall, with its turquoise domes, intricately decorated facades, and numerous minarets, resembles an open-air museum from bygone eras – and it doesn’t just seem that way; the old town is actually a vast museum complex, now home to only about 3,000 people. But once, many hundreds of years ago, Khiva was an important center on the ancient Silk Road.

A landmark of the city is the Kalta Minor, the unfinished, unusually wide 29-meter-high minaret with its striking turquoise tile cladding, and arguably Khiva’s most prominent landmark. The squat minaret stands directly in front of the Mohammed Amin Khan Madrasa and impresses above all with its magnificent covering of turquoise, blue, and greenish tiles. Construction began in 1851, commissioned by Muhammad Amin Khan, who wanted an exceptionally tall minaret. However, after his death in 1855, work was halted, and the minaret remained unfinished.

Right next to it, at the end of a small alley, lies the Kunha Ark Citadel, the former residence of the Khans of Khiva. It houses palaces, mosques, and courtyards, offering a glimpse into the former lives of the rulers. The entrance to the citadel, with its imposing walls, is particularly beautiful at dusk when it is beautifully illuminated.

A highlight and well worth the climb is the ascent to the Kunha Ark watchtower. After scaling a few high, stone steps, a wonderful view opens up over the rooftops of Itchan-Kala’s old town: turquoise domes and minarets rise between the sand-colored walls, while the historic old town stretches to the horizon. Especially in the warm evening light, Khiva reveals itself in all its beauty from up here, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

With a quick hello from Central Asia, I’m sharing some impressions of Ashgabat in Turkmenistan, my first Central Asian country on this trip. Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, feels like a city from another world. Wide boulevards, monumental buildings, and countless gleaming white houses characterize the cityscape. The consistently used light-colored marble is particularly striking, earning Ashgabat the nickname “White City.”

Among the most impressive buildings is the Türkmembaşy Ruhy Mosque (Gypjak Mosque), a monumental mosque with large domes and minarets, located outside the city center. Completed in 2004, this monumental mosque, with its immense size, is one of Turkmenistan’s most striking religious buildings. Even from afar, the four 91-meter-high minarets and the large, bright dome immediately catch the eye. The number 91 commemorates the year 1991, when Turkmenistan gained its independence from the Soviet Union. The mosque is built of white marble and can accommodate around 10,000 worshippers.

Another striking landmark is the Alem indoor Ferris wheel, housed in a futuristic-looking building and once known as the world’s largest covered Ferris wheel.

A stroll through Ashgabat reveals the unusual mix of monumental architecture, manicured parks, and almost pristine white facades — in fact, only white vehicles are permitted in the city! The city thus conveys an almost surreal impression – magnificent, expansive, and yet deserted. This is, however, due to Turkmenistan’s restrictive policies. Even we, as tourists, were not allowed to leave the hotel without our guide, and photographing most buildings is prohibited. So I contented myself with the view from the hotel terrace on the ninth floor and was at least able to capture some beautiful panoramas.

The Château de Dinan on the Crozon Peninsula is not actually a castle at all; rather, it is an impressive rock formation featuring a natural arch that resembles a drawbridge leading to a fortress. For me, it was another highlight of the Crozon Peninsula — a spot I visited at sunrise on a beautiful morning.

Rising from the wild Atlantic coast of Brittany’s Crozon Peninsula is one of the region’s most striking rock formations: the Château de Dinan. Despite its name, it is not a castle but a massive rock whose distinctive silhouette evokes a medieval fortress. Over millennia, wind, waves, and tides have sculpted the granite into this extraordinary shape. Situated between the famous viewpoints of Pointe de Dinan and Cap de la Chèvre, the Château de Dinan is a scenic highlight of the Armorique Regional Natural Park. The freestanding rock is particularly impressive, connected to the steep cliffs by a natural stone arch. The roaring Atlantic surf and rugged cliffs lend the scene a raw, almost mystical atmosphere.

For photographers like myself, the Château de Dinan is a true paradise — especially at sunrise during the summer months. Anyone visiting the Crozon Peninsula should certainly not miss the walk to the Château de Dinan. This unique rock formation is a striking example of nature’s immense power and ranks among the most spectacular sights on the Breton Atlantic coast. Whether in sunshine, stormy weather, or during the golden hour, the Château de Dinan captivates visitors with ever-changing light and unforgettable views.