For many Mongolia may seem a country of endless grasslands but there is so much more to it. In history, it controlled the largest land empire known to man and was the birthplace of Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan.

A bustling Ulaanbaatar beats at Mongolia’s heart offering up mysterious Buddhist monasteries, pastel Soviet architectural wonders, Museums old and new as well as statues ranging from small to the gigantic.

Leave Ulaanbaatar in any direction and in no time you’ll be out onto the famed Mongolian steppe miles of untouched grassland reaching further than the eye can see. Its nomadic inhabitants only match the beauty of the sun setting over this vast expanse.

For many the Mongolian people are the real draw to this outdoor paradise, making life their own whilst dwelling in Ger and yurt moving with Yak, horse, camel and sheep across this romantic land.

If this were not enough, the surprise that is Mongolia also encapsulates vast deserts, alpine forests, snow-capped mountains ringed with glaciers and dormant volcanoes.

If you have heard anything about North Korea, it will likely involve words such as Secretive, Dangerous and hostile. Considered by many to be one of the world’s last communist countries, you will be surprised as there is so much to do in this unique country.

Vast cavernous marbled museums, statues of bronze gold and copper, buildings new and old, city squares and lush green parks all add to that assault on the senses that is Pyongyang. From the growing flamboyant and somewhat kitsch capital to the tense border area of the DMZ, the country is full of surprises from the untouched golden sandy beaches on the east coast, granite mountain peaks that feel as though rolled from an ancient Asian poem. In the countryside, it feels as though every centimetre of land has been pressed into cultivation.  Rice, barley, maize and wheat surround the small whitewashed villages which are dotted throughout the countryside.

It is true to say that quite simply there is nowhere else on earth quite like North Korea; it is a country that for many years remained sealed off to the modern traveller. Now more accessible than one may believe, come with us and leave with a fantastic tale.

Iran is officially titled the Islamic Republic of Iran it was up until the last century more knowingly called Persia. These days, outside the countries vast borders, people view Iran with suspicion, fear, and terror. However, Iran has so much to offer a visit to this mysterious country unveils a diverse nation rich in history, culture, and religion. Iran has been the cradle for ancient civilisations and a bridge for many more, with ancient capitals, cities and towns which retain much of their intricate beauty and original features.

Iran today is so much more than the news headlines would suggest. Thousands of years of history steep this stunning nation-state nestled at the heart of the old world, bridging the gap between the Middle East and Central Asia. Not only does the history of Persia stretch back centuries, but Iran is nothing if not relevant even today as Persia gave way to the Islamic Revolution and the modern Republic.

With over 23 UNESCO world heritage sites, golden-domed, marvellous mosaiced mosques, amazing people, and a heavenly cuisine, why not make Iran your next travel destination?

For many Turkmenistan is a country that hasn’t quite made it onto their travel list; whilst for others, it sits at the bottom just below North Korea but above Afghanistan.

That should change as Ashgabat alone is a capital screaming to be seen. It’s a polished marble marvel at odds with it is deep desert surroundings. It feels like on almost every street corner, there is a statue to honour its past leader and a portrait celebrating the current.

Museums, parks, and palaces coated gleaming marble make for a surreal visit. Further afield and this desert country mixes the surreal with the sublime, visit the giant Darvaza Gas Crater, known colloquially as the ‘Gateway to Hell’ which has been burning since 1972; or stop by ancient Merv to soak up some ancient history in this once-thriving metropolis.

If all of this is not for you, then a visit to the coast of the world’s largest inland sea, the Caspian, or the stunningly beautiful Yangkala canyon provides some incredible scenery, often overlooked and rarely visited by western travellers. All in all, Turkmenistan is the country you never knew you wanted to visit!

Known by many as the ‘Capital of Mountains’, the Republic of Kyrgyzstan has a lot to offer, although some of its most intriguing and interesting highlights are hidden deep within the valleys of this natural wonder.

Kyrgyzstan has long been a popular destination for tourists – during the Soviet period, workers and officials flocked to the Kyrgyz SSR to spend their holidays relaxing on the banks of Issyk Kul Lake, the largest lake in the country which is still a wonder to behold; nestled amongst the country’s beautiful peaks, it the view is just as good today as it was under the USSR!

The country was, however, not accessible to almost all foreigners whilst under the rule of Moscow since the mountains held a secret that was valuable to the rest of the Soviet Union – uranium!

Today, Kyrgyzstan retains much of its Soviet charm with tree-lined boulevards in the heart of the capital and communistic architecture dotted around the country, however since independence in 1991, local culture has undergone somewhat of a renaissance as traditional art, music and food can be found all around the country. Perhaps one of the most popular attractions in the country for foreign adventurers is the M41 Pamir Highway; this ribbon of tarmac stretches through the country, over the Pamir mountains and through neighbouring Tajikistan.

For many Turkmenistan is a country that hasn’t quite made it onto their travel list; whilst for others, it sits at the bottom just below North Korea but above Afghanistan.

That should change as Ashgabat alone is a capital screaming to be seen. It’s a polished marble marvel at odds with it is deep desert surroundings. It feels like on almost every street corner, there is a statue to honour its past leader and a portrait celebrating the current.

Museums, parks, and palaces coated gleaming marble make for a surreal visit. Further afield and this desert country mixes the surreal with the sublime, visit the giant Darvaza Gas Crater, known colloquially as the ‘Gateway to Hell’ which has been burning since 1972; or stop by ancient Merv to soak up some ancient history in this once-thriving metropolis.

If all of this is not for you, then a visit to the coast of the world’s largest inland sea, the Caspian, or the stunningly beautiful Yangkala canyon provides some incredible scenery, often overlooked and rarely visited by western travellers. All in all, Turkmenistan is the country you never knew you wanted to visit!