Khiva, along the historic Great Silk Road, might actually be one of most charming little old towns in Uzbekistan and the entire Central Asia. The concentration of Islamic schools and mosques, right one next to another on such a small territory, packed neatly and surrounded by magical wavy city walls is phenomenal. It is also a calm little place with open-air cafes and restaurants, perfect for chilling, drinking tea and ... forgetting about the world. The old town has a few prominent features, but the remarkable characteristic of Khiva is that the buildings are light on colourful decorations. The colourful bricks and tiles can however be found in surprising places, though. It is definitely a highlight of any trip to Uzbekistan.
