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My three favorite places is a set of posts where special guests share their three favorite places with our iwannagothere.com community.

Post written by Andy Jarosz of 501places.com

In 1991 when the USSR finally broke up into many pieces, a whole new group of nations entered our consciousness. Places that we had never previously heard of were suddenly declaring their independence, and taking their rightful places on the world stage as countries with rich histories, traditions and languages.

While the old image of the Soviet Union was one of drab monotony, these new nations were now throwing off their shackles and revealing incredible landscapes, breathtaking architecture and even impressive cuisine that had eluded the world’s palettes for generations. I have travelled to a few of these states, and intend to visit many others in the coming years, as each continues to discover its own past and forge its own identity. Here are 3 of my favourite places to visit in this vast and diverse region:

Uzbekistan

If the architecture found in this central Asian state was anywhere more adept at promoting itself, the amazing Islamic buildings found in the major cities would attract millions of visitors. Covered with blue majolica tiles, the mosques and madrassahs of Samarkand and Bukhara will leave you speechless, while a walk through the walled city of Khiva can transport you back to the time when the last Emir ruled the city in the early 20th century.

Uzbekistan is an easy country to travel around, with good roads and a decent rail network.

Estonia

A delightful medieval European city, Tallinn is Estonia’s capital and the main reason that people will visit. The spires and the domes of the city are perfectly preserved, and modern Tallinn keeps a respectful distance from the Old City, leaving the skyline within the city wall unspoilt. Tallinn is small enough to explore on foot within a day, while full of great museums that will keep you occupied for many days if you wish to learn about the culture and often painful history of this nation.

And if you have time to look beyond the capital, Estonia has many natural wonders to keep you interested. My favourite is Lahemaa National Park. Only an hour’s drive from Tallinn, the national park features a pristine coastline, native forests and even giant boulders the size of houses, brought here from Scandinavia by glacial movement during the last Ice Age.

Kyrgyzstan

Perhaps the most unprepared country to have emerged from the break-up of the USSR, many in Kyrgyzstan were alarmed at the departure of Soviet rule and ill-equipped to start life as a new nation. After nearly 20 years of independence, Kyrgyzstan is a paradise for the adventurous visitor. While there are no luxurious places to stay outside of its capital Bishkek (in fact there are few decent roads), the country boasts some of the amazing mountain scenery.

Much of the population outside of the capital is nomadic and stays in yurts in the summer with their livestock, moving to lower ground in the harsh winters. As a visitor you can stay in yurts that are run as part of Community Based Tourism projects, and meet shepherds, eagle hunters and others who call these mountains home. The hiking is out of this world, and if you enjoy horse riding Kyrgyzstan offers unrivalled opportunities.