Condé Nast Traveler
The Kazakh Designers Telling Stories of Their Nomadic Heritage
Looking to reconnect with her Almaty origins, writer Yulia Denisyuk heads to the Kazakh capital to meet artists exploring their own identities through craft.
Condé Nast TravelerOct 6
The Best Train Trips in the World: 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards
The world’s most swoon-worthy train trips, from the rugged Peruvian highlands to the romantic Canadian Rockies.
19 things in this story
- Napa Valley Wine TrainAttractionNapa, United StatesTravels between downtown Napa and St. Helena
- The GhanRestaurantAdelaide, AustraliaRuns through the heart of the Australian continent
- Jungfrau RailwayPlaceJungfraujoch, SwitzerlandHighest rail station in Europe, perched at 11,332 feet
- The Golden Eagle Silk Road ExpressPlaceAlmaty, KazakhstanRoute through Central Asia, iconic trade route
- Indian PacificRestaurantSydney, AustraliaCrosses Australia horizontally, four days, three nights
- Bernina ExpressPlaceChur, SwitzerlandClimbs through Swiss Alps to Tirano, Italy
- Canyon SpiritPlaceGlenwood Springs, United StatesJourney through American West's spectacular terrain
- The CanadianNeighborhoodToronto, CanadaCrosses Canada from Toronto to Vancouver
- The Vietage by AnantaraPlaceDa Nang, VietnamLuxury railway carriage connects Da Nang with Quy Nhon
- Royal Scotsman, A Belmond TrainPlaceEdinburgh, United KingdomCircumnavigates the heart of the Scottish Highlands
- Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond TrainPlaceSingaporeResumed service between Singapore and Malaysia
- Vietnam Central Heritage ConnectionPlaceHue, VietnamConnects the historic cities of Hue and Da Nang
- British Pullman, A Belmond TrainPlaceLondon, United KingdomJourney through the bucolic British countryside
- Glacier ExpressPlaceZermatt, SwitzerlandConnects Zermatt and Saint Moritz
- Hiram Bingham, A Belmond TrainPlacePoroy, PeruConnects Poroy to Machu Picchu
- Andean ExplorerPlaceArequipa, PeruTransports passengers between Arequipa and Cusco
- Danube ExpressPlaceIstanbul, TurkeyUnlocks approach to Southern and Eastern Europe
- Rocky MountaineerPlaceVancouver, CanadaTraverse dramatic scenery between Vancouver and Banff
- Rovos RailTrain stationPretoria, South AfricaExtravagant train traveling throughout Africa
Lonely PlanetSep 20
A Guide to Astana, Kazakhstan
Planning a trip to Kazakhstan
22 things in this story
- National Museum of the Republic of KazakhstanMuseumAstana, Kazakhstanchronicles the nation's history, nomadic culture, and achievements
- Khan ShatyrSightAstana, Kazakhstanshopping complex resembling a giant, transparent wizard’s hat
- Palace of Peace and ReconciliationSightAstana, KazakhstanDesigned by architectural practice Foster and Partners…
- Bayterek MonumentSightAstana, Kazakhstangolden-orb-topped monument
- Ak Orda Presidential PalaceSightAstana, Kazakhstanslightly sci-fi complex
- Kazakhstan Central Concert HallSightAstana, Kazakhstandesigned by Manfredi Nicoletti
- Capital CircusSightAstana, KazakhstanUFO-like building
- Astana Grand MosqueSightAstana, Kazakhstanregion's largest mosque with sky-blue domes
- Qazaq GourmetRestaurantAstana, Kazakhstansplurge-worthy dining preserving and transforming Kazakh heritage
- Museum of the First President of the Republic of KazakhstanMuseumAstana, Kazakhstandisplays gifts to Nursultan Nazarbayev and militaria
- Museum of the Armed ForcesMuseumAstana, Kazakhstandisplays fascinating militaria
- Nur AlemMuseumAstana, Kazakhstanmuseum exploring Kazakhstan's harnessing of natural energy
- ALZhIR Museum-Memorial ComplexMuseumAkmol, Kazakhstanmemorial to women and children held in Soviet labor camps
- Burabay National Nature ParkSightAstana, Kazakhstanscenic lakes and walking trails
- Korgalzhyn Nature ReserveSightAstana, Kazakhstanhome to 344 bird species, including flamingos
- Atyrau BridgeSightAstana, Kazakhstaneye-catching, car-free bridge
- ArbatNeighborhoodAstana, Kazakhstanstreet with public artworks, cafes, shops, and Beatles statue
- Hostel ForumHotelAstana, Kazakhstanhostel on the Left Bank
- Elite Apart-HotelHotelAstana, Kazakhstanapart-hotel
- Coffee BoomCaféAstana, Kazakhstancafe on the Right Bank
- The HopPubAstana, Kazakhstanbar near Atyrau Bridge
- Khroshiy Den’ cafeRestaurantAstana, Kazakhstancafe
Lonely PlanetAug 26
14 of the Best Things to Do in Kazakhstan
From discovering remote mountains to exploring futuristic cities and more.
19 things in this story
- Charyn CanyonNature reserveAlmaty, KazakhstanHike red-rock formations east of Almaty
- Baikonur CosmodromeSightBaikonur, KazakhstanBook a launch tour for a once-in-a-lifetime space experience
- Katon-Karagay National ParkSightKaton-Karagay, KazakhstanExplore lush valleys and mountains on horseback
- Green MarketMarketAlmaty, KazakhstanBustling market in Almaty
- Zenkov CathedralRestaurantAlmaty, KazakhstanMarvel at the intricate architecture in Almaty
- Central MosquePlace of worshipAlmaty, KazakhstanPonder the call to prayer from its minarets
- ShymbulakSightAlmaty, KazakhstanSki resort accessible by daily buses from Almaty
- Kolsai LakesSightAlmaty, KazakhstanThree lakes in a dense forest region
- Kaindy LakeSightAlmaty, KazakhstanLake formed after a 1911 earthquake
- Singing DuneSightAlmaty, KazakhstanEmits a rumbling sound when windy and dry
- National MuseumTrain stationAstana, KazakhstanExplore culture in Astana
- Saken Seifullin’s former homeSightAstana, KazakhstanExplore poet's former home in Astana
- balbalsSightEreimentau, KazakhstanStone sculptures marking burial mounds of ancient warriors
- Aksu-Zhabagly Nature ReserveSightShymkent, KazakhstanOldest nature preserve, spot eagles and vultures
- Tuzkol LakeSightTian Shan mountains, KazakhstanSalty lake offering fabulous floats
- Ustyurt ReserveSightAktau, KazakhstanNatural wonder with pillars of limestone and chalk
- Shakhr-i-VazirSightAktau, KazakhstanRuins of an ancient city
- Beleuli CaravanseraiSightAktau, KazakhstanFortress on the Silk Road
- Allan FortressSightAktau, KazakhstanAncient fortress on the Silk Road
Atlas ObscuraAug 6
Statue of Unity in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Imagine a raging concrete canal, a dog trapped in the torrent, and a desperate owner who jumped in to help—only to get stuck himself. Instead of just watching, a group of total strangers instantly linked arms to form a living, breathing human chain, risking their own safety to pull both to dry land. Today, that exact spot is marked by a powerful interactive sculpture that lets you grip the last…
1 sight in this story
- Statue of UnitySightinteractive sculpture lets you grip the last bronze hand
Condé Nast TravelerJul 28
UNESCO Just Added 26 Sites to the World Heritage List for 2026—Including 1 in the US
We can’t wait to visit these lush wildlife reserves, dreamy seaside villages, and fairytale French castles.
23 things in this story
- Okefenokee Wildlife RefugePublic artworkOkefenokee, United StatesVast and globally unique subtropical peatland.
- Okefenokee AdventuresPlaceOkefenokee, United StatesOfficial tour provider for Okefenokee Park.
- The Four SeasonsHotelTunis, TunisiaOffers guided tours with a guide in Tunis.
- Carcassonne fortresses and castleSightCarcassonne, FranceSprawling fortresses and castle sitting high on a cliffside.
- The works of architect Alvar AaltoSightHelsinki, Finland13 architectural works by Aalto and his studio in Finland.
- Alvar Aalto FoundationPlaceHelsinki, FinlandOffers guided tours of Aalto's buildings in Helsinki.
- Aqaba Marine ReserveSightAqaba, JordanNew UNESCO World Heritage Site in Jordan.
- Wadi Wurayah biosphere reserveSightFujairah, United Arab EmiratesNew UNESCO World Heritage Site in the UAE.
- Garamba National ParkSightFaradje, Democratic Republic of the CongoNew UNESCO World Heritage Site in DR Congo.
- Boma-Badingilo migratory landscapeSightJuba, South SudanNew UNESCO World Heritage Site in South Sudan.
- Mont Amel CastlesSightBatroun, LebanonNew UNESCO World Heritage Site in Lebanon.
- Getbol tidal flatsSightIncheon, South KoreaNew UNESCO World Heritage Site in Korea.
- Western LimfjordSightThisted, DenmarkNew UNESCO World Heritage Site in Denmark.
- historic medinasNeighborhoodMoroni, ComorosNew UNESCO World Heritage Site in Comoros.
- Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry SitesSightJingdezhen, ChinaNew UNESCO World Heritage Site in China.
- Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath, VaranasiSightVaranasi, IndiaNew UNESCO World Heritage Site in India.
- Alamūt CastleAttractionQazvin, IranNew UNESCO World Heritage Site in Iran.
- Ancient Capitals of Asuka and FujiwaraSightAsuka, JapanNew UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan.
- Rock Mosques of MangystauSightAktau, KazakhstanNew UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kazakhstan.
- Cemetery Complexes of the Xiongnu NobilitySightUlaanbaatar, MongoliaNew UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mongolia.
- Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan Buddhist TempleSightNakhon Si Thammarat, ThailandNew UNESCO World Heritage Site in Thailand.
- Modernist Architecture of the capital of TashkentSightTashkent, UzbekistanNew UNESCO World Heritage Site in Uzbekistan.
- condominio-Style TheatersSightVenice, ItalyNew UNESCO World Heritage Site in Italy.