24 hours in Tashkent
with Diana Lavrenteva
Over the past three years, YouTuber and lifestyle influencer Diana Lavrenteva has lived in five different countries on three continents. She recently relocated to Tashkent, and here, she rounds up some of her favourite spots in the Uzbek capital.
Text and photos by Diana Lavrenteva
Tashkent is a new city for me. I've been living here only six months so far, but I like living here more and more every day. Tashkent is a compact, very green city with the most friendly people I have ever met.
I like to get to know a new city not through classic landmarks but rather through the culture, everyday life and people, through my camera and aesthetics. That's why I invite you to take a walk with me through my favourite places in Tashkent.
I suggest starting the morning with yoga in the magical Seoul Park (western gate to Babur Park). It's an authentic place with beautiful nature. It's like stepping into a portal and being transported away from the hustle and bustle to a place where the mind is connected to the body and harmony comes easily.
After yoga, stop for a delicious and beautiful breakfast at the Bradley Felicita. If it's not too hot, you can sit outside and enjoy the beautiful street and watch passers-by go about their business.
You can grab a coffee to go from Bradley Felicita and then turn the corner to Mahmud Tarabi Street, to Viva Maria, a delicious handmade Belgian chocolate shop. They offer tasters so you can sample everything. The chocolates will be wrapped in beautiful wrapping that you can use as a gift for your friends or just to take home. They also offer some of the tastiest ice cream in Tashkent.
Afterwards, head to Chorsu Bazaar where you should definitely try on a traditional chapan (robe/coat) made of natural fabrics, such as silk, cotton or adras. Also, you can find beautiful ceramic tableware with traditional Uzbek patterns. You can pick up the main elements of a tea ceremony: the choynak (teapot) and piyola (tea bowls). The tea tradition is an important component of Uzbek hospitality. Tea is poured into the piyola for guests - they always pour a little to make sure that they always get a fresh drink, which is a demonstration of care and respect.
After the bazaar, you can go for a walk in the Ecopark and relax. I like this park because it has an area with different activities and there is a part of the park with tall trees where you can sit among the greenery right on the ground, take shelter from the heat and relax as if you were in a real forest.
Shashleek Restaurant in the Ecopark is the place where there is insanely delicious lavash and kebabs! It is where I broke my eight-year vegetarian lifestyle and started eating meat again. Uzbekistan makes an impact.
Human House is an authentic house that hosts various lectures, events and activities. A creative house with an aesthetic. Be sure to check it out while you’re here.
One of the most romantic spots in Tashkent is the rooftop dining at the Hyatt Regency Tashkent. Every Friday, there is live music overlooking the lights of the city and food made by the restaurant’s Italian chef. It's the place to definitively and irrevocably leave your heart in this wonderful and colourful city!
Follow Diana:
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/DIANALAVRENTEVA1/
Instagram - @dianalav_
Website - http://dianalavrenteva.com
