How about a trip to Kazakhstan

Of all the regions of Kazakhstan, this is the most industrialised and there isn’t a great deal on offer for tourists… except that is its capital city, Nur-Sultan. As is increasingly common in parts of Asia and Africa, capital cities are being “moved”, to shiny new homes and this is one of the very shiniest! You can clearly see that this is not a city with a long and rich history, so if crumbling architecture is your thing, don’t bother. But if you’re into shiny buildings, clean facades and buildings that almost twinkle in the sunshine, then this brand-spanking-new city will delight you. But probably only for a weekend or so. It really is a wonder what can be built in such a short space of time when you have a glut of oil-generated finances on hand and a government set on doing something!
Southern Kazakhstan is, like most of the country a desert. A big and empty desert. But, within this vast emptiness are a few surprises. The majority of the country’s historical monuments are found here, with a host of buildings dating back well before Christ’s time, many of which are in remarkably good condition, being maintained by the almost rainless weather.
One place worth a visit, although not necessarily for the right reasons, is the giant, or at least it was, Aral Sea. A vast inland lake atrociously managed over several decades is now barely 10% of its former size and due to vanish altogether within 10-15 years unless drastic action is taken. Abandoned boats are now strewn across hundreds of square miles of sand that once used to be the bed of the lake, so while not exactly a “hoorah” moment for mankind, it does make for a fascinating spectacle!