Turkmenistan

A country of the Karakum desert and marble Ashgabat, visited on short organised trips. Local prices are low and utilities cheap, but the choice of goods, housing and services available to a foreigner is very narrow. The climate is sharply arid: a punishing summer, a short mild winter and almost no rainfall. Entry requires a visa and usually an invitation or an operator-arranged route, and internet and connectivity work under heavy restrictions.