A Hedonist's Guide to Almaty and Astana

Kazakhstan is thriving — it is fast becoming the business hub of Central Asia. Petro-dollars are flowing through the traditional and modern capitals of Almaty and Astana and businesses, tourists and investors are flocking there in droves. To cater to this smart hotels, gourmet restaurants and fast-paced bars are springing up in both cities. The Wild West frontier attitude is slowly fading and any comparisons with Borat have disappeared — instead replaced by a dynamism and eclecticism that is making both Almaty and Astana the cultural, design and entertainment centres of the region.