An Extraordinary Journey: Spanish Pensioner Travels 12,462 km by Moped from Spain to Samarkand

Spanish pensioner Valentín Salvador embarked on an incredible journey, covering 12,462 kilometers on his Vespino moped from Spain all the way to Samarkand.

The 67-year-old adventurer from the small town of Val de Almonacid in the Valencian Community decided to fulfill a lifelong dream — to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Venetian traveler Marco Polo along the ancient Silk Road.

Valentín began his journey in late April on his moped, which he affectionately named “Marco Polo.” Over the course of seven weeks, he crossed 13 countries, including France, Italy, the Balkans, Greece, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

The final destination of his route was Uzbekistan — specifically, the historic city of Samarkand, where he spent several days exploring its rich cultural and historical heritage.

For 37 years, Valentín worked on a “bibliobus” — a mobile library delivering books to remote villages in the province of Castellón. His lifelong love of stories, books, and travel culminated in this grand adventure.

Throughout the journey, Valentín kept a travel journal on social media, sharing photos, videos, and personal reflections. His story captured the attention of online audiences and received warm coverage in the Spanish media.

“This is a true adventure, not exactly a typical one,” noted the traveler.

Valentín’s journey is a vivid testament to the growing interest in Uzbekistan as a unique travel destination — one that combines a rich cultural and historical legacy, modern infrastructure, and a welcoming spirit. Cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and others continue to attract foreign visitors eager to walk the path of the Great Silk Road and discover the vibrant culture of modern Uzbekistan.