Afghanistan needs no introduction; just the name is enough to have most politicians panicking, journalists packing and wild travellers salivating with expectation. News, time and again over the centuries, has focused on this most extraordinary arid and mountainous country in middle-Asia and now, as always, its place at the heart of world affairs is as poignant as ever. Our Afghan Explorer tour takes us through the mountains and plains; following in the footsteps of Marco Polo.