Audley in IranWe feel that Iran is a greatly underrateddestination and much misunderstood. Wehave taken the time to go and visit ourselves,to see what the situation is truly like. Everyone of us who has been has come backenamoured with the friendliness of thepeople, the diversity of the culture and thesheer unexpectedness of it all. For those who want to really discover every nook andcranny, we suggest having a national guide,who would accompany you throughout yourtime in the country. For those who prefer alittle more independence, we can arrange adriver to accompany you - he or she wouldspeak enough English to communicate, butwould leave you to discover the sights.Whichever style of travel you choose - you can be sure of a memorable visit to this fascinating country.AccommodationAs a result of sanctions, there are none ofthe international hotel chains in Iran that arefound in most other countries of the world.The standards of service and facilities inIranian hotels are not what they might be,however, every place of interest does haveclean, comfortable options. While there aremany reasons to visit Iran, the quality of thehotels there is not one of them. A fewplaces, Yazd in particular, do have somecharacter options which we try to usewhenever possible.Find out more For suggested itineraries and practicalinformation about travel in Iran, please seepage 89.www.audleytravel.comInteractive maps and features, further suggested itineraries,accommodation, climate informationand articles written by our specialists.Discuss your plans with our Iranspecialists 01993 838 265?EsfahanIran's masterpiece, an exquisitecity and one of the mostbeautiful in the Islamic world.ShirazA relaxed city and the finalresting place of many of Iran'sgreat poets, Shiraz is an idealbase from which to explore theregion's antiquities.PersepolisMarvel at this ancient city, oncethe heart of one of the world'smightiest empires, hidden underthe sands for thousands of years.321YazdThis desert city has windinglanes and wind towers.AbyanehExperience rural Iran in thispicturesque, verdant village.TehranIran's capital is difficult to love -but it has some great museumsand impressive palaces.465KashanA majestic bazaar and somebeautiful Qajar era mansions.7Iran851234567Wind towers, YazdTomb of Hafez, ShirazStatue, PersepolisTeahouse, Esfahan

TehranThere is nowhere better in Iran than Tehran toget an overview of Persian history and culture.The museums here are amongst the best in theMiddle East and are an essential part of any visit.The pick of them is probably the Golestan Palace,though the National Museum of Iran and theNational Jewels Museum are fantastic to strollthrough. Like any other capital Tehran has its fair share of problems. On some days the trafficcan seem like a glacial flow, but try not to let this negative image blot out the many positives of a visit here.ShirazThere's no wine here. If there were this would be the most convivial city in the Middle East. Thelocals are friendly, liberal and literate; the climateis pleasant for most of the year; and the nearbyattractions of Persepolis and Naqsh-e-Rostam arethe equal of anything in Athens or Rome. If youlike bazaars then welcome to the best one in Iran,selling everything from carpets to cake under avaulted ceiling dating back 250 years. Shiraz alsoexcels in architecture - indeed many of its finestbuildings were built to rival Esfahan.86Bazaar, ShirazPersepolis and the Persian EmpireBeneath the searing heat of the Persian sun,backed by Mt Rahmat, lie the ruins of theonce-great Achaemenid Empire. Smotheredin sand and rock until the 1930s, this amazingsite was once a religious and culturalpowerhouse, dominating peoples as disparateas the Scythians of Siberia and the Copts ofEthiopia. It is this ancient empire that has given today's Iranians a distinctly un-Arabic culture and character. Whilst mostIranians see themselves as Islamic, they donot consider themselves as Arabic, but asdistinctly Iranian or Persian. This is a directconsequence of the vast empire oncecontrolled from Persepolis, which continuesto loom large in the national psyche.Persepolis succumbed finally to Alexanderthe Great, whose thirst for conquest was sothoroughly slaked here that he left onlyrubble - though this alone is supremelyimpressive, reminding the casual visitor of the sheer depth and longevity of Persianhistory and culture. Anyone with even apassing interest in antiquity should make avisit here their first priority.Carving detail, PersepolisDetail, Golestan Palace, TehranColumns of the Great Hall, Persepolis