World / Asia / Iran

Some countries tend to defy all expectations and this is certainly true of Iran. Those expecting only religious conservatism and a desert landscape, will be surprised. In Iran, tourism is considerably more developed than might be expected too. With nearly 3,000 years of Persian history on show, growing numbers of discerning travellers are choosing to take holidays in Iran, lured by its ancient culture and historic sites. Tehran, its sprawling capital city, is the country's political and economic powerhouse and the place where those on business will inevitably spend most of their time.

However, after a couple of days, most leisure visitors usually feel the need to escape to Iran's less frenetic towns and havens. In a country full of cultural attractions, Esfahan, with its tiled mosques and historic squares is an essential stop, as is Shiraz with its bazaars, shrines and nearby ruins of Persepolis. The relaxed, desert city of Yazd with its unique architecture and Zoroastrian sites is another prime attraction. Elsewhere, there are castles, ziggurats and deserted villages to explore. The Caspian Sea coastline with its green hills and rainy climate will certainly come as a surprise, but even more unexpected will be the sophisticated, cosmopolitan atmosphere of the major cities and the existence of a fashionable après-ski scene in the Alborz Mountains ski resorts north of Tehran.