Iran
-
Stroll through Isfahan’s central square and shop in its sprawling bazaar with carpet dealers, silversmiths, pottery traders and spice sellers
-
Visit Shiraz, the city of poets and birthplace of Hafez and Sa’di
-
Marvel at the ruins of Persepolis built by Darius the Great and partially destroyed by Alexander the Great
-
Travel through the Alborz Mountains to the Caspian coast passing mountainside villages where rice and tea are grown
-
Explore the deserts, mountains and arid plains, perfect for walking and riding horses or camels
Paul Craven has been with Steppes Travel for 16 years and true 'Travel Beyond the Ordinary' is what he loves most - he is in his element when trekking through remote landscapes, exploring hidden backstreets and generally getting off the beaten track and setting foot where few have done before.
His knowledge of border crossings and their complications would be hard to beat and many of the wonderful trips he prepares for our clients can combine 4 or 5 countries over several months. During his extensive travels Paul has also built up an interesting and often amusing photo gallery of the 'world's worst toilets'!
Paul can tailor-make your holiday to your exact requirements; be it a family adventure, a luxury holiday, a multi-country trip or venturing off the beaten track.
Over many years of organising travel to Iran, our experience is of a warm and friendly country whose people are only too delighted to welcome foreign visitors. Birthplace to one of the world's great empires, Iran has been subsequently dominated and influenced by a host of cultures whose architectural remains lie scattered across the country.
Iran is a fascinating country to visit and one that is so large, it is almost impossible to explore on one visit. Whilst undeniably Islamic, Teheran is a disappointingly modern city which, with the exception of its museums, has little to commend it, however, as you venture further afield, there is a wealth of treasures waiting to be explored. To the south of Teheran lies Isfahan with its beautiful Persian architecture & gardens, Shiraz and nearby Percepolis, Yazd, a centre of Zoroastrianism or fire worship and even the decimated town of Bam. To the north there is Hamadan, traditional centre of the carpet trade, and the Caspian Sea.
Visit the remote Armenian churches near Tabriz, hidden away close to the Turkish border, or the holy cities of Qom and Mashad and the desert towns of Na'in, the geographical centre of Iran. Iran never fails to amaze, it is always throwing up wonderful surprises when one least expects them.
For a longer trip a lovely option is to combine your holiday to Iran with neighbouring Armenia or Eastern Turkey or Central Asia.
Journey Ideas For Iran
Classic Iran
a wonderful introduction to this fascinating country
View more Journey Ideas for Iran