Now into its fifth edition, Bradt`s Iran continues to provide the most detailed background, history & cultural information available when visiting this ` Jewel of Central Asia`. This new edition has been thoroughly reviewed to provide all the latest information, from updated history & cultural developments to security, language & hotel prices, plus expanded practical information for independent travellers. Food & arts, rugs & handicrafts are all covered, plus new details of skiing in Iran & recommended Iranian movies. For outdoor enthusiasts, swimming & desert & eco-tours are also included. With new direct flights to Iran now available from Europe, & a warm-hearted & welcoming people eager to meet tourists, visiting this intriguing country has never been easier. Iran`s cities are packed with gilded mosques & blue-mosaic shrines built in honour of the country`s greatest leaders. Its people are generous & its terrain ranges from the sands of the Persian Gulf to the Alborz Mountains in the north. The expert authors give first-hand descriptions of attractions ranging from the exquisite mosques of Esfahan & the museums & palaces of Tehran to remote, spectacular mountain hikes. New maps & up-to-date information on all the basics
- hotels, restaurants, businesses & shops
- help you to uncover the mysteries of ancient Persepolis, to enjoy a soak & scrub in a local hamam, or to pick up a pair of giveh slippers or a Persian rug in Kirman`s bazaar. Thoroughly updated, this new edition also
Includes:: new details of ` Around Tehran`, caravanserai, Nishapur, Qaleh Rudkhan & Kurdish villages on the Silk Road Trail, plus new maps of the historic bazaars of Esfahan, Yazd, Kerman & Shiraz. It has been updated by Middle East expert Maria Oleynik, who is fluent in ten languages, including Persian & Arabic.