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TEHRAN,
City of Bazaars, City of Boulevards
Surely one of the world's most beautiful capitals.
A contemporary metropolis with a wealth of comfortable modern hotels and intriguing sights, Tehran contains the largest covered bazaar in the Middle East selling all the artefacts that have formed part of the rich tapestry of Iranian life for centuries.
In the narrow lanes and behind the hidden porticoes of the bustling Sabz-i Maidan lies a treasure trove of pottery, glazed ceramics, enamel, miniatures, calligraphy, ornamented glass, shells, silver, precious and semi-precious stones, leather and furs -- all jumbled pell mell with the necessities of everyday life.
From Ferdowsi Square at the centre of Tehran torn into broad shaded avenues and visit museums, minareted mosques and sumptuous pavilions of long dead kings.
The Sights of Tehran
The Archaeological Museum (Muzeh Iran Bastan) house the world's finest collection of Achaemenian and Islamic Art: visit Bank Melli and see the fabulous uncut Sea of Light diamond and Globe of Jewels set with 51,363 stones. At the Houses of Strength (Zurkhaneh) enjoy traditional wrestling and gymnastics. The Gulistan (Rose Garden) Palace, Decorative Arts Museum (Muzeh Honarha-i Tazini) and the National Art Museum (Muzeh Honarha-i Melli) with craftsmen at work are all of interest. The Masjed-i-Imam is one of Tehran's oldest buildings but also see Masjed-i Sepahsalar -- a modern mosque which welcomes non-Islamic tourists and has a wonderful view from its minaret.
Nearby day visits: Rey, believed to be the site of Rhages, is 40 kms south and is a place of pilgrimage for Shi'ite Muslims who visit the golden towered shrine of Shah Abdul Azime Just outside you'll see the Fire Temples and the picturesque morning carpet washing at Cheshmeb Ali. Veramin's Friday Mosque (Masjed-i Jom'eh) is worth a visit, as is the circular brick tower and 14th Century Imam Zadeh Shah Hussein Tower.
Leisure and sports: The many resorts around Tehran include Abe 'AIi Dizin, Gajereh and Sheinshak ski stations and the Karadj Dam for water skiers. Trek in the surrounding mountains, or walk the poppy covered slopes of Damevand. Enthusiasts will also hind golf courses and equestrian centres.
MASHAD
A Holy City
Of the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who visit Mashad every year few remain untouched by this almost mystically lovely city.
The most famous shrine in all Iran is that of Imam Reza. Non-Muslims are not allowed to visit but are welcome at the magnificent museum and library adjacent to Gowhar Shah's shrine. Dating back to the 15th Century this is one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture.
Mashad is famous for its turquoise and kelim prayer rugs and many fine examples are to be found in the local bazaar.
Other sights worth visiting: Visit the tomb of Ferdowsi at Tus -- many consider him this finest Iranian poet. Sunni pilgrims visit the tomb of Khajeh. Enjoy traditional wrestling at the Zurkhanch Eydgah and see the Sabr Carpet Factory.
At nearby Neyshahour there is the tomb of well-known poet, Omar Khayam, whose 'Rubiyat' Fitzgerald translated into English. Also just outside is the village of Toq where there are three great ruined caravanserais and a musallah courtyard distinguished by exquisite faience.
SHIRAZ
City of Roses and Nightingales
Shiraz is one of the country's most important and beautiful cities. With its green trees and perfumed gardens, it's an extraordinarily pleasant place to stroll through -- a romantic city of poets and learning, roses and nightingales.
Shiraz is second only to Isfahan in the splendour of its monuments and it is the city of Iran's honoured poets, Hafiz and Saadi, whose tombs are visited by many.
Nearby is once splendid Persepolis. Built by Darius I as an alternative to Susa it was created to be a spectacular setting for New Year celebrations. The city was destroyed by Alexander the Great when he invaded in 330 BC.
In Shiraz's Vakil Bazaar hook for bargains in kelims. copper inlaid woodwork, tribal jewellery, and mosaic jewel and cigarette boxes.
ISFAHAN
An Ancient and Treasured City
"Half the world is Isfahan wrote a well-travelled writer of the 16th century. Isfahan was a place of importance as far back as the third millennium BC but it was Abbas the Great who made it his capital. This able warrior, diplomat and administrator planned and constructed Isfahan as the city of his dreams.
Isfahan is the main producer of all the arts and crafts of Iran. Wander the three miles of the covered Ghaisarieh Bazaar and find brocades. carpets. mosaic inlay, hand-block printed cloth and delicate manuscripts.
A government-run price controlled shop is attached to the bazaar and prices here are helpful in judging how much to pay as you bargain for silverware, inlay work, miniature paintings, brassware, hand printed textiles and jewellery.
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