Visitors will find it hard to reconcile their own experiences with the pronouncements that Iran is part of an 'axis of evil'. For culture seekers, Iran has magnificent ruins of ancient cities, glorious mosques and mausoleums, and museums so interesting they're bound to leave your feet sore.
The more adventurous can enjoy trekking, budget-priced skiing, or swooping off cliffs strapped to a hang-glider. For the traveller who doesn't mind covering up (preferably not in a stars and stripes poncho) and eschewing ale and heartfelt feminist discourse, Iran has a vast amount to offer. Factoid Out With the Old Iran used to be called Persia, a name derived (like Farsi) from the name of Fârs province, where the Aryan tribes had settled. In 1934, Reza Shah had the country's name changed to Iran - derived directly from the Aryan (meaning 'of noble origin') - as part of his modernisation drive.
Visitors will find it hard to reconcile their own experiences with the pronouncements that Iran is part of an 'axis of evil'. For culture seekers, Iran has magnificent ruins of ancient cities, glorious mosques and mausoleums, and museums so interesting they're bound to leave your feet sore.
The more adventurous can enjoy trekking, budget-priced skiing, or swooping off cliffs strapped to a hang-glider. For the traveller who doesn't mind covering up (preferably not in a stars and stripes poncho) and eschewing ale and heartfelt feminist discourse, Iran has a vast amount to offer. Factoid Out With the Old Iran used to be called Persia, a name derived (like Farsi) from the name of Fârs province, where the Aryan tribes had settled. In 1934, Reza Shah had the country's name changed to Iran - derived directly from the Aryan (meaning 'of noble origin') - as part of his modernisation drive.