Both this edition and the previous edition have been updated by Maria Oleynik MLitt, a Middle East expert and freelance translator fluent in ten languages, including Persian and Arabic. Since her first trip to the Middle East in 2003, she has studied in Yemen, Lebanon and Egypt. Since 2013 Iran has become her main professional and academic interest and she has studied Persian at the University of Esfahan, completed a Persian language teacher training course in Saadi Foundation in Tehran, studied Persian in Dekhoda Institute in the University of Tehran and is currently undertaking a degree in Middle Eastern Language (Persian) and Society in the University of Copenhagen. Describing Iran as the love of her life, she endlessly researches and merges into the culture and history of this magnificent land.

Introduction

PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION

Chapter 1 Background Information

Geography and climate, Natural history and conservation, History, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language, Religion, Education, Arts and culture

Chapter 2 Practical Information

When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tourist information, Tour operators, Time difference, Red tape, Embassies, consulates and missions, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, What to take, Export and import restrictions, Money, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays, Shopping, Culture and entertainment, Media and communications, Business, Opening times, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively

PART TWO THE GUIDE

Chapter 3 Tehran and the Road South

Tehran, Around Tehran, South of Tehran

Chapter 4 West of Tehran: from Qazvin Onwards to Kurdistan and Beyond

Qazvin, Around Qazvin, Hamadan, Around Hamadan, West of Hamadan – towards Kermanshah and Kurdistan, Kermanshah, North of Kermanshah towards Kurdistan province, West of Kermanshah, South of Kermanshah and towards Ilam province, Ilam province

Chapter 5 From Kashan to Esfahan

Kashan, On the road, Along the Kashan–Yazd road, Na’in, En route from Na’in to Esfahan, Esfahan, Further afield, East of Esfahan province

Chapter 6 The Caspian Region

Getting there and away, Towards Gilan, West and southwest of Bandar Anzali, East of Bandar Anzali, Amol and around, Sari, Gonbad-e Qabus, Bastam and around, Damghan, Semnan, Semnan to Tehran

Chapter 7 Iranian Azerbaijan

Getting there and around, Ardabil, Tabriz, South and southeast of Tabriz, North of Tabriz, Orumiyeh and beyond (to the south and southeast),

Zanjan

Chapter 8 Shiraz and Around

Shiraz, Around Shiraz

Chapter 9 Persepolis and the Surrounding Area

Persepolis, Naqsh-e Rostam, Istakhr, Pasargadae

Chapter 10 The South Coast

Ahvaz, Shushtar, Shush, Northwest of Shush/Susa, Southeast of Shush/Susa, East of Shush/Susa, South of Ahvaz, Eastwards, Further along the coast road

Chapter 11 En Route to Yazd and Kerman

Coming to Yazd from the southwest, Yazd, Kerman, Around Kerman, Mahan, Bam, Zahedan, Chabahar and beyond

Chapter 12 Mashhad and Khorasan

Razavi and North Khorasan provinces, Mashhad, Around Mashhad, Nishapur and around, South of Mashhad, Towards Gonbad and Tabas

Appendix 1 Language

Appendix 2 Glossary

Appendix 3 Further Information

Index