Iran (or if you prefer Persia): a country pretty near in distance, but far away in time from our western world. The decision to visit it may only arise from a great curiosity: to see the ancient witnesses of a great civilization, but in particular to penetrate a world that is certainly filtered here by all the recent news, that painted a country that is a mixture of deep religion and middle-aged obscurity. The travel was very interesting and for me a little bit surprising: there is really a lot of important signs of the human history (Persepoli and Isfahan were the most impressive places in this sense)

   and if you love arabian and Islamic architecture, you will be satisfied with many wonderful mosques and the well known Madrasa or choranic schools.

   Another thing that strikes the traveller is the people: very kind, open to dialogue, proud and conscious of the historical culture of their country and very curious about the rare foreigners. Obviously you have to strictly respect the local rules: all the women must wear long dresses and cover their hair; you can not touch a woman in public, even for shaking her hands; generally men speak with men and women with women; you have to ask and be very respectful to enter and visit the holy places, like mosques and sanctuaries.

   In the evening there isn't much fun (few restaurants, no pubs or discos or things like that, and please forget the local cinemas): even our dinner for the last day of the year finished at 10 pm! (obviously without any alcoholic drinks). This rules are strictly respected all over the country and only in Teheran you can feel a certain western spirit in people, that sweetens the restrictions.

Andrea

Things to remember: The old and abandoned town of Bam - The ruins of Persepoli - The tombs of the Achemenidi kings at Naghsh-è Rostam - The badgir in Yazd - The Friday mosque in Yazd - The Emam mosque in Isfahan

Plan of the journey: Italy -Teheran - Kerman - Bam - Shiraz - Persepoli - Yazd - Isfahan - Kashan - Qom - Teheran - Italy

You can see more photo about this jouney and others of mine, in the Webshot site at the address: : http://community.webshots.com/user/arasetti