Iran is a treasure house for some of the most beautiful architecture on the planet, but its greatest attraction could just be its people. Known as Persia until 1935 in the western world, whereas the indigenous name has been Iran forever. Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling Shah was forced into exile. No matter what you think you know, Iran is safe country in which to travel and Iranians will go out of theri way to look after you.

There is a best quote from a major Persian poet and literary of the medieval period, Muslih Al-Din Sa'di or simply pen-name Saadi - 'a traveller without knowledge is a bird without wings'