Tehran 

Founded in the 18th Century, the city was greatly altered in the first half of the 20th Century, with wide avenues, open parks and modern buildings replacing the old maze of streets. Fine mosques abound. There is a famous bazaar and the Archaeological Museum contains many relics of the ancient Persian Empire including items from the ruined city of Persepolis.

Shiraz is the provincial capital of Fars and has a distinguished ancient history having been the acknowledged literary capital of Persia from the 12th Century. The city is the birthplace of the famed poets Saadi (12/13th Century) and Hafiz (14th Century), who are also both buried there. From 1750 till 1786 Shiraz was the capital of Persia.

Although wine production is no longer encouraged Shiraz is home to the famed Shiraz grape, now cultivated in every fine wine region of the world.
Silk rugs from Shiraz are also much treasured. The ruins of Persepolis, sacked by Alexander the Great in 330BC are just to the north and this great archaeological site must be visited.

The Holy City of Mashad, about 750 km east of Tehran, is a place of pilgrimage for Shi'ite Muslims as the site of the tomb of Imam Ali Reza (817).