Iran
The welcoming nature of Iranian locals brings you to a world of culture that has to be embraced.
In the heart of the country lies one of the largest cities in Western Asia; Tehran. It is a city full of amazing sites to admire. The Milad Tower stretches up to a fantastic height of over 400 metres and is one of the tallest freestanding structures in the world. It's octagonal base is a traditional symbol of Persian architecture. Tehran has many art galleries and lots of wonderful restaurants. In these restaurants comes the lovely food of Iran. Often said to be the national dish of the country, Ghormeh Sabzi is made with curried vegetables and is served with Tadik, better known as crunchy rice. Usually there are many dishes that are served at one meal. This is a sign of the welcoming gesture by Iranians, who are famous for their hospitality.
One of the main cultural highlights in Iran is Persepolis. Darius I built Persepolis around 500 BC as his empire's ceremonial capital and its wealth and opulence became legendary. Alexander the Great destroyed the city in 330 BC, but even today its past splendour is easily appreciated from the ruins that remain.
Iran has many forests that stretch thousands of miles across the country, and are home to some of the world's rarest animals. Iran is the home to the largest species of leopard, Asiatic cheetah and many types of birds.
Iran is a country full of pride and history. It is the birthplace of the sport polo, which dates back to the first century and was used as training for the king's troops. Now known all over the world, it is a sport Iran can say they have shared. The music in Iran is also another part of their proud history, and it dates back thousands of years. Opera is another worldwide phenomenon that was originally from Iran. The music industry is diverse, from traditional folk music to a thriving hip hop scene. Despite what western media would show, modern Iran is a mix of traditional values and 21st century culture.
The most important festival in Iran is Persian New Year; this is on March 21st and celebrates the beginning of spring. Families gather together and the symbol of fire represents the start of the new day.
With such beautiful courtesy and welcoming gestures, Iran is one of the friendliest places in Asia to visit.
