Iran

Hilary Smith MPhil, who took over the update of the third edition, is an independent lecturer and guide with wide-ranging interests focusing particularly on the cultural history of central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. She first visited Iran in 1976 and has been returning regularly ever since. Having studied Persian in Esfahan, Maria Oleynik updated the 4th edition of the Bradt guide to Iran and has returned to work on the 5th edition. Iranologist at heart, since her first trip to Iran she has become deeply consumed by everything Iran-related and returns to the 'empire of her heart' at least once a year on research trips and holidays. Maria has numerous professional connections and friends in Iran as well as among the Iranian community abroad. While living in Denmark she has been an active - and the only non-Iranian - member of the Danish-Iranian Literature Group.

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, Culture
Chapter 2 Practical Information
When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tourist information, Tour
operators, Time difference, Red tape, Embassies, consulates, 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: Qazvin and Hamadan
Qazvin, Hamadan, Around Hamadan, West of Hamadan to Kermanshah Province
and Kurdistan
Chapter 5 From Kashan to Esfahan
Kashan, On the road, Along the Kashan-Yazd road, Na'in, Around Na'in, Esfahan
Chapter 6 The Caspian Region
Getting there, Towards Gilan, West and southwest of Bandar-e Anzali, East of
Bandar-e Anzali, Amol and around, Sari, Gonbad-e Qabus, Bastam and around,
Damghan, Semnan, Semnan to Tehran
Chapter 7 Iranian Azerbaijan
Getting there, 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 along the coast, Further along the coast road
Chapter 11 En Route to Yazd and Kerman
Coming to Yazd from the southwest, Yazd, Kerman, Mahan, Bam, Zahedan, Chabahar
and beyond
Chapter 12 To Mashhad and Beyond
Mashhad, Around Mashhad, South of Mashhad, To Kashmar,
Nishapur and around
Appendix 1 Language
Appendix 2 Glossary
Appendix 3 Further Information
Index