As important gateways between Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, this region has a rich history and a tumultuous present. Here you can survey two and a half millennia of history and marvel at the illustrated architecture in the grand capital of the Archaemenid Empire, or recall recent history on the path forged through Afghanistan by the Hippy Trail of the 1970's. You can wrestle in the name of religion in an Iranian House of Strength, ski with the beautiful people through snowy peaks, ride on top of a rickety Russian 'motor' through the gorges of the Khyber Pass, or sit and enjoy a quiet bowl of hot quince soup.

As Iran has never really developed its tourism industry, visitors are a novelty, and you will be rewarded with warm hospitality - and therefore privileged insights. It is less advisable to travel through Iraq and Afghanistan, struggling to provide the most basic infrastructure for their inhabitants. However, these are countries that have housed a deep melting pot of different cultures, and the interaction of these cultures is very exciting. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Garden of Eden, the Tower of Babel - archaeologists claim all of these famous structures may once have existed on the land we now know as Iraq - built by Mesopotamian kings, described by Greek poets and artists, and holding an importance to the development of all mankind, according to the Bible. These countries which are rich in ancient historical interest, not to mention natural rugged beauty, demand that we keep a cultural interest alive, even if it is from a safe distance.

Read the full story - background and travel essentials

Locations Essential places to visit in Iran TV Shows Get the lowdown on the TV shows: Pilot Guides: Iran Festivals Ritual beating with flagellation whips at the Moharram Holy Week of Mourning The month of Ramadan is one of the five ‘pillars’ or principals of Islam		Historic Sites Lost Treasures of Iraq An extended guide exploring the history of Ancient Mesopotamia through to Modern Iraq, including a critique on the 2003 Gulf War lootings of Iraq's historic sites and bizarre and epic historical treasures including the Tower of Babel, Babylon, the first tablets of law and ancient batteries. Visit the impressive treasury of the Archaemenid Empire in Persepolis Treks Rub shoulders with Iran's 'noveau riche' Skiing in the Alborz Mountains
Food The best caviar in the world comes from the Caspian Sea Guide to staples, best dishes and family etiquette in the Iran Food Guide		Culture A zurkhana, or 'house of strength', mixes the physical and spiritual into a kind of body/soul-building