Iran
Numbering among the 15 states widely considered to be the Cradle of
Humanity, and with more than ten thousand years of history behind
it, the territory of Iran certainly has the right ingredients for a
fascinating tour. Unfortunately, Iran also suffers from a somewhat
questionable reputation, having been designated as part of the “axis
of evil” by the West, a label that drives many travellers thinking
about venturing to the area to reconsider their holiday options. Its
geographic location in the centre of Eurasia, its long history, its
natural landscape and its traditional and contemporary cultures
combine to make Iran a highly distinctive and rewarding tour
destination, but all too often travellers choose a less controversial
option, and probably one that doesn’t bring with it ingrained mental
associations of being somewhere ‘dangerous’. The fact of the matter
is, such travellers will undoubtedly miss out.
The country the highest population of all Persian countries (with
about 65 million inhabitants), Iran is also a land of incredible
cultural diversity, with dozens of languages, several recognised
religions and a broad spectrum of ethnicity in its people. Religion,
the dominant faith being Islam, pervades every aspect of Iranian
life, an aspect that the majority of visitors find one of the most
fascinating features of the country and its people—for Westerners,
few other destinations can provide a cultural experience that lies
so many leagues away from the familiar. Although Iran does display
some similarity to the West in that its governance incorporates a
degree of democratic process, the fact that this ideology is
balanced against, and often outweighed by, a theocratic
authoritarian rule means that trying to draw parallels between the
two is sometimes hard to reconcile. Regardless, as a traveller in
the country, Iran’s similarity to the West in any sphere seems
unimaginable.
Iran lays claim to the largest population of nomads in the world,
the vast majority of whom continue to dress in traditional attire,
live in traditional housing and follow customs handed down through
countless generations of their ancestors. It is a country wherein a
unique tribal culture has survived over millennia, leaving a legacy
that allows travellers an intriguing sneak-peek into ancient Persian
life, and a land that brings the past to life in a contemporary
setting. In a similar vein, the remnants of eras gone by dot the
Iranian landscape and even the most modern cities, like the capital
Tehran, make concerted efforts to preserve the beautiful monuments,
art and architecture from the country’s long and fascinating past.
Ancient ruins, a plethora of colourful, exquisite mosques and
magnificent palaces dating from a multitude of different dynasties
lie in wait for the traveller who chooses Iran as a tour
destination, sights that only add to the irrepressible impression
that Iran is a land of great historic importance.
The enigma that is the Arabian Gulf will cause you to ponder societal directions and intentions. The rapidly modernizing Middle East is in a constant tug-of-war between the traditional past and the pressures of our times. Oil is big business, but trade is much bigger, leading to an awful appropriation of resources and workforce into stunningly ambitious projects. Some of the wealthiest countries on the planet are oases of excess, founded on under-appreciated foreign labour. The surprises continue along the gulf until we reach Oman; jaw-dropping scenery, exciting remoteness, and unspoiled beaches seemingly presented solely for you.
This is a unique opportunity to explore a corner of the world previously misunderstood and almost ignored.
Our Middle East Tours journey to where it all began; to the Cradle of Civilisation and to the birthplace of four of the world’s major religions. Often misunderstood and seldom given the credit it deserves, the Middle East’s recurrent troubles in recent history have seen it relegated to one of the last alternatives when it comes to opting for a tour destination. What lies in wait for travellers on tours to the Middle East, however, is an ancient land of richness and plenty and one whose bounties yield incredible rewards.