Iran is not the first destination that springs to mind when one imagines their next holiday. For decades we have wrongly come to see it as a place of danger, of the unknown, and of conflict. This, however, is not Iran. A land of rich culture spanning as far back as 7000BC, home to Persia’s most stunning gardens and architecture, boasting awe-worthy landscapes, and home to humour, warmth and kindness – this is Iran. In a wholly unique trip experienced by few before, you can now safely travel to Iran and embark on Crooked Compass’ ultimate in Classe tour, perfect for cultural purists and those who will enjoy savouring their taste buds with Iranian food as they travel through spectacular scenery.

Guests who travel to Iran on this luxury tour journey for twelve days along the stunning Silk Road, which once connected the powerful ancient empires of Rome, Parthia, Kushan and China. International trade flourished under the Sassanid Persians, and luxury goods including Chinese raw silk and Indian goods such as jewels, aromas and spices were all delivered along this winding route centuries ago. With Crooked Compass, you can travel in true style, staying in Iran’s most prestigious and unique accommodation, from traditional adobe structured mansions to restored 16th century caravanserai as you delve into the fascinating history of ancient Persia.

As a guest, you first step off the plane into the warm, buzzing atmosphere of Tehran, Iran’s bustling capital. Jumping straight into the rich local culture, you then go shopping with a local woman fondly known as ‘Mama’ through the vibrant Tajrish Bazaar, where together the group buys spices and fresh produce for the evening’s meal of traditional Iranian food. You are then warmly welcomed into her kitchen, where she teaches you how to make a delicious feast of local dishes such as succulent kebab, while telling you anecdotes of her life in Iran. The following day you experience further culinary delights, dining in the magnificent Persian gardens of Kashan, an ancient oasis city, listening to the soft sounds of flowing water from the blue tiled pools and fountains.

The next stop is Yazd, where guests are shown around the famous Atash Behram ‘fire temple’ and the ancient ‘towers of silence’, while your tour guide enthusiastically tells you all about the Zoroastrian sky burial rituals. You then enjoy a spectacular rooftop dinner overlooking the incredible wind towers for which Yazd earned its nickname ‘Windward City’, before spending the night in a restored caravanserai built during the reign of Shah Abbas I. Staying in a caravanserai is certainly one of the highlights of the trip, as they were the dwellings used by merchants travelling along the Silk Road, making them the perfect place to rest after a day’s adventure. Our tour guide delighted in sharing incredible stories of merchants stealing desert animals, hiding out and disguising themselves as other merchants to cleverly benefit their own journeys. In the main courtyard, the roof is open, allowing guests to star gaze up at the same sky that these merchants once used to read to know if tomorrow would be a safe day to continue their voyage.

After a luxuriously relaxing night, guests drive through the breath-taking Zagros Mountains to Shiraz, and enjoy a visit to the ancient ruins of the city of Persepolis, where one stands in complete awe at Iran’s most majestic pre-Islamic monument with its impressive limestone columns, ceremonial staircases and stunning base reliefs celebrating the triumphs of the Achaemenid Empire. To continue in this historical and cultural immersion, you then spend a magical night in a nomadic camp, stopping off by the rainbow hues of the Margoon waterfall for a picnic on the way. Arriving in the nomadic village, it feels as though you’ve been transported back in time and experience a simplistic way of life while sleeping under a starlit sky in traditional tents. The warm welcome of the nomadic people into their fascinating lifestyle is certainly a highlight of the trip, allowing the culture of ancient Persia to be experienced alongside the modern ways of life shown to anyone who ventures to travel to Iran.

The first question to spring to mind for many wanting to travel to Iran will be: is Iran safe? Negative stigma has long surrounded countries in the middle east, but nowadays these dangerous stereotypes are becoming less and less relevant. A far cry from the usual hassle that Western travellers receive in other Islamic countries, you will be absolutely taken aback as to how easy Iran is to travel through. You don’t get stared at, you don’t get hassled, and you don’t have five men at a time asking to come and look at their carpet shop or offering you  number of camels to be their bride. You are a guest in the local Persian’s country, and they make you feel totally welcomed.

Adventurous travellers will soon be able to tell their friends who ask, ‘is Iran safe?’ that never before have they been to a country where so many people simply just want to chat. Instead of having ulterior motives, locals genuinely want to practice their English, understand why you have chosen to travel to Iran, and sincerely ask you about your experience and whether you’d like to return again to their beautiful country. This conversation can happen up to five times a day if not more in larger cities, and the friendly locals will want to ask all about your country as well. Iranians will even invite you in for tea and sweet halva in their homes without any expectation of you purchasing something from them. This sense of warmth and generosity is what makes Iran a truly unique tourist destination – there really is nowhere quite like it. An unforgettable journey to Iran awaits with Crooked Compass.