Iran

Iran is ancient poetry wrapped in desert winds and high mountain passes, a country that has spent thousands of years perfecting the art of beauty and resilience. This is the land of the mighty Persian Empire, where cities like Persepolis once ruled the known world, and poets like Rumi and Hafez left verses that still echo through the ages. The Persian New Year, Nowruz, has been celebrated for over 3,000 years, a living reminder that Iranians know how to start fresh with style. Despite its complex modern history, the country’s warmth shines brightest in the homes of ordinary people—where bread is always shared, tea is endless, and guests are treated like royalty. And if you think deserts are dull, just wait until you witness the kaleidoscopic tiles of Esfahan’s mosques or the pink-hued Salt Lake of Maharloo—proof that this land never does “ordinary.”