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Here is a photo sampler of photos from my Iran posts to give you a flavor of this amazing country. I put this together to accompany my podcast interview with Amateur Traveler. You can listen to the podcast here: Episode 435. Click on the links below to see the full posts associated with these photos.

All photos copyright Shara Johnson.

Golestan Palace is perhaps the most picturesque tourist sight in Tehran, with its beautifully tiled exterior and interior full of mirrors.

Golestan Palace, Tehran, Iran. Golestan Palance, Tehran, Iran.

The most fascinating cultural experience I had was spending the night with a nomad family in the Zagros Mountains. We sampled many sheep products (milk, yogurt, etc.) while young goats frolicked around us, explored their grazing lands, and enjoyed dinner with them which they fixed for us.

Qashqaei nomads in the Zagros Mountains, Iran.

Shiraz is a city renowned for its beautiful gardens and orange blossoms. It was the home of famous poets wealthy families, and the location of one of the most picturesque mosques in Iran.

Nasir-al-Molk mosque, Shiraz, Iran. Narenjestan (Orange Garden), Shiraz, Iran. Gardens, Shiraz, Iran.

Persepolis is the ancient ceremonial city built by the founding kings of the Persian empire in the 500s BC. Many of its features still stand in glory.

The Gate of All Lands, Persepolis, Iran. Bas relief figures along the base of a palace complex at Persepolis, Iran.

The ancient fortified citadel of Rayen, built of mud-brick walls, can be explored outside of Kerman.

Looking over the walled citadel of Rayen, mountains looming behind. Iran.

The unique Kaluts sand formations are also outside of Kerman. The city itself boasts one of the best preserved old traditional bath houses and is not without its share of charming mosques.

Landscape of the Kaluts natural sand sculptures outside Kerman, Iran. Erik walking through the landscape of the Kaluts natural sand sculptures outside Kerman, Iran. Wax figures demonstrating activities that once took place inside the ancient bathhouse in Kerman, Iran. Inside a tiny mosque in Kerman, Iran.

Yazd was one of my favorite cities for its representation of Persian culture (as opposed to the conquering Arab/Muslim culture) with copious sights maintaining the preservation of Persian innovation and religion (Zoastrianism). You can find a well-preserved caravansary, and of course beautiful gardens and mosques, as in any Iranian city.

Dowlatabad wind tower, or wind catcher, in Yazd. Largest in Iran. Stained glass windows in Dowlatabad Garden. Yazd, Iran. Underground room with small water pool in wealthy home for napping and keeping food cool. Yazd, Iran.

Old caravansary turned into a hotel and tea house along the road between Kerman and Yazd, Iran. Central pulpit in Friday mosque in Yazd, Iran. Central square in Yazd, Iran, at night.

The final stop on our tour of Iran was Isfahan. Many have said if you could visit only one city in Iran, it should be Isfahan. Over the course of several posts, I have tried to give a brief illustration of the splendorous architecture that abounds in Isfahan. As a former capital of the country, beautiful palaces exist and some of the most spectacular mosques you will find anyway. Additionally, its bazaar is huge and we strolled through it numerous times.

Main courtyard at the Imam Mosque, Isfahan, Iran. Looking up at the peacock ceiling in the Imam's Mosque, Isfahan, Iran. Blue and yellow tile work inside the Imam Mosque, Isfahan, Iran. Inside the front hall in Friday Mosque, Isfahan, Iran. Detail of shapes of carved hollow spaces into painted wooden ceiling inside Ali Qapu, Isfahan, Iran. A honeycomb of mirrors lines the walls and ceiling of the entry hall at Chehel Sutun, or Forty Column Palace, in Isfahan, Iran. Inside the bazaar in Isfahan, Iran, during afternoon siesta when corridors are empty. Spices in the bazaar in Isfahan, Iran. I like the bowl of different colored mounds, like a spice landscape. Mannequins wearing chadors and two women in chadors walking through an outdoor shopping area outside the Friday Mosque, Isfahan, Iran.

And a few other brief stops we made include a former elite home in Kashan and an ancient village, Abyaneh, known for its red-colored buildings.

Painted interior of Borujerdi historical house in Kashan, Iran. The work of Kamal-ol-molk. Reflecting pool in the inner courtyard of Borujerdi House in Kashan, Iran. Woman in traditional dress of old Iranian culture, Abyaneh village, the red village, Iran. Man on a white donkey races us in our car through the streets of Abyaneh village, Iran.

And one of the most surprising things we saw was a Christian church in the Armenian Quarter of Isfahan.

Christian church in the Armenian quarter of Isfahan, Iran.

Looking for a private guide in order to see Iran for yourself? Please contact our most excellent guide, Reza, whom we would love to recommend to anybody seeking an intimate experience with this country. email: Hamzeh.Rezaee [at] gmail. Feel free to contact me with the blue button above if you have questions about how we undertook our journey.

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