Robyn and I have long wanted to visit our Persian neighbour. We decided to spend a 4-day long weekend in Shiraz (ironically, the birth place of the famous grape variety, which legend says Alexander The Great took back with him).

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The Vakil Bazaar is an eclectic assortment of silk carpets, copper pots, spices, nuts, dried fruits, and ceramics – all mixing into a heady, inimitable aroma.  Not a single other western traveller did we spot during the 4 days, but the Iranians were so incredibly friendly that at no stage did we feel intimidated/concerned.  Other Shiraz highlights were the millions of cut mirrors in Shah-e-Cheragh Shrine and the coloured windows of Nasir-al Mulk Mosque.

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On day 3 we organised a mountain guide (Afshar) to take us to the spectacular Persepolis ruins.  Persepolis (meaning ‘city of the Persians’) was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire (550BC), but the abovementioned Alexander did take to the place and had it destroyed.  Afshar also took us for a great hike into the Zargos mountains and to the old town of Qalat.