I have only one gripe, which is that the book leaves the reader with the impression that Iran - outside it's fantastic Islamic cities - is a barren boring land. Not so. North of Tehran are the beautiful Alborz Mountains (on which the book gives very little information), and west of Esfahan are the even more spectacular Zagros Mountains (which the book makes no mention of). In these two areas it would be possible to glimpse a very different Iran - away from it's cities and hardline Islam and into it's more beautiful rural areas, filled with interesting nomads, towering peaks and a very different way of life. Sadly the book ignores this, which I feel is a great shame. It would be possible to strike out alone into these areas - but the language barrier makes this quite difficult.

Don't get me wrong however - this book is essential.


Extremely useful guide to Iran   September 5, 2002
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

This book was excellent. It has sections to read before travelling on how to get there, what to expect and what to take. And then detailed descriptions of the interesting places to see and where to stay and eat.
It was so good that my friends in Iran have kept my copy and I about about to order a second copy for myself.


Useful travel guide to Iran   April 10, 2000
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Lonely Planet's travel guide to Iran is a rather useful guide which to the best of my knowledge isn't matched by any other (small and handy) travel books to Iran. It covers a great variety of issues. I would have to agree with the previous review about the lack of detailed maps. The farsi-section in the back is useful but badly or illogically structured.


Wide ranging & well written source of information for travel   March 28, 2000
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This book begins with an intoroduction of Iran as a whole, its people, politics, climate and culture. There are more detailed sections on each of the major regions in Iran, including suggestions of where to stay and eat. Indications of prices and durations of journeys are also included, and the book is lavishly illustrated. The only weak point would be a lack of detailed maps, and a very brief phrasebook at the end