Roam abroad in the world, and take your fill of its enjoyments before the day shall come when you must quit it for good. – Sa’adi Arrived in glorious Isfahan, only a four-hour bus ride from Yazd, in the early evening. The jewel of ancient Persia and one of the finest cities in the Islamic world, according to the guidebook, and famous for its Persian-Islamic architecture. The most well-known Persian saying about Isfahan is “Esfahan nesf-e jahan,” or Isfahan is half the world. A wonderful city to explore at leisure, drinking tea and wandering the bazaars, if you can manage it. Amazing mosques, fabulous palaces and elegant bridges, and shopping which will empty both your days and your pocketbook. We stayed at the lovely and atmospheric Sunrise Traditional Hotel, a bit far from the Naqsh-e-Jahan Square ... read more

Drink wine and look at the moon and think of all the civilizations the moon has seen passing by. - Omar Khayyam Our second day in Iran began a bit earlier, and we were picked up by our guide and his driver to make the journey outside the city to several ancient historical sights – particular highlights for Clement. We began at the Necropolis, the dynastic burial place of four Achaemenid kings, Darius II, Artaxerxes I, Darius I and Xerxes I (from left to right). There are bas-relief renderings of their palace facades carved above the tombs, and the openings lead to funerary chambers, where bones were stored after vultures had picked them clean. All the tombs had been ransacked by the Greeks – a common practice at the time for invading powers – but the ... read more

I've been interested in visiting Iran for nearly a decade, ever since I interned at Global Exchange, which runs tours to various exciting locales including Iran. Since then I've spoken to many Iranians and to Americans who have traveled there, who always give it rave reviews for its beautiful architecture, fascinating bazaars and wonderfully friendly people. With thousands of years of history, twenty-one world heritage sights and a complex and fascinating culture, there really isn't any reason not to go. Issues have arisen for nontraditional travelers, journalists and Iranian-Americans attempting to visit Iran. Those situations, though unfortunate, do not reflect the experiences of the vast majority of Iran’s five million international visitors each year. There are additional screening and tour requirements for American, British and Canadian visitors but they are still welcomed (until... read more

No matter has wonderful the cities on your journey have been, once you arrive in Paris everything else melts away, and you're left wondering why you've ever gone elsewhere. Every glance is perfection, every bite and sip a delight, every moment an opportunity to admire the most beautiful city in the world. I'm always prepared to return to Paris, drawn by an immense desire to see and experience everything that the city has to offer. While I can leave other cities believing that I've seen something of them, I always feel like I've barely scratched the surface of Paris; every museum, park, church and cafe can be visited again with the guarantee of further delight and discovery. London and New York are overflowing with events and exhibitions, San Francisco is at the Pacific cusp of culture, ... read more

My first day in Stockholm - Venice of the North - was also my first day in Scandinavia and the furthest north I'd ever traveled. I'd been so excited about my first visit to this city, where I have distant and unknown relations, a place I've wanted to visit for years. Once I finally arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by the familiarity of the foreign, as well as the greenness and vibrancy of the flat landscape. Everywhere I looked was brilliant green, or watery blue, or grey clouds or stone. Not unexpected was the orderliness and efficiency of the city and the kindness of its people, the beauty of old city, and the embrace of the natural and the well-designed. After dropping our luggage at the Old Town Lodge, where we were offered an early breakfast, ... read more