![Shiraz and Tehran, Fascinating Iran 1 Boy in Shiraz, Iran. Photos by Max Hartshorne.](https://www.gonomad.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/child-in-shiraz.jpg)
Iran: Tehran and Shiraz
GoNOMAD Editor Max Hartshorne joined a historic delegation of journalists and tour operators in November 2008 when the Islamic Republic issued their first diplomatic visas to Americans in 30 years, allowing the group to come and meet many Iranian Tour operators and tourism officials. These photos were taken during the excursions to Shiraz and Esfahan, and later in Tehran.
![Shiraz and Tehran, Fascinating Iran 2 Iranian girls in Shiraz, showing how relaxed the rules can get about headscarves and dress.](https://www.gonomad.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/girls-in-esfahan.jpg)
![Shiraz and Tehran, Fascinating Iran 3 Hiking in the vast central desert in the middle of Iran.](https://www.gonomad.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/hiking-the-desert.jpg)
![Shiraz and Tehran, Fascinating Iran 4 Enjoying a hookah at a desert carvansary, once part of the silk road.](https://www.gonomad.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/hookah-at-the-caravansary.jpg)
![Shiraz and Tehran, Fascinating Iran 5 The faces of Iran....women are quick to return your glance, and are proud of their Persian heritage.](https://www.gonomad.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/iranian-beauty.jpg)
![Shiraz and Tehran, Fascinating Iran 6 The mosque in Esfahan, one of the most dramatic buildings and largest squares in the world.](https://www.gonomad.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/mosque-in-esfahan.jpg)
![Shiraz and Tehran, Fascinating Iran 7 Dancing on the bus...closing up the curtains and dancing with joy. Photos by Max Hartshorne.](https://www.gonomad.com/images/gallery/iran/iran-images/dancing-on-the-bus.jpg)
![Shiraz and Tehran, Fascinating Iran 8 A happy couple next to the Palace of Forty Columns in Esfahan.](https://www.gonomad.com/images/gallery/iran/iran-images/modern-couple-in-esfahan.jpg)
![Shiraz and Tehran, Fascinating Iran 9 Picnicking is an Iranian tradition...here a family sets out their food right next to a highway toll plaza outside of Tehran.](https://www.gonomad.com/images/gallery/iran/iran-images/picnic-by-the-highway.jpg)
![Shiraz and Tehran, Fascinating Iran 10 Street scene in Shiraz...all over Iran you see fountains and monuments. It's very beautiful.](https://www.gonomad.com/images/gallery/iran/iran-images/park-in-shiraz.jpg)
![Shiraz and Tehran, Fascinating Iran 11 Square in Esfahan](https://www.gonomad.com/images/gallery/iran/iran-images/square-in-esfahan.jpg)
![Shiraz and Tehran, Fascinating Iran 12 Street scene in Shiraz, Iran.](https://www.gonomad.com/images/gallery/iran/iran-images/shiraz-street.jpg)
![Shiraz and Tehran, Fascinating Iran 13 Men waiting in line for porridge on a Shiraz street.](https://www.gonomad.com/images/gallery/iran/iran-images/porridge-in-shiraz.jpg)
![Shiraz and Tehran, Fascinating Iran 14 Bread vendor in Tehran. Bread like this is cooked on the sides of a hot oven and costs about 60 cents a loaf.](https://www.gonomad.com/images/gallery/iran/iran-images/bread-vendor-in-tehran.jpg)
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