Yazd is a desert city in central Iran and an ancient city dating back to the Sassanian Period. Yazd is the driest major city in Iran, with an average annual rainfall of only 60 millimetres and summer temperatures regularly over 40°C. The major attractions here are outside the city. These include Kharanaq, Chak-Chak and Meybod.

Shiraz was my favourite city Iran (big call I know!). The Pink Mosque was just beautiful and I got quite lucky with lighting and got some great photos. The Shah Cheragh Shrine was a complete surprise to me and really blew me away with its stunning architecture and brightly coloured mosaics. Throw in a day trip to Persepolis and you have an extremely enjoyable few days of travel.

Isfahan is often mentioned as ‘one of the most beautiful cities in the world’. When you arrive it is immediately obvious to see why. The first place most other visitors head to in Isfahan is the Naqsh-e Jahan Square. It is located very close to the centre of the city and it is home to the Isfahan Grand Bazaar as well as the famous Shah Mosque and Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque.

Kashan sits in between Tehran and Isfahan. If you have the time to spare, a few days in Kashan is definitely worth it. There are some lovely old traditional houses and a beautiful bazaar. In Kashan you can also visit the Fin Gardens, an oasis sandwiched between the mountains and deserts of Iran.

Tehran is a cosmopolitan city, with great museums, parks, restaurants and warm friendly people. Tehran was described to me by a local as a city that never sleeps, and one where you can get whatever you want and be whoever you want. In a country like Iran, where freedoms are often limited, the attraction becomes obvious.