Iran

Iran Air is on a plane-buying spree to make up for years when sanctions prevented upgrades, but the A380 was dropped from the list.

Persian religious architecture ranks among the most spectacular and refined. In Esfahan, you can fully grasp the uniqueness of this architecture.

2,500 years ago this place most likely held the greatest wealth on earth. Grand Escapades visits Pasargadae where it all started - the large Achaemenid Empire with Cyrus (580 - 529 BC) as its first king.

Air France will re-open its historic Paris-Tehran route in April with a 3-times-a-week round trip, starting in April. The move is part of the resumption of trade with Iran, possible because of the lifting of sanctions as part of the multi-nation nuclear limits treaty with Iran. Air France previously flew the route from 1946 until 2008, which it was ended as part of the UN and EU sanctions against Iran. The EU is already Iran's fourth-biggest economic partner, and trade is expected to grow.

Museum of Contemporary Art, Tehran   Iran has just opened, or re-opened, a spectacular attraction. After 40 years in basement storage at Tehran's Museum of Contemporary Art, a wide collection of Western modern art is on display.  

German photographer Willie Kaemana has a great tool for armchair travelers, perhaps those whose governments don't allow them to travel to Iran. His website now shows 360-degree panoramic views of several major attractions in the country.

Iranian officials hope that the nuclear deal will result in a growth of tourism.

Nearly every country in the world hopes to make money from tourism, but some have a harder time than others, either because of difficult conditions or world hostilities. Iran is one of those, but it hopes, by 2025, to attract 20 million tourists.

Iran is one of the cradles of our civilizations: the Persian Empire shaped the early history of mankind. It is famous for its craftsmanship, its architecture, tile work, its unparalleled Persian carpets and literature to name a few.