Persia , the modern manifestation of a culturally rich Medieval Islamic World, is a land of ancient cities like the Esfahan, Bam, Shiraz and Tehran. Visit the Throne of Jamshid, built around 512 BC; the Xerxes' Gateway, covered with inscriptions in Elamite; the Emam Mosque, with Esfahan's trademark pale blue tiles; the Chehel Sotun Museum & Park, a marvelous 17th-century pavilion and the Vank Cathedral, the historic focal point of the Armenian church in Iran. Also relish the flavor of tea in one of the teahouses under the bridges!