Caspian Region

In contrast to the rest of Iran, which is flat, dry and arid, the Caspian region is mountainous, green and humid - very reminiscent of south east Asia. The people here speak their own language, wear very different but colourful clothes and eat their own regional mostly vegetarian cuisine, including enormous amounts of garlic and rice.

The region grows mostly rice, citrus fruit, tea and tobacco. Rasht is the major city of the region. At the port of Anzali you can visit a caviar factory and sample some of the finest caviar in the world. The Anzali lagoon is home to wild horses, colourful migrating birds, and giant pink lotus flowers.