Join Rick as he explores the most surprising and fascinating land he's ever visited: Iran. In a one-hour, ground-breaking travel special on public television, you'll discover the splendid monuments of Iran's rich and glorious Persian past, learn more about the 20th-century story of this perplexing nation, and experience Iranian life today in its historic capital and in a countryside village. Most importantly, you'll meet the people of this nation whose government so exasperates our own.

Rick Steves believes there's more to travel than good food and fun in the sun. Travelers who "travel as a political act" can have the time of their lives and come home smarter, with a better understanding of today's world. He discusses how his travels have helped shape his worldviews on drug policy reform, national security, and America's place in the world. In his inspirational lecture, Rick explains how, when we venture thoughtfully out of our comfort zone, we gain an empathy for the other 96 percent of humanity and come home with the greatest of all souvenirs: a broader perspective.

Iran's rich history goes back millennia, to the days when Persepolis was home to the "king of kings." In this episode, we explore three historic capitals of Iran: Persepolis, with its splendid monuments; Shiraz, with the tombs of Iran's most beloved poets; and Esfahan, with its extraordinary mosques and endearing people. This episode of Rick Steves' Europe was created with footage from the second half of the one-hour television special, "Rick Steves' Iran: Yesterday and Today."

As he's done with previous programs on Israel, Egypt, and eastern Turkey, Rick takes us beyond Europe to a place that's rich with history…and mystery. In this first of two half-hour shows on Iran, Rick dodges traffic in Tehran, enjoys the tranquility of a nearby village (Abyaneh), and encounters both anti-American propaganda and a warm welcome from everyday Iranians. This episode of Rick Steves' Europe was created with footage from the first half of the one-hour television special, "Rick Steves' Iran: Yesterday and Today."

As he's done with previous programs on Israel, Egypt, and Eastern Turkey, Rick takes us beyond Europe to a place that's rich with history...and mystery. Visiting Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz, Persepolis, and Abyaneh (a small village), we'll get a rare present-day look at of some of civilization's most important historical sites, and a sense of Iran's 21st-century culture. From architecture and art to faith and everyday living, "Iran, Yesterday and Today" offers a rare, candid, and humanizing look at a great if perplexing nation.

The Grand Bazaar and spice market in Istanbul; the fall of the ancient capital of Byzantium; Hagia Sophia; Blue Mosque; Topkapi Palace.

The open-air museum in Aarhus; royal burial church and Viking ship museum in Roskilde.

Copenhagen's Viking history; Europe's first pedestrian boulevard; palace treasury; bike ride through a hippie squatter community; Tivoli Gardens.

Old port town of Nafplio; the ruins of Olympia; preserved theater at Epidauros; ancient capital of Mycenae; Mani Peninsula.

The Parthenon, Agora and National Archaeological Museum in Athens; the ruins of the oracle at Delphi; traffic-free Isle of Hydra.

Art Nouveau; peat bathing in Olomouc, Moravský Krumlov, Trebon and Konopiste; Holocaust memorial in Terezen.

Vienna's gardens, art and fine music; a trip along the Danube River; hiking through the Baroque Melk Abbey.

Luzern, Bern, Zurich and Lausanne; art created by inmates of an asylum; Swiss innovations such as drug policies and underground arsenals

Vatican City, the world's smallest country; Monaco; San Marino, Italy; Liechtenstein; Andorra.

The festivity of Barcelona; Montserrat; pilgrimage along the Costa Brava; Salvador Dali's home and mausoleum/museum.

A canoe ride through the Dordogne River Valley; goose farm; lamp-lit castle; country market; Albi, home of Toulouse Lautrec; Carcassonne.

Fine living in Burgundy, France; canal barge; medieval hospice; modern monastery.