For those of us who love to travel, perhaps Isfahan is a familiar name. Isfahan is a stunning and romantic city located in central Iran. It sits majestically on both the east-west and north-south trade routes which traverse the country. The city is famous for its astonishing gardens and architecture as it combines natural elements with manmade components to create a unique artistic achievement that reflects the heights of art, philosophy, and religious concepts. Isfahan was once one of the largest cities in the world. It flourished from 1050 to 1722, particularly in the 16th century under the Safavid dynasty, when it became the capital of Persia for the second time in its history. Even today, Isfahan retains much of its past glory.