General: Iran

When you announce to friends, family and colleagues that you've just booked a holiday in Iran (an 'Axis of Evil Tour' as they might see it), their responses tend to be fairly predictable. They range from the geographically mistaken 'but isn't there a war there?'(nope, that's Iraq) or 'aren't they fighting with Israel?' (nope, that's Lebanon) to the most predictable of all responses - a look of bemusement and the question "What on earth would you want to do that for?' So I say to you put aside the thoughts of mad mullahs and the bellicose but oddly attractive (in a Jose Mourinho despotic sort ... more

This a report of a trip a took several years ago when in Iran the power was in the hands of Scià Rheza Pavlevi. This a report of a trip to Bam, a small city that has been destroyed almost an year ago by an earthquake. Bam, that in Iran is called Arg-è-Bam, is located about 200 kilometres south of Kerman, and it is closed to the border with Afghanistan. The origins of Bam are dated back to the 3rd century but its current configuration goes back to the 16th century when the city was surrounded by high walls that included 38 towers. During the years Bam was famous a transit and relief point for ... more

I travelled to Iran with my Iranian wife and daughter with no concerns at all, it was a place I had heard so much about that I was desperate to see it with my own eyes. The Iranian community had been amazingly friendly and hospitable since I had married my wife especially as I had failed to pick up more than very basic Farsi!! Our 2 week holiday was the most amazing time I have spent in my life so far. We didn't go with a tour we stayed with my wifes family in Tehran and then in Sari (Northern Iran) and visited many of the sights. Tehran - smoky, loud and continually moving. We walked most ... more

I am not writing this as a tourist who's been there, but I've lived most of my life in this country. Though officials talk a lot about getting more tourists into the country, but when it comes to reality, if you dare to take the risk and go there, they do their BEST to make sure you won't come back! Iran has lots of places which tourists would like to see and experience, but it lacks a descent infrastructure to support those who come in. Arriving in Tehran Airport your problems begins: you are a potential CIA/MI6/Mosad agent, unless you prove not to be! But people on the streets are quite ... more

Iran, a country that means different things to different people. I only remember Persia and the Iran before the revolution. This was a country full of riches and beauty, it was accelerating in success and rocketing in finance, it was being marked on the map and feared by the west. I am not hear to talk about politics, I want to tell every one how one country has changed and managed to stand on its own feet. The most impressive part about Iran is its scenery; it has many beautiful places to visit from mountains to caves. You will also enjoy a wide range of quality food for very good prices. The ... more