Advantages: Fabulous people, fascinating things to see Disadvantages: Headscarves, awful food, expensive visas
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 ... ...you put aside the thoughts of mad mullahs and the bellicose but oddly attractive (in a Jose Mourinho despotic sort of way) prime minister Ahmedinajad. Try instead to think Persia - the world's first great empire and the land of carpets and fluffy kitties with squashed up faces.
As there's so much I could say about this fabulous country I'm going to enforce some much needed discipline on my thoughts and restrict myself to an A to Z format. It's still ...
koshkha 27.11.2006 (03.12.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional Review of General: Iran
Advantages: a lot but not now Disadvantages: the city has been destroyed by earthquake
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 ... ...high walls that included 38 towers.
During the years Bam was famous a transit and relief point for the travellers along what has been known as “the silk route”. Bam has been also a pilgrimage destination for Zoroastrian believers. In Bam was located the “Temple of Fire” one of the main temple of this religion.
Then on the ruins of this temple ha been built a mosque called “Jame Mosque” and nearby this mosque there the tomb of a very famous local ...
traveller55 20.01.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Iran
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 ... ...visited many of the sights.
Tehran - smoky, loud and continually moving. We walked most places as driving was a nightmare, the bazaars were a great treat and gold was well priced compared to the west (wife thoroughly enjoyed that part!!), Shah's palaces had to be seen to be believed the architecture and splendour, drinking tea in the mountains outside of Tehran was quite an experience especially as the temperature fell, and visiting the Commonwaelth ...
bbicuk01 07.02.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of General: Iran
Advantages: Beautiful scenery, different climates, good food and much more Disadvantages: Lacks a tourism infrastructure
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 ... ...CIA/MI6/Mosad agent, unless you prove not to be! But people on the streets are quite different from officials: curious, welcoming and helpful. Hotels charge foreigners in US dollars, so you cannot enjoy the cheap rates in local currency, and will always feel that you are overpaying! If you are visiting on a tour, you are not allowed to contact locals (one of my freinds went to meet his friend who was visiting Iran, and made a problem for her!) If ...
whiz_kid 07.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of General: Iran
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 ...
Al 05.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of General: Iran
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