Iran Attractions
Jamshidie Park
The stone garden's main waterfall and pond are central to the garden's design, the walk paths accommodate a network of small and narrow channels that bring water from the pond to the lower areas of the park, creating smaller water features. There are numerous restaurants, traditional teahou...
The stone garden's main waterfall and pond are central to the garden's design, the walk paths accommodate a network of small and narrow channels that bring water from the pond to the lower areas of the park, creating smaller water features. There are numerous restaurants, traditional teahouses (houses of culture which represent the diversity of Iran's ethnic and tribal heritage), picnic areas, and hiking trails from the lower area of the park all the way up to the top of the mountain. There is also a classically designed open air amphitheatre.
Iran Articles
Persian Poetry: Hafiz
Khwāja Shams-ud-Dīn Muhammad Hāfez-e Shīrāzī (Persian: خواجه شمسالدین محمد حافظ شیرازی), known by his pen name Hāfez was a Persian poet who "laud the joys of love and wine [but] also targeted religious hypocrisy"....
Khwāja Shams-ud-Dīn Muhammad Hāfez-e Shīrāzī (Persian: خواجه شمسالدین محمد حافظ شیرازی), known by his pen name Hāfez was a Persian poet who "laud the joys of love and wine [but] also targeted religious hypocrisy". His collected works are regarded as a pinnacle of Persian literature and are to be found in the homes of most people in Iran, who learn his poems by heart and use them as proverbs and sayings to this day. His life and poems have been the subject of much analysis, commentary and interpretation, influencing post-fourteenth century Persian writing more than any other author. Many semi-miraculous mythical tales were woven around Hāfez after his death. It is said that by listening to his father's recitations, Hāfez had accomplished the task of learning the Qur'an by heart at an early age (that is in fact the meaning of the word Hafez). According to one tradition, before meeting his patron Hajji Zayn al-Attar Hāfez had been working in a bakery, delivering bread to a wealthy quarter of the town. There, he first saw Shakh-e Nabat, a woman of great beauty, to whom some of his poems are addressed. Ravished by her beauty, but knowing that his love for her would not be requited, he allegedly held his first mystic vigil in his desire to realize this union. During this, he encountered a being of surpassing beauty who identified himself as an angel, and his further attempts at union became mystic; a pursuit of spiritual union with the divine. Twenty years after his death, a tomb, the Hafezieh, was erected to honor Hafez in the Musalla Gardens in Shiraz. The current mausoleum was designed by André Godard, a French archeologist and architect, in the late 1930s, and the tomb is raised up on a dais amidst rose gardens, water channels, and orange trees. Inside, Hafez's alabaster sarcophagus bears the inscription of two of his poems.[citation needed] His tomb is "crowded with devotees" who visit the site and the atmosphere is "festive", with visitors singing and reciting their favorite Hafez poems.
"The breeze of Nowruz is blowing from the land of sweetheart,
If you ask this breeze to help you, it would delight your heart.
The nightingale- nearly drunken of the fragrance of new spring bosoms-
whishes this celestial ode that
“Go to valleys to scatter the dust of your sorrows
And come to garden to learn from Nightingale how to live,
I say all this as secret that be a rose [grew] out of a [simple] bud
Because life is very short!”
Tips for Traveling to Iran during Ramadan
If you’re traveling to Iran during Ramadan you should be aware of and sensitive to the fact that the people are fasting:
...If you’re traveling to Iran during Ramadan you should be aware of and sensitive to the fact that the people are fasting:
1) In some Muslim countries just like Iran, it is illegal to eat and drink in public at daylight during Ramadan, so check before you go. In any case, it's more respectful to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public. The people would appreciate the fact you are showing respect and awareness.
2) Business hours may be shortened during the day throughout Ramadan so check if you need to use the bank, shops or other services.
3) Some restaurants are closed or operated different opening hours during Ramadan, while the more tourist-oriented restaurants are usually remained open as usual.
4) In the evening, 'Iftar' is the time when the fast is broken and families and friends get together to eat a meal. It can be a busy time on the roads, so if you can avoid using transport around this time it will make things easier for you.
5) Towards the end of Ramadan, people traditionally visit relatives to celebrate Eid (or Eid al-Fitr), national holiday at the end of Ramadan. As a result, the roads and transport can also be very busy at this time, so book ahead if you want to travel then.
Visa for Iran
Visa & Passport
It's possible and easy for every countries citizensto get visa on their arrival. Except these countries:Colombia, Somalia,USA,UK,Canada,Bangladesh, Jordan,Iraq,Afghanistan,Pakistan,India.
Visa & Passport
It's possible and easy for every countries citizensto get visa on their arrival. Except these countries:Colombia, Somalia,USA,UK,Canada,Bangladesh, Jordan,Iraq,Afghanistan,Pakistan,India.
Although it's called visa on arrival it's better to get a pre-approval for an airport visa. Reference code (Visa Authorization Code) with which you will be able to collect your visa.
In order to do this you may contact the author of the article.
Visa
Nationals of all countries (except those listed ) holding a valid ordinary passports and wishing to visit Iran mainland, can obtain a 15-day Tourist Visa Upon Arrival at the airports of :
IKA : Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport
THR : Tehran Mehrabad Airport
MHD : Mashad Airport
SYZ : Shiraz Airport
TBZ : Tabriz Airport
ISF : Isfahan Airport
1. The applicant should have a confirmed return ticket and a valid passport with at least 6 months validity and a photo to be attached to the application form.
2. Visa stamp fee (depending on the applicant's nationality) is payable to the visa & passport office at the airport.
3. This type of visa is only for tourist purposes and the followings are not entitled to this visa facilitation.
3.1. Journalists and reporters on mission.
3.2. Applicants whose applications for Iran Visa have been rejected before.
3.3. Iranians holding foreign passports but still maintaining their Iranian nationality.
4. Applicants can secure the visa by completing the opposite form and receiving a pre-approval visa code.
STEPS IN DETAIL :
Filling the form
step1
There will be a formal application extracted from your passport scan to be sent to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs which authorizes the consulate for visa issue.
step2
In order to double check the submitted data, an email will be sent to you confirming the receipt of your application. The application will be submitted to the MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
step3
The output will be an authorization letter which will be transmitted to the Iranian Consulate which you have indicated in the form. We will give you this letter’s reference code (Visa Authorization Code) with which you will be able to collect your visa. This code is only valid to the mentioned consulate and only for 3 months from the date of issue. However you may request us to forward it to another consulate with an extra charge.
step5
Having the reference code, you will refer to the consulate with your passport (which must be valid for the next 6 months), the completed visa application form (which can be picked from the consulate or be downloaded from their website), 2 new passport size photos (with covered hair for ladies, at some consulates), the visa fee (which depends on your nationality) and the authorization reference code.
Top Iran Tours
$158 Per Day
2 Days of Kashan
This tour is specialized for watching the process of making herbal water and enjoying the smell of blossoms. Moreover, we've chosen the highlights of the amazing city of Kashan.
A cosy old guesthouse is provided as the accommodation and local dishes as the meals, in this tour.
Arrival and departure are Tehran and the vehicle, depends on the number of travelers, can be sedan, minibus or bus.
$1500 Per Day
14 days around Iran Tehran to Tehran
14 days Tehran to Tehran
Day 1
Arrival at Tehran, meet your private tour guide, transfer to Hotel, Overnight Tehran.
Depending on your arrival time and your preference, have choices of Northern Tehran sightseeing.
Enjoy diner by the Darband streams where you can see young Tehran citizens walk up and down the stream.
Day2: Old Tehran Walking Tour
...Read more14 days Tehran to Tehran
Day 1
Arrival at Tehran, meet your private tour guide, transfer to Hotel, Overnight Tehran.
Depending on your arrival time and your preference, have choices of Northern Tehran sightseeing.
Enjoy diner by the Darband streams where you can see young Tehran citizens walk up and down the stream.
Day2: Old Tehran Walking Tour
Let’s walk together in Tehran most chaotic area! The central part of Tehran. We will go to visit a palace which have seen three dynasties and more than 7 kings lived there and 4 kings had crowning ceremonies in it, Golestan Palace. After enjoying a cup of coffee in Golestan palace garden we can go to the enormous bazaar of Tehran and ramble through it, when we get enough of it, let’s enjoy a traditional Persian food or a Kebab.
After lunch we will go to National museum of Tehran and get the chance to know these thousands- year- old priceless pieces.
If it is days between Saturday and Tuesday we can substitute National Jewelry museum with any of the main attractions.
Day 3: Kashan
On the way to Kashan, we may stop in Qom to see the mullah’s city and give a visit to Masuma shrine, th second holy shrine in Iran.For visiting this shrine ladies are supposed to wear traditional way of hijab which will be provided by shrine officials.
Giving a visit to Fin Garden in Kashan then move to the center of the city and enjoy lunch in one of Kashan’s historical houses.
After lunch doing some sightseeing: Broujerdi & Tabatabii Houses the residence of merchants who brought the Persian carpet into fame more than a century ago.
Accommodation : Historical house
Day 4: Deset and ities in the middle of Desert
If you are not claustrophobic we will walk in the corridors of underground shelter in Nushabad, Near Kashan and after that we will head to Abu Zeid Abad to enjoy desert and Dunes.
After visiting a two floor Qanat in Ardestan we will head to Nain.
Going to Nain a city in the middle of desert where we can give a visit to one of the oldest touristic mosque in Iran and having a scenery of a ruined castle by the side of it. If it’s not a public holiday we can visit caved handmade textile workshops in Mohammadieh.
Overnight Ardakan or Aqda
Day 5 :
In the morning Drive to Chak Chak a Zaroastrian fire temple in the mountains.
Then on the way to Yazd visit Maybod and its attractions Dovecots were old form of land fertilizer factory which are extinct now. Though you can see one of the renovated ones in Meybod and if we are lucky and the pottery workshop is open we will make vase of our own!
After Checking in to the hotel and a short rest going to Mirhakhmagh and a two floor water reservoir where Iranian traditional body building takes place in it.
Day 6 :
Yazd is the city of Zoroastrian’s: visiting Ostudans(grave), Temple, and if you like a new museum about their lifestyle.
We will walk through narrow turning allies and visit the magnificent entrance of Jame mosque with its tall minarets and amazing ceramic work.
Dowlat Abad Garden is a Persian garden which was built centuries ago.
In the evening we will enjoy tea in one of roof café in old part of town to enjoy sunset.
Early night to be ready for the next day long drive.
Day 7 :Pasargad
To day we have one of the longest drive on our way to Pasargad.
On the way we will stop in Abarkuh by the 4000 years old cypress tree and enjoy a good cofee there. Then drive the rest of the way to Pasargad, near Pasargad there is a restaurant which serves Pasargad’s local food which is specializedto that area and cooked by local housewives.
After this enjoyable lunch, Let’s go to a place where Persians are the most proud of, Cyrus the great tomb!
Over night Aghamir eolodge in Sa’adatshahr.
Day 8: Persepolis, necropolis
( probably you have read all about this main site ) so I keep calm and let you enjoy it with a dedicated guide of Persepolis!
In the evening meet warm Iranians in Hafez tomb reciting his poems.
Overnight Shiraz
Day 9:
Early in the morning visit the marvelous glass and light work in Nasirolmolk mosque.
Explore the beauties of Zand architecture: Vakil mosque, Vakil Hammam and
AttractiveMoshir Serai In bazaar with tantalizing handy crafts and artwork.
Day 10 drive to Isfahan
You’ll enjoy the 33Bridge and Khajoo Bridge after checking in to your hotel in Isfahan.
Day 11 :Isfahan
Marvel at the amazing royal square (Meydan-e- Naghshe Jahan).
Imam mosque perplexing features besides the impressive tile work at Sheikh Lotfollah mosque will give you the impression of how perfect were Persian tiles art, then it’s the time for plaster art in music room at Aliqapoo palace to amaze you after enjoying lunch we can enjoy the beauty of Chehel sotune (40 columns).
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Day 12: Isfahan
Going to the Armenian neighborhood, visiting Vank church which has the characteristic of Zoroastrian Muslim and Christianity all to together after that we and enjoy live traditional Persian music at music.
If you were in the mood of short hike we may go to Ruins of Zoroastrians fire temple to have a panoramic view of Isfahan.
Did you know there were shaking minaret in Isfahan which literally shakes with 5 Richter if you shake the other brick minaret with pushing and pulling by hands?!
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Day 13: Abyane
Visit this exotic village which was so remote that they could keep Their language safe after Muslim Invasion and still talk in old Persian language named Pahlavi.
On the way Natanz
Overnight Abyaneh
Day 14:
Depending on your departure time Drive To IKIA
Drive 4 hours to Air port.
$60 Per Day
Qashqaei nomads Tour
Hi there!
...Read moreHi there!
Would you like to herd sheep with the Qashqaei shepherds? I have a planned trip to the Zagros mountains, near Shiraz. There, we can meet the Qashqaei nomads, a people that have remained separate from the mainstream Iranian society. It’s guaranteed that you will be immersed in their authentic culture. During your stay, you yourself will become like a nomad. As many nights as you wish, you can spend sleeping under the stars in the tents that the Qashqaei themselves stay. In the morning, you too will wake up to make bread with your hosts. Your meals will include natural, organic, and fresh milk products like yogurt and cheese made by you and your hosts. During the day, you can learn special crafting techniques using string firsthand. You can even dress like the Qashqaei by wearing their colorful traditional clothing!
If you don’t want to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity, don’t hesitate and call me. I can plan a visit based on the number of days you wish to spend on this trip. Imagine, you could become friends with the Qashqaei nomads and visit the awe-inspiring Zagros mountains!
See you soon!