This guide is designed to inspire travel to Iran and give practical travel tips that are hard to find for a country so rarely visited, with the second half outlining the best ways to get to Iran using your points. Make sure to read The Essentials section at the end of this piece.

All of the following images were taken by the author and should not be reproduced without permission.

1. Meet the friendliest people in the world

Word is that Iranians are the amongst the most genuine and approachable people in the world. Is it true?

I had high expectations…and they were met. I would put Iranians in the same category as the Japanese and Americans for hospitality.

Never before in my travels had I ever been stopped on the street so many times (in a non-intrusive way) to be asked:

• Where are you from?
• What did you think of Iran before you came?
• What do you think of it now?

2. Visit the most beautiful city in the world

Big call? Probably. There are many beautiful cities in the world – Kyoto, Sydney, Paris – but Iran’s second-biggest city and main tourist drawcard Isfahan definitely deserves a spot up there.

Built on the River Zayandehrood, even with its dry desert climate it is teeming with green parks, plenty of shade on walks along the river, beautiful bridges, and historic mosques, churches and palaces. If you are going to visit one place in Iran, this is the place to go.

3. Watch the sunset over the dunes in the middle of the desert

Yazd is the gateway desert city of Iran, with day and overnight tours into the desert.

The only sound we heard whilst watching the suns rays descend over the flowing desert dunes was a light breeze carving sand into new dune formations. Truly breathtaking.

4. Eat till your heart’s content

Foodies will love Iran, with primary dishes being lamb, mutton, chicken, eggplant, lentils, cheese, yoghurt, rice, dates and pita bread. Vegetarians will be slightly more limited in choices, but it is not prohibitive.

Having said that, all breakfasts tend to be vegetarian, made up of feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, pita bread, yoghurt and watermelon.

Foodies of all persuasions should be sure to visit the moderately-priced vegetarian restaurant in the Iranian Artists’ Forum in Honarmandan Park (also known as Artists’ Park). The second time we went back the waiter brought us an extra course for free and two university professors at a nearby table joined us for lunch.

5. Visit some of the least tourist-filled mosques in the world

Even during the peak travel month of May, it was hard to encounter many other tourists at the majestic mosques that Iran puts a lot of effort into keeping beautiful.

Of course, be respectful of prayer times, take off your shoes and remember that there are separate areas for men and women. Be sure to check the opening times of mosques on the internet or with your accommodation so as to not be caught out by them being closed.

Mosques in Isfahan are the most expensive to get into (around $8 each), but are also the most beautiful.

6. Visit the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire

Persepolis (literally ‘The Persian City’) brought together the 28 nations of the Persian Empire (at its peak) for ceremonies and was known as the United Nations of the empire.

Located 90 minutes east of Shiraz, choose the more reasonably-priced accommodation options in Shiraz rather than stay near the UNESCO-protected site, but avoid the midday and afternoon heat by catching a private taxi out for the 8am opening. A tour guide is highly recommended and can be organized upon arrival at the site.

7. Transport options are cheap and relatively efficient

Most transport is by road, so if looking to save money, go by bus, but we found it funny/frustrating how many times people were moved around the bus by the bus driver to make sure that women and men were not seated together. This strict policy is more the work of the government rather than the considerably liberally-minded population.

If you have a bit more money, then another option is a private driver, which will be faster and more comfortable, but you will miss out on the local bus experience.

The 10-12 hour overnight Chinese-built train between Tehran and Shiraz is highly recommended at about $25 for a seat which converts into a bed in a four-person single-sex air-conditioned compartment. Bring your own food – disappointing food on the train.

The essentials

• Safety: apart from the state execution of a prominent Saudi figure triggering protests in Tehran earlier this year, there is a reason that we rarely hear of violence and terrorist attacks in Iran compared to much more dangerous Middle Eastern countries like Turkey, Israel and Egypt. I can honestly say that I felt safer and less on-edge in Iran than in some European capitals like London, Paris and Brussels, and petty theft is quite uncommon. Of course, please take into account official government warnings and check that your travel insurance will be valid in Iran.
• Best time to go: as you would expect from a country with climatic extremes, spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October) are the best times to visit. We went in mid-May and the weather was gloriously sunny and warm-to-hot, without being oppressive.
• Money: take all the cash you may need for the trip…and then some. International cards do not work at Iranian ATMs, so take clean, relatively new US dollars, euros or pounds (not that they are worth much at the moment) to exchange at moneychangers on the street. Be sure to ask your hotel for the going rate before venturing out to change. In May 2016, it was 1 USD = 34,000 rials and 1 EUR = 38-39,000 rials. You can also pay in USD or EUR at most establishments, with change given in rials. Note that most prices are in ‘tomans’, which is one zero less than the price in rial, e.g. 1 USD = 34,000 rials = 3,400 tomans.
• Visas: Australians and New Zealanders are eligible to receive a visa on arrival at the major airports in Iran, including Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz. You must bring along a copy of your travel insurance which states the dates of coverage as well as clearly indicating it covers travel in Iran. You will be required to pay a visa fee of about €145; most EU nationals pay €75, but as Australia and NZ are allies of the US, that’s where the difference comes from. If you have dual citizenship, try to see which passport gives you a cheaper visa fee. You also need to have a confirmed hotel reservation or letter of invitation printed out, and they will call your hotel to make sure it is legitimate. You do not need hotel bookings for your whole trip, just the first night or two. Expect this process at the airport to take 1-2 hours. Most international flights arrive between midnight and 6am, which is highly inconvenient, but just breathe and be patient. As of this year, any traveller eligible for the ESTA visa waiver program for the US that has travelled to Iran in the past five years will need to apply for a tourist visa at their nearest US embassy or consulate when travelling to the US.
• Money and costs: Budget Your Trip estimates that in Iran you will spend about the same as what you would in Thailand or Mexico, half of what you would in Greece, or double what you would in India. Tehran is surprisingly pricey, especially for accommodation, but the real gems of Iran are outside the capital, so you shouldn’t be spending too much time there anyway. For basic private accommodation for two with breakfast included (always), intercity bus or train transport, mid-range restaurant meals and an attraction or two a day, we spent an average of $60 AUD/NZD per person per day over ten days.
• Drinking water: Water is surprisingly perfectly safe to drink from the tap and Iran has the widest network of public drinking fountains in streets, parks, bus stations, etc that I have seen anywhere in the world.

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Espinas Palace Hotel

Espinas Palace hotel is a gorgeous 5-star hotel that happens to be located in one of the best areas in Tehran. This area is best for both residential and commercial purposes. It is located in the northern part of Tehran, and the Tehran International Exhibition center lies just a mere 3 kilometers away from the hotel. The Espinas Palace hotel also happens to be just a stone throw away from the amazing Milad-e Noor Shopping Centre. This means that you can easily enjoy a shopping spree at your convenience. This hotel offers a wonderful combination of spirituality and beauty as well as providing you with every modern amenity you can possibly think of.

Espinas Hotel

The Espinas hotel, locally called Espinas hotel Khalije Fars, is beautiful and serene and simply exquisite in its details. Its customer service is among one of the best in the Tehran hospitality industry. Because of the height upon which the building is situated, it promises a most wondrous view. The ambiance is also very welcoming and calming as it is furnished with wonderful music notes coming from the piano in the background. For a chance to enjoy calmness in Tehran, look no further than the Espinas hotel.

Ibis hotel

The Ibis hotel is also known as the Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel. This hotel is best suited for frequent travelers who need to be close to the airport. Formerly called the Axis Hotel, it is just a mere 10 minutes away from IKIA which is on the Persian Gulf Highway. Despite its closeness to the airport, it is also not far away from the town itself; just 45 minutes away. With 196 rooms, fully furnished with all of the basic amenities that you would need, it is indeed, the travelers’ hotel.

Novotel Hotel

The Novotel hotel is located South of Tehran just opposite the Imam Khomeini International Airport. This exquisite hotel is one of Iran’s first airport hotels in cooperation with the French hotel group, Accor hotel group. This hotel is elegantly and tastefully furnished. Providing travelers with every basic modern amenity a hotel should have. The Novotel hotel promises its guests a memorable experience with its uniquely designed rooms, which are both stylish and spacious. The restaurant here delights in serving its guests with a variety of both local and international delicacies. 

Tehran Grand Hotel

This luxurious hotel is situated right in the center of Tehran. This hotel is best suited for tourists who would like to explore the city of Tehran exhaustively. This hotel offers access to Tehran’s public transportation system as well as other basic modern amenities. The hotel also sports a smoker’s lounge where smokers are allowed to relax and unwind. They also have a salon and barbers shop ready and at your convenience. You can also decide to patronize their pastry shop where you can fill yourself with the wonderful tastes and flavors that Tehran has to offer.

Parsian Esteghlal Hotel

This is one of the 22 prestigious Parsian International Hotel chains. The Parsian Esteghlal hotel is one of the 5-star hotels among this fleet of hotels. It is by far the largest hotel in the Parsian International Hotel chain. Located on the longest street in the Middle East, Valiasr Street, the hotel offers an easy access to both the Imam Khomeini International Airport and the Mehrabad Airport. The Tehran International Exhibition Centre is also just a mere 5-kilometer distance away from this luxury hotel. This hotel has a total of 552 rooms, all fully furnishes and equipped with every basic and modern amenity that you need.

Parsian Azadi Hotel

The Parsian Azadi hotel is located in one of the best areas in Tehran and boasts of being just 3 kilometers away from the Tehran International Exhibition center. This elegant hotel boasts of having 475 rooms all fully and adequately furnished and equipped with every basic modern amenity that is required of a hotel of its caliber. It also sports a shopping center which grants you access to a variety of Iranian souvenirs. The hotel also has a fully functional indoor and outdoor restaurant that serves a variety of both local and international cuisines.

Eskan Alvend Hotel

This elegant 4-star hotel was opened in 2014. Situated close to one of the famous squares in Tehran, the Argentine square, this hotel grants you easy access to most of Tehran’s attractions and also to its administrative centers. This hotel houses different restaurants that cater to different types of variety of delicacies which the guests can enjoy at their convenience. The hotel also sports a café which serves the most attractive and delicious drinks around. There is also a water complex which houses a steam, sauna, and spa ready for the relaxation of the guests. For a relaxing and easy stay in Tehran, the Eskan Alvend hotel is your best bet.

Borj Sefid Hotel

The Borj Sefid is a 4-star hotel. Situated in the North of Tehran, this hotel offers you the best access to the mountainous terrains of Tehran. With only 15 rooms, this exclusive hotel not only grants you a view of the gorgeous mountains of Tehran, but it also offers ample parking space. An additional view you would absolutely delight in is a view of Tehran itself right from the mountain heights. This hotel houses a wonderful French restaurant and café and a wonderful array of breakfast while enjoying a breath-taking view from the 14th floor of the building.

Homa Hotel

The Homa hotel may as well be the hotel for business travelers. This hotel is situated right in the middle of the northern business district of Tehran. It is also located close to the old parts of the city and is very convenient for travelers who have a fascination for the city’s history. These old parts are home to Tehran’s museums and palaces. The Homa hotel is proud to house the traditional Iranian restaurants which cater to any kind of taste that you fancy. This hotel has 172 rooms, all fully and tastefully furnished and equipped with all of the necessary basic and modern amenities that hotels have to offer. The hotel is designed with a fusion of continental and Iranian culture and as such brings about a distinguishing ambiance that is second to none.

There you have it, 10 of the best hotels in and around Tehran. From the functional airport hotels suitable for frequent travelers to the exclusive Borj Sedif, which is a classic and suitable for tourists, this list covers hotels for every kind of trip into Tehran. Whatever your preference, you simply cannot go wrong with this list.

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Ceccaroli said that he plans to return to Iran in the coming months and enjoy its special attractions.

A collection of 20 black-and-white photographs featuring mountain landscapes was on view at the exhibition titled ‘Entre errance et eternite’ (‘Between Wandering and Eternity’).

The exhibition ran until November 30.

IRNA conducted an interview with Ceccaroli to get his opinion about Iran and Iranian culture.

Alain Ceccaroli was born in 1945 in Morocco. He lives in France. After holding several jobs, he decided in 1981 to become a professional author photographer. Though he was self-taught, his meeting in 1982 with Claudine and Jean-Pierre Sudre was decisive. He devotes himself to his three passions: Architecture, landscape and the Mediterranean. His photographic career took off and multiple commissions and photographic projects started coming in.

He held several exhibitions in countries such as Switzerland, Belgium, Croatia, Syria and Greece.

Excerpts of the interview follow:

IRNA: How did you select the photographs for the exhibition in Tehran?

ALAIN CECCAROLI: I was invited by the French Embassy in Iran to hold an exhibition. The embassy suggested some themes for the photos and since I knew that the Iranians are highly interested in nature, I chose a collection of my photographs about mountains and trees.

I am interested in the visible and invisible traces of history on the landscape. I selected a collection of 20 works from my visit to the Swiss Alps in 1985 and 1989.

I did not want to increase the number of displayed photos without paying attention to the theme of the works.

Do you have a plan to hold another exhibition in Iran?

It is not clear yet. Right now I want to travel to Iran again and enjoy its attractions and meet its people. Iranians’ hospitality was of great significance to me and I must confess that I have not seen any people in the world more hospitable than Iranians in Isfahan.

I will recommend my friends in France to make a trip to Iran. Since there are so much propaganda against Iran, I will tell my friends about my observations in Iran and the reality.

What is your opinion about the role of diplomacy of art and cultural diplomacy in getting Iran and France closer?

I believe they play a significant role. That’s why the French Embassy in Iran invites artists and cultural figures to come to Iran and hold exhibitions and fairs. In my opinion, cultural and political diplomacy are complementary.

How do you evaluate the presence of Iranian women in cultural and social fields?

They always welcomed us with their smiles. Female artists in Iranian Artists Forum were also highly active in their fields. We did not think that Iranian women are this much omnipresent in the society.

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She wrote: if there’s one thing that defines Iran, it’s change. It’s not a scary place. The treasures of ancient Persia still stand and have not been bulldozed in the way we have seen with other extreme ideological societies. The people are not extreme and outsiders are welcomed, albeit some nationalities with more restriction (yet still let in).

Read full story

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It has been 3 weeks that I travel around Iran. Tomorrow I am leaving this beautiful country. I am sad. And that statement is even underrated. I haven’t posted any photos in Iran because I don’t feel the need to. I don’t need extravagant photos or excellent Instagram feeds to show you. Traveling for me isn’t about that. Yes, photo captures moment that wont come back or perhaps wont happen again. However, story, is on the other hand is extremely important. I can have the most amazing photo in the world, but without story, there is nothing special about it. I genuinely wish anyone who is reading this will be able to visit, see and experience Iran as one of the most complex countries in the history. I wish that you also get to get out of your familiarity to experience and eventually transform into the real you, the truth of who you are.

And yes, I will come back again this year.

Hi there!
I am Anissa Syifa Adriana, otherwise known as Syifa. I am a conversation connoisseur, Indonesian female solo traveler and make-up enthusiast. I started my first solo traveling in June 2014, a coincidence trip, where it was intended for someone I was very close to in the past. I never regret deciding to go because after that, I never look back.
I decided to leave Indonesia since August 2016, to do a long-term traveling. After being on the road for about 5 months, in January 2017 I was offered to teach English in Yinchuan, Northwest China. Instead of going back home, at that time I went straight to China from Vietnam carrying only the remaining USD 300 that I had in my bank account. Arrived in China for the first time, everything felt so intimidating and foreign at the same time. Since then, I am based in Yinchuan, Northwest China and have been loving it.
Thank you again for watching! I hope you get to enjoy the video as much as I am making it.
Let’s keep it positive. Don’t forget to like, share, comment and subscribe
Till next time!

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Qeshm, the largest, dolphin-shaped Persian Gulf island has a plethora of natural attractions, from pristine islands to forests, valleys to caves, and all the wildlife and cultural heritage in between. The Culture Trip explores the top ten things to do and see on Qeshm Island.

Naz Island

Naz Island is situated on the southern coast of Qeshm. At low tide, you can stroll on the soft sand full of colorful seashells and coral. During the ebb, this stretch of land is also the preferred spot for cars and trucks to race. Once high tide rolls in, however, it is hard to imagine that all of this was completely dry just a few hours earlier. The high and low tides of Naz Island were made famous by the popular Iranian TV series, Paytakht, in an episode in which a family, unaware of this phenomenon, parks their car out on the island during the low tide and gets stuck, their car and belongings slowly becoming flooded by the waters of the high tide.

Hara Forest

Located just behind Qeshm’s northern ‘fin,’ this forest is an 8,000-hectare biosphere reserve of mangroves, or hara as they are known locally. The mangroves, roots, and sludgy beds surface during the low tide, but this forest disappears during the high tide. The mangroves are rooted in the salt water of the Persian Gulf, but the filtration system of the bark extracts the salt, allowing sweet water to reach the leaves. This forest is mainly used for fishing, tourist boats, and a small amount of leaf-cutting for livestock feed. Sea turtles, crabs, shrimp, snakes, herons, cranes, and pelicans are among the animals that call this forest home.

Dolphins

Located south of Qeshm is Hengam Island, where the tourist boats stop to see the dolphins play in the early morning. There is also a variety of tropical fish and stingrays in the natural ‘aquarium’ of the Persian Gulf. Gazelles inhabit the island, and it is said that they obtain fresh water by pressing their hooves into the ground. Hengam Island itself is full of fascinating rock formations and glistening black sand sprinkled over beige sand.

Hengam Island, Qeshm, Iran

Valley of the Stars

Locals believe that a star once fell on this area thereby creating the rocky shapes that make it seem as if from another planet. In fact, it is the result of years of erosion by heavy precipitation. The valley is composed of marl and sandstone, and the rock formations vary from tall pillars, creating canyon-like paths, to hollowed-out spaces and smooth, round stones. With a little imagination, the eye can make out the shapes of faces, hands, animals, and even the map of Iran. A short hike to the top and you can see the layered mountain rock embedded with seashells. Local legend has it that the Valley of the Stars is full of ruh [spirits].

Bandar Laft

Bandar Laft is situated on Qeshm’s ‘fin’ next to Hara Forest. Even though Yazd is most often thought of as the city of badgir (windcatchers), an ancient Persian architectural structure used to create natural ventilation, a glance at the panoramic skyline of this historical port is proof of a rivalry. Few abanbar (ancient water reservoirs) also exist and are still used by locals today. This fishing town is also home to the Talla Wells, which store clean water and were created by cutting holes into layers of stone. Though in the past the number of wells was equal to the number of days in a leap year, it has dwindled to less than 100, each one with a unique name.

Lenj Shipyard

Close to Bandar Laft is a ship-building yard. Lenj, as they are known locally, are mainly used for fishing. Upon entering, you will notice lenj in different stages of building, from those in the beginning phases that are reminiscent of Noah’s Ark to those setting out into the water on their maiden voyage.

Namakdan Salt Cave

At 6,850 meters long, Namakdan, literally salt shaker, is the longest cave in the world. Situated in the southwestern part of the island, the cave is a result of sea water accumulating in the faults. The long corridors lead to the breathtaking dome decorated with white, salty chandeliers and stalactites.

Khorbas Cave

Overlooking the Persian Gulf, Khorbas Cave is part natural, part man-made. The caves are connected from the inside by a series of tunnels said to have been carved out by ancient Iranians. It is said that this cave may have been used as a look-out system to warn against impending attacks.

Chahkooh Pass

The striking natural beauty of Chahkooh, literally mountain of wells, has been named as such because of the wells at the beginning of the pass. The pass starts out wide but becomes more narrow, the walls nearly touching at some parts. Similar to the Valley of the Stars, Chahkooh is the result of erosion from rainwater on sedimentary stone.

Portuguese Fortress

This fortress was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century when they seized Qeshm in a strategic effort to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz. The fortress was used for over a century, and today, four watchtowers, a number of cannons, and two cisterns still exist.

Portuguese Fortress, Hormuz, Qeshm, Iran

The post The top 10 things to see in Qeshm appeared first on IRAN This Way.

We once rented a house by the sea. Everybody had tasks. The women cooked. I was told to keep the frogs and cats away from my paranoid aunt. In the afternoon, when my uncle went jogging, I had to run behind him, carrying a boom box playing “Eye of the Tiger.” He had just returned from the front, and he loved “Rocky.”

That was a rare memory. At home and on trips, we often spent our time hiding from others. We gathered behind walls and inside houses to avoid the sternness of the Islamic Revolution. Public space was no fun: there was always someone disturbing your privacy, making you feel uncomfortable.

Now I look at the youth of today, who are hitchhiking their way through the country, discovering its islands, mountain passes, and changing-color deserts. It took more than three decades for Iranians to venture out once again; now they can’t seem to get enough of it.
Newsha Tavakolian
The New Yorker

In 330 B.C.E., when Alexander the Great invaded Persia, he destroyed Persepolis. Today, schoolchildren visit the ancient capital and marvel that there was a time when the Persian Empire ruled over much of the world. Photograph by Newsha Tavakolian / Magnum for The New Yorker

A close up of the salt mountains, a part of Hormuz’s diverse geology. Tourists visit the area to marvel at the different colours and shapes of the salt.

A series of carpets laid out to dry after having been washed by professional carpet cleaners, near the royal graves of Naghs-e Rostam, that are carved out in the mountains. They are washing the tapestries for the coming Iranian New Year, that coincides with the Spring equinox, usually on March 21st. The tombs of Iran’s most revered pre-Islamic kings, like Darius, Xerxes and others have been raided long ago, but the reliefs cut out of the mountains’ rocks remain, just as an ancient Zoroastrian fire temple, for tourists to visit.

The Valley of Stars, on the island of Qeshm, was likely formed by prehistoric erosion, though legend holds that it was created by a falling star. Photograph by Newsha Tavakolian / Magnum for The New Yorker

One part of Hormuz island is coral red. The earth is used both for colouring fabrics and make-up. A worker who spends his days gathering up the red soil is waiting during a break.

A driver of a horse and carriage waiting for customers to drive around Isfahan’s Naghshe-Jahan square, or ‘Image of the world’. The city is famous for its Islamic architecture, promoted by the Safavid kings who not only solidified the Shiite faith in Iran, but also enjoyed watching Polo games from the massive balcony of the Ali Qapu palace overlooking the square. The Lotfullah mosque, seen in the background, has been closed for centuries as it was a sacred place for the members of the Shah’s harem but is now open to tourists.

The salt mountains are a part of Hormuz’s diverse geology. Tourists visit the area to marvel at the different colours and shapes of the salt. Mahtab, a tourist from Tehran, is taking a selfie.

The Persian Gulf island Qeshm has a very diverse geology, allowing tourists to visit deserts and mountains and in this case the ‘jungle of Hara’, a mangrove forest. In recent years Iranian tourists have started to discover this and other islands, located in the blue waters of the Persian Gulf. Long secret spots, visited mainly by Iranian hippies and adventurers, the islands are now attracting a wider range of visitors. They come especially in winter when temperatures are cooler and the air is less humid.
Jungle of Hara- qeshm

In the fifth century B.C.E., Persia’s most revered kings were buried in the stone mountain at Naqsh-e Rustam. Robbers have looted the crypts, but tourists still come to see the reliefs cut into the rock. Photograph by Newsha Tavakolian / Magnum for The New Yorker

Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, falls on the spring equinox. In Masouleh, villagers mark the occasion by letting sheep out to graze.
Photograph by Newsha Tavakolian / Magnum for The New Yorker

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With 2016 about to take a curtain call, here’s a look at what the year had in store for Iran’s travel industry:

January

The lifting of western-backed economic sanctions on Iran on January 16 set the stage for the country’s emerging tourism sector to begin developing its vastly underdeveloped infrastructure.

Iran Air, the national flag carrier, resumed refueling at airports in Western Europe only three days after the sanctions were removed.

Jamshid Hamzehzadeh, president of the Iranian Hoteliers’ Society, announced that an online hotel booking platform would be launched before the end of January.

February

Tourism officials revealed that Tehran and Paris signed a memorandum of understanding in January when President Hassan Rouhani was visiting the French capital. The purpose of the agreement was to broaden bilateral tourism cooperation.

Training of hotel staff and managers by French experts, increasing bilateral tourism flow and developing Iran’s infrastructure were outlined in the agreement.

Another agreement signed in November between Russia and Iran to simplify visa issuance procedures went into effect on February 6, in what the Russian media called “the first step toward a visa-free regime”.

The Ninth Tehran International Tourism Exhibition, the first tourism expo in the post-sanctions era, was held to a mixed reception. Although international participation had improved compared to the previous year, local exhibitors were clearly aiming for domestic travelers rather than the international market, because they did not expect a huge foreign visitor turnout.

Looking to forge closer ties with Iran, Georgia abolished its visa rules for Iranian nationals.

March

March was a relatively quiet month, but it did have one major event: the Spain-based Melia Hotels International announced plans to open a five-star hotel in Salman-Shahr, Mazandaran Province.

Slated to open in 2017, the 130-meter tower by the Caspian Sea will be Iran’s first foreign-branded seaside hotel in almost 40 years.

French hotel group Accor, which brought its Novotel and Ibis brands to Iran in November 2015, signed an MoU with Iran’s Tourism Holding Company to help the company train hotel staff and upgrade lodgings.

April

Taiwan announced it had eased visa requirements for Iranian citizens by scrapping the need for a letter of guarantee from an individual residing in Taiwan to issue visas to Iranian nationals.

The Global Geoparks Network approved Iran’s dossiers for Qeshm Geopark, bringing it a step closer to regaining its spot in the network.

The Middle East’s only UNESCO-listed geopark, Qeshm Geopark was dropped from the coveted list in 2012 due to problems that have remained unresolved for too long, such as underdeveloped infrastructure and unenforced environmental regulation.

May

The highly anticipated Silk Road Ultramarathon (May 2-9) was held in Kerman Province’s Shahdad Desert, with 100 runners from countries spanning four continents—Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.

The United States returned 73 relics to Iran after prolonged discussions between the two countries, according to the Foreign Ministry. The artifacts, which date back to the Sassanid era (224–651), had been smuggled out of Iran.

Six new museums opened on May 18, coinciding with the International Museum Day. The museums are either partially or fully owned by private stakeholders, in line with the government’s policy of promoting private ownership of museums.

The sales of items crafted by Iranian artisans in the 26th Iran Handicrafts Exhibition in Tehran set a new record this year, with sales amounting to 58 billion rials ($1.4 million), up from 28 billion rials ($693,000) a year ago.

Tourism officials reached agreements with Turkish and German firms to build a combined 20 hotels in the next 10 years in Iran.

June

Iran’s ATA Airlines launched flights on Tehran-Baku-Tabriz route, which operate twice a week, while Mahan Air expanded its growing flight network by establishing direct flights between Tehran and the Danish capital Copenhagen.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration agreed to reduce tariffs for the import of hotel equipment to support the country’s hotel industry. Categorized as luxury items, hotel equipment are taxed at the highest possible rate, which analysts say has impacted the industry and contributed to high room rates.

An ambitious $750-million plan to construct a tourist resort on Qeshm Island was unveiled. The resort will cover 46 hectares and include Qeshm’s first-ever five-star hotel, which will include 200 rooms and 150 suites. The multipurpose complex will also be equipped with sports, cultural and commercial facilities, including a multiplex cinema, an amphitheater, tennis and badminton courts, a gym and two football fields.

July

Iran’s ancient Qanat system and Lut Desert were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List during the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee, increasing the number of world heritage sites in Iran to 21—more than any other country in the Middle East.

Iran banned all tours to Turkey following the failed coup attempt to topple the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The chaos in Turkey left 10,000 Iranian tourists stranded but they managed to return home gradually on planes sent to Turkey for this particular purpose.

August

Iranian and Armenian officials waived the visa regime, opening their borders to allow free travel between the neighboring countries.

The first Asia Cooperation Dialogue Ministerial Meeting on Tourism was held in the northwestern city of Tabriz, East Azarbaijan Province. The two-day summit was hosted by Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization.

Iran lifted its ban on tours to Turkey following discussions between the foreign ministers of the two countries.

September

British Airways resumed direct flights to Iran after a nearly four-year suspension, following the lifting of sanctions on the country.

Describing Tehran as “an important destination” for the airline, BA said it was going operate six return flights per week between London Heathrow and the Iranian capital, which will be increased to a daily service.

A cruise line between Oman’s Khasab Port and Iran’s Bahonar Port in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan Province, was officially launched, opening Iran’s southern coasts up to tourists from the Persian Gulf littoral countries.

As part of plans to develop the country’s health tourism, ICHHTO said it had issued licenses for 14 tour companies to operate in the sector, while authorizing 98 hospitals to launch an international patients department.

October

The International Tourism Investment Conference, touted as the largest confab of its kind in Iran, was held in Tehran to entice foreign investors into financing hotel projects. Representatives from 60 international firms based in Europe, Africa and Asia attended the event.

At the event, officials announced that all tourism activities can enjoy a 100% tax holiday for three to 13 years, depending on the project’s location.

Masoud Soltanifar, the head of ICHHTO, was appointed the new minister of sports and youth affairs, leaving pundits wondering who would replace him at the helm of the country’s tourism authority.

After months of legal tussle, the height of two 24-meter-high silos on the outskirts of the ruins of Persepolis and Naqsh-e-Rostam in Marvdasht, Fars Province, was reduced by 7 meters.

Legally, no structure in the vicinity of Persepolis should be taller than 8.5 meters, which means that the silos are still higher than permitted.

November

In an interview with Financial Tribune, Gholamheydar Ebrahim Bay Salami, the head of Tourism Holding Company and one of the organizers of International Tourism Investment Conference, said his company received offers from renowned international groups, such as Accord and Bouygues Batiment, to build 30 hotels in Iran.

President Hassan Rouhani appointed Zahra Ahmadipour to head ICHHTO, following the appointment of her predecessor, Masoud Soltanifar, as the new minister of sports and youth affairs in late October.

Through a court order, the Revitalization and Utilization Fund for Historical Places took back the management rights of the 17th-century Vakil Bazaar in Kerman Province after the private company that had leased the site failed to uphold its end of the contract.

Simon Press, senior director of World Travel Market London, a leading industry exhibition, said he expected Iran to impress again following its showing in the last expo.

According to the director of WTM London, one in three industry executives expect to do more business in Iran next year.

“A number of multinational companies have expressed interest in developing the country’s tourism infrastructure,” he told TTN Worldwide.

December

In its proposed budget bill for the next fiscal year that starts on March 21, 2017, the government earmarked a 12% increase in the tourism authority’s funding.

While marginally better than the current year’s budget, the proposed funding failed to satisfy observers, who point out that the proposed $200-million budget is insufficient to meet the rapidly-growing industry’s needs.

Ali Baqer Nemati Zargaran, director of the Promotion and Marketing Office at ICHHTO, said Iran is in talks with Russia, Azerbaijan, India and China to promote visa-free travel.

Following reports that the owner of Villa Namazee in Tehran’s affluent Niavaran neighborhood was set to demolish the iconic 1960s building to build a 20-floor hotel, activists staged an online campaign to save the building.

Designed by the famed Italian architect Gio Ponti, Villa Namazee forms part of an influential trio of properties by Ponti, along with Villa Planchart and Villa Arreaza, both in Caracas, Venezuela. To help save the building, Matthew Licitra, Ponti’s grandson, said he would travel to Tehran./ Financial Tribune

The post Iran 2016 Tourism Review appeared first on IRAN This Way.

Isfahan by Traveler

We seek beauty in many forms: through art and architecture; from water views and mountain highs; in its people and its history. This list circles the globe, finding the most beautiful cities in the world from Italy to Iran. Vote for your favorite cities in the 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards survey.

Once one of the largest cities in the world, Isfahan had such serious cosmopolitan clout in the 16th century that it inspired the phrase Isfahan nesf-e jahan, or “Isfahan is half the world.” Today, it’s is one of the country’s largest metropolises, and has wide, tree-lined boulevards, significant Islamic architecture, and hidden Persian gardens, all perfect for exploring.

Isfahan Photo

Video: Isfahan historic bridge

Video: Isfahan

Video: Isfahan churches

The post Isfahan is in the 50 Most Beautiful Cities in the World appeared first on IRAN This Way.