Visit Iran: Tours, Guides, Drivers

If you are hesitant about traveling to Iran or wondering how to travel to Iran, let us apprise you that there is no other country like Iran when it comes to generosity and friendliness. Iranians are profoundly known to be the most humble people when it comes to their hospitality. The reason could be their deep-rooted familial values. Apart from the people, the country has a storm of cultural heritage and a lot to propound to travelers.

Dress code in Iran

“When in Iran, do as the Iranians do”. Yes! Although, Iran is an urbanized country, there are some rules and regulations which every traveler has to abide by. There are separate rules for men and women when it comes to clothing. Women are supposed to cover their heads whenever they go out in public (natively known as hijab), wear a long tunic that covers their back along with pants. Although, in Tehran, locals are seen wearing dresses along with stockings.

Taking photos

Iranian are very friendly and they welcome foreigners, you can take photos even but you need to seek permission before photographing for your travel memories and blogs. Most of them won’t deny it if you politely ask them. Like everywhere else, right?

Weekend is Friday

Markets and restaurants are closed on Friday as according to the Persian calendar Fridays are pondered as weekends. Even the malls are open till Thursday night. So skip your shopping plans for Friday and indulge in some scenic photography instead.

Visa to Iran

Earlier, visa approval used to be a daunting process but thanks to the revised rules by the government, you can get a visa on arrival. The flight connects to all major international airports (Tehran, Shiraz, Mashad, Tabriz and Isfahan). The only downfall is if you are from Canada, the USA, UK, the visa on arrival is not defensible for you. Citizens of these countries can get visas only through professional hosts here.

Cash

Before traveling to Iran, leave all your debit and credit cards behind and instead bolster lots of cash along with you. No ATM in Iran undertakes foreign credit and debit cards. Carry more bills than usual, so you don’t go out of luck. Iran has two currencies Toman and Rial. 1 Toman = 10 Rial. Always be cautious when spending money.

During the trip

• You can buy a local sim card from the airport or any commodious store, which helps you stay in touch with family and navigation. 
• Iran is very safe for a woman. No cases of theft, mugging, harassment are reported due to frequent police checks and strict laws. 
• Draw an itinerary beforehand, be pliable with your timings so you could spend an extra day if required. 
• Carry a backpack and wear comfortable shoes as Iran is a flamboyant country, you could end up walking more than 10 km a day. 
• Don’t stick to just kebabs when exploring food options. The food options are opulent in Iran. Try as much local food as much as you can.
• Communicate with the locals. You could envisage the true essence of the country if you talk to them. Ask them about local art and music. Nobody is a better guide than a local.

Transportation

Traveling between cities could be best done through domestic flights. Book flights along with accommodation. You can seek assistance from your previous hotel owner. They prove to be of great guidance in scoring reasonable flight tickets.

Iran operates its own Uber called SNAPP. A lifesaver taxi cab that runs on a sharing basis and it proves to be sufficient to around town. Also, Iran has a substantial network of public transport, which proves to be beneficial for a woman traveling alone and budget-friendly travelers.

How many times do we think about intricate designs and work on Iranian monuments whenever we spot splendid pictures on Pinterest and Instagram and wonder how can something be so mesmerizing? It almost seems like a canvas painting, something too surreal to be true. If you are one of them, you landed on the right page. Let’s dig deep into the flamboyant Iranian culture. 

This surreal country whose capital is Tehran is located in South Western Asia is a plateau situated between the Caspian Sea to the North and the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman to the South. Iran upholds the legacy of the ancient Iranians, the Middle East, Caucasus and Turkey, the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan.

History and Language

Their native language is Persian over the many centuries when Arabic was dominant, Persian lost much of its grammatical complexity. The resulting language is easy to learn and ideally suited for the unparalleled poetry and literature Iranians have produced over the ages. The language is remarkably stable. The majority of Iranian residents whose first language is not Persian are bilingual in Persian and their primary language.

People of Iran

Iranian culture is one of the most unassailable cultures all over the world. It is influenced by Greece, Europe, some parts of Pakistan and turkey. Just like their beautiful and intricate carpets look, the same way they are an inhabitant doppelganger of the Iranian culture. They have a rudimentary thwack on the world through art, architecture, philosophy, science, technology and poetry. Without a doubt, it's a land of poets.

Traditional Persian people are robust and well enlightened about their heritage and hold a sense of pride in their culture. They have been brought up with a great sense of familial values, where living together and growing together as a family is considered as of utmost precedence. Not only the people but their households speak the true essence of their culture. Iranian homes are multifunctional barring the kitchen and restrooms, any room can be used for any purpose. For instance, spread a dining sheet and it can serve as a dining table and if replaced with a mattress and bed sheet, it can serve as a bedroom. It may sound startling but it is the reason Iranians are known for their hospitality and their flamboyant traditional values. Women of Iran play a very significant role. They are known to be unostentatious and hold a very robust role in daubing the people of the country.

Music and Arts

Iranian poetry is the world-known and famous which is an amalgamation of Arabic and Persian words resulting in dulcet words never heard of.
Furthermore, it is a habitat of opulent and serpentine artistic folklore. Calligraphy which the modern world is transcribing originated from the Iranian culture. It is a highly developed form of Iranian art, not to pretermit their luscious rugs which have intricate designs of nature. Their silver work, wood-block printing, enamelware and inlay work is all world-renowned.

Food and Drinks

Persian tea is paramount to the Iranian culture. It has spread its roots to the western continents. Commonly known as chai, it is infused with cloves, cinnamon, pepper, ginger and cardamom and is mandatory in every Persian household. It is not a common regular tea but a cup brimming with festivities. Just like Persian tea, the food speaks richness and consists of rice, meat, vegetables and nuts. Iranian people are fond of fruits like apricots, raisins, plums and prunes. The distinguishing flavoring is given using saffron, parsley and herbs. Must-try dishes include kebabs, flatbreads, pulov, khoresh (Iranian form of mutton stew), kotlet, kufte (meatballs in a gravy). They are fond of baqlava, pherni (a rice pudding) in deserts.

”Beauty lies only skin deep” is the phrase justifiable when delineating Iran. If you are a xenophile and an explorer by heart, Iran will wander you in true sense. Robust with heritage, folklore, tremendous hospitality and prepossessing people, this country is one of the upcoming hubs for travellers.

Visit Tehran if iconoclastic cafes ignite you and bohemian vibes bring the inner chic out of you. So, grab your glasses and keep reading!

Tehran

The national capital of Iran, this metropolis city which showcases the modernism is a national hub of economy and politics. You can vouch for Azadi tower, the national museum of Iran which is among the tourist destinations. Hippie coffee shops and tea houses selling their staple Irani tea and coffee count for the must-see places in Iran. Berserk bazaars filled with traditional handicrafts, enamelware and silver jewellery can make any shopaholic crave for more.

Esfahan

If you recollect in movies, you see stacks of coloured spices and tasseled fringed carpets. Well, Esfahan is the true essence of Iran which you want to behold. Inspired by alluring and flamboyant conduct of the kings and the sultans, Muslim moguls, without a doubt Esfahan is counted in of the places to visit in Iran. It is circumambient with ceramic fronted mosques with larger than life fountains and flabbergasting Safavid palaces known as Naqsh-e Jahan, a world heritage site by UNESCO makes it a must-visit.

Shiraz

If you enjoy and reminisce poetry then count Shiraz as the must-visit place in Iran. It is a land of poets and this town hosts mosques and tombs of some of the famous laureate of Iran like Hafez and Sa’adi. One can spot their tombs like Afif Abad and Eram, Nasir al-Mulk mosque and a 1000-year-old old Qor’ah gate. They are encircled with flowerbed and herbarium of long sprawling trees all of which add to its beauty.

Persepolis

To all those travel enthusiasts who love history, include this place in your places to visit in Iran, ruled once by the majestic kings like Cyrus, Darius and Xerxes. When Alexander reached Persepolis he destroyed many tombs and structures of the caliphs as he didn’t get to rule solely. There only remains traces and tail ends of the palaces and is of great traction among tourists for them to dwell upon antiquity.

Rasht

The most sort after location of this town is what makes it a sensation among tourists. Located at the edge of the Caspian Sea, the enviable climatic conditions add up to the beauty of this town. These town witnesses high rainfall which is unlikely for Iran and is a fad among Iranians and foreigners. Spot some Persian leopards in Golestan National park where murky forests entitled with beautiful gigantic trees add to the serenity.

Kerman

If you splotch mammoth bathtubs in Hollywood movies and wander where to discover these, visit Kerman! Ganjali khan bathhouse is the most popular tourist destination. It houses many civilised tombs and mosques and Zoroastrian fire temples. Ganjali khan mosque, Jabiliyeh dome, Fath Abad garden are also renowned.

Kashan

A clay pan town, situated amidst the deserts of Iran houses an abundance of folklore. You can check out their frantic bazaars for some raw spices and you can score some eminent dates and palms for your loved ones while you enjoy the Mountain View. Vouch for elegant mansions of the Tabatabaie Residence, the Ameri House and the domes of Aqabozorg.

Dizin

Dizin roosted upon 3000 feet up the snowy pinnacle of Alborz Mountains is a tiny hill station which is a maestro winter holiday destination among the locals and travellers. Book your staycation at the snow capping like hotels for the luxurious feel.

These are among the top destinations that one must visit when traveling to Iran. Spot the deserts with snowy mountain peaks. Nothing could be more spell bounding!