Testimonial
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During the years of guiding tours in
Iran, I have rendered services for a lot of people from different
countries. They are the best witnesses who can tell you about their
experiences in Iran. You can also ask them about the quality of their
tours, services, etc.
Here is a list of the previous
tourists who have visited Iran:
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Finland |
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Tapio Haikio,
Technical Operator Manager
e-mail : tapio.haikio@yle.fi
We made a trip to Iran in
April 2006. Nature was in full flourish with spring
wildflowers and it was not too hot for "northern people"
like us.
We flew from Teheran to Shiraz and from Shiraz back to
Teheran we travelled by car with a guide/driver.
Our route was
Teheran-Shiraz-Persepolis-Esfahan-Natanz-Abayaneh-Kashan-Teheran.
On the way we experienced architectural, archaeological,
historical and cultural places: noble mosques, interesting
museums, royal palaces, unique ruins, stone bridges, ancient
village
with mud-made houses, gardens dating back to 17th century,
houses of 19th century merchants, colorful bazaars etc. Also
we went to see how nomads live in their tents.
Iran provides good hotels, with all modern facilities. In
Esfahan we stayed in Abbassi hotel, a former caravanserai.
We had a room overlooking the central courtyard with
rosebushes and persimmon trees. The view from the balcony
was just stunning. Iran has also pleasant restaurants and
teahouses likewise Internet cafes.
The traffic of Teheran is chaotic and it's not a city for a
nice walk. We were surprised at seeing no accident. Instead
Esfahan, Shiraz and a small village Abayaneh are nice places
to go to walk and to have a break in some of their
fascinating teahouses. It was so great to sit down for tea
or rose ice cream and look at people around.
Before our trip we got a lot of warnings and surprising
comments on Iranians' hostility toward Westerners. Anyhow in
every city, town and village we felt ourselves very welcome
and every person was polite and hospitable to us.
Our guide was the best possible guide. His knowledge of
Iran, the past and the present is enormous and his driving
style is convincing, especially in Teheran with millions of
cars. As Iranian he gave us "inside information" about
modern Iran and everyday life of people. A trip with him was
like a trip with a friend not with a formal guide.
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Northern Ireland |
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Keith
Haines
British, Author on local history and Head of History
(1978-2000)
Campbell College, BELFAST BT4 2ND, Northern
Ireland
Email :
siosepol@tiscali.co.uk
I have traveled widely in the north, center and south of
Iran, and have wandered cities such as Esfehan and
Shiraz
on my own. Some people - often the younger ones - are
inquisitive and approach to ask questions, but they are never
intrusive or aggressive. On all those visits I have never
encountered anything but friendliness, good humor and
hospitality from the Iranian people.
I have been impressed by the guides who have always proved
knowledgeable, friendly, accessible and reassuring.
Iran
provides good hotels, with all modern facilities (for both the
ordinary travelers and businessman) and varied restaurants,
where language is rarely a problem. The Shah Abbasi in Esfehan
is one of the world's outstanding hotels - it has developed
from a former caravanserai, and reflects Iranian hospitality
at its best. A room overlooking the central courtyard is
memorable - and, if you do not get one on arrival, the manager
can be persuaded by your persistence to change your room!
The way to travel internally is by Iran Air. I have taken
several journeys with the company and have always found them
punctual. Their in-flight catering may leave a little to be
desired, but your flights are never long enough for it to
matter!
If you travel overland, there is much desert in
Iran, but
even that has its enticement. After miles of vacant sand lush,
brilliant green oases emerge that are skillfully irrigated
from the land, and the Persians were masters at establishing
cities such as
Shiraz
and Esfehan out of bare, barren wastes. The desert has its
charm. One British adventurer, traveler and correspondent for
The Times, who spent many years in (the then) Persia at
the start of the 20th century, undertook a horseback journey
from Teheran to Bushehr, and wrote: The pilgrim and the
camel are eternal; and they are the magic of Persian travel.
To sit in a camp on a still, starlit night, and hear the faint
enchantment of the bells, as they die away upon the desert
road, is the best of all rewards for weariness and thirsty
days.
Iran has a
considerable amount to offer of architectural and historical
interest, ranging from the ancient era (such as
Persepolis or the fire temple at Esfehan) to the present day (such as
the Azadi monument and the Sa'ad Abad Palace in Teheran).
There is a respect for the ancient as well as the modern,
linked for example by the Zoroastrian Ahuramazda
symbolism at
Persepolis
and the modern temple in Yazd.
Amongst the 'jewels' that await the visitor are the
impressive range of age and styles in the Friday Mosque (Masjed
Jame) in Esfehan, with its winter shabistan
designed as the tents of the Mongols; the individuality and
stunning charm of the Lotfollah Mosque in the massive meidan
of Esfehan, and the Masjed Jame at Yazd; the literally
dazzling brilliance of the Shah Cheragh Mosque in Shiraz; the
restored uniqueness of the desert fortress at Bam; and the
endurance of the palaces and bridges of Esfehan (deservedly
appointed a World Heritage site).
There is a large range of museums, which display not only
the usual historical and archaeological artifacts, but also
specialist centers such as the engaging
Carpet
Museum in Teheran. It is still possible, in such cities as
Yazd,
to see the skills of carpet weaving being conducted
domestically.
Amongst the others skills manifested by the Persians are
the qanat, or extensive underground irrigation
channels, which ensure the survival of many widespread and
remote communities. One of these is briefly exposed at Natanz,
and reveals how skillfully they are cut; the slope to ensure
the movement of water is imperceptible, yet essential, as it
has to travel often hundreds of miles - underground. Such
surprises are typical of the memories of a nation with an
impressive history.
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Norway |
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Andreas
Hompland
Sociologist and journalist
V?halsen 7,
0458
Oslo,
Norway
Email :
hompland@online.no
I really
enjoyed my stay in Iran, and I recommend it to all my friends.
I found people?s attitudes in general very positive, relaxed
and friendly toward tourists. They were helpful to tourist and
eager to take contact and practice their English words.
I would
like to mention that when I forgot my handbag with money,
passport and video camera on a bench in a park, it was found
and returned to me five minutes later by a friendly man on his
bicycle. As a tourist you are often satisfied that there are
not too many of that kind! That was the situation in Iran.
Iranian
culture ? both temporary and historical ? is interesting and
impressing. So is the nature. The historical sites and
their stories are very interesting ?comments? to ancient
European history ? especially the Greek.
I found the
Iranian mosque-architecture and the underground aqueducts of
special interest. They tell a unique story.
The cities
were both green and gray, but the streets and pavements were
clean and in very good conditions. Poverty was not a visible
feature.
The tourist
buses were very comfortable and the roads in surprisingly good
shape.
Our tour
guide spoke perfect English and did an excellent job. He was
pleasant, attentive and informed ? both on practical details,
historical knowledge and details of Iranian everyday life.
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Switzerland |
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Forat Sadry
Swiss, Radiologist
Address: Geneva, Switzerland
Email:
forat@bluewin.ch
Andreas and I
went to central Iran in September 2004 for the first time and to North
West & North Iran in May 2006. So it was not long ago and although it
was only for 2 weeks each time, we saw a lot, having chosen the option
of having a guide all the way. It was worth it as we would have missed
a lot otherwise. On both trips, we saw absolutely fabulous sights.
One thing is for
sure: Avoid driving there yourself. The world of driving is a
different one there and you wouldn't be able to handle it. It's
completely different from what we've learned in the West.
Everywhere
everybody was lovely and friendly and we were constantly stopped for
a?.chat!
To do
absolutely:
To see
absolutely:
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Yazd: Old
Zoroastrian quarter with wind towers, the old town is being
abandoned.
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Persepolis: No
comment?grandiose!
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Shiraz: the
town of poets and roses. Impressive tombs for the most famous poets
(Hafez and Sa'dy)
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Ispahan or
Espahan or Isfahan or whatever?memorable except for the second most
famous mosque in the world?.the courtyard was full of tents ( too
hot for the praying crowd) and restoration works with scaffoldings
all over?so got no proper picture of it ! You will find here the
most beautiful bridges and the walk along them is worthwhile. Some
have a "Chaikhaneh" inside. Go and see the shaking towers just out
of town!
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Abayaneh:
probably a bit out of the way?old village in the ?mountains?,
protected (world heritage) ? delightful!
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Qom:
impressive. I didn?t want to go there, but I don?t regret it
?interesting too to see all these worshippers coming from all over
the country, camping around. If women want to get a closer look in
the Mosque courtyard, they?ll have to wear chador.
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Tehran: pure
hell?too big to walk?to crowded to drive, but must not miss a jewel
of a museum: the Reza Abbasi museum?it?s an absolute must. If you
have the courage, try the bazaar, we didn?t see much there as time
was short.
Finally food:
There is, in my
view, no better food in the world ? provided you find Iranian food
other than the traditional kebab. Do try desperately to eat the local
food ? and don?t forget to ask for ?Sabzi?, a mixture of all kinds of
greens with bread and cheese ? often before the main meal ? Andreas
loved it so much he had the ingredients brought to his office and
offered all the staff a ?sabzi? break for his birthday.
The food is very
healthy and everything is washed again and again before cooking or
eating raw. You can stuff yourselves and come back weighing the same!
There is, of
course, much more to Iran: such as the Caspian Sea, or the south-west
and Azerbaijan ? Also, once upon a time, there was Bam?..Bam was my
goal when I first planned Iran?.I didn?t make it and there is little
left there now and needs plenty of restoration.
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USA |
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R Johnson
New York City
Email: contact information available upon request
I had the privilege of
visiting Iran in November 2006. Never has a country so
exceeded my expectations, so entranced me with its unique
mix of ancient history, rich culture, physical beauty and
compelling current events. My week-long itinerary included
Tehran, Shiraz, Esfahan and the ruins of Persepolis, in
addition to stops in Natanz, Abyaneh and Kashan. Each
provided me a glimpse of a different aspect of Iran and
together offered an excellent overview of this multi-faceted
and complex country.
As an American I was somewhat concerned about visiting Iran,
despite assurances that Americans are warmly welcomed.
Indeed I was! My status as an American was never an issue
and actually seemed to delight those who approached me. Nor
was my gender a deterrent. Iranian women are full
participants in society and with my headscarf firmly in
place, I was too.
Our long drives between cities were actually a highlight of
my tour ... By the third day I planned a return trip to Iran
next year, to visit Yazd and Kerman and see more of the
desert.
The traffic in even the smaller cities is unpredictable and
a bit scary. The limited ability to use credit cards and the
amount of currency you must carry, given the Iranian
preference for low denominated bills, are a bit of a bother.
And yes, as a woman, you must cover your head and arms and
legs in public ? no exceptions. But these are small prices
to pay to experience this country. Among my enduring images
of Iran are those of the magnificent blue tiles of the
mosques in Esfahan, the haunting remains of the
caravansaries along the highways, the formidable Azadi
monument in Tehran and the height of the majestic tombs at
Naqsh-e-Rostam.
A visit to Iran is a must for the jaded American traveler.
Be prepared to be amazed.
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