Iran
-about my stay
-photos
-funny stories
-travel tips
The towns
# printable #
  MIDDLE EAST
Iran
Pakistan
Iraq (Kurdistan)
Syria
Israel
Palestine
Oman
U. Arab Emirates
Jordan
  ASIA
Laos
Cambodia
Thailand
Uzbekistan
Kyrgyzstan
India (Kashmir)
China
Armenia
Nagorno K.
Russia (Siberia)
Malaysia (Borneo)
Singapore
Brunei
Japan
  AFRICA
Mali
Senegal
Uganda
Rwanda
Ethiopia
Somalia
Guinea
Sierra Leone
Malawi
Mozambique
Swaziland
Zambia
Egypt
Sudan
  AMERICA
Nicaragua
Chile (Patag.)
Colombia
Brasil
Boliva
Peru
Cuba
  EUROPE
Romania
Albania
Russia (European)
Belarus
Bosnia-Kosovo
Ukraine (Kiev)
Milan-Scotland
hitch-hiking
Hungary
Poland-Czech
Lith.-Latvia-Estii
Germ. -Austria
Denmark
Eastern Germany
  LIVING IN:
Sweden
Poland 04
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) HOME
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) BEST PICS
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) Panorama pics
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) The worst
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) Visa
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) FAQ
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) About me
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) In Italian
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) Contact me
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) Links
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) Credits
guestbook2_md_blk.gif (5856 byte)

HOME > Iran  

iran_rel_1990mod2 copy.JPG (84232 byte)


Iran travel info

20 days - March  2000


  • THE TOWNS (Teheran, Esfahan, Bam, Hamadam) 

INTRO

Kind of travel:
alone in a wholly independent travel

When:
march 2000

How I moved:
mainly by bus, by minibus and flying

Where I slept:
in cheap hotels/ hostels (mosaferkunč) and in private houses of just known people

How much:
Iran is quite cheap:15 $/day will be enough for everything. Even the domestic flight are really affordable, on the opposite sometimes too much to make you confident about the reliability

Baking or freezing?
in march the weather is perfect, maybe a little chilly in Teheran, but in the south (Bandar Abbas) the warm temperature is a real pleasure

Dangers:
Iran sounds far more dangerous than it's. Most of the people are honest but there's always the chance to find an asshole who aims to your passport. Keep it tight! As concerns religious problems if you are not Muslim, forget it! People are more open minded than you think

What I liked:
the country with his laws and his traditions, the superhospitality of the people, their curiosity to know about what's there outside Iran and the amazing ESFHAN!

What I dislike:
Teheran with his pollution, the plastic bags everywhere in the desert and how impossible was to take a taxi

What you do need:
respect for their laws and their culture even if you don't agree with them!



THE TRAVEL

Why Iran? I was attracted by middle  east, I mean the islamic culture that seems so far from us. Which is  a representative country of this culture? Discarding the no-go countries as Afghanistan, Irak, Arabia, the only one left is Iran.

Preparation: visa is a real hassle and try to get it could discourage you. To me it took some months to find the way, apply and get it by internet (read how I managed). Anyway few days before leaving I received it and I flew to Teheran. As usual I travelled alone, I think it's the best way to know the people and blend in the country
iranvisa.jpg (27047 byte)

Itinerary: I travelled from Teheran to Esfhan, dropping by Abyaneh (Kashan). Then I went to Shiraz, the wonderful Bam and I reached the cost (Bandar-e-Abbass), where I got by boat to the Geshm island. Some days later I flew to Hamadam and I reached the Caspian sea (Rasht and Masule') . Finally I "diverted" to Mashad, the holy city, before coming back Italy.

What I found? I knew a lot of people who invited me to drink a tea (chay, in farsi), to have a dinner and even to sleep in their houses, always without asking nothing or even giving me some gifts at my leaving (read the story). You'll discover that iranian people with their hospitality are the richness of this country. But you need to do a certain kind of travel that let you to come  into contact with them. I mean no organised tour, travelling as you are at the zoo. I found people interested in the western culture, and I had no particular problems staying with them, however respecting their habits. Nevertheless you'll crashed again the language barrier (read the tips). It's very important you know the laws concerning mainly the relation between male and female in public places if you don't want to get in troubles (read about them)

Conclusions: I come back with a positive and respectful image of Iran and his population. Further I still have with me the memory of the unforgettable five days spent in Esfahan, the most intense moments I've ever lived during my travels.

Alby   


about this travel photos funny stories travel tips The towns printable