RedWine
07-02-2006, 05:19 PM
Iran is a beautiful and exciting place to visit. It is a country filled with Persian gardens, palaces, historical sites, museums, and natural beauty. Given the current restrictions, your travel will be most enjoyed with some careful planning and preparation. Because Iran has not supported a large tourist industry in recent years, some aspects of travel may be a little different or outdated. A good time of year to travel is in the spring or in the fall. The summer tends to be too hot, especially for women. Winters may also be too cold with the addition of heightened pollution in Tehran.
To best prepare you for your trip, here are top 5 tips for travel to Iran to get the most out of your time there.
1. Finances: Getting enough money and currency for the trip. Most places in Iran will not readily accept credit cards or ATM cards as in the West. It is important that you bring enough cash with you to sustain your travel and any shopping you plan to do. Major hotels, some shops and restaurant may accept plastic but it is always good to go with about double what you think you will spend. Although the currency rate is low and things are relatively cheap, you never know when you will get the urge to buy that beautiful carpet or painting.
2. Documents and Visas: Making sure your papers and travel tickets are in order before you go. For visas, the Iranian Embassy in the US has the best website. Here you can download forms and information about getting a tourist visa. The staff at this and most other embassies are very nice and helpful if you have questions. In addition, make sure your flights are booked properly. Most major European airlines fly to Iran including BA, SAS, Air France, Alitalia, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and KLM. Flights tend to get in very early in the morning and stopovers may not always be ideal. Be sure to check arrival times, and transfer times with your travel agent or online travel site before you purchase.
3. Accomodations: Researching hotels and staying at the right places. Before you go, do as much research as you can on hotels. Generally you want to stay in five star hotels to get the best ammenities. If you have relatives or friends in Iran, we also recommend staying with them. Most stays with family will reveal much more about the culture and the way of life than a stay at a hotel.
4. Dress: Packing the right clothes for journey. Depending on the season and the areas you plan to visit, you need to pack accordingly. Iran offers all sorts of climates and conditions. You can go skiing in the winter in the north and go to the beach in the summer. Weather can be humid, dry, hot or cold depending on where you are. For women, other than layering for temperature, the dress code outside if fairly simple. Be sure to bring a head scarf and a coat or raincoat to wear outside.
Iranians will dress up for house parties and you do not want to arrive underdressed.
5. Guidance: Getting pre-arranged local help - whether from a relative or a travel agent. As Iran is not the most tourist-friendly of places, we advise going there with someone who knows the areas or visiting someone who lives there. This will give you the best chance to experience the real Iranian culture, as most celebrations take place at home. If you do not know anyone, an organized tour with a travel agency may be the best bet. Be sure the person travelling with you to the various historic sites is knowledgeable.
To best prepare you for your trip, here are top 5 tips for travel to Iran to get the most out of your time there.
1. Finances: Getting enough money and currency for the trip. Most places in Iran will not readily accept credit cards or ATM cards as in the West. It is important that you bring enough cash with you to sustain your travel and any shopping you plan to do. Major hotels, some shops and restaurant may accept plastic but it is always good to go with about double what you think you will spend. Although the currency rate is low and things are relatively cheap, you never know when you will get the urge to buy that beautiful carpet or painting.
2. Documents and Visas: Making sure your papers and travel tickets are in order before you go. For visas, the Iranian Embassy in the US has the best website. Here you can download forms and information about getting a tourist visa. The staff at this and most other embassies are very nice and helpful if you have questions. In addition, make sure your flights are booked properly. Most major European airlines fly to Iran including BA, SAS, Air France, Alitalia, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and KLM. Flights tend to get in very early in the morning and stopovers may not always be ideal. Be sure to check arrival times, and transfer times with your travel agent or online travel site before you purchase.
3. Accomodations: Researching hotels and staying at the right places. Before you go, do as much research as you can on hotels. Generally you want to stay in five star hotels to get the best ammenities. If you have relatives or friends in Iran, we also recommend staying with them. Most stays with family will reveal much more about the culture and the way of life than a stay at a hotel.
4. Dress: Packing the right clothes for journey. Depending on the season and the areas you plan to visit, you need to pack accordingly. Iran offers all sorts of climates and conditions. You can go skiing in the winter in the north and go to the beach in the summer. Weather can be humid, dry, hot or cold depending on where you are. For women, other than layering for temperature, the dress code outside if fairly simple. Be sure to bring a head scarf and a coat or raincoat to wear outside.
Iranians will dress up for house parties and you do not want to arrive underdressed.
5. Guidance: Getting pre-arranged local help - whether from a relative or a travel agent. As Iran is not the most tourist-friendly of places, we advise going there with someone who knows the areas or visiting someone who lives there. This will give you the best chance to experience the real Iranian culture, as most celebrations take place at home. If you do not know anyone, an organized tour with a travel agency may be the best bet. Be sure the person travelling with you to the various historic sites is knowledgeable.