Tourism, Iran: rest, sea, reviews

No matter how a person aspires to the latest technologies and entertainment, it will always attract the secrets of ancient civilizations. Such tourism centers as Egypt, India, China or Israel attract travelers not with their modern megacities, but with those sights that were created by great masters over 2 thousand years ago. The emergence of ancient kingdoms and their fall, monuments of culture and architecture, which they left after themselves - is an interesting excursion. It can be offered to guests only by countries with such a centuries-old history. But not all countries with the past have a developed tourism. Iran, for example, occupies only 0.002% of the volume in this industry. But the changes that are taking place in the country today make it possible to hope that it will take a place of honor in the lists of world tour operators.

From the nomads to the empire

For a long time there was no tourism in Iran. The state was closed for mass visits. Only now it gradually began to open to people and appeared before its guests as a proud, wise and hospitable host who honors his ancient traditions and loves to be respected. The name of the country comes from the word "Ariana", which translates as "the country of the Aryans". This numerous tribe settled this territory in the first millennium BC. E. At first they were nomads and cattle breeders, which spread from Central Asia to Northern India. Only in the VI century BC. E. The political world has learned about them as about Persians - high, strong and courageous soldiers. In the records of Herodotus they are mentioned as people who are indifferent to gold, who abstained from eating and did not drink alcohol.

Nobody knew the country could conquer half the world in just a few decades. Egypt and Babylon, Medes and Sippar fell before them, and the power of the Achaemenid family, the rulers of Persia, was established from the Aegean Sea to India itself. Thus, the great Persian empire lasted more than two centuries, until it was conquered by Alexander the Great.

Today, a traveler who has chosen a holiday in Iran can get acquainted with the ancient monuments of Persian culture by visiting archaeologists of the capital of his great kings, the oldest being Pasargada. It was in this city that the famous Cyrus ruled. Persia had to endure as ups and downs (after Nebuchadnezzar and during the reign of the Sassanids) and after the conquest of the Arabs, who brought a new religion - Islam. With their arrival, not only the ancient state, but also the centuries-old Iranian culture disappeared.

Iran Today

Unfortunately, long-term sanctions against this country and its positioning in the press as a terrorist center contributed little to the development of tourism here. Iran was forced to re-establish relations with the civilized world. In order to become a sought after tourist destination, the country has everything it needs - a rich cultural and historical past, a unique landscape and good climatic conditions. At the governmental level, a decision was made and the concept of forming a new branch for the state was developed.

To date, tours are organized in Iran to cities such as Kum, Isfahan, Shiraz and Mashhad. Here the infrastructure necessary for comfortable and interesting rest is created. In other regions of the country, it is also planned to open tourist routes. Implementation plans are expected in the near future, since this business is 70% owned by private capital, and he likes a quick return on investment. Already, the leading tour operators of the world have developed programs that include pilgrimage, visits to cultural and historical sites, beach and even ski tourism. It is important to remember that although the official language of Iran is Farsi, many young people speak English, and the elderly - French. Therefore, you can find out the way or ask another question on one of them.

Climate

This country is able to surprise even the most sophisticated traveler, as the climate is one of the attractions that Iran has. Reviews about it directly depend on when and where tourists vacationed. So, in the summer the guests of the northern part of the country will feel great. Here they are expected by a mild climate and even by night frosts in the areas located closer to the mountains. While at the same time on the shore of the Persian Gulf moist sorokogradusnaya heat makes tourists spend more time in places where there are air conditioners.

In general, Iran is characterized by a dry and hot environment. But the presence of several climatic zones allows travelers to navigate with the choice of a place of rest at a convenient time for them. The best are the spring and autumn months. It is important to remember that the Iranians do not welcome too bright and short clothes. Therefore, in order to avoid unpleasant moments, those who like to walk in shorts or, turning into a pareo, you should find another place to relax.

Traditions

While spending a holiday in Iran, you should familiarize yourself with local traditions in advance. This country is extremely religious. The people here honor their rituals and the same demands from foreigners. For example, during Ramadan, you should be prepared for the fact that many restaurants and shops change their schedule and open late in the evening. The most emotionally strong ritual among the Iranians is a ten-day mourning for Imam Hussein, who martyred from the illegally seized power of the ruler Yazid. These days, the whole country is dressed in black clothes, and on the streets are theatrical performances of tragic events.

Also, believing men go through the funeral procession, torturing their flesh with chains, while women stand along the road and cry. In this way, people embody the repentance of the inhabitants of the city of Kufa in the fact that they did not want to come to the aid of the imam, but bowed to the illegal ruler. The presence of foreigners in these ceremonies is not welcome. Therefore, it is necessary to know in advance when exactly this event will take place and to find tours to Iran for another time. But interesting can be the celebration of Novruz - the old Persian custom of the New Year. It lasts 13 days and is accompanied by folk festivals.

sights

To get acquainted with all the cultural and historical objects of Ancient Persia, it will take a long time. Today in the cities of Hamadan, Urmia, Ramsa, on the island of Kish and some other resorts, the main tourism is concentrated. Iran is not yet ready to become a world-wide tourist center, it has been closed to travelers for too long, but there are places worth visiting.

From Tehran, for example, you can not leave without looking at the famous palace of Golestan, in which today there is an art museum. The same interest is represented by the Iranian mosques, the Mejlis and the Senate. For fans of antiquities will become a real excursion into the past of Persia visiting archaeological excavations around the capital. Here, the tombs of the ancient kings of the Achaemenid dynasty and Sephidus were found.

In Hamadan, one of the world's oldest observatories awaits guests, as well as a university. It is here that the museum of Avicenna and the mausoleum in which it is buried are located. Not far from Urmia you can visit the mud health resort and restore health in its baths.

Mountain resorts in Iran

The mountains of the country meet tourists who prefer ski slopes. The hostels, open here from November to April, provide European-level services. The most popular resort is the resort of Dizin, which has trails at an altitude of 900 to 3550 meters. Ski slopes here are quite complex, and in some areas even aggressive ones. There are two skiing areas in the resort of Toshal - one at 2950 and the other at 3850 meters, which have 17 km of trails of different levels of complexity.

Beaches of Iran

Travelers who prefer to bask in the beaches, awaits the island of Kish. It is located in the Persian Gulf, although not entirely suitable for non-Muslims. Here, the male beach is in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, and the female beach is in the other part of the island behind the fence. The prices in Iran for the entrance for women are 1 dollar. But they come into the water here rarely, because the shore is very stony. The need to adhere to the "beach" form established in the country also does not have any bathing facilities, therefore this place is in demand mainly among Muslims, who are accustomed to such requirements. In the Caspian Sea in Iran, fishing lovers are expected by salmon, bream, sturgeon and mullet. Active people like sea sports, riding various water transport and flying on a hang glider.

Iranian cuisine

Food in the culture of Iranians occupies the same place as religion. They honor their national cuisine, which is considered one of the oldest in the world. The basis of local dishes are rice, bread, lamb, poultry and vegetables. Also popular are sour-milk products and the world-famous oriental sweets. Numerous cafes and restaurants provide a wide choice of dishes, and in some tourist centers there are even institutions with a vegetarian menu, which is quite unusual for the local population.

Traveling around the country

The most popular form of transport in Iran is the public one. He always goes on schedule, comfortable and can deliver anywhere in the country. No less demand for a taxi both in the city and between different settlements. It is worth the trip is quite inexpensive, since gasoline prices in the country are extremely low. Foreigners can rent a car for the duration of the trip. The Iranians are monitoring the condition of their roads, so it will bring real pleasure. Also in demand are air, rail and sea transport. The ports of Iran successfully connect the country with neighboring states, and some of them, for example, Enzeli, are called "gates to Europe". It is from this that ships can pass along the Caspian Sea to the Volga-Don Canal, which is connected to the ports of the Black Sea.

Currency exchange

Even a sophisticated tourist problems with currency exchange in Iran can pose a dead end. Here in towns and villages there are no special items. Therefore, it is better to conduct a currency transaction immediately at the airport, where they are. You can use the services of banks, but their working schedule is extremely incomprehensible to foreigners. There are illegal "exchangers" in the markets. However, for such actions can not only be fined, but also put for three days in jail. In addition, you can just meet the scammers and stay without money.

Bank cards are accepted only in banks and hotels. Simultaneously, only cash is taken in stores. Since the country is just beginning to develop real tourism, Iran has not yet provided tourists with comfortable conditions for currency exchange. In some shops and bazaars, take the euro, pounds sterling, US dollars and even Chinese yuan. And sellers know not only the language of Iran, but also English.

Reminder for tourists

When choosing Iran for a vacation, it is necessary to take into account local traditions: from selection of wardrobe to voluntary refusal of alcohol for the whole period of the trip. And think about this is immediately after landing on the plane. If tourists smell of alcohol, then the passage of customs control can drag on for many hours. This country is also not yet suitable for family rest with children, since local infrastructure is not provided for babies.