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Cheers - Lorah
If every country was as safe as Iran there would be no need for such words as 'area' to be prefixed 'no go.'
Your main problem will be deciphering friendship from salesmanship (I'm thinking Isfahan!). The traffic in Tehran is without a doubt the world's worst anyone who says different hasn't been. Word of warning: If walking down a street in Tehran and you hear a buzzing sound increasing in sound it just means there's a moped, (they like to use paths), being operated by a driver utilising his initiative.
The only moment I encountered a (slight) moment of hostility was when an Iranian took me to be English instead of Irish......but you'll get bigots everywhere, I guess. I was there December 2005, travelling alone.........oh, by the way, I had Christmas dinner with a lovely Iranian family whom I just met on the street who didn't think it was nice for a Christian to be alone on their most important day. We in the West have a lot to learn. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cheers
Vince
If you go to Iran with a rigid plan, you may find yourself regretting it - or changing it.
As Vinnie says, transport is cheap and generally very easy to arrange, even at short notice, so it's easy to change 'plans' on a daily basis. Also, even if, like me, you are not usually someone who likes to 'wing it', Iran really lends itself to this style of travel. This is because you may well find yourself making local friends who invite you to spend time with them or even travel with them, and these are opportunities not to be missed. Also, you may find yourself falling in love with a place you didn't expect to spend much time in: for example, I planned to spend only one day in Yazd, but found myself so enchanted by the town - and, more specifically - the wonderfully relaxing environs on the SilK Road hotel, that I stayed there for three days. Iran is fabulous!
Safest place I have ever been to (Iran was my 60th country for me) and it was hard to leave Iran for Pakistan in my 2005 trip since Pakistan was much less safe than Iran...
I'd recommend Iran to EVERYONE!!! Fabulous place, especially Yazd (initially planned to stay there 2 nights but stayed there 4 nights at the end)!!! Do not make plans before going there... Just enjoy the flow...
It's absolutely bizarre that of any country in the world, Iran could be considered dangerous - the people are about the most hospitable poeple I've met in years of travelling. Come and see, if only to witness how totally warped the western press has become!
It was even more impressive than expected. VERY FRIENDLY helpfull people, georgious country, extremely interesting culture.
Travelled there for 22 days in October last (2007)
Do any Americans here or those that know of Americans that have traveled to Iran have any travel experiences to share?
For the most part Ive read only positive comments sifting through blogs, with the worst being a stolen camera (which obviously can happen anywhere). I'm beyond fascinated by this country, and if I built up the courage to go, would do so with an English speaking guide most likely.
Ive read the people are very friendly and hospitable, but with our governments the way they are, as an American, how safe would I be? ...or would I really just be crossing my fingers?
I appreciate any help.
Thanks
Edited by: philmjr
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How safe is iran
I'm hoping to travel to Iran in April/May 07. I hope to visit Teheran/Kashan/Esfahan. I will be traveling alone and was wondering how safe is Iran in the current Middle east political climate. I have done some travel alone before but never to the middle east. I don't believe everything I read in the western media but I'm a little apprehensive about taking this trip. Any advice or tips from anyone who has been to Iran recently would be greatly appreciated. I was hoping to travel independently but if need be I could use a tour company.1
The current Middle east political climate does not affect the safety of travellers in Iran. Apart from the usual risks, it is very safe. I was there in December, no problem at all. And if you hint at the hanginng of Saddam Hossein, most Iranians will welcome this anyways as he was the big enemy in the bloody Iran-Iraq war.Cheers - Lorah
2
Iran is very safe. I have travelled there twice alone as a woman, no problems at all. Hopefully I will find time to go there again this year. Even with a danish passport Im not worried (the cartoon incident-you know).4
If every country was as safe as Iran there would be no need for such words as 'area' to be prefixed 'no go.'
Your main problem will be deciphering friendship from salesmanship (I'm thinking Isfahan!). The traffic in Tehran is without a doubt the world's worst anyone who says different hasn't been. Word of warning: If walking down a street in Tehran and you hear a buzzing sound increasing in sound it just means there's a moped, (they like to use paths), being operated by a driver utilising his initiative.
The only moment I encountered a (slight) moment of hostility was when an Iranian took me to be English instead of Irish......but you'll get bigots everywhere, I guess. I was there December 2005, travelling alone.........oh, by the way, I had Christmas dinner with a lovely Iranian family whom I just met on the street who didn't think it was nice for a Christian to be alone on their most important day. We in the West have a lot to learn. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6
Agree with the other replies, Iran was country 35 for me, and easily the safest and friendliest I've been to. Also the cheapest. Its a great country for simply lobbing with no plan and just 'winging' it. The internal transport is so cheap you if you don't like a place you can simply find a travel agent and spend $30 and fly somewhere else. Highly recocommened Esfahan.cheers
Vince
7
#8 is spot on.If you go to Iran with a rigid plan, you may find yourself regretting it - or changing it.
As Vinnie says, transport is cheap and generally very easy to arrange, even at short notice, so it's easy to change 'plans' on a daily basis. Also, even if, like me, you are not usually someone who likes to 'wing it', Iran really lends itself to this style of travel. This is because you may well find yourself making local friends who invite you to spend time with them or even travel with them, and these are opportunities not to be missed. Also, you may find yourself falling in love with a place you didn't expect to spend much time in: for example, I planned to spend only one day in Yazd, but found myself so enchanted by the town - and, more specifically - the wonderfully relaxing environs on the SilK Road hotel, that I stayed there for three days. Iran is fabulous!
8
Totally agree with all the above replies. Been to Iran twice (2004 and 2005) and absolutely loved it!!! Very easy to travel in and cheap as hell...Safest place I have ever been to (Iran was my 60th country for me) and it was hard to leave Iran for Pakistan in my 2005 trip since Pakistan was much less safe than Iran...
I'd recommend Iran to EVERYONE!!! Fabulous place, especially Yazd (initially planned to stay there 2 nights but stayed there 4 nights at the end)!!! Do not make plans before going there... Just enjoy the flow...
9
I'm in Iran now. To echo all the voices here, Iran is really very safe - the main exception being the manic driving!It's absolutely bizarre that of any country in the world, Iran could be considered dangerous - the people are about the most hospitable poeple I've met in years of travelling. Come and see, if only to witness how totally warped the western press has become!
11
Wow, I'm looking forward to my journey through Iran, next October. Stories in western press did not make me afraid of Iran; booked a non changeable/ non refundable flight already! Funny to hear the reaction from relatives, friends and collegues... Some are very enthousiastic, some think you're crazy going to Iran... But everyone has the feeling that it's a fascinating country!12
I'll be traveling Iran in October and these posts put me at ease as well - along with the dozens of blogs on Iran it sounds like a paradise for anyone looking for a nice, laid back traveling experience. I hope my Persian will be enough to express my gratefulness for any hospitality I'll receive over there.13
Being back from Iran....It was even more impressive than expected. VERY FRIENDLY helpfull people, georgious country, extremely interesting culture.
Travelled there for 22 days in October last (2007)
14
Hi,Do any Americans here or those that know of Americans that have traveled to Iran have any travel experiences to share?
For the most part Ive read only positive comments sifting through blogs, with the worst being a stolen camera (which obviously can happen anywhere). I'm beyond fascinated by this country, and if I built up the courage to go, would do so with an English speaking guide most likely.
Ive read the people are very friendly and hospitable, but with our governments the way they are, as an American, how safe would I be? ...or would I really just be crossing my fingers?
I appreciate any help.
Thanks
Edited by: philmjr
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