The Persian Achaemenid Empire was founded by Cyrus the great in 550 B.C. and defeated by Alexander in 330 B.C.
Extending from Anatolia and Egypt across western Asia to northern India and Central Asia it is known as a vast multicultural empire, ruled by Persians.
Read more: Achaemenid: an ancient empire that respected the cultural diversity
Beside the unique architecture of this ancient city of 2500 years ago, the respect to the human rights at that time is considered as a brilliant characteristic of Persepolis:
In constructing Persepolis, there was NO SLAVERY. According to the numerous tablets that have been found in Persepolis, every people had their own salaries.
2500 years ago, female workers of this city have the right of maternity leave, in time of their pregnancy.
There was a day care center for female workers to put their little children there and go to work.
Do you enjoy skiing in high altitudes?
Do you want to spend your time in ski resorts with fresh smell of natural snow?
Are you seeking for powdery snow with fewer competitors for the fresh snow?
Then you are very welcomed in two famous Iranian ski resorts: Dizin & Shemshak.
Maybe for many of you it seems strange. It was also strange for some tourists and ski lovers before their visit to Dizin and Shemshak. But now we have many requests for Dizin and Shemshak resorts from all over the world including European who seeks higher altitude than their ski resorts. Let's check Dizin and Shemshak resorts (we suggest you to also check Trip Advisor and You Tube):
Today is the first day of autumn in Iran. In very ancient Persia this spectacular season was the beginning of New Year. Why? Because this season is the beginning of agricultural year - regard this day as a kind of harvest festival.
The first month of autumn in Iran is called: Mehr. Today is the first day of Mehr. But who is Mehr?
Mehr or Mitra is the name of a legendary god in ancient Persia. He is the god of brightness, friendship and affection. In order to appreciate this god, Mehr, Persian people celebrate this day and called it Mehregan (1500 years later they celebrated Mehregan in 16th day of this month).
But what did ancient Persian do in this day?
Sisakht is a small beautiful city in south west of Iran. It is located in Kokiluye and Boyerahad province. You can easily put step on Shiraz- Isfahan road and after passing cities like Sepidan and Yasooj you will get to this area. This city is a cold snow-covered area during winter which shows off the white picture it has made. During other seasons, the city is replete with delicate wind, filled flowing streams, green forests, and gardens full of fruits and flowers.
Read more: A city made by sun and snow: A city named Sisakht
We have all got used to our machinery lives. Perhaps it's even so hard to imagine our lives without these facilities for an hour. However, nearly all of us let nature embraces us so that we can ease our minds from life's difficulties. If you are looking for a place far away from today's machinery world, Ista Village in the north of Iran would be a nice choice for you. You can also visit Taleghan Village the people of which seem to be ceased in time.
In north east of Iran, in one of the villages of Sabzevar township that is called Estaj, you will see a fabulous sight as if God has looked at it discriminately. It will excite you to see a green area filled with trees having blossoms and a small river while birds are singing.
Quiet, calm and almost vacant islands with beautiful beaches, sands and rocks. It is also best place for relaxation, recreation, swimming, and sun bathing. At its beachs, Diving, fishing and taking photos are routine staffs that you can do.
In north part of Iran in Orost village of Sari town, you will face with view which seems someone painted earth with incredible colors.
The natural site with two distinct mineral springs and different natural characteristics that located at 1,840 metres above sea level. Place with spring waters that are quite different in terms of color, smell ,taste ,volume of water and even different health benefits.
If you want to get ready to go on a trip, these 5 cities are good suggestions for escaping the summer heat.
If you are running away from the heat of summer and have the opportunity to travel, before you choose other countries for travel, it is not a bad idea to go inside Iran and take advantage of the cool air in the summer and have a tour of our own country. One of the special features of Iran is its four seasons.
While in the south of the country, the temperature reaches above 50 degrees, in some parts of Iran, you will have an air temperature of about 24 degrees in the summer.
Finally, Western sanctions against Iran have been officially lifted. Iran President – Hassan Rouhani - congratulated the Iranian people:
"Implementation Day-I thank God for this blessing & bow to the greatness of the patient nation of Iran. Congrats on this glorious victory!"
Years and years, people of all around the world celebrate winter solstice (shortest day of the year and its longest night). In Iran we call this night Yalda.
Why we celebrate Yalda night:
It is the longest night in year and it means from now on the days will be longer and the darkness will be shorter. In ancient Persia (now Iran) this night regarded as the birth night of the Sun.
According to World Bank Group (http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/iran/overview) Iran is the second largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and also the second largest population of this region.
Iran is known as the second country in the world in natural gas reserves and fourth in proven crude oil reserves.
For years this country was involved with strict sanction but after agreement on the Iranian nuclear program in Vienna on 14 July 2015, the government is now so ambitious for expanding its economic relationships with other countries. This country is now focusing on the development of its economy and progress in science and technology.
Meymand is a very ancient village which is located near Shahr-e Babak city in Kerman Province. This village is approximately 12000 years old and dates back to when human residence was started in the Iranian Plateau. Many of its residents live in the 350 hand-dug houses amid the rocks, some of which have been inhabited for as long as 3,000 years. A lot of stone carvings dating back to thousands of years ago have been found in and around this ancient village.
The village is a UNESCO world heritage site and was awarded UNESCO's 2005 Melina Mercouri prize.
Read more: Visit Meymand: A journey through human civilization
In a remote north-western corner of Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province, south of the provincial capital Tabriz, lies the settlement of Kandovan. Not only is the area famous for its scenic beauty and the healing power of its spring waters, Kandovan is also home to a remarkable modern age troglodyte (cave dweller) community. It is known all around the world for its unique rock-carved houses dating back more than 700 years. The 5 star Kandovan Tourism Cliff Hotel is the first of its kind in Iran and the second in the world, after the luxurious Yunak Evleri Cave Hotel, in Cappadocia, Turkey.
According to a recent article in The Gaurdian newspaper, amid plans for reopening British embassy and
Iranian embassy in Tehran and London respectively, Iran’s semi functional embassy in London has been
issuing visas for British citizens since April.
This is great news for our British guests as it saves them an expensive trip to Dublin and other European
capital.
If you are a British citizen and wish to travel to Iran, please email us now and we will arrange your visa
and tour.
You may already have heard that Iran’s new open door policy has resulted in a surge of tourists visiting the country. Once a niche market in tourism industry, visiting Iran has now become a new hit within the Middle East. Iran's landscape is diverse, attracting thrill-seekers from around the world that enjoy skiing and hiking in the country's Alborz mountains, as well as sun worshippers who frequent beach resorts by the Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf.
Iran has witnessed more than 30% growth in tourism since last year. Administration officials say it’s just the beginning of a boom in the country’s untapped sector, which is set to create millions of jobs and bring billions of dollars to the economy in the near future.
Handshakes
In Islam, physical contact between unrelated males and females is not allowed. Hence, the handshake etiquette between two parties of the same sex is similar to other cultures. However, when it comes to shaking hand between a man and woman, the etiquette is to wait for the lady to extend her hand. Follow this rule or you will see yourself with an extended arm that no-one wants to shake. It is very awkward.
Personal Space
Nothing to worry about on this subject, but only be advised that this space is a few inches shorter in Iran. Don't be surprised if you see people looking over each other's shoulders while waiting at an ATM machine. Or they stand closer than usual to you while asking for direction.
Read more: How not to be culturally shocked in Iran: awkwardness in Iran
On the morning of Sunday 24th of November, Iranians and many people woke up to the good news of a nuclear deal which would make the world a safer place. Everyone gave peace a chance and without a doubt this deal will improve Iran’s tourism industry, particularly after the open door policy of its news president.A lot of people, surprisingly enough many from the US, have shown interest in visiting Iran as soon as the news of the deal broke to the world.
There is nothing more humbling than a warm smile of welcome from locals when you arrive in a country, especially when you are well aware that inflammatory comments from leaders, threatened boycotts, talks of war, sanctions and complaints to the UN have been raging for decades. This is exactly how our Americans feel when they first land in Iran and that is just one of the joys – and privileges – of travel.
ing in Iran has attracted adventurers from all over the world since the mid 60’s. Ski tours in Iran are flourishing these days and in Iran’s ski resort you can see many European and American ski enthusiasts who have seen past the media and have decided to visit these amazing resorts in Iran.
In addition to excellent facilities at Iran ski slopes, there is also great powder, a unique powder that you won’t be able to ski on, in other parts of the world. While you might not find Iran in your average family ski holiday brochure just yet, What many people don't know is that the Iranians have had a love affair with the snow for years. There are 12 ski resorts in Iran (some dating back as far as 1938), three of which are within a snowball's throw of Tehran, the capital city.
Generally, western travelers are advised to dress conservatively when traveling through the Middle East, however, dress code is a tricky thing when it comes to Iran. That is because of people’s perception from Iran, who have usually only seen the black “Chador” on International News channels.
This couldn’t be further from truth, Iranian women are very modest in choosing their Hijab or Veil, and you can’t see its equivalent anywhere in the Middle East. A lot of our clients are shocked by the way women dress in Iran once they arrive, they see local women who are typically stylish and take great care of how they look.
Read more: How to look good in Iran: a rough guide to dress code in Iran
A lot of our travellers are already aware of the dress code in Iran, however many are misinformed and will only be aware of the stereotypical myth that all Iranian women are forced to cover head to toe with a black piece of fabric called “Chador”.
This couldn’t be further from truth, Iranian women are very modest in choosing their Hijab or Veil, and you can’t see its equivalent anywhere in the Middle East. A lot of our clients are shocked by the way women dress in Iran once they arrive, they see local women who are typically stylish and take great care of how they look.
If you are reading this article on our website, you are already familiar with Iran, its people and the New Year’s celebrations known as Norooz.
It is one of the very rare traditions that have been kept alive amongst Iranians and little has been changed after thousands of years. Like other New Year celebrations around the world, people from all walks of life enthusiastically look forward to it.
Never mind what the governments or foreign secretaries say about traveling to Iran. Here atincredibleiran.com, we think you should also consider what your fellow citizens say about traveling to Iran.
Iran is full of surprises; it has a population of over 70 million, most of whom were born after the 1979 revolution. Iranians are far removed from the dour and menacing stereotype often portrayed on the 10 o'clock news. The ordinary people are by far amongst some of the friendliest nations in the world.
Iranians are very friendly people.
Dress Code
Dress code is a lot more lenient for women than you might have heard; most of our female tourists usually wear a loose headscarf and a long shirt. Just check out our video section or our female travel services for more info. The majority of our clients are indeed women who fall in love with Iran after their first visit. We’re more than happy to put you in touch with our female passengers so they can share their experience with you.
Visas are very easy to obtain, you just need to know the best suitable route to apply for your visa (we offer a very painless and hassle-free visa service, free of charge).
Read more: Things you need to know before travelling to Iran
Peace Of mind For the Uncertainties of Iran Travel
With referring to the fact that any trip may have some unforeseen factors, we will provide you travel Insurance policy during your travel in Iran that provides you with standard covers and allows you to customize your policy to include extra insurance covers that you may need.
Travel insurance not only protects your trip's value, it takes away the worries of you and your family while on your trip.
Read more: Iran Travel Insurance - Travel Insurance Services and Trip Insurance
Iran is one of the only countries in the world which has the complete four seasons .The land whose every inch needs deep evaluation. Its north is covered with evergreen forests and a beautiful lake with moderate climate, its south is led to the Persian Gulf, with hot and humid climate, beautiful and attractive palm trees, its east with a hot desert and running sand, with its nights full of stars and the west of this vast land with mountains high in the sky, attracts the attention of every visitor.
The Official currency of Iran is Rials which are available in coins (250 and 500 Rials) and notes (1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000), But people use "toman" instead of "Rial" except in special cases (10 rials equals to 1 toman).
You can exchange your money at the airport, money exchange shop and only at some special banks; whereas getting information about the exchange rate would be possible at any bank.
Iran marked by remarkable natural contrasts, is a country with 1,648,000 km² areas that equals the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Germany combined; it is the eighteenth largest country in the world is bound on the north and south by two bodies of water, the Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf. It is bordered on the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan, on the west by turkey and Iraq, and on the northeast and northwest by the five newly independent republics of central Asia.
Iran is one of the rare four-season countries with variety of changing climate.
In the North West (Tabriz, Orumieh, Ardabil, Zanjan, Tehran), winters are cold with heavy snowfall and subfreezing temperatures especially during December and January.
In the south and center; weather is sunny most of the time, except some rainfalls in winter and spring.
>Iran uses three official calendar systems: the Iranian calendar as the main date, the lunar Islamic calendar for religious events, and the Gregorian calendar for international events (like May Day). The surfeit of public holidays has been a subject of concern for almost 30 years. A substantial number of unofficial holidays are added each year to the national holidays which further aggravate the situation.
Persia has been a center of civilization for at least 7000 years. Iran art as one of the richest art heritages in the world history and encompasses many disciplines including Calico (Ghalamkar) ,Gerehchini ,Making National Musical Instruments of Iran (Tar & Setar) ,Silverwork, Woodcarving ,Engraving (Ghalamzani) , Inlaid work ,Miniature, Tile working, Writing and calligraphy and pottery. Iranians were among the first nations who use geometry, astronomy and mathematics in architecture and have wonderful skills in making massive domes and you still can visit in the structure of bazaars and mosques.
The food of Iran, far more than simply the fuel of empires, forms part of a rich cultural experience that has been evolving since Achaemenid times. The tradition of food incorporates medicinal and philosophical perspectives that are as valid today as they were 2000 years ago.
Food is used to honor guests, see in new years and celebrate various social milestones.
Iran enjoys a considerable climate diversity, which is subjected to various seasons in different parts of the country, in a way that in some areas, the coldness of winter and the warmth of summer can be seen simultaneously. Thus the weather in Iran must be judged regionally. The average annual temperature from northwest to southeast of the country varies from 10 degree Centigrade in Azerbaijan to 25-30 degree Centigrade in the south and southeast.
Bavanat 
Tehran
