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IRAN > MIDDLE EAST > INDEX
Holidays Iran - Travel information Iran.
Provinces in Iran : Ardebil, Boushehr, Chaharmahal, East Azarbaijan, Esfahan, Fars, Ghazvin, Gilan, Golestan, Hamedan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khorasan, Khuzestan, Kohkiloieh, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qom, Semnan, Sistan Balouchestan, Tehran, West Azarbaijan, Yazd, Zanjan
Iran is located in the Middle East, bounded to the north by the CIS and the Caspian Sea, the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan, the south by the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and the west by
Iraq and Turkey.
The center and east of the country is largely barren undulating desert, punctured by Qantas (irrigation canals and tree eases, but there are mountainous regions in the west along the
Turkish and Iraqi borders and in the north where the Alburz Mountains rise steeply from a fertile belt around the Caspian Sea.
Predominantly Islamic; mostly Shi'ite, with a minority of Sunnis.
Many Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians also live in Iran.
Capital City Iran : Tehran.
hotels, travel agencies, travel guides, transportation / travelling to iran
links
Hotels / Guesthouses
Centrally located hotels ranging from small family run budget accommodation to world-class five star hotels.
More Hotels? See the page Hotels
Travel Agents / Tour Operator
- Create your perfect trip - Flight, Hotel and Car
Haj & Umra - see Ziyarat program
Cox & Kings
Cox & Kings is the longest established travel company in the world, its history stretching back to 1758.
Voyages Jules Verne - Great Journeys for the discerning traveller
Worlds Apart Travel
Steeped in history both ancient and modern visit Shiraz, Isfahan and Meshad: trek it's mountains, relax on a Caspian beach.
Bestway Tours [ Canada, BC ] -
The Caspian from Baku to Tehran [ A cultural tour of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia ] and Iran
Overland Armenia to Iran [ A cultural tour of Armenia and Iran ]
Incoming Tour Operators
Iran Paradise Tour and Travel Agency - based in Tehran
Package Tours, CIP, Visa en Hotel Reservation.
Sito Tours and Travel - travel agency in Iran
Climbing Tours, Combinational Tours, Cultural Tours, Desert Trekking, Diving in Persian Gulf, Fishing Tours,
Horse Riding, Hunting Tours, Mountain Trekking, Nature Tours, Nomad Tours , Religious Tours, Skiing Tours, Spas, Tailor-made Tours, etc.
Travel Guides Iran / Related Books
Iran (Lonely Planet S.) - Andrew Burke, Mark Elliott, Kamin Mohammadi
Paperback 384 pages (October 2004); Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; Language: English; ISBN: 1740594258
Persian Pilgrimages: Journeys Through Iran - by Afshin Molavi
Afshin Molavi, a rising young journalist born in Iran and fluent in Farsi, travelled his homeland for one year.
Along the way he met a wide variety of people from a wide variety of backgrounds - students, bazaar
merchants, Islamic clerics, homeless children, pro-democracy writers, Islamic hardliners, feminists, and kids
hooked on anything western. They all discusses matters which were important to them: unemployment,
freedom, religion, poetry, history, love, and green cards. This journey documents the real feeling of a nation, not the ones seen on camera.
Countdown to Crisis: The Coming Nuclear Showdown with Iran
Kenneth R. Timmerman
Hardcover 392 pages (July 13, 2005); Publisher: Crown Forum; Language: English; ISBN: 1400053684
The Valleys of the Assassins and Other Persian Travels (Modern Library)
Freya Stark
First published in 1934, Freya Stark's The Valleys of the Assassins and Other Persian Travels has been
reprinted once again and is just as much of a gem now as then. At the age of 37, Stark shocked her fellow
Brits by moving to Baghdad, befriending the locals, studying Arabic and the Koran, and then setting out on
expeditions to remote and uncharted areas of the Islamic world by foot, donkey, camel and car. With her
fascination for secret Islamic societies, she resolved to travel to former home of cult of the Assassins and
locate an ancient fortress described by Marco Polo. There was only one problem: she couldn't find the valley
on her map. Intrepid and indefatigable, she found a guide to lead her across the empty Persian planes and
crested mountain ranges into the practically impregnable valley. There she found the castle ruins covered
with wild tulips and surrounded by breathtaking views of the Elbruz Mountains, and charted the first accurate maps of the region.
Stark also used her charm and her understanding of Persian ways to infiltrate Luristan, a dangerous and
forbidden place where she hunted for Neolithic Bronzes (by persuading the Chief of Police to help her loot
graves) and searched for buried treasure. The Lurs, a mountainous tribe, were infamous for murder and
thievery, but she found them "as cheerful a lot of villains as you can wish to meet, and delighted with us for
being, as they said, brave enough to come among them".The Lurs were consistently generous hosts, but
thought nothing of raiding her luggage while she slept (stealing being their national pastime and hence nothing
to get upset about). While Stark began as an obscure and idiosyncratic adventurer, she was ultimately
backed by the Royal Geographic Society, considered one of the best adventure writers of the century, and
even knighted by the Queen of England. With her lively voice and natural perceptiveness she painted a picture
of a fascinating world inhabited by charming bandits and armed tribesman now largely gone. While she did it for her own pleasure, in the end, the pleasure is ours [ Amazon Review: Lesley Reed ].
Paperback 352 pages (July 2001); Publisher: Random House USA Inc.; Language: English; ISBN: 0375757538
Transportation / How do I travel to Iran
Tehran Mehrabad Airport
Opodo -
Flight tickets Iran.
Iran Air - Airline of the Islamic Republic of Iran - Flights to Iran
Airline Tickets / Bargain Flights -
Raja Raja Passenger Trains Co. - Iran Railways
Travelling Routes, tickets, train schedules, etc.
Valfajr Hasht Shipping lines
Several passenger shipping route [ a.o. Kuwait v.v. ]. See Iran Tourism
Coaches: routes available to all parts of Iran. Buses depart daily to all corners of Iran, specially Jonub
(south) station, the largest existing in Iran. See Iran Tourism
Metro Tehran - virtual tour possible
 Maps International -
Guides of Iran
Mapsinternational.co.uk is one of the largest map shops online.
Online Map Iran [ Uni Texas - Perry-Castaņeda Library - Map Collection ]
Links
Travel Insurance - online travel and holiday insurance for UK and Irish residents
Iran Tourism - ITTO - Iran Tourism & Touring Organization - travel guide to Iran
Salam Iran - embassy of Iran in Canada
News & Media, Tourism, Iran info, Culture & Religion, etc.
Teheran - Capital City Iran - at the foot of the Alborz mountain range
The city has numerous large museums, art centers, palace complexes and cultural centers. Besides Persians there are Azeri, Armenian, Jewish and Afghani communities in Tehran.
Ardebil - province
Boushehr
Chaharmahal
Esfahan
Fars
Ghazvin
Gilan
Golestan
Hamedan
Hormozgan
Ilam
Kerman
Kermanshah
Khorasan
Khuzestan
Kohkiloieh
Kordestan
Lorestan
Markazi
Mazandaran
Oost-Azarbeidjaan
Qom - Governer of Qom
The region now called Qom province, located to the south of Tehran, has been inhabited by man since pre Islamic times.
Qom is another important holy city in Iran the holy shrine of Hazrate Masomeh is located in this city. Islamic
institutes of higher education called Madrasah, especially the one called Hawzeh-e-Elmiyyeh-e-Qom. Imam
Khomeyni the leader of the Islamic Revolution and many other honorable Ayatollahs have educated and taught
here.This Madrasah had a major contribution to the Islamic Revolution. Sowhan, a kind of candy made of flour, honey and pistachios is traditional candy of Qom.
Semnan
Sistan Balouchestan
This region / province borders Pakistan as well as Afghanistan and is known as the most unsafe area in Iran.
Cities like Bam and Zahedan [ Pakistan border ]
Teheran - province
West Azerbaijan
Yazd
Zanjan.
Abhar - city
Bam - earth quake in 2003.
Ancient City in South Iran, situated around 200 km southeast of Kerman. Citadel of Bam [Arg Bam] near the city of Bam. This building goes back some 2,000 years.
Hamadan
Isfahan
Nagsh-e-Rajab
Naghsh-e-Rostan
Persepolis - Persepolis Official Website
Shiraz
Shiraz was one of the most important cities in the medieval Islamic world and was the Iranian capital during
the Zand dynasty (1747-79), when many of its most beautiful buildings were built or restored. Through its
many artists and scholars, Shiraz has been synonymous with learning, nightingales, poetry, roses and, at one time, wine.
Soltanieh
Zanjan
Tabriz
Dideh Art
Elahe Gallery - Art Galery in Tehran - abc-list Iranian artiists
Golestan Palace Museum
The oldest of the historic monuments in Tehran, the Golestan Palace (Palace of Flowers) belongs to a group
of royal buildings that were once enclosed within the mud-thatched walls of Tehran's Historic Arg (citadel).
The Arg was built during the reign of Tahmasb I (r. 1524-1576) of the Safavid dynasty (1502-1736), and was
later renovated by Karim Khan Zand (r. 1750-1779). Agha Mohamd Khan Qajar (1742-1797) chose Tehran as
his capital. The Arg became the site of the Qajar (1794-1925).Court and Golestan Palace became the official residence of the royal family.
The Peacock Throne of the Persian Shahs can be found in this palace.
Iran Ski Federation Websitee -
Skigebieden: Dizin Ski Area, Shemshak Ski Area, Ab Ali Ski Area, Darbandsar Ski Area enz.
Iran Miras
Iranian Movies
Iranian coast
Kargah.com - Iranian Artists Website - many links
Iraans fotografie, Iraanse schilderkunst, Iraanse beeldhouwkunst enz.
Niavaran Palace
The suburb of Niavaran is a summer resort in northern Tehran which attracted the attention of Qajar
monarchs. Fath-`Ali Shah first created a lush garden here and had a small building erected in it as his harem's
summer house. After him, Mohammad Shah had the building transformed into a simple two-sided upper house.
After Mohammad Shah's death, Nasser-ed-Din Shah adopted the garden as his summer vacation spot and
had a large palace built in it which was first called Niavaran Palace and later Sahebqaraniyeh Palace. During
the Pahlavi period , all the buildings except the Sahebqaraniyeh Palace and the Ahmad Shahi Pavilion were demolished and the Niavaran Palace was erected in a modern European style north of Sahebqaraniyeh
Palace.
Sa'd Abaad Palace Museum
Salam Iran - embassy of Iran in Canada
News & Media, Tourism, Iran info, Culture & Religion, etc.
Carpet Museum Theran - virtual tour possible
Carpet-weaving is undoubtedly one of the most distinguished manifestations of Iranian culture and art, dating
back to the Bronze Age, but as the materials used in carpets including wool and cotton, decay into dust
during the course of time, archaeologists couldn't make any special discovery during the archaeological
excavations. What have remained for us from the early ages as evidence of carpet-weaving are nothing more than a few pieces of worn-out rugs.
Such fragments do not help very much in recognizing the carpet-weaving characteristics of pre-Seljuk period
(13th and 14th centuries AD). Among the oldest pieces discovered are those found in Eastern Turkestan,
dating back to the third till fifth centuries AD, and also some of the hand-weavings of the Seljuks of Asia Minor
on exhibit in Ala'edin Mosque in Konya and Ashrafoghlu Mosque in Beyshehir, Turkey. These pieces attracted
the attention of researchers earlier this century, and now they are kept in the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art in Istanbul and the Mowlana Museum in Konya.
Culinair - Iranian cooking
The Legendary Cuisine of Persia
- Margaret Shaida
Persian cooking is very suited to the contemporary style of eating. Many of the dishes are vegetarian, and the
marriage of sweet and savoury, such as grains and pulses sweetened with fruit and spices, makes for delicious meals. This book showcases a selection of these dishes.
Paperback 256 pages (August 30, 2000); Publisher: Grub Street Publishing; Language: English; ISBN: 1902304608
New Food of Life: Ancient Persian and Modern Iranian Cooking and Ceremonies
- Najmieh Khalili Batmanglij
The food of Iran is rich and varied and embraces some of the most sophisticated dishes to be found
anywhere. This beautifully produced cookbook provides recipes for a wide range of mouthwatering creations
for every occasion, from quick starters and snacks to robust, slowly cooked stews and exotic desserts.
Readers may find some of the ingredients called for, such as angelica, barberries, unripe grape powder,
sahlab, and quince blossoms, hard to find, but most staples are readily available at Middle Eastern groceries
and well stocked supermarkets. There is much pleasure to be derived from merely looking at the stunning illustrations, which is reason enough to want to own this book
Mage Pub 01 December, 1992 Hardcover - ISBN: 0934211345
Traditional Persian Cuisine [ polow, khoresht, kebab, fish, chicken recipes ]
New Food of Life: Ancient Persian and and Modern Iranian Cooking and Ceremonies - by Najmieh Batmanglij
The food of Iran is rich and varied and embraces some of the most sophisticated dishes to be found
anywhere. This beautifully produced cookbook provides recipes for a wide range of mouthwatering creations
for every occasion, from quick starters and snacks to robust, slowly cooked stews and exotic desserts.
Readers may find some of the ingredients called for, such as angelica, barberries, unripe grape powder,
sahlab, and quince blossoms, hard to find, but most staples are readily available at Middle Eastern groceries
and well stocked supermarkets. There is much pleasure to be derived from merely looking at the stunning illustrations, which is reason enough to want to own this book.
History of Iran
Independence: 1 April 1979 [ Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed ]
The ancient nation of Iran was historically known to the West as Persia until March 21, 1935. The name was
used in the West due to the ancient Greek name for Iran, Persis. Persia is used to describe the nation of Iran, its people, or its ancient empire. Iranians have always called their country Iran.
Iran's History - Wikipedia
The name Persia [ The rise and fall of empires in Persia ], The first Persian state: Achaemenid Persia (648 BC
-330 BC), Hellenistic Persia (330 BC-170 BC), Parthian Persia (170 BC-226 AD), Sassanid Persia (226 AD-650
), Islam and Persia (650-1219), Persia under the Mongols and their successors (1219-1500), A new Persian
empire: the Safavids (1500-1722), Persia and Europe (1722-1935), List of Kings and Emperors of Persia
A History of Modern Iran Since 1921: The Pahlavis and After - Ali Ansari
Straddled between the world's two major energy basins, the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea, and
possessing a rich reservoir of hydrocarbon resources as well as diverse minerals, Iran has always been
economically significant. The Islamic Revolution thrust the country back onto the political centre-stage, and
dramatically altered relations between Iran and the West.This book looks at these developments within an
historical context. It charts how Iran sought to respond to the challenge of the West through reform and
revolution, and to reverse the deline of the previous century with an ambitious programme of development.
Combining detailed historical narrative with comprehensive analysis and explanation, Ali Ansari presents a new interpretation of the complex cultural polity that is modern Iran.
Paperback 272 pages (February 5, 2003); Publisher: Longman; Language: English; ISBN: 0582356857
The Mantle of the Prophet - Roy Mottahedeh
Drawn from the first-hand accounts of eyewitnesses, Roy Mottahedeh's account of Islam and politics in
revolutionary Iran is widely regarded as one the best records ofd that turbulent time ever written. The true
story of a young mullah, hi life in the sacred shrine city of Qom, and the dramatic events of the 1979
Revolution, this account paints a vivid picture of contemporary Iran, while providing a panoramic survey of
Muslim, Shi'ite and Persian culture from the middle ages to the present day. From the ancient time of Zoroaster
to the world of Khomeini, this saga interweaves biography with history, politics and religion to offer new
levels of understanding into Iran past, present and future. Written with feeling, sympathy and clarity,
Professor Mottahedeh's compelling and highly readable account offers an insight into one of the most significant players on the contemporary world stage.
Paperback 384 pages (August 2000); Publisher: Oneworld Publications; Language: English; ISBN: 1851682341
Nationaal Museum of Iran
History of Ancient Near East - Mark Alan McDonald Website
Music, Culture & Entertainment
Farsi (Persian) - Lonely Planet Phrasebook - Yavar Dehghani
Includes an extensive food section, transliterations throughout for easy pronunciation, a concise grammar
section geared toward immediate and practical use, insider tips on culture and social etiquette, and a comprehensive two-way dictionary.
Paperback 256 pages (March 2001); Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; Language: English; ISBN: 0864425813
Iranian Classical Music
Iranian classical music is modal and monophonic. The most serious interpretations generally consist of a melodic soloist (or sometimes, a duet) and often a percussion accompanist.
Iranian Cultural heritage Organization
Persianartmusic
Saad Abad Art Gallery
Founded on January 14, 1999 in order to promote the Iranian national and native arts by means of facilitating
the display of works of innovative artists who are inspired by the original Iranian tradition and heritage,and meanwhile create an environment to support the growth of artistic talents of noble Artists.
The Iranian - Music
Maremmat - Research Center for Conservation of Cultural Relics
Qom Cultural Heritage
The Art of Persian Music - Jean During, Zia Mirabdolbaghi, Dariush Safvat
The Art of Persian Music uses a multimedia, multifaceted approach to introduce the music and culture of Iran
through its art. Persian music is as fine, subtle, and beautiful as a Persian carpet, and yet for the most part it
has remained unknown in the West. It has unique aesthetic qualities quite different from Western music. It is
monophonic, undramatic, and mostly solo, with rich modal variety and melodic subtlety--an intimate music of
the spirit most appreciated by the initiated. This book provides the keys and definitions essential for
understanding Persian music: its history, instruments, repertory, organisation, rhythms, and modes (or
dastaghs). Through quotes and anecdotes by and about masters past and present, the reader can grasp the
ethos, spirit, and philosophy of Persian music. Filled with exquisite illustrations of instruments and musicians
from museums around the world, as well poetry and calligraphy, this volume will introduce the enthusiast both
to the whole aesthetic of Persian art and the art of Persian music. Although it is based on the most recent
scholarship, this book is intended for the general audience. All details superfluous to the general reader have
been intentionally omitted. But The Art of Persian Music is not just a compilation from past sources -- it is full of
new ideas and insights that illuminate the state of contemporary Persian music and reward both the layman
and the specialist. Anthology of Persian Music, the 72 minute compact disc which comes with the book gives
the reader and listener a taste of some musical styles, both rare and remarkable. Includes Audio-CD.
Hardcover 280 pages (June 1997); Publisher: Mage Publishers, Incorporated; Language: English; ISBN: 0934211221
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