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Ok, it's my opinion, but I think there isn't trap at all in Iran for several reasons:1. not so many visitors in country2. historical sites are unique not imaginary3. people are real deal and willing to help without charge4. if someone catch your "i'm lost" sight, they'll offer you help immediately5. people are just don't like that hereIn case if you find something that can enter this category, let me know.
If you are planning a trip to Iran DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES use IranianVisa.com. It is an unprofessional, dishonest service, and quite possible a scam as well.The website is very flashy, advertising wonderful visa success rates and low fees (only EUR30! For only EUR22 more you can have the visa expedited. It sounds great and manager/owner/agent Hamid Reza Tavassoli sends professional emails in perfect English in the earlier phases.The thing is that the EUR30 or EUR52 is basically for nothing. As soon as you wire it to a German or Turkish bank account, you get an email saying that the actual visa processing fee is a cheeky EUR150. Hamid has still not given me a good explanation for what the EUR30, EUR22, EUR150 are for--but I think I know--they're for a really $#@#ing expensive visa.As an American I more or less am required to go on a tour or have a guide in Iran. I checked this...
Yes taxis always are the tourist trap, ripoffs is not a surprise. Even here in Iran at least if you try the offical taxis the chances of gettin rippoffed is very low. But be wary about the unoffical taxis specially in Tehran and Esfahan specially at bus stations, the unoficial shared taxis at Esfahan is a bit of warning try to get off whit the another passangers, and get alone. In Tehran one unoficial taxi at western bus station was charged 15 dlls to me. Always agree whit price before sitting in if you can say the numbers and destination in Farsi will be better. Don't show the lonely planet at shared taxis. Avoid at all cost all unoficial taxi at bus station and airport, and go to taxi kiosk where are offical taxis.
There is no more worry about the dual pricing at atractions and sights of Iran only the Vank Chatedral (30000 IR) in Esfahan and Eram Garden (40000 IR) at Shiraz has the dual price another others Iranians and foreigner is the same. But expect the other prices like Transportation, Food at restaurants is more bit expensive but don't hurt to much but the hotels are not the same price the majority are between 20000 IR and 40000 IR more expensive than the price of the book. Some ridiculous examples are Amir Kabir Hostel in Esfahan the single room costs 100000 IR the double room cost 120000 IR, choise double at least has TV and Fridge, and Esthegal Hotel in Shiraz don't expect the cheap price for the room the actual price is 140000 IR but still ok at least you has private shower, TV, Fridge.So Don't trust at your Lonely Planet guide is 3 years old ! Some Hotels has Internet page, so you can...
Iran doesnt see many international tourists althought it does see many regional tourists from the Perisan Gulf and the Middle East so there are always hawks out there trying to make a quick rial. Most travellers find that the tourist traps are in Esfahan and Tehran. You are a huge target in the main bazaar in Tehran so be wise and shop around. If you are trying to buy some clothes are cheap trainers then it pays off to bargain but look around at least a few shops. Most of the products will be cheap in Western terms but Iranians enjoy the social aspect of bargaining. Also, any of the shops around Imam square should be treated with special care because the prices are 25 to 30% higher than in the rest of the city. The people in both areas are fantastic and they are not aggressive but bargain and you will have a great time. Other than these two areas, tourist areas in the sense of European...
the site of the rulers of the ancient Persian EmpireAn ancient capital of the Achaemenian kings of Iran (Persia), located about 51 km northeast of Shiraz in the region of Fars in southwestern Iran. The site lies near the confluence of the small river Pulv?r (R?dkh?neh-ye S?vand) with the R?d-e Kor.horse columnThough archaeologists have discovered evidence of prehistoric settlement, inscriptions indicate that construction of the city began under Darius I the Great (reigned 522?486 BC), who, as a member of a new branch of the royal house, made Persepolis the capital of Persia proper, replacing Pasargadae, the burial place of Cyrus the Great. Built in a remote and mountainous region, Persepolis was an inconvenient royal residence, visited mainly in the spring. The effective administration of the Achaemenian Empire was carried on from Susa, Babylon, or Ecbatana. columnsThis accounts for the...
the site of the rulers of the ancient Persian EmpireAn ancient capital of the Achaemenian kings of Iran (Persia), located about 51 km northeast of Shiraz in the region of Fars in southwestern Iran. The site lies near the confluence of the small river Pulv?r (R?dkh?neh-ye S?vand) with the R?d-e Kor.horse columnThough archaeologists have discovered evidence of prehistoric settlement, inscriptions indicate that construction of the city began under Darius I the Great (reigned 522?486 BC), who, as a member of a new branch of the royal house, made Persepolis the capital of Persia proper, replacing Pasargadae, the burial place of Cyrus the Great. Built in a remote and mountainous region, Persepolis was an inconvenient royal residence, visited mainly in the spring. The effective administration of the Achaemenian Empire was carried on from Susa, Babylon, or Ecbatana. columnsThis accounts for the...
the jewellery shops are full of heavy exotic necklaces, all well displayed; but they are not practical to wear and will probably lie hidden in a drawer or cupboard afterwards, unless you hang them on a wall. politely decline any invitations to come and buy take a photo instead
It is worth while to sit down and calculate how much you are going to need while travelling through Iran before you get here. Don't forget to budget for souvenirs such as Persian carpets as this can affect your budget in a substantial way ! Things change so take a look at www.atmlocator.info/ before you leave to check that there have been no changes. If there are new machines, then this site should give you the addresses.
I flew to kish Island on the standard transit visa which everyone is issued with when they arrive here. I then went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and got a tourist visa for the mainland - all good so far as it only took 2 days and cost USD 35,00The big shock came when I went to leave the country a month later at the border with Armenia and was told I had to return to Kish and exit from there. The border with Azerbajan produced the same result but I got lucky at the busier border with Turkey and escaped.For those interested in making use of the back-door visa - be aware of the possible problems leaving the country - they are not explained when getting the visa.Unfortunately the actions of a couple of power trippin border officials have put a bad stain on my memories of what was a great trip though Iran.
Escan Hotel Tehran
51 Opinions
Abbasi Hotel Esfahan
15 Reviews and 123 Opinions We just visited it for a drink
Aryo Barzan Shiraz
22 Opinions
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