Hushed whispers about Iran’s friendly people, intriguing history and stunning historical sites are finally starting to penetrate through these once secluded borders. The closer you travel to Iran, the more you’ll hear about what an amazing travel destination it is.

But what makes Iran so special? Why are so many people talking about the Persian Islamic Republic? This post will attempt to shed some light on this amazing travel destination, while putting to rest some of the misconceptions about the nation, its motives and its people.

The History

Iran has a deep and compelling history. This is where religions have been born, empires have risen and fallen and kings and queens have come and gone, leaving thousands of myths, legends and tales in their historical wake. Experiencing Iran first-hand is like stepping back into time. Ttravelers have the opportunity to walk into temples that have stood for thousands of years, observe ancient cities that have crumbled to ruins with little remnants of their triumphant past, and get lost in a labyrinth of back roads and alleyways in the mud towns of Yazd and Karnaq. Iran’s history is forever present and makes any visit to the country one of learning and exploration.

The People

Without a doubt, Iran’s most endearing quality is its friendly, welcoming and hospitable people. Trtravelers always claim to have been to countries with “the friendliest people” but anyone who has been to Iran will unanimously agree that the Iranian people are on a whole different level.

Just try to walk down a street, take a bus or enjoy lunch in Iran without a smiling local coming by to have a chat. It’s almost guaranteed that your new friend will ask three questions:

1) Where are you from?

2) Why did you decide to come to Iran?

3) What do you think of Iran?

From there the conversation will likely move onto religion, friends, family, politics and life in general, and within a few minutes you’ll have a new phone number in your contact list and a new friend in your life.

Most of the time, your conversation won’t stop there. Your new friend will likely invite you to his home to eat dinner with his family and enjoy a night of chai and qalyoon (Iranian tobacco water pipe).

Being invited into a stranger’s home is all part of traveling here and it’s something you should definitely experience at least once. You’ll likely spend multiple nights at different hosts’ homes and they won’t ever want you to leave! When you finally do bid farewell, many of them will offer you gifts and pray for your return. This is how friendly the people of Iran are. No exaggerations. They just want to make sure that you leave Iran with a new outlook on the country and its people.

The Culture

After seeing images of chador covered women screaming “death to America” on your local news, you may think that there is no culture left in Iran. Stories of book burnings and religious censorship still find their way onto western newscasts, but in reality, Iran is an incredibly cultured nation.

Poetry is read or sung in the streets, people enjoy music and dance and the entire country is alive into the wee hours of the night. Despite the fact that alcohol has been illegal here since 1979, it is still possible to enjoy a delicious glass of Shiraz wine in confined quarters with friends.

What is seen outside on the streets is a facade and once you’re invited into a home, you’ll see that the women dress very similar to those in the Western world, men enjoy the odd drink and a puff from the hookah pipe, and everyone enjoys good company and pleasant conversations. It feels as if the streets of Iran are one place, and inside the walls of a family home are a completely different world.

The Cuisine

You may not have heard much about Iranian cuisine in the past, but you’ll be in for a delicious surprise when you start sampling some of the country’s many national dishes. Rich stews, roasted meats and delicious breads are accompanied by fresh rice and a wide variety of delicately sprinkled spices. The use of fruits like plum and pomegranate give dishes like fesenjān a sweet balance, while aromatic Persian spices like saffron, cinnamon and parsley add a punch of flavor to grilled lamb and kebab plates.

The food in Iran is rich, flavorful and unique, and you’ll likely leave with a new appreciation for this underrated cuisine. Oh, and don’t forget to wash all of your meals down with a delicious date milkshake, possibly the best beverage on earth.

The Festivals

While not all of Iran’s festivals are a time for celebration, each of them is unique and interesting in its own way. The largest ceremony observed throughout the country is Ashura, which isn’t a time to party and be happy. Instead, it’s a time to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the first Imam of Shia Islam.

While scenes of self-flagellation, grief and crying in the streets may not be your idea of a good time to visit Iran, Ashura is a great insight into the country’s deep connection with their religion and their heroes of the past. To see people sobbing and striking themselves to honor a man who died nearly 1,500 years ago is an eye-opening experience and one that gives you a better understanding of Iran and its beliefs.

For a more upbeat Iranian experience, try to time your visit for Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which is all about enjoying time with friends and family, eating good food and singing in the streets. The 13-day celebration culminates in Sizdah Bedar, where people meet in parks and meadows to enjoy the beauty of nature together.

Off The Beaten Path

No matter where you go in Iran, you’re already off the beaten path, but there are a few places far from tourists that are definitely worth a visit. The desert village of Garmeh should feature prominently on your Iranian itinerary. Here you’ll find a fertile, date palm oasis with rivers, waterfalls and mud houses. Stay with Maxiar, a true desert man who has built a beautiful home for travelers to stay in. Evenings in Garmeh can be spent under the countless stars while Maxiar plays a wide variety of unique instruments. This is what travel is all about!

Value

Given Iran’s current economic position, everything is of good value for travelers using foreign currency. At the time of writing, the exchange rate had reached an incredible 31,850 to the American dollar, meaning that you can afford to stay wherever you want, eat what you want and get around how you want. Iran boasts beautiful hotels, guest houses and home stays and also has a great transport system. For just a few dollars, you can take a five-hour VIP bus with more leg room than a first-class flight and the service to match.

Iran is a great value, but things are about to change so get here fast. Much to the delight of the Iranian people, a well deserved easing of U.S. government sanctions means that the Iranian Rial is finally starting to strengthen. Good for Iranians, but not so good for a traveler’s budget.

Note: Make sure you exchange your currency at street exchangers, not at the banks. This is completely legal and you will get a much better exchange rate (currently $1 = 31,850 in the streets, or $1 = 26,627 in banks).

The Time To Go Is Now!

Iran is, without a doubt, one of the most underrated travel destinations on the planet. There are hundreds of reasons why this country should feature on your future travel plans, but you’ll just have to go there to see for yourself. The friends, memories and connections you’ll make in Iran will stay with you for a lifetime. But hurry, things are changing fast and soon the secret will be out that Iran is the next up and coming travel destination.

By Goats On The Road (Nick and Dariece) /

Nick and Dariece are the couple behind Goats On The Road, a website designed to inspire others to live a financially sustainable, location-independent lifestyle. Masters at making money abroad and turning their travels into a way of life, they’ve been on the road since 2008 and have explored some of the least visited places on earth, finding adventure wherever they go. They’re also full-time contributors at Travel Pulse and Credit Walk where they share their stories and expertise of long-term travel. Check them out at Goats On The Road and follow them on Twitter, Facebook & Google+.

The post Introducing Iran: The Up & Coming Travel Destination appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

It’s hard to imagine today, but back in the ’60s and ’70s, Iran was a widely visited country and an integral part of the “Hippie Trail”, which means your parents are much more likely to have seen Iran than you.

Which is, of course, sad since Iran would likely be a major destination for travel today if not for its current political climate, given its rich history and unique culture dating back a few thousand years. Imagine visiting the ruins of Persepolis (a World Heritage Site), or checking out the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMCA), home to an impressive collection including works by Picasso, Kandinsky, Warhol, Duchamp and Pollock (and estimated to be worth $2.5 billion).

For those of us who aren’t going anytime soon, check out The Atlantic’s stunning photo essay to see what it would be like to visit Iran today. The above picture was taken from the photo essay put together by Amos Chapple, a freelancer photographer from New Zealand who took these photos from his travels in the country throughout 2012.

Unsurprisingly, he was amazed at the difference between the reality on the ground versus the perception the public has about the country. “[I] was amazed by the difference in western perceptions of the country, and what I saw on the ground . . . people have a skewed image of what Iran is — the regime actually want to portray the country as a cauldron of anti-western sentiment so they syndicate news footage of chanting nutcases which is happily picked up by overseas networks. For ordinary Iranians though, the government is a constant embarrassment.”

[A Trip to Iran via TheAtlantic.com]

By Matt Stabile

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Matt Stabile is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Expeditioner. The Expeditioner began in 2008 and is headquartered in New York City. You can read his writings, watch his travel videos or contact him at any time at TheExpeditioner.com. (@TheExpeditioner)

The post This Is What Your Trip To Iran Would Look Like appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

The U.K. Foreign Officer recently compiled a list of countries that: a) you should not travel to, and b) those that you should travel to only if you must. These warnings, as listed by The Telegraph, are focused in areas of the world that have experienced political, social and economic turmoil within the past few years. As a result of various stirrings, springings and uprisings, things on the ground here are chaotic, making it difficult for Westerners to travel in these countries as freely as they are otherwise used to doing.

I wonder what this list would have looked like five, ten or twenty years ago in the days before the global political shift of the decade, and I wonder what the list will look like in the years to come with new insight and wavering interests in other parts of the world?

In these five places, there is concern over safety and kidnappings as opposed to the general risk that comes with any good-natured travel adventure. Also, there have been reports of foreigners in these locations experiencing difficulty with papers and border crossing, leaving those that have been able to make it through with a frustrating experience.

Iran

Iran is culturally rich and an attraction for many as it boasts one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Unfortunately, between the years of 2010 and 2011, there were several reports of British nationals having been arbitrarily detained. Turmoil culminated in November 2011 when the Iranian parliament and council voted to expel the British ambassador. A day later, during a demonstration, the British embassy in Tehran was attacked and set on fire. Since this incident, the risk of traveling through the region has diminished, however the Foreign Office still strongly advises against traveling in this region.

Mali

Home of Timbuktu, this country is not only known as a place that is rarely ventured, but also home to ancient manuscripts of well-established mathematics and astronomy. However, it is also known as the “breakaway Islamist republic” and has remained the center of debate within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on whether the member-nations should send in 3,000 of their troops to oust Islamist militants in the northern part of the landlocked country.

Somalia

Known as the Horn of Africa and historically seen as a land of enterprise due to its location,  it has been fought over by both Britain and Italy, both of whom saw a potentially rich port-channel for resources. Today, it has experienced a transitional government since 2004 that was, for a time, allegedly presided over by one of the most feared militant Islamist group leaders, Al Shabab. However, things seem to be in adjustment as that government was dissolved this past August and a moderate political activist and academic, Hassan Sheik Mohamud, has been sworn in.

Syria

The area appeared as part of the Neolithic culture which is said to be the first agriculture and cattle-breeding regions in the world. It is also said that this civilization is one of the oldest in the world. However, violence between the ruling regime of Bashar Assad and rebel forces has lasted over 19 months and has resulted in thousands of deaths with no end in sight.

Yemen

It is the region known to be the historical link between cultures in Arabia and the Near East due to its geographical positioning. It also includes over 200 islands. Though its Arab Spring against President Ali Abdullah Saleh resulted in his resignation in February, the country is still transitioning into peace. Recently, a senior Yemeni officer who was working at the U.S. embassy was killed in an attack, showing that things may still be tumultuous not only for foreigners, but nationals as well.

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Above all else, whenever you’re traveling, you should remember to do a little research ahead of time before going anywhere. Usually, threats of danger and peril are overblown, and sometimes they haven’t made the news yet, but knowing customs, niceties and potential hot spots will help you avoid any problems and ensure a trip you’ll never forget.

[Mali by Magharebia/Flickr]

The post 5 Of The Most Beautiful Countries You Should Think Twice About Visiting appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

The travel community collectively felt a pang of anger and sadness with news this weekend that the two American hikers who have been held in Iran for over two years now, Shane Bauer, 28, and Josh Fattal, 29, were sentenced to jail for eight years for illegal entry and espionage. Though the lawyers for the hikers intend to appeal, there is little indication the Iranian government intends to back down in their transparent effort to use Shane and Josh as mere pawns in a high-level game of diplomatic brinkmanship.

For a little background as to what exactly happened those fateful few days in July when three friends decided to head out on a trail from Iraqi Kurdistan to visit the famed Ahmed Awa waterfall near the Iranian border, Outside magazine has this piece where author Josua Hammer attempts to follow in their path as best he can.

What he finds is a border easily crossed into due to little to no markings, a beautiful landscape beckoning adventurous travelers, and an unfortunately tragic — yet thankfully rare — example of the dangers faced for extreme travelers.

. . . [W]henever their ordeal ends, it serves as a frightening reminder of the political fault lines that often run along the world’s geographical boundaries. The trio’s imprisonment has drawn new attention to the dangers of adventure travel in an era when conflict zones can turn overnight into trendy destinations, guidebook writers can’t keep up with expanding appetites for edge-of-the-world experiences, and gung-ho vagabonds venture into places where having a U.S. passport can put you at risk.

[Outside]

The post What Really Happened With The American Hikers In Iran? appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

Just 7 kilometers from Tehran, Mt. Tochal offers the 10 million or so living in the city a winter getaway with some of the country’s best skiing. And as seen above, if you’re just in it for the ride, the gondola stretches over 8 full kilometers. File this one under things you didn’t know about Iran.

The post Tehran: Skiing Paradise? appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

David and Brendan over at InDeepFilms are off in Iran taking a truly off-the-beaten-path trip where they’re making videos (12 so far), discovering the country’s culture, and giving the world a rare, somewhat uncensored look at this notoriously sheltered nation.

The above vid is from Esfahan, Iran’s third largest city (home to 3,430,353) and home to Naghsh-e Jahan Square, supposedly the second biggest square in the world next to Tienanmen. As you’ll see, given the quirkiness of travel in Iran, the boys often had to have an official guide with them, and when that guide had no clue what he was doing, he had to hire a guide too. It’s like an episode of “Three’s Company,” with less innuendo. The result: hilarity ensues.

The post See What It’s Like To Travel Iran Firsthand appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.