Destination Fly4free: Iran
Experience the delights of the ancient Persian Empire
Iran is a good destination for anyone who wants to experience something different. Known as Persia until 1935 in the western world, this country is a true treasure for those who like history and culture. Iran is a kaleidoscope of colour, with deserts punctuated by historic oases, bustling bazaars and buildings decorated with mosaic tilework.
With enough pre-planning and prior research, travel to Iran doesn’t have to be difficult at all – tourism is growing and local people are incredibly hospitable and welcoming. Ancient Persia is within easy grasp, adventurous but perfectly comfortable. It’s high time to visit Iran, as the country is changing really fast!
Shiraz, the city of flowers and poetry, was a capital of Persia in the XVIII century. It was a home of two famous poets, Hafez and Saadi, whose tombs are on the north side of the current city boundaries. You should visit such cultural highlights as Shah-e-Cheragh Shrine, Vakil Bazaar and the tiled Nasir al-Mulk mosque, considered the pinnacle of Iranian-Islamic art. The city is also known for gardens, especially roses.
Near Shiraz there are famous ruins of Persepolis, probably the most important historical site in Iran. In the capital of the Achaemenid (Persian) Empire built by Darius you will find spectacular ancient monuments. Go and see the impressive ruins of the vast complex built over 2,500 years ago. It was set on fire by Alexander of Macedon and ruined by Arabs.
Photo Credit: Alexander Mazurkevich / Shutterstock.com
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How to get there:
Take a look at the flight deals to Iran we published:
- Flights from London to Iran for £167 >>
- Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Iran for 236$ >>
- Flights from Kiev to Iran for €80 >>
- Flights from Berlin to Iran for €98 >>
- Flights from Prague, Milan, Rome, Amsterdam and Brussels to Iran from €118 >>
Where to stay:
For example, Novotel Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport has a good price, good reviews and included breakfast!
You can also choose Sasan Hotel Tehran for €88 per night with breakfast included and excellent reviews.
Shahr 3* hotel in Tehran for €105 per night also has breakfast included and good reviews.
You can also book a one night accommodation in a caravansary along the Silk Road. It will be unforgettable!
What to do:
Iran offers a variety of adventure trips. You can climb Mount Damavand, a 5,671-metre volcano (the base camp is two hours northeast from Tehran) or trek the Dasht-e Lut desert, one of the Earth’s hottest and driest places, with incredible rock formations, sand dunes, salt plains and the Valley of Meteorite. Enjoy a bath in Larijan’s thermal spring or ride a quad bike through the desert to admire the spectacular landscape. Take a walking tour based around the Valley of the Assassins to see the greener side of Iran, with castles and traditional villages. You can stay with the Shahsevan nomadic tribe. Horse-riding adventure through the central nomadic lands on dareshori Persian horses will take you to the mountains, lush forests and paddy fields. Other trips available in Iran include biking from Alamut through mountains to the Caspian and a 4×4 off-road tour of the Dasht-e Kavir and Lut deserts. You can also take a Silk Route trip in the Central Desert. Be sure to try skiing in one of the mountain resorts near Tehran. What is more, you can take part in one of the numerous religious and cultural events, like the Gol-o-Golab (Rose and Rosewater) festival, that takes place in Kashan every year in May.
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Iran 2016 from Pete R. on Vimeo.
Photo Credit: Alexander Mazurkevich / Shutterstock.com
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