If you are reading these lines, you are probably considering a trip to Iran, wondering whether to go, or not to go. Stop overthinking, and simply let the team from Tours of Iran plan your journey, just let them show and share the opulent culture, colours, music, tastes, smells, art, and history of Iran with you.
I have chosen this agency because of the warm, knowledgeable, and quick responses of Soraya, the lady whom you get in contact first. She listens to your wishes, is flexible and you end up with a perfect trip (accommodation in some gorgeous traditional houses). She arranged all the necessary visa papers for me and guided me through the entire process. I’ve got the visa in 2 minutes when arriving to the international airport of Tehran.
I was welcomed by the bright, large and warm smile of Mohhamad, one of the driver-guides of the team. We spent 9 days as travel mates, while he kindly drove and guided me through Tehran – the city of museums, Kashan – a lovely placed in the vicinity of both mountains and desert, the very royal Isfahan – the city of arts, the melancholic desert city of Yazd – the city of architecture, and the cosmopolitan Shiraz – the city of culture. I was and felt safe all the time. For Mohhamad, Soraya and your team, you are “the guest”, and they make you also feel accordingly: kindly welcome 😊. On daily basis, I was stopped on the street by people simply wishing to say “hello” and “welcome to Iran”. Ladies, do not worry about Hijab and Chador, because Iranian daily life and international media are quite different things.
Visiting Iran was never a question of “if” for me, only one of “when” (I did not to listen to the media, advice of my government, etc). One can read a lot about the culture, the history, the art, and architecture. These are also mentioned in your travel plan. Yet what you experience is far richer than that !!
Mohhamad, empathic and blessed with a high emotional intelligence, took me galivanting through the bazaars, a trip into opulent and saturated colours of the carpets, the shiny skilful copper work, the rich but refined smell of fruits, herbs and spices, the amazingly detailed and precise patterns of Khatam Kari, the saturated blue and turquoise of Mina Kari… And the miniatures, each one a story for itself… Further the places for manufacturing the amazing variety of sweet treats. I did not even managed to try them all, but my favourites are Ghottab and Sohan.
Each day we eat something different, yet always tasty. The cuisine is balanced (as if nutritionist recommended 😊), fresh, presented nicely decorated on big plates, together with good flat bread. I drank the best tea (black tea with saffron is a must try) always accompanied by some sweet surprize (and there are so many of them in Iran). The same goes for the coffee, one better cappuccino after the other.
All places were lovely and lively, but what I enjoyed most was the company of people and the beautiful Iranian music. There is a politeness, kindness, and respectfulness of human interactions in Iran which is (unfortunately) lost in many parts of the world. The same is true for the handwriting and calligraphy.
Finally, I entered Iran with a curious mind and an open heart. I have simply listened to Mohhmad and have followed his lead. And this is how we drew a picture of Iran together, in warm and rich colours, smells and sounds, for me to take home as a cherished memory.
In case you wonder whose experience you have just red about: I am a single white woman, born in 1967, raised and educated in Romania (another “odd” country on the map 😊). I work in research and higher education. I travel a lot, both for business and leisure. For my latest vacation (between the 7th and 17th of February 2025) I’ve let myself be spoiled by the beautiful impressions of Iran 😊.