Peaceful Iran

peaceful Iran, I don't know why I chose this title in these days! maybe because I just could capture this image in my balcony in Tehran:

yes, believe or not, this is Tehran! few days ago. I have traveled to many places: inside Iran, Europe, Arab countries, South East Asia and Mediterranean. and I believe Iran, my country is one of the safe and peaceful places on the planet. Iranian are hospitable and gentle. I'm tired of thinking about politics and what it had done to our face in the world... I'm exhausted.

Amlash, Chamkhaleh and other beautiful areas of Gilan!

I've seen many beautiful views and nature scenes around the world. there are more beautiful deserts than what Iran has, there are more spectacular Jungles, Sea sides or mountains in the world. but Iran has something that distinguishes it from others: it has all these together! I don't think more than 30 countries in the world have the same advantage of serving their visitors simultaneously with Ski fields, high mountains covered by snow and ice 12 months, crowded Jungles with all seasons fog, sea shores and diving areas, deserts and wild rivers! did I mentioned the lakes (salty and sweat) ?! :)

on the Iranian new year's holidays (Nowrouz, 10 April) I traveled to north of Iran, Gilan province. below you see some pictures of fabulous sceneries in Amlash, Chamkhaleh and city of Langeroud:

Amlash, Yeilagh altitudes - Jungle in the fog

Chamkhaleh, near Langehroud - Rasht City

small Village in the way to Blourdekan region

these virgin places can be a very spectacular holiday destination for those who love to travel to Iran. the only problem is lack of professional touristic facilities like 4 or 5 star hotels and public transportation! you need to rent a car with a good driver who knows the region.

Roudbarak, Kelardasht

Kelardasht is one the most gifted places in Iran (North of Iran), with beautiful mountains (Alborz Mountains) and magnificent scenes of jungle, lakes and rivers.
Kelardasht is a large valley in the Alborz Mountains of northern Iran in Chalous county, Mazandaran province. It's 30km south of Abbasabad city (on the Caspian Sea) and west of Marzanabad city (on Chalous Road).

Mystic view of Roudbarak river

In Iran some people call Kelardasht the paradise of Iran. which the views and peace in it confirms this title.
Originally Kelardasht is a farming area, in recent years much of its land was sold in small lots to build numerous villas which are occupied by summer visitors trying to escape the heat and polution of Tehran and points further south. Arabs from the Gulf states can also be seen there during the summer months.

Kelardasht, Roudbarak

Its attractions mainly consist of its natural beauty and cooler climate. But picnicing and mountain climbing in the area surrounding Roud Barak is also popular, as well as in the lush Abbasabad Forest nearby.
The Kelardasht area has enclaves of Kurmanji-speaking Iranian Kurds, which mostly live in the north east of Iran, near Gorgan city and in north Khorasan province.

Kelardasht from the mountain of Alborz

one of my friends has a beautiful peace of land in Kelardasht, Roudbarak, you can see it here.

Parking Parvaneh - Tehran

there a parking in center of Tehran, in Ferdosi and Jomhouri streets junction, called Parvaneh Parking. this parking in Fridays turns in to a fabulous bazaar for antiques, textiles, wood crafts and anything you can imagine! when I say anything, I really mean it! but don't forget if you went to this bazaar, don't trust any claims against being old, antique and Italian made!! the prices also can be so prone. but it worths a look for sure. here are some pictures, but sorry for bad quality. I took them with my mobile camera and also it was so dark over there to take good pictures:

Iranian Metal antiques

chortkeh, traditional Iranian calculator

old guns! sundries at parking parvaneh old money

Tileh, Taw, Achate Old man selling textile old style type machine

I believe every city and every single place in a city has its own mysterious soul. when you are in Parking Parvaneh, you will enjoy a chaotic spirit!

Travel review to Iran by a European citizen

Leo is a Dutch citizen (from Holland). He sent me an email searching for a friend in Iran. I asked him to write a review on his trip to Iran and he gently sent me below paragraphs:

Despite chronic negative articles in western press I decided to make a journey to Iran.
As an individual traveller (back-packer) I visited beautiful places like Shiraz and Isfahan and travelled by direct train from Tehran to Damascus in Syria in October 2008.
Iran bombarded me with positive and very long-lasting impressions.
I enjoyed the hospitality, helpfulness and modesty of the Iranian people.
The way people worship in mosks in Shiraz and enjoy relaxing in shady parks impressed me very much.
The quiet courtyards of madrasehs in Isfahan are a heaven in busy bazaar life.
On Friday I observed the people of Isfahan peacefully and highly socially picknicking in the parks along Zayandeh River and at night drinking tea near the beautiful illuminated ancient bridges.
I discovered a country of warm and fascinating people and a country not yet spoiled by mass-tourism.
I experienced the Iranian culture to be markedly different to the Arabian culture.
I observed a country with tradition on the one hand and an extremely high density of sophisticated mobile-phones on the other hand, and steps to a surprising level of modernity.
Iran fascinated me in such a way that I am looking forward to visiting it again as soon as possible.

Leo van Houten
Holland

Sa'd Abad Palace

The Sadabad Palace is a palace built by the Pahlavi dynasty of Iran in the Shemiran area of Tehran.
The complex was first inhabited by Qajar monarchs and royal family in the 19th century. After an expansion of the compounds, Reza Shah lived there in the 1920s. And his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi moved there in the 1970s.

After the Iranian Revolution, the complex became a museum. However, the current presidential palace is located adjacent to the Sa'd Abad compound.

Many cultural programs are taking held in this complex like exhibitions, concerts and ceremonies.

Yazd, the ancient city of Iran

Yazd is called the bride of desert. the helarious desert sights in this ancient city with a huge cultural and traditional attractions, make Yazd one of the most recommended cities in Iran to visit. Cultural, historical and eco tourism are main reasons for visiting Yazd city. Yazd is also called "the second ancient and historic city in the world" in the wikipedia.

The city has a 3000 year long history, dating back to the time of the Median empire, when it was known as Ysatis (or Issatis). The present city name, however, may have been derived from Yazdegerd I, a Sassanid ruler. The city was definitely a Zoroastrian centre during Sassanid times. After the Islamic conquest of Persia, many Zoroastrians fled to Yazd from neighbouring provinces. The city remained Zoroastrian even after the conquest by paying a levy, and only gradually did Islam come to be the dominant religion in the city.