This is my first trip report and as I saw there are not many Iran Air threads around I thought I'd create the most complete one. I am Iranian myself. I have a blog filled with Tehran pictures. More than 30,000 pictures of Tehran and keeping it updated regularly. Make sure to check all pages as it gives you a great tour of all areas of Tehran and you can get to know Tehran even better than Tehranis. Below is the link:
I'm going to post some sample pix of Tehran here as well.
Unfortunately our nasty government has a dress code for females above 9 years old and they all are required to have Islamic veil - Scarf and an overcoat when in public places, which is against the will of most people but you have no choice and men are not allowed to wear shorts or sleeveless shirts. I know this is so sick and Iranian people are very tired of the dress code but we have one of the worst governments in the world and if you talk against them or protest they'll arrest and execute you. So Iranian people stay away from the gov. as they have no choice over them and their life is so disconnected from the government. May one day soon Iran can see real freedom. Iranians are very friendly people and Iran can be a very nice destination for you to travel.
Tehran the capital of Iran, the biggest city in the Middle East with a metro population of 14M. A great metro system and has the most number of highways after cities in U.S.
Iran's Provinces and their capitals
In the map below I have marked main territories of Tehran, Northern Tehran, East, West, Central and South from Tehran.ir
1. Northern Tehran: Wealthy areas , Upper Class 2. East: Middle Class 3. West: Middle Class and Upper Middle Class and Wealthy closer to the North East Corner and center of the area (shahrake Qarb) 4. Central Tehran: Middle Class 5. South: Lower middle class, poor areas in the further south and south end tips of the city
All these orange lines are Tehran main highways...it has as many highways as Los Angeles and New York...
Below are the name of major neighborhoods of Tehran Metro area from Wikipedia
Tehran Subway Map still under construction and growing to more than 9 lines.
Map done by Shmack
An amazing website for planning your trip to Iran with a huge amount of awesome and useful hints and tips and tour pakcage offers.
[COLOR="Blue"] http://www.irpedia.com/[/COLOR]
It even talks about the dress code as what to wear and when to visit etc.
Pix from Tehran Mega Capital of Iran
by Salehyar
Central Tehran
pix by Ninara from Flickr
In Niavaran Park Tehran
Iranians have very diverse looks and this picture of a photographer's gathering in Tehran's Artist House clearly shows that
Pix of Cameron Zigzali's Store Grand Opening in Tehran. Iranian ladies constantly try to fight the gov. restrictions by pushing their scarf back and opposing the dress code but it still exists.
by Babak
by Behrooz
by Javad
Milad Tower 435 Meters
by Jan
by Adfavey
Laleh Park
by Milad
by BigCastor
Real Estate in Tehran is so expensive. This is Elahiyeh- Fereshteh area and one of the most expensive in Tehran. Condos start here from $500,000 USD to over 6 Million USD
Tehran's Imam Khomeini's Int'l Aiport (IKA) is located 30 KM south of Tehran. The terminal is OK but does not have much stores so it gets a bit boring but it's a fun and cool experience anyways
In Tehran most European airlines (KLM, Alitalia, Lufthansa, Austrian etc) operate between 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. and in the morning and during the day you can see that mostly middle eastern destinations are covered as well as Iran Air's European routes.
First I post some pictures of the IKA airport- These are not taken by me but I'm including the source/credits:
As I said all european flights come to Tehran from 12AM and 6AM.
burj From United States of America, joined Nov 2007, 838 posts, RR: 4 Reply 1, posted (2 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Wow! Very cool to see a place that most Americans will never get a chance to visit and rarely get to see pictures of...
The dress code is ironic...if you go to most city parks in Pakistan (where it is NOT required by law) you'll see more women really covering their hair...
As a religious Muslim friend of mine put it....if the government told you to pick your favorite food (say ice cream) and then MADE you eat it every single day...it wouldn't take long until you despised it....
lychemsa From United States of America, joined Oct 2009, 904 posts, RR: 3 Reply 4, posted (2 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
I think the airport was built by a Turkish company. Thanks for the great pictures. I am surprised you are allowed to take pictures at the airport.
Would like to visit Iran one day. Isfahan, Shiraz etc.
tonyban From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 311 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (2 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Politics aside...Iran is a beautiful country with beautiful people. That was an excellent report with some wonderful pictures.
The country appears to be quite modern to what us Westerners believe it is. I've heard that Iranians in general are very friendly and hospitable.
kurt From United States of America, joined Oct 2001, 413 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (2 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Wow - fascinating report so far! Tehran reminds me a bit of Santiago the way it's next to snow-covered mountains (Santiago is much smaller, though).
oa260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24894 posts, RR: 60 Reply 7, posted (2 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
WOW its only the first part and so far its the best report on Iran Ive ever seen on here. Its a great addition to the forum. For your first report I so looking forward to the next parts. Having been to Tehran and Shiraz and stayed with an Iranian family this is so interesting for me .
OA260
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
vandenheuvel From Netherlands, joined Dec 2008, 469 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (2 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Hi Omidp,
This is a great series of photo's and information about Iran. These photo's give a really nice impression of a very unknown place. I feel tempted on visiting it sometime. Too bad there isn't too much aviation related photos. I will read parts 2 and 3 soon.
ba319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8263 posts, RR: 56 Reply 10, posted (2 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Not much of an airline report, who cares, loved it!
Very interesting, loved the pictures, Tehran looks like a lovely city - I'd like to visit though quite sure the wife would not!
MOE777 From Australia, joined Nov 2004, 51 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (2 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Great pictures of the Islamic republic, also what's wrong with the dress code? It's certainly more liberal than pro-western allies like saudia arabia, one should always observe local custom, no matter how annoying it may seem .
omidp From Canada, joined Jun 2010, 79 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (2 years 10 months 3 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Hi Moe,
Many Iranians especially in Tehran are not religious and they don't want to wear scarf but because of the dress code everyone has to have veil. If people had the option most of them would not have the veil, Kind of like a scene in Istanbul you see people with veil or without veil.
AirframeAS From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 14150 posts, RR: 26 Reply 15, posted (2 years 10 months 3 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
It snows at the airport?? Really? Fascinating!
A Safe Flight Begins With Quality Maintenance On The Ground.
IrishAyes From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 1731 posts, RR: 5 Reply 17, posted (2 years 10 months 2 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Quoting kurt (Reply 6): Wow - fascinating report so far! Tehran reminds me a bit of Santiago the way it's next to snow-covered mountains (Santiago is much smaller, though).
My thoughts exactly! Great report, going to look at parts II and III now...
CairnterriAIR From United States of America, joined Jun 2008, 337 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Wonderful pictures. The backdrop of mountains framing the skyline is fascinating. What amazes me is despite the massive size of the city of Tehran, there appears to be very little polution and smog. The treelined streets and parks help beautify the downtown. Hopefully the political situation will improve someday, as this looks like a great place to explore.
Thanks so much for sharing your photos.
omidp From Canada, joined Jun 2010, 79 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
@Irish Aeyes: You're welcome
@SasDC8: Hi, Tehran is nice to visit all year round and even summer but the city gets hot around 35C to 40C but it's not humid, it's dry so it's tolerable
@Carin: Thanks but Tehran gets very polluted many days of the year as the smoke can't freely move because of the mountains surrounding the city
GrinddalCPH From Denmark, joined Sep 2009, 141 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Hi Milad,
How I love this Report
I remember my dad telling me, that Iran was a popular destination, for Hippies back in the sixties, and especially the ones who loved to smoke weed! He also told me, it is one of the most spectacular places he has ever been, together with Lebanon, which also used to be a very popular tourist destination!
I have ALWAYS wanted to visit Iran, and I have many Iranian Friends, one thing they all have in common, is that they all seem, to be By European and American standards OVERLY nice and un-selfish! I love this Treat in a human being!
Also, Iranians are a very beautiful people, I must say! Kinda like the Scandinavians of the middle-east-Persian-gulf area
It seems to me like a very beautiful and diverse country, with everything from super cities, beaches and ski-resorts, and im sure, that if that country was not under such strict and ridiculous government, it would be a VERY popular tourist dest. once again!
I must say,that the only thing keeping me from visiting is the way your government treats its people! it goes against my morals and ethics! Executing gays, and women who do not obey Islamic wahhabism is simply just too mind gushing for me to put my head around, it REALLY makes me mad! I can only imagine how much anger the Iranian people have against this regime from hell! I must say, that together with Kim il Jung, Ahmadinejad is the person I would most like to see vanish from this earth!
One thing though, that I do not understand is, that most Iranians seem to hate this regime, and the strict Islamic laws, and that these Islamic menaces seem too be a minority? Why then, is their no ANTI-ISLAMIC revolution? Are people afraid? I mean, if you out-number these sick people, why not start a new revolution? I know it is not this simple, but my heart cries for this beautiful country, which I once hope to enjoy the blessings off.
Kind Regards,
Daniel
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway!
omidp From Canada, joined Jun 2010, 79 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately our government is sooo cruel to people and if you talk against them or let alone protest against them they'll arrest and execute you just after our presidential election massacre last year that they arrested and executed so many protesters. It's easier said than done but no one dares top talk against them or protest since you may never get back home alive that way. It's such a shame but they are the worst
swissgabe From Switzerland, joined Jan 2000, 5265 posts, RR: 37 Reply 23, posted (2 years 9 months 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Great report on one of the most fascinating countries I visited so far. Iranian people can be very nice and friendly and the country has much more to offer than most people can imagine. Far more than it's only imagine in the Western world. Thanks omidp!
Smooth as silk - Royal Orchid Service /// Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens - Springbok
AirPacific747 From Denmark, joined May 2008, 2091 posts, RR: 23 Reply 25, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 31996 times:
Great trip report! It is in the top of my list of countries to visit before I die
Tehran looks like a beautiful city and I love the backdrop with the mountains! It is such a shame that the government can ruin so much for so many people.
Just out of curiosity: Do you know anything about the visa requirements for an EU citizen wanting to visit Iran as a tourist?
omidp From Canada, joined Jun 2010, 79 posts, RR: 0 Reply 26, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 31669 times:
Hi Air Pacific. Thank you for your kind comment and visiting this TR. As for visa requirement I've heard that Europeans can visit Iran with no visa and in the airport they issue them one week visa but still you'd need to confirm it through the Iranian embassy. I hope you visit someday soon, it's such a nice and historic place. Tehran is more modern but other cities are moire historic
Ok I will check with the embassy whenever I go! Hopefully soon Well thank you once again for a very interesting TR with lots of great pics! I want to fly with one of those 747SPs some day.
777way From Pakistan, joined Dec 2005, 5185 posts, RR: 4 Reply 28, posted (2 years 9 months 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 30581 times:
I dont know whats with you omidp on one had you're showing happy scenes and people from Iran under the Islamic regime, and yet you are living abroad and cribbing about the Islamic regime and running a kind of propaganda against it in your posts. In my visits to Iran I found things quite normal, it seems to me you're from the westernised class who must be suffering because they cant do all the prohibited things there like Iranian exapts are in skyscraper city site persian people thread and you want to bring all that to Iran, be grateful its not like when Khomeini came and the following years.
omidp From Canada, joined Jun 2010, 79 posts, RR: 0 Reply 31, posted (2 years 8 months 3 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 29651 times:
@777way: I just don't know what to tell you, FYI I have lived in Iran all my life, that's why I'm keeping the thread of Tehran running with my info about all parts of Tehran and YES our government sucks no matter what you say, living under their strict rules is not fun at all and when you come to Iran for vacation it's not comparable to living there. Most Iranians are not religious and you think only the ones who are westernized are religious but in Iran more than half of the ones that look religious are faking it since that way they can work in gov. offices etc, so don't act like you know everything about Iran.
Please don't drag these arguments further as this is not a political thread.
hamster From United States of America, joined Sep 2006, 192 posts, RR: 0 Reply 33, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 28741 times:
Hi Omidp,
I seem to have this vice. I want to go to all places us yankees are not supposed to go. ie cuba and Iran. I keep reading how friendly the people are and I believe it. Tehran looks very modern and quite wealthy. It is pecular that a city which gets so hot in the summer has snow in the winter. What other intersting points would you recommend in the country - north south east west? Is is possible under certain circumstances for us to visit? Thx. Is there an email on your site? I couldnt find one.
flyorski From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 978 posts, RR: 1 Reply 34, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days ago) and read 28698 times:
Wow, this is a great report! Its fascinating to see such images of the country and how wealthy and well off it really looks. When I saw the pictures I could not wrap my head around the fact that people really get oppressed in a place that looks so rich and well to do. I would love to visit someday, hopefully when the political situation improves. Really interesting report, thanks for sharing!
I am living in Utah USA right now, and some people have told me a joke about skiing in Utah, they say "Alta (a small ski-resort town in Utah) has the best snow on earth - except Iran" Really interesting. I know the snow here really is extremely good (cant wait for ski season) but I would love to do some back-country skiing in Iran someday. Thanks again for sharing!
"None are more hopelessly enslaved, than those who falsly believe they are free" -Goethe
omidp From Canada, joined Jun 2010, 79 posts, RR: 0 Reply 36, posted (2 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 27993 times:
@Planethunter: Thanks very much
@Hamster: Thank you so much, Iran has very diverse regions climate wise, north by the Caspian sea is heavenly beautiful and green, Central Iran is filled with desserts and West with mountains as well as central. Iran is very fun and safe to visit and you can apply for visa in the Iranian Interest Section in Washington D.C. their website is daftar.org.
Let me know if you have any other questions and sorry for may late reply.
@Flyorski: Thanks very much, only in Tehran we have 3 major ski resorts that are well known internationally too, you can check their info online perhaps wikipedia, their names are Tochal, Dizin and Shemshak
ordjoe From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 583 posts, RR: 0 Reply 42, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 12964 times:
Great photos and trip report, I do want visit there one of these days. It is such a shame with such a great country is run by total despots.
FlyboyOz From Australia, joined Nov 2000, 1893 posts, RR: 28 Reply 43, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 12816 times:
Wow! it's a great report and I have never never thought that Iran has lots of rich people. I would love to visit there someday! They look much better than china.
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