ENGLISH

IranPersiaVoyage

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–Iran Updates Travel October 2, 2023
https://iranpersiavoyage.wordpress.com/2023/10/02/iran-updates-travel/
–Updates August 2022
https://iranpersiavoyage.wordpress.com/2022/08/03/august-2022/
–Update of July 2021
https://iranpersiavoyage.wordpress.com/2021/07/02/english-notes/

-Updates and more in English
https://iranpersiavoyage.wordpress.com/

-In the blog link you can see photos & videos of what to visit in Iran. (Some updates are in English too, otherwise please use the translator to read texts in English)
https://iranpersiavoyage.wordpress.com/histoire-iran/visiter-iran/
https://iranpersiavoyage.wordpress.com/histoire-iran/visiter-iran/visiter-iran-suite2/
https://iranpersiavoyage.wordpress.com/visiter-liran-suite-3/

-In the blog link too, you can see various updates of Iran’s History. (Some updates are in English too, otherwise please use the translator to read texts in English)
https://iranpersiavoyage.wordpress.com/histoire-iran/
https://iranpersiavoyage.wordpress.com/histoire-de-liran-suite-2/
https://iranpersiavoyage.wordpress.com/histoire-de-liran-et-islam/
https://iranpersiavoyage.wordpress.com/unesco-iran-caravanserails/
-In the blog link, see Antique objects (Updates are in English too, otherwise please use the translator to read texts in English)
https://iranpersiavoyage.wordpress.com/objets-antiques/

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IRAN VISA/INVITATION LETTER ⏬
FLIGHT TICKET TO IRAN ⏬
IRANIAN CURRENCIES ⏬
IRAN TRAVEL INSURANCE ⏬
IRANIAN HOSPITALITY ⏬
Iran, the first day of the week begins on Saturday. Calendar&Time ⏬
IMPORTANT ABOUT YOUR TRIP IN IRAN ⏬
SERVICES BY IranPersiaVoyage ⏬

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IranPersiaVoyage is active in Switzerland🇨🇭 and in Iran🇮🇷

IranPersiaVoyage is independent, we can book anything you want to visit in Iran.
Visit unique places, see unknown archaeological sites, meet people, have an unforgettable adventure.
The particularity of IranPersiaVoyage is to be independent. This status allows us to make you visit Iran in an original and different way.
You have a wide range of activities, from archaeological sites to museums, gardens and palaces for art, history and Persian culture.
But a country is also discovered through its inhabitants and the variety of its landscapes. This is how we can present you in the desert nomadic tribes or make you discover Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf, among others. You can also visit caves and caverns dating back millions of years.
And if you like hiking or going to the mountains and also doing sports, there are a lot of possibilities.
From guest rooms to modest or luxurious hotels, the range is wide according to your will and budget.
The Iranian people are known for their hospitality, the Persian gastronomy is a delight, and the historical architecture of the Persian Empire till today fascinate.
Iran will surprise you by unveiling you day after day its most mysterious, unusual and surprising facets.

-Presentation of Switzerland 🇨🇭
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/planning/about-switzerland/history-of-switzerland/
-Presentation of Iran 🇮🇷
https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/iran

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IRAN VISA/INVITATION LETTER
Tourists need to obtain a visa. The tourist visa is issued for a maximum stay of 30 days, but it can be extended. Iran offers the visa on arrival for nationals of many countries as well as almost all European Union countries and Switzerland.
IranPersiaVoyage can make you a tourist invitation letter (only for nationals whose visa on arrival option is possible).
You will need to present your tourist invitation letter upon arrival in Iran along with your passport, then you will be asked to pay the visa fee as well as the stay insurance.

-Visa on arrival in Iran at the following airports :
Tehran, Imam Khomeini Airport
Tehran, Mehrabad Airport
Shiraz, Airport
Isfahan, Airport
Mashhad, Airport
Tabriz, Airport

-Countries can visit Iran without any visa :
Azerbaijan
Bolivia
Egypt
Georgia
Lebanon
Syria
Turkey

-Countries with visa on arrival option in Iran :
Austria, Albania, Armenia, Australia
Belgium, Bulgaria, Belarus, Bosnia, Brazil, Brunei, Bahrain
Cyprus, Croatia, Cuba, China
Denmark
France, Finland
Germany, Greece
Hungary, Herzegovina
Italy, Ireland (Rep.), Indonesia
Japan
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait
Luxembourg
Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia
Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, North Korea
Oman
Poland, Portugal, Peru, Philippines
Qatar
Romania, Russian Federation
Switzerland, Spain, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia (Rep.), Singapore, South Korea
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Thailand
Ukraine, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates
Venezuela, Vietnam
Yugoslavia

-Countries cannot visit Iran by visa on arrival and should get their visa beforehand :
Afghanistan (Referred to as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan since the Taliban took power in 2021)
Bangladesh
Colombia
Iraq, India
Jordan
Pakistan
Somalia, Sri Lanka

-Canada
(Sightseeing in Iran is only possible with a guided tour)
-United States
(Sightseeing in Iran is only possible with a guided tour)
-England
(Sightseeing in Iran is only possible with a guided tour)
-Israel
(IranPersiaVoyage invites you to consult an Iranian embassy or consulate in order to be guided and to obtain all the necessary documents)

-Iran Embassies & Consulates
https://www.embassypages.com/iran
-E-Visa-Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Islamic Republic of IRAN
https://evisa.mfa.ir/en/

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FLIGHT TICKET TO IRAN
For your ticket plane to Iran, it is favorable to pass by your travel agency or other agency of your choice to make sure your ticket reservation is made in good and due form.
Depending of the country you are departing from, there are direct flights to Iran.
Otherwise, of course you can search yourself. Not all airlines fly to Iran, so here are the fews;

Airlines Offering Flights to Iran:
-Qatar Airways: https://www.qatarairways.com/
-Emirates: https://www.emirates.com
-Lufthansa: https://www.lufthansa.com/pa/en/flight-search
-Turkish Airlines: https://www.turkishairlines.com/
-Pegasus Airlines: https://www.flypgs.com/en
-United Airlines: https://www.united.com/en/us
-Aeroflot: https://www.aeroflot.ru/ru-en
-China Southern Airlines: https://www.csair.com/au/en/index.shtml

-The smartest flight search on the internet
https://greatescape.co/
-TripAdvisor – Cheap Flights, Airline Tickets and Airfare Search
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Flights-g293998-Iran-Cheap_Discount_Airfares.html
-Lufthansa – Flights to Iran
https://www.lufthansa.com/xx/en/flights/country/iran

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IRANIAN CURRENCIES
The currency of Iran is the Rial (IRR) but in everyday life Iranians count in Toman.
The difference between the Rial and the Toman, the Toman is counted with one zero less than the Rial, (*see Example).
In general, the prices are indicated in rials and the prices in conversation are in tomans. So be careful, make sure to always know if the purchase price is in Rial or Toman to not be fooled.
Note, foreign bank cards and travelers checks are not accepted in Iran due to the international embargo, make sure to have enough cash to ensure your stay in Iran.
The US Dollar-$ and the Euro-EUR as well as the British Pound-£ are the best currencies in Iran. The Swiss Franc-CHF is also accepted, the best is the notes of 50.Frs and 100.Frs.
It’s strongly advised to not exchange money on the black market. Better to ask at the reception of your hotel or your tour guide the address of a bank or an exchange office.
In front of each bank and exchange office the rates are indicated in Persian and English. And the Iranian banknotes are bilingual, in Persian and English but the coins are only in Persian.

*Example of Rial in Toman:
Ten thousand/10,000 Rials=1,000 Tomans (in simpler terms, 1 Toman)
Twenty thousand/20,000 Rials=2,000 Tomans (in simpler terms, 2 Tomans)
Fifty thousand/50,000 Rials=5,000 Tomans (in simpler terms, 5 Tomans)
One hundred thousand/100,000 Rials=10,0000 Tomans (in simpler terms, 10 Tomans)
Five hundred thousand/500,000 Rials = 50,000 Tomans (in simpler terms, 50 Tomans)
One million/1,000,000 Rials = 100,000 Tomans (in simpler terms, 100 Tomans)

Iranian banknotes are:
100 Rials – 200 Rials – 500 Rials – 1,000 Rials – 2,000 Rials – 5,000 Rials – 10,000 Rials – 20,000 Rials- 50,000 Rials – 100,000 Rials – 500.000 Rials – 1.000.000 Rials.

-IRANIAN RIAL EXCHANGE RATES TABLE
https://www.x-rates.com/table/?from=IRR&amount=1
-Currency Exchange Table (Iranian Rial – IRR)
https://fx-rate.net/IRR/
-Iranian rial (IRR) to Swiss franc (CHF) currency exchange rates
https://www.convertworld.com/en/currency/iran/irr-to-chf.html

-What does toman mean – Word definitions
https://findwords.info/term/toman

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IRAN TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance for tourists to Iran is compulsory.
When you apply for your visa, travel insurance is included, same for tourists who have the right to apply for a visa once arrived in Iran. But to avoid any inconvenience, here is a useful link.

-Iran Travel Insurance
If you are planning a trip to Iran, one of the things you will have to prepare ahead of time is your Iranian travel insurance. In fact, in many cases, getting travel insurance for Iran is not really a choice, it’s mandatory.
https://visaguide.world/travel-insurance/iran-travel-insurance/

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IRANIAN HOSPITALITY
Of course, like everywhere else there are unreliable people. But be sure, Iranian hospitality is not a myth many travelers who have returned from Iran testify to it.
Indeed, Iranians are a warm and open people where you will be welcomed as a VIP guest. You will be invited to eat with family, you will be offered to be accompanied if you are lost, you will also be offered to be drived by car to visit places and so many other gestures of politeness.
After, up to you to see how to thanks the service rendered, even if basically everything is done with good hearts, yet handing an envelope with money will be greatly appreciated by modest families but you will have to insisted, Iranian custom dictates that they will refuses gifts straight away.
This way of doing things is part of the Iranian culture, it’s called Taarof.
Taarof is a complex way of insisting that the person concerned accepts what is offered to him.
Example, for the envelope with money, it will be refused even if the person wants it, you will have to insist several times so that the person finally accepts the envelope.
Another example, you are invited to eat at a local’s house and each time you have finished your dish, you will be offered to take another dish, if you refuse your host will still insist several times.
Another example, you are invited to go to someone’s house but in reality nothing says that you are really invited, you will have then subtly insist on whether it is a real invitation or simply politeness.
Iranians among themselves are used to it but as a visitor it seems strange even heavy but don’t worry, see it rather as a unique experience since the Taarof is typically Iranian.

-‘Taarof’ (Politeness and Mutual Respect)
https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/iranian-culture/iranian-culture-etiquette
-Iranian Hospitality: A hidden treasure
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258283181_Iranian_Hospitality_A_hidden_treasure

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Iran, the first day of the week begins on Saturday. Calendar and Time
In Iran the first day of the week begins on Saturday, follows Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday begins the weekend and Friday is a day of rest and prayer for Muslims.
Besides, the Iranian year begins on the equinox, between March 21 and 22. The Iranian calendar is adjusted to the equinoxes and solstices. It is the solar calendar that offers the greatest accuracy to date.
Iran over millennia has had several calendars like Babylonian, Mesopotamian, Zoroastrian, Yazdgardi and whose current calendar is the Hegira, which marks the moment when the Prophet Muhammad left Mecca to reach Medina in 622 AD.
And it was in 1075 AD that Sultan Jalali Malik Shah, a great astronomer, decided to reform the calendar. Several people will tackle the task, including an exceptional Iranian man, Omar Khayyam. After four years of observations, Khayyam set the length of the tropical year at 365.24219858156 days and invented the Jalali calendar.

The current year in Europe is 2022 2023 2024 2025
The current year in Iran is 1401 1402 1403 1404

-The development of Iranian calendar: historical and astronomical foundations
https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1111/1111.4926.pdf
-Jalali calendar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalali_calendar
-Holidays and Observances in Iran
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/iran/
-Current local time in Iran
https://24timezones.com/Iran/time

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IMPORTANT ABOUT YOUR TRIP IN IRAN
In Iran, hotels, etc. keep tourists’ passports and keep them in safes the time of your stay in the establishment, measures to not leave without paying. Therefore, make a copy of your passport with personal data page as well of the visa, in case of control in the streets it will be enough.

Depending in which hotel you are staying, it is possible to deposit your valuable objects in a safe which is in the room, if there are none, ask at the reception what are the possibilities.

Alcohol and drogues are totally prohibited.

In public, women including foreigners must cover their heads, a simple scarf covering the hair will be sufficient and wear mid-length or long clothes. Always in public, men must wear long pants and not be shirtless. Women’s or tight-fitting men’s clothing should be avoided. There is no problems for women to wear heeled shoes. However, for women and men think to take sneakers or walking shoes. Otherwise, you can buy it in Iran you will have a wide choice with very advantageous prices.

You need a medicine such as an aspirin, you can buy it by unit at the pharmacy, otherwise it is easier to put in your suitcase the medicines you think you will need.

Electricity plug line in Iran is two-hole (same as in Switzerland).

In Iran, apart all fixed prices everything is negotiable especially for carpets, all expensive and less expensive goods are negotiable.

If your mobile Sim-Card does not work in Iran, you can very easily buy a prepaid Sim-Card in Iran.
IranCell has the best network coverage as well for internet.
-Irancell: https://irancell.ir/en/home

During your stay in Iran, it is good to know that there are places that are forbidden to be photographed. Generally there are signs with the prohibition. Moreover, if for a reason or another you see a group of demonstrators, it is strongly advised to not participate.

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SERVICES BY IranPersiaVoyage
It is important to remember that IranPersiaVoayge is not a travel agency.
IranPersiaVoayge is composed of a small group of friends (women and men) who in our free times take pleasure in helping you to discover this beautiful and Historical country which is Iran.
There is so much to see and so much to know about Iran. Apart all tours made by guides, know that there are also less known places to visit, Iran is a vast country with paradisiacal and legendary places.
And this is precisely the main goal of the IranPersiaVoayge team, it is to make you discover these unique places.

By the fact that IranPersiaVoayge is independent and has a base in Iran, it facilitate reservations and more.
You need advice or to make reservations directly from Iran which prices are much more advantageous, IranPersiaVoayge team will always do the best for you.
If you travel independently without a tourist guide but that you need IranPersiaVoayge service, you will always be independent, you will just have a referent on whom you can count and who will be able to make last minute reservations for you and more.

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IranPersiaVoyage

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