Blogs from West, Iran, Middle East - page 8

ESFAHAN La “perla turistica” dell’Iran, tappa obbligata di qualunque tour nella terra di Persia. Arriviamo di prima mattina e dopo una breve ricerca troviamo un alberghetto opportunamente e comodamente posizionato rispetto ai luoghi di principale interesse: l’Aria Hotel :)! Qui la situazione cambia in meglio, il centro della citta’ è delizioso, tutto estremamente pulito, curato, MOLTO piacevole. La città è grande, circa 3 milioni di abitati; il suo centro è bagnato da un fiume orlato da decine di ponti, alcuni dei quali molto antichi e le numerose piazze, aiuole, moschee e parchi tutti incredibilmente curati fanno di Esfahan il posto ideale per qualunque tipo di turismo. Komehini square è un’enorme piazza, fra le più grandi al mondo, con giardini perfetti e fontane, circondata da due moschee, l’Ali Ghapu’ palace e l’entrata principale del bazaar. Giriamo t ... read more

These words I hear about 50 times a day, than there is the "where are you from question" and the "what is your name" or "how are you"... That I get about 20 times a day... I seem to stick out with my blond hair in this country... But it's all in good fun... While waiting for the Pakistani visa, Vojta (Czech traveller) and I decided to take a break from Tehran and head down to Kashan for a day or two.. Kashan is a very pleasant city with a nice bazaar... You can climb to the roof of the bazaar and have great views of the city at sunset... It also has a nice teahouse situated in a converted hammam and some huge 19th century mansions from rich merchants and the like... It's good that ... read more

Arrived in Esfahan on a back to back National holiday for the Iranians cause its the anniversary of their founder. Hence, every mosque, palace or any place that needed tickets was closed. Explored the bazaar , Imam Square and the Bridges of Esfahan instead. Esfahan has good weather! Its kinda windy and cool. The bazaar is pretty interesting selling things from carpets to camel bone ornaments. I realise bazaars in Iran are just huge mega shopping places. Really interesting with tons and tons of things they sell. And their bazaars are usually huge ( few km large). Got sucked into a carpet shop. I feel Persian carpets are really beautiful and are really investments but too bad I can't afford it.... The river and its bridges were pretty ....Its really nice taking an evening stroll ... read more

Took a short trip to Kashan on route to Tehran as i head back to the border. Abyaneh was nice with the little Red houses .....The local women dress in pretty colourful clothings different from the other cities. Abayneh is at the foot of a mountain ...sslightly elevated giving the area a cool and crisp weather. Nice scenery out here with some really nice tall trees...(pine trees? not sure) at the end of a short walk, there is also a mini water fall ....pretty refreshing to drink from it. Guess this is a weekend getaway place for Iranians. My guide was pretty nice and for lunch we went to Kashan and ate some really nice Kebab. Although i'm starting to get a bit sick of Kebab, this one was really good so no complains....haha Kashan ... read more

Planned to leave Esphahan the day before yesterday but the bus wasnt leaving till 7pm and I heard about a tour to Kashan and Abanyeh, they were on my original itinerary so, why not. I stole a book out of the exchange library, there was only one in English, The Bonfire of The Vanities, naturally if I had a choice I would have chosen somethinmg else, it wasnt bad I, think I am becoming cultured. What a lazy day only left the room to eat occasionaly. I was off on the road at 7am the next morning luggage packed and ready to go, the driver turned up on time and we were off, the drive was really safe though the driver was a little strange but in a nice way, he has been driving trucks back ... read more