By Afshin Majlesi

Age-old Noruz traditions altered by coronavirus in Iran

Iranians experienced totally-changed traditions during this Noruz (the two-week New Year holidays started March 20) in the face of the novel coronavirus pandemic that has crippled the tourism and hospitality industries worldwide.

UNWTO calls for action to help virus-hit tourism

TEHRAN – The UNITED Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has recently released a set of recommendations, calling for urgent and strong support to help the global tourism sector in the face of the novel coronavirus pandemic that has crippled traveling and jeopardized related jobs all over the globe.

Tehran province exports over $73m of handicrafts in year

TEHRAN - Handicrafts exports from Tehran province reached $73 million during the current Iranian calendar year 1398 (started March 21, 2019).

No excuses, no exceptions: UNWTO urges travelers to care others amid corona threat

TEHRAN – The United Nations World Tourism Organization has urged travelers to exercise more responsibly by both caring about themselves and others amid the coronavirus pandemic.

‘Mantis-man’ describes puzzling petroglyph found in Iran

TEHRAN – A team of entomologists and archaeologists has concluded a previously founded petroglyph showcases a six-limbed creature with the head and arms of a praying mantis.

Interactive virtual tours ready to respond coronavirus crisis in Iran

TEHRAN – A number of Iranian startups are offering free interactive virtual tours across the country as its tourism, like many other countries, has gone into partial or complete lock down over the Covid-19 pandemic.

12 ancient sites to go in western Iran

TEHRAN – From the coasts of the Persian Gulf to the lush mountainous forests of the northwest, and from snow-tipped northern cliffs to scorching southern deserts, here is a pick of ancient sites to inspire, delight and motivate if willing to visit wild western Iran.

By Afshin Majlesi

New year travels plunge amid virus outbreak

For many Iranians, the new year’s eve conjures up memories of holidays and traveling along dreamy beaches, silky warm seas, lush sceneries, and endless sunshine.

‘Museums for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion’ chosen as 2020 Intl. Museum Day motto

TEHRAN – “Museums for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion” was selected as the motto of the 2020 International Museum Day as organizers look to hammer home the message of joint understanding, cooperation and peace.

On the track of Iran’s ‘Assassins’ in once impenetrable mountainous castle

TEHRAN – Nested on top of a hill in a relatively remote village amidst the northern Iran’s Alborz Mountains, a well-fortified castle was sheltering the followers of Hasan-e Sabbah (1070–1124), spiritual leader of Islam’s heretical Ismaili sect, known as ‘Assassins’.

Bagh-e Narenjestan: One of the smallest yet most visited gardens of Shiraz 

TEHRAN - Named after the bitter oranges that line the central courtyard, Bagh-e Narenjestan is one of the brilliantly manicured gardens of Shiraz. Bitter oranges are “Narenj” in Persian.

Imam Mosque: A grand, impressive jewel of Isfahan 

TEHRAN – At the southern end of Isfahan’s main square stands the big, grand and impressive Imam Mosque, which is not only impressive because of its sheer size and incredible decorations, but also helps to get a good impression of the needs and challenges of always on-going restoration works.

Italy extends visa for Iranians up to 60 days

TEHRAN – The Italian government has agreed to significantly extend short-term visas for visiting Iranians, saying they will have “no problem” to stay up to 60 days more after their visa expiration dates, Tehran’s embassy in Rome has said, IRNA reported.

Travels banned to Iran’s “golden triangle” over virus fears

TEHRAN – Like many other destinations across Iran, its famed “golden triangle” of tourism, which is referred to the cities of Isfahan, Shiraz, and Yazd, has announced it will host no visiting tourists until further notice in a bid to curb the coronavirus outbreak.

IranAir resumes flights to Europe after temporary halt over coronavirus

TEHRAN – Iran’s flag carrier, IranAir on Wednesday resumed flights to European destinations following a temporary suspension over the outbreak of the coronavirus, according to sources.

Iran calls off Noruz celebrations amid coronavirus threat

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan announced on Tuesday that no official celebrations or public gatherings, even the pre-scheduled ones, will be held during the new year Noruz holidays (starting March 20 this year) in a bid to combat the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Tehran’s major museums open during Noruz despite corona fear

TEHRAN – Tehran’s major museums and historical places will be open during Noruz (Iranian new year holidays, starting March 21) despite the outbreak of coronavirus.

Kish Island to close tourist sites during Noruz amid coronavirus outbreak

TEHRAN – It started with domestic flight restrictions to the Kish Island, but authorities have announced the Persian Gulf island “will receive no traveler” during the Noruz holidays (starting March 21).

UAE issues flight permit to Iran till March 20

TEHRAN – The United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has suspended all flights to and from Iran over the outbreak of the new coronavirus, has issued a permit for operating flights to the Islamic Republic till March 20, Iran’s embassy in the UAE announced on Tuesday.

Online campaign launched to protect handicrafts as virus fears hurt sales

TEHRAN – An online campaign has been launched in Iran to protect handicrafts as fears of coronavirus outbreak have left shops and stores empty countrywide.

Domestic flights restricted to Iran’s Kish Island

TEHRAN – Domestic flights have been restricted to Iran’s Kish Island as coronavirus cases have mounted in the country.

A glimpse of The Met’s excavations at Neyshabur once home to many Iranian scholars, traders and artisans

TEHRAN – Beginning in 1935, a team from the Department of Near Eastern Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, colloquially “The Met”, excavated for several seasons at Neyshabur (Nishapur), which is one of flourishing towns of medieval times now situated northeast of modern Iran.

Qasr-e Khorshid: once temporary home to the ‘Napoleon of Iran’

TEHRAN – Qasr-e Khorshid (literally ‘the Sun Palace’), an 18th-century iconic monument in northeast Iran, was once a royal resident for Nader Shah of Persia (1688–1747), often called the “Napoleon of Iran,” who created an empire that stretched from northern India to the Caucasus Mountains.

Iran limits intercity travel to prevent coronavirus spread

TEHRAN – Iran has limited travel between its major cities in an effort to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

Malayer, a global hub for woodcarving and carved-wood furniture

TEHRAN – Late January this year, Iran’s Malayer was named a global hub for woodcarving and carved-wood furniture by the World Crafts Council - Asia Pacific Region (WCC-APR).

Excavations suggest 6000-year-old administrative system in Iran

TEHRAN – Relics including seals, which have newly been unearthed in southeastern Kerman province, suggest that an administrative management system was practiced some 6000 years ago in the country.

Tourism minister asks people to delay travels in face of coronavirus

TEHRAN – Iranian tourism minister has asked people to postpone or reschedule tours so as to help the tourism industry deal with the coronavirus outbreak.

Peace campaigners overwhelmed by warmth, goodwill and love of Iranians

TEHRAN – Members of “Jai Jagat 2020”, a global peace campaign trekking from India to Switzerland in an estimated one year schedule, say they’ve been overwhelmed by warmth, goodwill and love of Iranians.

Susa, once capital of Elamite, Achaemenid empires

TEHRAN – Now sprawling in the southwest of modern Iran, Susa is one of the oldest yet magnificent cities in the world.

Chinese travelers ready to donate 100,000 face masks to Iran to combat coronavirus

TEHRAN – Some Chinese travelers who have previously visited Iran have announced readiness to donate up to 100,000 face masks to help the country in fight against the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19.