3,000-year-old silk spinning still practiced in Iran

TEHRAN – There are silk makers in different parts of Iran, mainly in northern Gilan and northeastern Khorasan Razavi provinces, that still practice the trade their ancestors did some 3,000 years ago.

World’s first curved glass suspension bridge inaugurated in Iran

TEHRAN – A suspension bridge made of curved sheets of glass, which is the first of its kind in the world, has officially been inaugurated in Ardebil province, northwest Iran, IRIB reported on Friday.

Porticos, arches, domes and gardens, key elements of Persian architecture

TEHRAN – Iran has inherited numerous architectural traditions over the course of history. The Elamite, Achaemenian, Hellenistic, and other pre-Islamic and Islamic-era dynasties have left striking stone testaments to their greatness, such as Chogha Zanbil and Persepolis—both of which were designated UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1979.

By Mohammad Ali Haqshenas

A peek into Christmas celebration in Iran

TEHRAN (MNA) – One may not expect Christmas celebration in a country where 99 percent of its population is Muslim, but surprise is awaiting you in the case of Iran.

Ancient Iranian wall among top 10 archaeology discoveries of 2019

TEHRAN – The discovery of a massive ancient wall in western Iran has been announced by Live Science as one of the top 10 biggest archaeology findings of 2019.

Iran’s civilization, history deserve to be seen, Italian tourism expert says

TEHRAN – A senior Italian tourism expert who has recently embarked on some tours across Iran believes that a gap exists between reality in Iran and the media image of the country worldwide, emphasizing that the country’s civilization and history deserve to be seen.

Iran to unveil national brand name for tourism

TEHRAN – Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Minister has said that the national brand for tourism will be unveiled on February 11, 2020.

Media help alter mental image of travelers towards Sistan-Baluchestan

TEHRAN – Media have helped change the mental image of people towards Sistan-Baluchestan province, which was being shunned by many potential foreign and domestic travelers.

Historical potteries, human bones unearthed in Iranian town

TEHRAN – Fragments of potteries and human bones have accidentally been discovered during a construction project in Damghan, an ancient town in northcentral Iran.

By Afshin Majlesi

Put your skates on; Yalda is to knock the door!

A new Yalda Night is approaching the hearts of Iranians no matter which part of the globe they live. On that graceful night the winter chill is vanquished and the warmth of love embraces the entire family.

WCC experts assessing Shiraz as ‘a world city of handicrafts’

TEHRAN - World Crafts Council-Asia Pacific Region Director Ghada Hijavi along with a fellow expert arrived in Shiraz on Tuesday to follow up on their assessment to name the southern Iranian city “a world city of handicrafts”.

Austrian ambassador visits tourist sites in western Iran

TEHRAN – Vienna’s ambassador to Tehran Stefan Scholz on Tuesday visited several travel attractions in Kermanshah province, western Iran.

Russia’s 7 most beautiful lighthouses

TEHRAN - The first lighthouses in Russia were built under Peter the Great, known as the “father of the Russian Navy”. There are now roughly about a hundred operating and abandoned lighthouses left in Russia. We have put together a list of the most beautiful specimens. Let’s get started, or as the Russians say — Poekhali!

Iran seeks to foster ‘art tourism’ in partnership with handicrafts

TEHRAN – Iran aims to strengthen bonds existing between handicrafts and tourism in order to foster “art tourism”, deputy tourism minister Pouya Mahmoudian has said.

22 medical tourism firms authorized in Iran

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ministry of Health has so far granted licenses to 22 medical tourism companies with the aim of organizing authorized facilitators for the booming business.

Iranian cuisine, culture attracts visitors at Slovenia exhibit

TEHRAN – Visitors to a Slovenian charity exhibition highly welcomed Iran’s stalls which turned the spotlight on the country’s cuisine, handicrafts, ancient traditions, and tourism destinations.

Assyrian cylinder seals unearthed in Iran

TEHRAN – A senior Iranian archaeologist has announced discovery of dozens of cylinder seals, which once belonged to Assyria, kingdom of northern Mesopotamia that became the center of one of the great empires of the ancient Middle East.

Tehran welcomes Beijing's initiative to revive glory of ancient Silk Road

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan has said Iran backs China’s initiative for reviving the glory of ancient Silk Road, which existed for thousands of years, passing through many different empires, kingdoms, reigns and societies throughout history.

How to explore the tundra: routes and ideas

A trip to the tundra will definitely make for an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience. We have compiled a list of accessible and interesting places to visit in Russia, where you can explore the real tundra. Let’s get started, or as the Russians say — Poekhali!

Iran proposes a world day for ancient civilizations

TEHRAN – Iranian tourism minister on Friday proposed a world day for ancient civilizations as he was addressing the third ministerial meeting of the Ancient Civilizations Forum in Beijing, China.

Some 2,000 old trees identified so far in Iran

TEHRAN – Some 2,000 old trees have so far been identified across Iran, which are deemed as reliable sources for proving history of the ancient land in terms of climate change, environment and geology.

Ardakan hosts horse beauty festival

TEHRAN – The 28th edition of Iranian Purebred Horse Beauty Festival was held in Ardakan, central Yazd province, with the participation of 218 horses from across the country.

By Rohan Cahill-Fleury

Explore Iran’s wondrous Persian Gulf islands you’ve never heard of

The Persian Gulf is home to all kinds of undiscovered natural beauty. Islands are not something usually associated with the desert land of Iran. But in this vast and beautiful country, there is a bit of everything. The islands of the Persian Gulf are home to a plethora of geographical wonders, they’re easy to get to, cheap to visit, and have great weather. Yet most people don’t even know they exist.

Italian traveler finds Iran’s bazaars as heavens for photography

TEHRAN – Angela Corrias, an Italian-born Journalist, blogger and photographer who captures daily life mainly in Afghanistan, Iran and Italy, has found certain traditional bazaars in Iran as heavens for photography.

A Captive Spirit: Marina Tsvetaeva’s Russia

There are more museums dedicated to Russian and Soviet poet Marina Tsvetaeva and her family in Russia than to any other poet. Here is a list of the top places to visit in Tsvetaeva’s Russia, which are dotted all over the country, from Tarusa to Feodosia. Let’s get started, or as the Russians say — Poekhali!

Visits to North Khorasan’s museums jump fivefold in H1

TEHRAN – Visits to historical and cultural heritage museums in North Khorasan province jumped by fivefold during the first half of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21), compared to the same period last year.

Newly-found petroglyph in western Iran may have link to Mithraism

TEHRAN – A newly-discovered rock-carving in western Iran could have a link to Mithraism, a prehistorical religion inspired by Iranian worship of the Zoroastrian god Mithra.

Visit Tappeh Mill, one of the most ancient temples in Iran

TEHRAN – Of the buildings that still remain from the early years of civilization, are the ancient temples. Given the importance of religion for the mankind, it’s not surprising that these spiritual sites were built using topmost architectural innovations of the time in imposing scales.

Prehistoric site discovered in Iran dating to 3rd millennium BC

TEHRAN – A prehistoric site, estimated to date from the third millennium BC, has recently been discovered in Minab, southern Iran.

Hamedan hosting national crafts exhibit

TEHRAN – Iran’s ancient city of Hamedan is playing host to a national handicrafts exhibit.