By Afshin Majlesi

Iran travel sector: Ups and downs since U.S. reimposed sanctions

TEHRAN – Last November, the Trump administration reinstated sanctions on Iran, mainly the ones that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, in order to batter Iran’s economy, however, according to official data, they have so far failed to lessen foreign arrivals to the Islamic Republic.

Preliminary studies start on fossilized skull found in western Iran

TEHRAN – Preliminary studies have been started on pieces of a fossilized skull, which was untethered earlier in western Iran. The skull is attributed to Homo sapiens.

By Afshin Majlesi

Is Iran safe for Americans to visit?

TEHRAN – The matter of security in Iran is essentially considered as a complex question for any U.S. citizen willing to visit the Islamic Republic.

Rare dovetail-joints found in UNESCO-tagged Pasargadae

TEHRAN – Personnel of Pasargadae have recently found two rare dovetail-joints, which used to attach massive stone slabs, pillars and columns in the UNESCO World Heritage site that was once the capital of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great (559–530 BC), who ordered its construction.

By Afshin Majlesi

Worldwide Armenians to reunite at St. Thaddeus

TEHRAN – Hundreds of Christian worshippers are getting prepared to head for St. Thaddeus to observe a religious ceremony passed down from generation to generation.

Visit Portuguese Castle of Hormuz

Where you may soak up silence while traveling through time

TEHRAN – The crumbling Portuguese Castle of Hormuz Island, built in the early 16th century, is one of the last surviving monuments of the colonial rule in the Persian Gulf. It is now a tourism attraction where you can soak up the silence while traveling through time. For visitors it seems to be easy to imagine the hustle and bustle of Portuguese military forces five centuries ago!

By Afshin Majlesi

Caravanserais and time travel to forgotten ages

TEHRAN – For many travelers to Iran, staying in or even visiting a centuries-old caravanserai, can be a wide experience; they have an opportunity to feel the past, a time travel back into a forgotten age!

By Afshin Majlesi 

Cool destinations to go if you need to escape the heat in Tehran 

TEHRAN – If you can’t stand the heat in Tehran and want to take a break, don’t be disappointed!

By Afshin Majlesi

Badab-e Surt: The rolling hills and lush landscape

Sure, trips to Tehran, Isfahan or Shiraz are nice — but sometimes the best vacations come from traveling off the beaten path.

By Afshin Majlesi

 Solid growth: A review of Iran’s tourism in 1397

TEHRAN – How Iran’s tourism industry has performed over the current Iranian calendar year 1397 (ending on March 20)? Well, according to data compiled by the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, it has experienced a solid growth.

By Afshin Majlesi

Lipar, a small lake in pink

TEHRAN – Lipar, a small lake which usually turns pink, is an off-the-radar tourist destination in Iran, which has never been introduced completely!

By Afshin Majlesi

Poets’ Mausoleum, a prime cultural destination

TEHRAN – Poets’ Mausoleum or Maqbaratoshoara is a prime cultural destination for travelers to Tabriz. It attracts a great number of Iranian and foreign visitors interested in literature and art.

By Afshin Majlesi

Isfahan: Why it’s great to wandering about

TEHRAN – Soaked in a rich history, Isfahan was once a crossroad of international trade and diplomacy in Iran and now it is one of Iran’s top tourist destinations for good reasons. 

By Afshin Majlesi

Many Indonesians want to visit Iran: envoy

TEHRAN - Jakarta ambassador to Tehran said on Tuesday that many Indonesians want to visit Iran as he encouraged Iranians to visit the world’s largest island country.

By Afshin Majlesi

Kashmir’s splendors, arts and cuisine come to Iran in exhibit

TEHRAN – The Economic Cooperation Organization Cultural Institute observed Kashmir Solidarity Day on Tuesday by hosting a walk-through exhibition, which showcases arts and cuisine as well as photos of natural beauties of the Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

By Afshin Majlesi

Shaking minarets, enigmatic destination worth visiting once!

For centuries Menar Jonban (“shaking minarets”), which is located in Isfahan, central Iran, has been a source of charm for Iranians and even foreign visitors because its dual minarets are really prone to vibrate!

By Afshin Majlesi

Shab-e Yalda: A golden opportunity to come together

For Iranian families and friends, Shab-e Yalda (Yalda Night), has long been a treasured time to come together and celebrate in honor of the longest night of the year!

Imam Mosque: Elegant, iconic and visually stunning

With its perfect proportions and iconic blue-tiled mosaics, the Imam Mosque forms an elegant, visually stunning historical monument, which stands tall at the southern side of a massive square of the same name; the UNESCO-registered Imam Square of Isfahan in central Iran.

By Afshin Majlesi

Feel “Iranian homes” in the hands of artisans

A walk around the 30th National Crafts Exhibition

In the Information Age when smartphones and social media are ubiquitous, people may sense a cozier atmosphere while connected to the Mother Nature.

By Afshin Majlesi

Meybod: Open-air museum of ancient watermills

Some 50 kilometers north of Yazd, central Iran, lies the sprawling mud-brick city of Meybod, whose tourism officials are planning to internationally promote it as the “city of watermills”.

Iranian cyclist to defy hot desert, eying world record 

TEHRAN – Iranian cyclist Hassan Khorashadi is slated to ride across Rig Yelan desert, deemed as one of the hottest spots on Earth, to try and set a Guinness World Record, Mehr reported on Saturday.

Isfahan sets sights on more Chinese tourists

TEHRAN – Isfahan province’s tourism department has recently formed a task force to look for ways to encourage and attract more travelers from China.

Historical tomb chambers found in southeast Iran  

TEHRAN – Over 500 ancient tomb chambers have recently been found across the Mehdiabad-Oliya cemetery, which is located in Rigan county, southeastern Kerman province.

 Ancient mosque unearthed in southwest Iran

TEHRAN – A team of Iranian archaeologists have recently unearthed parts of an ancient mosque in Arjan, a historical region in the southwestern Khuzestan province.

Louvre show wraps up months of boom in Tehran museum visits

TEHRAN - A momentous Louvre show came to an end at the National Museum of Iran on Monday.

Prehistoric “Persian guard” on the way home

U.S. judge rules return of Achaemenid-era relief to Iran

TEHRAN – A U.S. judge said on Monday an Achaemenid-era (550-330 BC) bas-relief should be returned to Iran, where the object was originally stolen from some 80 years ago.

Solar bikers traverse Iran en route from France to China

TEHRAN – A North Vancouver-based couple Justin Lemire-Elmore and Anne-Sophie Rodet has recently toured parts of Iran along their adventurous itinerary commenced in mid-June in Lyon.

Cheshmeh-Ali still dried out despite promises

TEHRAN – Despite repetitive promises by Tehran subway authorities, Cheshmeh-Ali is still struggling to return to its heyday, when its popular pool was chock-full of inflow-water.

Mt. Damavand facing hurdles to gain UNESCO World Heritage status

TEHRAN –Iran’s cultural heritage body is still keeping an eye on possible inscription of Mount Damavand on the UNESCO World Heritage list though obstacles such as mining operations and land use change are still in place after nearly a decade.

By Afshin Majlesi

Christian worshippers to make annual pilgrimage to St. Thaddeus

TEHRAN – Hundreds of Christian worshippers from Iran, Armenia and other countries are heading for St. Thaddeus to observe an annual ritual and pilgrimage in the northwestern church from July 27 to 29.