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.

London conference calls for studies on Tappeh Sialk

TEHRAN – Tens of international scholars, archaeologists and historians called for further studies on Tappeh Sialk, which is one of the oldest and richest archaeological sites in central Iran.

A general renaissance: Iranian art and architecture under Sassanids

TEHRAN – On Sunday, UNESCO added an ensemble of Sassanian historical cities in southern Iran to its world heritage list.

Iran’s tourist arrivals up 4.33% y/y

TEHRAN - International tourist arrivals in Iran rose 4.33 percent in the previous Iranian calendar year 1396 (ended March 20, 2018) from a year earlier, a tourism official says.

Iran’s ensemble of Sasanian cities gets UNESCO world heritage status

TEHRAN - The UN cultural organization added an ensemble of Sasanian historical cities in southern Iran to its world heritage list, bringing the number of heritage sites in the country to 23.

Ascending to Qaleh Babak challenging but rewarding

TEHRAN – Qaleh Babak is a ruined fortress nested atop a pick in northwest Iran. Ascending the mount to set foot on the ancient fort seems somewhat arduous for many visitors but in most cases proves to be a considerable and gratifying experience.

Lost in time: Discover Anubanini reliefs in western Iran 

TEHRAN – Every corner of Iran is filled with ancient and prehistoric heritage, which testify to the colorful past of the nation yet many of them are nearly lost in time and forgotten.

Zoroastrian Pir-e Sabz pilgrimage underway in Yazd

TEHRAN – On June 14, the annual Pir-e Sabz congregational pilgrimage started for Zoroastrians in Ardakan county, Yazd province, central Iran.