Tabas Geopark moves closer to possible UNESCO registration

TEHRAN – An extensive dossier, which is an essential prerequisite for possible UNESCO inscription of a site, has almost been completed for the gigantic Tabas Geopark, which is situated in east-central Iran.

Qeshm Geopark could lose UNESCO tag

TEHRAN – Iran’s southern Qeshm Geopark could lose its UNESCO status due to years of large-scale shrimp hatchery operations that could be referred to as an example of environmental mismanagement in the country.

By Afshin Majlesi

Explore mausoleum of Esther and Mordechai

The purported burial site of Purim’s Persian queen and a pilgrimage site for Iranian Jews

TEHRAN – The mausoleum of Esther and Mordechai is a Jewish shrine in the city of Hamedan, west-central Iran, where, according to Judeo-Persian tradition is the burial site of the two cousins who played a pivotal role in the Book of Esther (also known as the Megillah).

Seven-thousand-year-old clay vessels unearthed in Iran

TEHRAN – A total of six clay vessels, which believed to date back to the fifth millennium BC, have recently been unearned in Moushelan Tepe, a significant archaeological site 65 km west of Tehran. 

Ancient castles and fortresses in Iran: Zahhak Castle

Even though Iran is better known for foreign tourists by magnificent mosques, labyrinthine bazaars, madrasas, wind-catchers, ancient cities like Persepolis, which was once the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire, the nation does have a large number of rather forgotten historical heritages like tens of ruined castles.

Agritourism may shorten way to materialize 'Surge in Production’

TEHRAN - Agritourism, a relatively new branch of the travel industry in which tourists stay with local people in rural areas abroad, is deemed as a means to materialize the national goal of 'Surge in Production’.

Over 10,000 petroglyphs identified in northwest Iran 

TEHRAN – More than 10,000 new ancient petroglyphs and rack-carved arts have been discovered across the northwestern plains of Meshginshahr county. 

First medical tourism center under construction in Urmia

TEHRAN – The first medical tourism center in Urmia, northwestern West Azarbaijan province, is under construction with 30 percent completion so far. 

By Afshin Majlesi

Normal life not a distant dream as Tehran sees drop in new corona cases

The average death toll from COVID-19 pandemic in Iran has been on the decline, and also in the capital Tehran, over the past couple of weeks, thanks to a temporary lockdown introduced earlier in March.

Sistan-Baluchestan exports over $3m of handicrafts

TEHRAN – Handicrafts exports from the lesser-known Sistan-Baluchestan province surpassed $3 million during the previous Iranian calendar year 1398 (ended on March 19), IRNA reported.

Sadi National Day: constantly hectic mausoleum records unprecedented lockdown

TEHRAN – Photos depict mausoleum of Sheikh Muslih od-Din Sadi Shirazi, known by his pen name Sadi, being deserted amid COVID-19 pandemic on April 20, which marks the national day of the 13th-century Iranian poet.

By Mohammad Ali Haqshenas

Meet the most peculiar Iranian garden in desert

TEHRAN - Originally, it was a way to protest against the government policies but the genius plan led to the construction of something wonderful that invites thousands of visitors every year.

Golestan exports of handicrafts up 53% yr/yr

TEHRAN – Handicrafts exports from Golestan province hit $308,000 during the previous Iranian calendar year 1398 (ended March 20), showing 53 percent growth year on year.

Iran, other UNWTO members exchange views on campaign against coronavirus

TEHRAN – Iran and some 20 member states of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have held a video conference discussing the best possible response to coronavirus pandemic to lessen damages on various travel businesses.

Tehran to hold virtual workshop on geotourism

TEHRAN – Tehran province’s department of cultural heritage, tourism, and handicrafts is scheduled to hold a virtual workshop on geotourism today.

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’.

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.

Here’s what IKAC doing to shield travelers from the coronavirus

TEHRAN – Imam Khomeini Airport City (IKAC), which embraces the vast Imam Khomeini International Airport, has tightened precautionary measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, since the past couple of weeks.

Iran museums, historical sites shut down amid fears of virus outbreak

TEHRAN – Iran has temporarily closed cultural heritage museums and historical sites in 15 provinces in a preventive measure amid fears of coronavirus outbreak.

Dam tourism one step closer to take off

TEHRAN – Dam tourism is one step closer to launch in Iran as Energy Ministry has finally announced readiness to create and develop required infrastructure in partnership with the private sector.

Foreign visits to Aras Free Zone up 74% in 10 months

TEHRAN – The number of foreign arrivals in Aras Free Zone, northwestern Iran, rose by 74 percent during the first ten months of the [current Iranian calendar] year (started March 21, 2019), IRNA reported. 

Tricky waterproof repairs cast doubt over fate of Iranian architecture masterpiece

TEHRAN – Many visitors to the 17th-centyry Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, a top masterpiece of Iranian architecture that stands tall in Isfahan, witnessed last month that its picturesque creamy dome was emerged split-face from a snowfall.

Sarab-e Qandil: what ambiguous bas-relief hint at Sassanid monarchy?

TEHRAN - Reliefs bear significant testimony to fragments of the history of mankind as well as the art history, itself.  Reliefs can be found more or less in each corner of Iran, and even the globe. Who knows, maybe some of them are still having untold stories.

Foreign arrivals in Mazandaran surge 38 percent

TEHRAN – The number of foreign visitors arriving in Iran’s northern Mazandaran province surged 38 percent since the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2019), compared with the same period last year, provincial deputy tourism chief has said.

Iran tourism will rebound despite suffering a severe blow: minister

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism minister on Sunday said that the country’s tourism industry has suffered a major setback but it will certainly return to “normal”.

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 closes southwestern border to Iraqi travelers

TEHRAN – Iran has closed its southwestern Chazzabeh border crossing with Iraq to inbound travelers due to insecurity and unrest in the neighboring country.

Travelers’ camp to bring comfort to visitors of Saint Thaddeus monastery

TEHRAN – A travelers’ campsite is to be established adjacent to the Monastery of Saint Thaddeus, northwestern Iran, in order to bring comfort to the visitors of the UNESCO-registered place of worship.

American travel-food vlogger takes social media by storm in Iran

TEHRAN – Thailand-based American food and travel vlogger Mark Wiens has recently arrived in Tehran, tasting street foods and sending videos to hundreds of thousands of his followers on the social media.

By Afshin Majlesi

Iran at the height of travel season

TEHRAN – Perhaps it is tough to define a best time for visiting Iran, which is known as a four-season country, I mean spring, summer, fall and winter; each having its own charms and travel lovers.