Jaunted - ir

Not This Again: Three American Hikers Held in Iran for Illegal Entry

Victor Ozols — 2009-08-01T13:30:53-05:00

This sounds somewhat familiar: three adventurous American hikers are being held by Iranian officials for straying off course during a recent trek in Iraqi Kurdistan and crossing into Iranian territory. USA Today reports that the hikers were in a mountainous area near the town of Ahmed Awaa on Friday when they mistakenly crossed the border, where Iranian troops surrounded them and took them into custody.

Iran Travel: Western Tourists Increasingly Visiting America's Frenemy

Victor Ozols — 2008-11-08T14:22:21-05:00

Just six years after the American president deemed Iran to be part of an "Axis of Evil," the reclusive country is cracking open its borders to an increasing number of western tourists. As USA Today reports, Canadian tour company G.A.P Aventures is now offering the Discover Persia Tour, a fourteen-day journey by bus and plane with stops at Iran's most famous sites, including the ancient cities of Esfahan, Persepolis, and Shiraz, as well as the parks and museums of the capital Tehran. And guidebook giant Rick Steves, who toured Iran in May to film a PBS special, raved about the country, claiming that any preconceived notions he had were blown out of the water by his visit. There remains a U.S. State Department travel warning for Iran, and visitors would be well served to bone up on etiquette and cultural pitfalls, but somehow it doesn't seem like such a scary place anymore. In my limited Middle Eastern travel experience, I've found that government relations and human relations are entirely different things. Most local people are kind and welcoming to visitors, and if you smile or make eye contact with someone, you're likely to be invited to share tea and conversation over a game of backgammon. Steer clear of topics such as religion and politics and you just might have a friend for life.

[Photo: USA Today]

Related Stories:
· In Iran, Open Arms, Rich History Await Intrepid Western Travelers [USA Today]
· Discover Persia Tour [G.A.P Adventures]
· Rick Steves' Iran: Yesterday and Today [ricksteves.com]
· Iran Air: We Take You There, We Take You Back [Jaunted]

You, Too, Can Disappear in Iran

djk — 2007-04-05T12:06:43-05:00

Our thoughts are with the family of Robert Levinson, the former FBI agent who has gone missing in Iran. That being said, why didn't he email us about Kish Island before he went MIA? The place looks sweet! Its waters are crystal-clear, and snorkeling and diving opportunities are abundant.

For those curious about the destination that's been attached to this recent story, it's true that even American citizens do not need a visa to visit. The island's most luxurious lodging is at the Dariush Grand Hotel, which one TripAdvisor reviewer calls as nice of a place as you'll find in Iran, but not quite up to international standards.

Kish Island can be reached by flying Kish Air from the United Arab Emirates. Lest you be a bit worried by the website's opening message about its humble beginnings with leased Bulgarian aircraft, fret not, because they also really "care about you."

[Photo: taario]

Related Stories:
· Dariush Grand Hotel [Official Site]
· Dariush Grand Hotel reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Officials: Disappearance of American in Iran routine [AP/CNN]

Iran Air: We take you there. We take you back.

markj — 2006-07-19T11:53:32-05:00

Back in seventies, when Iran and the US were chummy, it looks like Madison Avenue did a little pro bono work for Iran Air, which by the way is still the major airline of Iran.

In this video, a fresh faced Iran Air representative brags about the airline's excellent food, first run movies, and the ability to take you on an adventure you will never forget.

"Well, here we are in Tehran, the exciting capital of Iran", starts the video. While we have no idea if Iran Air still has great food, after watching this, we can't shake the image of Sashon Baron Cohen doing a parody of this video for a fictional Kazaktstan Air on Da Ali G show.

Related Stories:
· In My Country There Is Problem... [Jaunted]

Iranians Request Direct Flights From U.S.

markj — 2006-01-26T09:17:53-05:00

According to Airwise News, Iran has asked the United States to allow direct flights between the two countries after a twenty year direct flight drought.

The decision to make the request was taken by hardline Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad due to demand from the large Iranian community living in the United States.

The reason these flights have to be direct? The Iranians are sick of losing their baggage on connecting flights.

Could lost baggage open the door to diplomacy? Time will tell, but nothing pisses off a traveler more than lost baggage, so there is hope.

Iranian airliners have been barred from the United States since the US government broke ties with Tehran after the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Related Stories:
· Nonstop Flights from US to Iran [Online Travel Review]
· Iran Tourism [TripAdvisor]