Iran

[RUI488]

Good evening all.

I only ever read or post in Smoker Barges but hoping to access the large number of PH users to get more knowledge on Iran.

As I’ve grown up I find the place increasingly fascinating.
Has anyone been?
If so, what were your experiences?

If i didn’t have kids i dare say i would already have visited the place but i don’t feel like risking being arbitrarily detained on suspicion of being a spy just for having a U.K. passport.
I know most (probably all) Western governments will advise not to travel there.

Anyway, any and all posts appreciated.

TIA, RUI.

[Mr Penguin]

I haven't but would dearly love to. The risk of arrest is mostly (but not entirely) for British Iranians because they don't recognise dual citizenship. You also need to have an official guide at all times which is what really puts me off, I hear that it isn't always enforced especially away from Tehran but I'd rather not risk it.

[Bill]

It's a spectacular place, with lovely people assuming you avoid the religious police. I travelled through in 1997, not sure I'd be so keen now.

[JerryEXE]

Visited Tehran numerous times between say 2004 and 2010 (so not an up to date experience). The things I remember most, in no particular order, are -

- The pollution was horrific. There was an obvious brown cloud over the city all of the time, your eyes and sinuses felt like they were burning from the moment you landed to the moment you left.
- The traffic was horrific. They always seem to squeeze one more lane of traffic onto the road than it was actually designed for. The 2 closest to death experiences I’ve ever had happened on the same journey out of Tehran back to the airport (I suspect the driver suffered from ‘roid rage).
- The hotels are distinctly average.
- The Iranian people are some of the most friendly you will ever meet and they seemed genuinely happy that we were there seeing what it was like for ourselves rather than just going along with the Western media tale.
- The kebabs and rice are superb but the alcohol free beer is fairly poor.
- Toilets can be a lottery and you never know if it’ll be a Western style loo or a hole in the ground that you stand over. We became quite adept at knowing which were on which floor of the offices we visited.

I’m disappointed that we didn’t get to explore outside of Tehran (the offer of facilities on the banks of the Caspian was made a few times but didn’t fit with the company gifts policy!) as there is an awful lot to see in a large and very historic country.

Almost forgot, the first beer as the Emirates plane leaves Iranian airspace always tastes very, very good

I suspect it would be almost impossible for a Brit to get a visa these days?

[u-boat]

Bill said:

It's a spectacular place, with lovely people assuming you avoid the religious police. I travelled through in 1997, not sure I'd be so keen now.

I used to go fairly often in the 90s and found Tehran quite cosmopolitan, much like Istanbul really.

I think it’s still ok but it’s not on my holiday list anymore either.

I’d probably go to places like Jordan or some of the -stans now if I was looking for that east meets west vibe.

[RUI488]

Thanks for responses; please keep them coming

[LRDefender]

I'm not in Iran but I have recently been in eastern Turkey and I met a few Iranian citizens whilst I was there. They were all lovely, generous & open people that were happy to talk to me about the political situation their country faces. They were more than eager to show me pictures & video's of their amazing country and I would love to visit Iran but as you point out, for a UK passport holder it isn't advisable right now.

I'm a little further north now and I've been talking to many European travellers who have recently travelled through Iran without any issues and they all loved it. This afternoon I had drinks with a Brazilian traveller who travelled through Iran last month and she said it was a amazing experience and told me the people are amazing. So it is possible to travel through Iran and I will be travelling to Iran at some stage....

I have an Iranian friend here who is very critical of her government and the restrictions her Iranian passport presents her with. She told me that the average Iranian is scared of their government and that prevents them from protesting or even being openly critical of their rulers. She goes on to say how difficult life is for the average Iranian and even immensely popular national celebrities that show support for peaceful protests are severely dealt with. One very popular TV personality was recently censured by the authorities and no longer appears on Iranian TV. My friend can't return to Iran. With what I have recently learnt about Iran and the Iranians, plus the mounting internal and external political pressure I truly fear for the Iranian people, I feel their future isn't in their hands and is rather bleak.

On this, I hope I'm wrong.

[Bill]

u-boat said:

I think it’s still ok but it’s not on my holiday list anymore either.

I have no idea TBH, I haven't looked in years. But even when we went we heard stories of a couple of people flagging up to the religious police, we got taken to a police station as we turned up in a town that wasn't used to tourists (a local man jumped in the car with us as well to make sure we were ok). It was absolutely fine and everyone was very friendly but it was a bit edgy until it got sorted.

Edited by Bill on Thursday 11th January 22:16

[RUI488]

Sorry, should have added in the OP- i don’t really care what anyone thinks about their politics, world view, geo-political positioning etc
Just the country and people.

[Pistom]

I've spent a lot of time in Tehran and have never experienced issues with travelling on my British passport.

I've experienced more issues outside of Iran for traveling there than being a westerner in Iran.

As others say, mostly nice, decent people, very honest.

The only unpleasant Iranians I've met have been in the UK but that's just down to the individuals.