Monday, December 11, 2006

A total package

Limpid water springs, pomegranate orchards, pistachio gardens, rows of Lombardy poplars, star-lit nights, rocks, deserts, mountains, endless high and low lands, snow-clad extinct volcanoes, the luxuriant forests of the Alborz mountain range, and the coastline of the Caspian Sea are amongst the eye-catching and memorable landscapes of Iran -- all of which have the potential to attract tourists from around the globe. There are innumerable historical sites as well, and also buildings that are an amalgam of old and modern architecture. Iranian history dates back to the 2nd century B.C. and the country boasts of a culture that has continuously evolved since then.
The Alborz mountains descend abruptly near the Caspian coast, at places leaving only a narrow strip between the sea and the mountains. Ramsar, about 200 km from the Iranian capital Tehran, presents this unique and breathtaking attraction where it's possible to swim in the warm waters of the sea, idle around on the sunny beaches or amble across to the top of the mountain where it is much cooler.
The shores of the Caspian Sea in the north and coasts of the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman in the south have popular recreational resorts. The islands of the Persian Gulf such as Kish, Qeshm, and Hormoz, with world-class shores and beaches, as well as pleasant sunshine, are popular vacation choices.
Iran also has over 500 mineral water and thermal springs, which are used for recreational and therapeutic purposes. The thermal springs and shores of Orumyeh lake and its sludge are famous for their therapeutic value.
The desert regions of Iran also enjoy huge tourist traffic. Dasht-e-Lout and Dasht-e-Kavir are the famous deserts. These regions, once the route of merchant caravans between east and west of Iran, encompass the remains of hundreds of old caravanseraies and water reservoirs. Their natural landscapes, with running sands, scattered large and small oasis, present a dry and hot, yet spectacular scene. In this diverse natural topography, several important cities also vie with each other to attract tourists. The most important cities of this region are Isfahan, Shiraz, Meshed, Tehran and Tabriz.
Located on the banks of Zayandeh-rud, Isfahan is famous internationally for its carpets. The region is endowed with the best of nature -- verdant mountains, wetlands, rivers, springs, and caves. A tour of Isfahan commences from Maidan-e-Naghsh-e-Jahan (the World's image) which Shah Abbas planned to be the centre of the city. The square is framed by a wall of blind arches and surrounded by the Masjid-e-Imam, noted as the supreme perfection of Islamic architecture, and the Sheikh Lotfollah (the ladies mosque) with its colourful detailed work ranking among the world's best tile-work. Another palace still intact is the Hasht-Behesht (Eighth Paradise) Palace, recently restored to its former glory. Isfahan also boasts of some of the most beautiful bridges in the world. Other sites not to be missed in Isfahan are the Shaking Minarets (Minar-e-Junban), two churches in Jolfa (Vang and Maryam) and the Sassanid Atashgah (Zoroastrian fire temple).
Another important city, Shiraz, has always been synonymous with learning, nightingales, roses and poetry. It was home to legendary poets like Hafez, Sa'adi, Ferdausi and Rumi. Rabindranath Tagore visited Shiraz in 1932. He wrote, ``I used to dream of a Persia where bulbuls made love to the roses, where in dreamland gardens, poets sat over wine cups and invoked visions of ineffable meanings.''
The most attractive places to see in Shiraz are: Persepolis (514 B.C.), Passargad, Bazaar-e-Vakil. The ancient Jameh Mosque, and a number of museums and parks with magnificent trees too confirm Shiraz as a tourist centre.
Meshed city, situated in the northeast of Iran, is known for the mausoleum of His Holiness Imam Reza, the eighth Shiite Imam who died in 818 A.D. and was buried next to Abbasid Caliph, Harun-al-Rashid. Every year, millions of pilgrims pass through the chambers of glittering mirror work and tiles to reach the tomb of the Imam. The Imam Reza Shrine Complex, including one of the richest libraries of manuscripts and hand-written books, is truly one of the most magnificent religious centres all over the world.
The hub of all activity is undoubtedly Teheran, ringed on three sides by the Alborz mountains. It is a beautiful clean city with good mortar roads and innumerable overbridges to ease traffic.
There are several museums in Tehran and the most popular ones are the Iran Bastan (archaeology), Carpet, Jewellery, Glass and Ceramic and Reza Abbasi (art) museums. The Jewellery Museum located inside the National (Melli) Bank houses the famous diamond Daryayeh Noor (the sea of light) and jewels and crowns of Iranian kings. Saad Abad Complex, Golestan, Marmar and Niyavaran are some of the palaces that are worth a visit.
There are various holiday resorts, sport and recreation centres in and around Tehran such as skiing resorts in Ab Ali, Gajereh and Dizin. Iran does boast of a very high tourism potential and Iranians travel as if there is no tomorrow. But ironically not many international tourists make it here.
Fact File:
By air: There's a weekly direct Iran Air flight to Tehran from Mumbai. Emirates and Gulf Air too provide convenient connections to Tehran. In Iran, Iran Airline (Homa), Iran Air Tour, SAHA, Aseman Airline, Bon Air, Mahan Air, Kish Air, and Caspian Air are the domestic airlines which connect all important cities in the country. There are train services to most major cities. Capital cities of all provinces are linked through a road network.
Climate: Climatic conditions differ from zone to zone.
Accommodation: Hotels are easily available at most places of tourist interest. In most hotels the health club and pool are reserved for women for only a few hours a day, otherwise they are open only for men. There are also a few places akin to our dharamshalas, particularly in the pilgrim cities.
Cuisine: In cities, local and national dishes as well as international ones are available. A must try is the traditional cafe in Iran -- Ghahveh Khaneh (coffee house) -- which, however, serves only tea.
Pic.: Pilgrims gather at the Shrine of Imam Reza at Mashhad.

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