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Already on the first day of my trip to Iran, I had confirmation of what I had already realized by informing myself from reliable sources.Iran is like a hidden treasure chest, so much so that people are amazed to see you, especially alone.
I settle in, almost, immediately
In the touching museum of the Holy Defense of Iran where the tragedy of the war with Iraq is recounted, I passed a school group of children. One of them was amazed to learn that I was Italian. He went to call his classmates who all wanted to see me, and one little girl asked for confirmation: but are you a real Italian?
Read this article to learn more about such an important historical fact that we have forgotten as the Iran-Iraq war. And especially how the West was involved in it.
To paraphrase Roberto Benigni, I could say that the real problem in Tehran is the traffic. There is so much of it! And in addition to the nonexistent respect for pedestrians, with cars even squeezing into the sidewalks, the issue is that having all old cars, the air is absolutely unbreathable. In particular there are so many Peugeot 405s. It’s a ‘car I know well because my father had it, and it was one of the first cars I drove, in the early part of the 1990s.
Another problem immediately apparent to those arriving in Iran is the devaluation of the currency. Within days of checking it out, the conversion to euros had already changed, but the official exchange rate does not keep up. For a few euros they gave me an actual pile of bills with lots of 0’s. Actually cash is not needed much because cards are accepted everywhere. Even from the people who sell you socks or pens in the subway.
Finally, since there are not many tourists, it happens that few speak English. The first night, for example I just couldn’t get an explanation at a little bar where I wanted to have dinner. Starving after various haggling and signs, they brought me only a bottle of water.
Travel to Iran, starting in and around the capital
On a trip to Iran, in my opinion, you cannot miss the capital Tehran, although it is certainly not the most beautiful city. But there are many interesting things to start getting a feel for the country, starting with the former royal palace and the grand bazaar where I bought a classic made-in-China cowboy hat for the hot sun I knew I would find. Also unique is the jewelry museum where there are the incredible Peacock Throne and the globe of precious stones.
One day I got as far as the village of Darband outside the metropolis, where there are a number of places that have grates with carpets where you can eat on the river and thus in the cooler. I was lackadaisical both there and in the other cities I could have arranged myself better to see more places. For example, in northern Iran there are beautiful mountains and even just a 45-minute gondola ride from Tehran you can almost get to the top of Mount Tochal which is snow-capped most of the year and where Iranians go skiing.
Home travel Ignorance in social media, especially about Iran
Next stage While traveling in Iran, I hold press conferences
Trips taken, travel stories divided by continent
Countries visited in my travel stories
Anecdotes, divided by type in travel narratives
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