5 reasons to visit Iran in 2017.

1. Iran is home to folks and ancient civilizations.

Old civilizations and empires like Elamite (3000 BC), Achaemenid (550 B.C) and Sassanid (224 A.E) were in Iran and inherited their glorious monuments and precious utensils for history lovers and tourists who like to travel to thousands of years ago! Different Iranian folks and nomads with a unique culture and interesting traditions live in Iran. You will meet Turks, Kurds and Lurs in west, Baluchs and Turkmans in east and north-east of Iran and acquaint with lifestyle and beliefs of Iranian nomads.

2. Iran is the land of fabulous architecture and stunning handicrafts.

In every city, you will explore architecture masterpieces, including mosques, caravanserais and historical houses with dazzling ornaments, dating back to Islamic dynasties like Safavid and Qajar or even pre-Islam Empires like Achaemenid and Sassanid. Each city of Iran has its own beautiful handicraft. World known Persian carpets, hand weaved textiles of Yazd, earthen dishes of Hamedan, different kinds of wood crafts and copper dishes of Kerman and Isfahan are some fantastic handicrafts of Iran.

3. Iran has great traditional cuisines.

Iranians love cooking and eating! In each city and region, the local people cook traditional cuisines, which are in harmony with the area they live in. Visit different cities of Iran and enjoy the Iranian kebab, spicy seafood of southern cities and tasty sweets of Yazd in the east of Iran.

4. Iran has incredible natural landscapes.

Due to the unique geometrical properties of Iran plateau, you will see dazzling natural attractions and landscapes in this country. The dense forests of the north, warm and stunning beaches of the south, the wonderful Lut desert and wild mountains of Zagros range, covered in ice, are some of the natural attractions of Iran.

5. Iran is safe and the people are hospitable.

Some tourist who haven’t visited Iran might have been warned that Iran is an unsafe country, but according to what the tourists who have visited Iran say, no matter where you are from you will be safe in Iran and the police will support you, responsively. Iranians are known as very hospitable and generous people and you will feel good, spending time with them during your tour to Iran.

Check out the diverse tours of Uppersia and pick your favorite one for 2017!

A tourist in Persepolis. 

Yazd, the city of soil and sunshine.

Yazd is known as the city of bikes, sweets, qanats, fire and sunshine! Yazd is the oldest adobe city and the second historical city of the world after Venice. The antiquity of 5000 years is claimed for Yazd and this city has been known as a safe place on the Silk Road.

This city has fabulous attractions, like Amir Chakhmaq square which is a world heritage site, registered by UNESCO and Jaame mosque, a masterpiece of Persian architecture with dazzling tile works. The Zoroastrian fire temple (Atash Bahram), with a fire burning for 1500 years, is another unique attraction of Yazd.

Tourists exploring Yazd.

Myths of Takht- e Suleiman!

Takht- e Suleiman, which was once known as “Shiz”, is a historical square, in North West of Iran, near Takab town of Azerbaijan province. This ancient area which is registered by UNESCO is a mysterious and weird land and many legendary and imaginary stories are told about this place. Takht- e Suleiman includes remains of monuments related to Sassanid and Ilkhanate dynasty but this area has also been a center for religion and culture during Achaemenid and Parthian era and its antiquity dates back to 3000 years ago. It is said that Takht- e Suleiman has been the birthplace of the Zoroaster!

Ali Sadr cave, the biggest water cave in the world!

Ali Sadr is the biggest water cave of the world, created during Jurassic era, about 190 million years ago! This cave is located in Hamedan province in west of Iran and it is about 2100 meters high above the sea level.

.Tourists in Ali Sadr Cave

"Masuleh village"

Masuleh is one of the most beautiful villages in the north of Iran. It is located on the heights, covered in dense forests with oak and alder trees. This village is about 800 years old and the weather is usually cool, rainy and fresh even in summer days. Heavy rain, snowfalls and the cold weather starts in November and continues until the first days of March in Masuleh, but autumn days of Masuleh pass with milder weather and lighter rain, while the forest is colored in different tones of yellow and orange.

The traditional bazaar of Masuleh village.

Jolfa district of Isfahan.

 Shah Abbas I, the Safavid king since 1587 B.C, displaced the Armenians, who lived in Jolfa city of Azerbaijan region (northwest of Iran) to Isfahan and paid a lot of attention to them. Gradually, other Armenians of Iran migrated to Isfahan and many Armenians were gathered in Isfahan. Shah Abbas built them big houses and Cathedrals and they named their district "Jolfa".

Jolfa is a very beautiful district and its architecture shows an interesting contrast in the heart of Isfahan. The cobblestone alleys lighted by old poles, the nice houses with brick walls and the pleasant and peaceful silence, make the whole district a nostalgic and lovely area, where you like to stroll in, for hours.

The vank cathedral in Jolfa district of Isfahan.

The wonderful Treasury of National Jewels.

The Treasury of National Jewels of Iran, also known as the National Jewels Museum, is an incomparable collection of precious and stunning jewels collected over centuries. This museum, which is one of the most important attractions of Iran, is located on Ferdowsi Street in Tehran and it is owned by Central Bank of Iran. These fantastic jewels are a part of Iran’s culture and history and they have survived wars and robberies.

The kings of Safavid dynasty started to collect the precious jewels in Iran and bought new jewels from India, Ottoman and Europe to decorate their capital, Isfahan. When Mahmoud Afghan occupied Iran during Afsharid dynasty, he plundered the treasury and sent it to India. Nader Shah, King of Afshari dynasty, campaigned to India and took back the collection, but many of the jewels were lost on the way back. After Nader shah was murdered in 1747 B.C, the treasure was plundered once again and the legendary Kuh- e Nur, which is one of the world’s biggest pieces of diamond, got locked in Tower of London. Today this collection, which was promoted by Qajar and Pahlavi rulers, is kept in the Central bank of Iran and the shiny Kuh-e Nur is back home!

The Kuh- e Nur diamond.

1000 stairs to Rudkhan castle.

Rudkhan castle is a brick and stone made building, located on the heights of Fuman city in Gilan province. This historical castle with an area of 2.6 hectares, is in the northern forests of Iran and a river flows near it. This monument has been constructed during Sasanid Empire and it was rebuilt during Seljuq dynasty (founded 10th century) and used as a military base.

Rudkhan castle has two main parts, including a citadel on the west of the complex, where the governors and their families lived and an arsenal on the east, for military activities and residence of the soldiers. 40 towers, covered with domes, have surrounded the castle and it is said that no enemy could ever breakthrough this castle and it has never been conquered.

Architectural ornaments like the pointed arcs and beautiful brickworks make this Persian architecture masterpiece much more attractive and many tourists visit this old monument every day especially during spring and autumn when the weather is mild and the nature around is fantastic. Passing the route to Rudkhan castle is an adventure itself. You have to pass a stair path with about 1000 stairs for reaching there. Don’t worry, the route goes through a beautiful forest and the weather is so nice that you won’t feel tired on the way up to Rudkhan castle! Enjoy the beauties of Northern Iran and know more about Rudkhan castle in Iran North by Northwest tour of Uppersia travel.

Rudkhan castle in winter.

Bridges to Safavid dynasty!

Isfahan, known as the city of blue tiles, is one of the most touristic cities of Iran. Walking in Isfahan is like exploring a great museum of Persian arts and stunning monuments, which are constructed based on architectural proportions and aesthetics and ornamented with fabulous brick and tile works. Isfahan has been the capital of Iran during Safavid dynasty and many of the stunning monuments belong to that era. The beautiful bridges on Zayanderud River, connecting the two parts of Isfahan are fabulous samples of Safavid architectural masterpieces in Isfahan.

You can walk by the Zayanderud River for about one hour and visit three of these historical bridges built over this river, which is so precious to the people of Isfahan, because of providing water for agriculture and making their city a much more beautiful place.

Si-o-Seh pol (33 bridges): This bridge has been constructed during the kingdom of Shah Abbas I, in 1596 B.C. Si-o-Seh pol, known as the longest bridge on Zayanderud River, is 295 meters long and 14 meters wide. According to the old travel books written by globetrotters who traveled to Iran during Safavid era, the people of Isfahan used to celebrate the “Ab Rizan” ceremony near this bridge. “Ab Rizan” was a fun summer festival, including swimming in the river and pouring water on each other!

Si-o-Seh pol Bridge in Isfahan. 

10 reasons to travel to Chabahar this autumn:

Are you looking for a getaway from autumn rain and the cloudy weather? Do you miss spring weather and its mild sunshine? Chabahar is a coastal destination with a very mild weather and nice sunshine, the attractions are stunning and most importantly, it is not crowded!

Chabahar Seaport is a free trading zone on the coast of the Gulf of Oman, in the south east of Iran. Chabahar means Four Springs (Chahar= four/ Bahar= spring) and it shows the mild weather during four seasons of the year in this seaport, which is due to being located near the Equator line. In addition to the fabulous weather and the safety, Chabahar has unique natural and cultural attractions that make this place a great destination especially during autumn and winter:

1. The beach: Chabahar has the most amazing beach in Iran. You can have a long walk on the sea shore and step where it seems that nobody has stepped before! Enjoy the magical sunrise and sunset on the rocks and save the image in your memory.

Chabahar's beautiful beach.