Iran Today
In the recent years, tourism as an emerging industry has drawn lots of attention of many countries. The advantages along with the richness and diversity of Iran’s tourism attractions have made the country to consider tourism as one of the priorities in its economic development.
Iran is the land of four seasons, history and culture, souvenir and authenticity. This is not a tourism slogan, this is the reality inferred from the experience of visitors who have been impressed by Iran’s beauties and amazing attractions. Antiquity and richness of its culture and civilization, the variety of natural and geographical attractions, four - season climate, diverse cultural sites in addition to different tribes with different and fascinating traditions and customs have made Iran as a treasury of tangible and intangible heritage.If you would like to find a small world in a vast country, visit Iran.

Iranians are exceptional entertainers and are well known for their generosity. The Iranian people are hospitable and curious. They love to share ideas and meet new people .Decades of Western influence and modernization have created a contemporary society in which American visitors can fit comfortably. In business and in social settings, Iranians are gracious host. Traveling to Iran today may surprise you — it certainly will provide stories and memories that you won’t soon forget. January 15, 2016Tourism News
Followings are what CNN has published about Iran in its article:
Nowhere stirs the imagination quite like Iran.
Go skiing or hit the beach, explore exquisite mosques, markets and madrassas, hear classic Persian poetry and eat spiced cuisine to the scent of water pipes.
Romantic fabled cities Shiraz and Esfahan are interspersed with rural mud villages, across semi-nomadic terrain.
Travelers regularly remark on the disparity between Iran’s image and the hospitality of locals.
Nineteen UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as former imperial capital Persepolis fill the ancient land. Loot Desert is now being considered as a new addition to the list.
Visitor numbers are growing exponentially, with Iranian officials predicting 20 million tourists by 2025.
What’s new?The easing of diplomatic relations is resulting in more flight routes, while travel insurance and visas are getting easier to obtain. The landmark reopening of the British Embassy this year is also significant.
“With the British FCO recently relaxing its advice, this great treasure trove has become more accessible, with key areas of interest now deemed safe to travel,” says Jenny Hand of Cox & Kings.
• When to Go: March to May and September to November.
All year is also significant.
“With the British FCO recently relaxing its advice, this great treasure trove has become more accessible, with key areas of interest now deemed safe to travel,” says Jenny Hand of Cox & Kings.
It’s dangerous and other misconceptions about Iran.
The concept of travel to Iran is steeped in misconception and confusion. Many long to discover the historical treasures of the ancient civilizations of Persia, yet are deterred by a bias that negatively colors travel to the modern day Islamic republic.
The reality is that travel to Iran is safe, accessible and indescribably thought provoking. Iran may be misunderstood, but it is neither off limits nor dangerous—and despite what you hear about Iran disliking the West, its government’s politics are not representative of its people. Iran is a destination you must see for yourself.
You can’t travel to Iran—it’s restricted
It just means that citizens of a few countries have to travel as part of a guided tour—either as a group or by hiring a private guide.
All nationalities, regardless of guided restrictions, have to obtain an authorization code from a certified Iranian tour agency before being able to apply for a visa. (This code is something G Adventures will facilitate for you.)
Reality: If you are from a restricted country, it is still possible to wander freely in each destination. (It’s really the travel from destination to destination within the country where guiding is required.) Restriction doesn’t mean 24/7 monitoring.
Iran is dangerous
It is foreign visitors who will come and see that the West all too often reports on the absolute worst of it all, without separating the people from its government. The media is full of stories of the dominating regime and nuclear weapons programs, but like any country shrouded in complex history and negativity, this is a place you need to visit to decide for yourself.The policed nature of the state probably means you’re more likely to be protected. Just as in the political regime of Burma, travel is safe here. And while Iran is slow to pick up as a destination for independent travelers, they are here. Tour groups dominate the travel landscape but exploration of Iran is more fascinating than it is frightening.
Reality: Don’t believe the hype. The only danger is missing out on something that is beautiful and incredibly interesting. Westerners are disliked and unwelcome
Iran’s modern history is complex, and its relationship with the West fragmented, but nothing shatters preconceptions of society and politics here like meeting Iran’s people. The current regime didn’t destroy the country’s remarkable history—nor did it force the open arms of its people closed. It’s said that the government tries to limit interaction between local people and foreigners, but you’ll have constant interaction. Everywhere you go you will be greeted by hellos, offers of homestays, and hospitality. These people want you to see them differently. They want the chance to say they don’t hold any hatred, only a desire for friendship.
Reality: You will never forget the kindness and enthusiasm of the people of Iran. They are welcoming—and it’s just as important for them to see that the mindset of the West is not crafted from the stereotypes they hear. Travel to Iran to visit ancient Persia and to understand the makeup of its modern-day society. Your preconceptions will be shattered and you’ll discover that not everything you hear is true. A trip here will stay with you forever.


DRESS CODE
Men
Shorts are not acceptable in public places.
Wearing ties or bows is not a problem.
T-shirts are acceptable.
Women
Obeying Islamic rules including Hijab or Islamic dress-code is necessary in Iran. However these rules are not observed very strict, especially for tourists and foreigners. You must not worry about maintaining your hijab , since in times you have forgotten about it, the maximum penalty will be a request (usually in a kind way) to make it correct.
There are some minimum requirements for foreign women dress-code in public places :
Color : It's a completely false belief that wearing must be dark in Iran. There is no limitation in this respect and we recommend you make sure using light colors in summer.
Head : Hair should be covered. It does not mean you shall have a tight scarf around your head. Don't worry, It is very usual that some parts remain out of the cover. It's quite acceptable for women to allow whips of their hair to frame their face. Appropriate hats & caps can do this function as well as scarves. Scarf is the most common covering for head and is called "Roosari" in Farsi.
Body : Should be covered with loose clothes like man shirt, coat or manteau. Arms should not be bare.
Legs & feet : Legs should be covered down to ankles. Feet can be bare and you can wear sandals. Tight jeans are no problem.
* : In summer and hot weather, you can cheat(!) and not wear shirt under your coat/manteau. Who understands?!
* : In winter time, apart from covering the head, the rest is the same as what you wear in your home country.
* : You better enter Iran with a coat and a scarf and select your style by watching the Iranian women in the streets.
* : Once a chador is needed, like in holy places, it will be given upon entrance.
* : Following the dress-code is necessary form the time of on-boarding international flights. On Iranian Flights, it is usually requested when the plane enters the Iranian boundaries.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
. Arrival Travelers
. Departure Travelers REGULATIONS
. Temporary Entrance of Automobiles
Arrival Travelers
* Gold & Foreign Exchange : Every passenger is allowed to have gold with him/her personal use. Otherwise, it should be declared to the customs officials.
Upon arrival, every passenger should declare his/her foreign exchange to the bank situated in the airport. The amount of foreign exchange allowed to be exited by every traveler will equal his/her previously declared amount.
* Other Goods : Import of alcoholic beverages, playing cards and so on used for gambling, weaponry, explosives, narcotics, and type of publications, films, and pictures as well as all products contradictory to the religious and national ethics of Iran is prohibited.
Import of tapes and publications is allowed if inspected and confirmed by the Ministry of Guidance representatives based at entrance gates.
* Goods authorized to enter Iran by passengers are as follow:
Home appliances, either portable or non-portable powered by electricity, gas and kerosene |Spare parts and accessories for home appliances mentioned in article 1 |Spare parts and accessories for automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles |Tableware and housekeeping implements and utensils |Personal belongings and their spare parts and accessories |Bags and suitcases |Apparel, handbags, and shoes |Textile |Foodstuff, including pastries, chocolate, fruit juice, and nonalcoholic beverages |Toothbrushes, toothpaste, eau-de-Cologne, perfumes, and so on |Cosmetics |Cigarettes |Laptops and their accessories |Sport equipment and gear |Stationary |Bicycles and tricycles | Artificial flowers |Airguns |Machine-made carpets |Hand tools |Newspapers, Magazines, calendars, albums, and other products pertaining to printing industry.
Departure Travelers
Any Passenger Leaving Iran can have his / her personal belongings within the limits of non-commercial nature. There is no limitation about the amount of handicrafts and other Iranian products (except carpet which will be described later) the amount of transferable foreign goods by each passenger is up to 160 dollars.
Nuts : Any passenger leaving Iran is allowed to take nuts with himself/ herself. The maximum permitted amount of pistachio is 10 kilograms of Saffron by any one who holds a valid Passport Moreover the accompanying persons cannot have any amount of the mentioned items.
Carpet and short – napped Coarse Carpet : Passengers who depart Iran by air can take only one hand knotted carpet not more than 6 Square meters. It means Passengers are not allowed to carry two carpets that areas are less than 6 square meters. The accompanying persons cannot benefit from this privilege.
Exit of carpet, pistachio, nuts and Saffron by those passengers whose destination is United Arab Emirates and Syria is prohibited.
Transfer of precious carpet and other objects, which have historical and cultural value, are prohibited.
Foreign Exchange : According to laws of central bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the maximum permitted transferable foreign Currency by each passenger is 1000 dollars (Bank-note, traveler check or a combination of both). Transfer of foreign Currency more than the allowed limit requires a bank statement or a transfer certificate issued by the bank system. Transfer of Dinar (Iraq), Ruble (Russia), and Afghani ( Afghanistan) is prohibited by passengers and traders. Transfer of Iranian Currency is allowed up to 500000 Rails.
The Temporary Entrance of Automobiles
The temporary entrances of passenger cars are possible as the following:
Aliens and Iranian residents abroad can import their Automobiles temporarily by receiving the carnet de passage or tripque booklets from the motoring centers in the original country.
These automobiles should be exited from Iran when the permitted period (3 months) is over.
Passengers who could not get the carnet de passage or triptique booklets in the origin country, should get the temporary admission license in the entrance frontier by putting deposit or a bank bond on security.
Exchange
For exchanging money, you can refer to the banks which have a sign of "EXCHANGE" on their entrance. There are also authorized exchange shops in the airport or tourist areas where you can exchange your money at a bit more cost, but fast. These shops are called "SARRAFI" in Farsi which is the equivalent word for exchange.
There are also street exchangers in tourist areas who usually hold a bunch of banknotes and show them to people who are passing and shout Dollars, Pounds, Euros. This way of exchange is not legal and is not recommended.
You can exchange USD, EUR, GBP, AED almost everywhere, but other major currencies can be exchanged in certain bank branches.
Foreign credit cards are not still a reliable way for payments in Iran, as the situation of their acceptance changes a lot. Sometimes, you can use it and sometimes you can't. So, it's better to forget it at least at this time. Hopefully, according to the new financial laws, this problem will be solved soon. There are many ATMs everywhere in Iran, but they only accept the domestic cards and are currently useless to foreigners.
Traveler's Cheques may be accepted by some hotels or shops, but it's not a reliable way of bringing money to Iran.
Considering the above matters, it is recommendable to bring money in cash in form of USD, EUR or GBP. Using a money-belt is proposed.

Regulations on Money Export/Import
- Import of foreign currencies in any amount is free.
- Export of foreign currencies in the form of banknotes and travelers cheque is authorized up to US$ 1,000 or the equivalent amount in other currencies by the bearer of passport, and for each companion (in the case of group passport) up to US dollars 500. Excess thereto is permissible in the form of bank cheque or draft drawn by the banking system.
- Export and import of Rials is permissible up to Rls. 500,000.
- Import and export of Syrian Pounds, Arabian Rials, Emirates Dirhams, Iraqi Dinars, Lebanese Pounds and Afghanis are prohibited by passengers and commercially. In case a passenger has them with him at the time of entry, an exchange declaration must be filled to prevent difficulties on exit.
Import of foreign currencies in any amount is free.
Export of foreign currencies in the form of banknotes and travelers cheque is authorized up to US$ 1,000 or the equivalent amount in other currencies by the bearer of passport, and for each companion (in the case of group passport) up to US dollars 500. Excess thereto is permissible in the form of bank cheque or draft drawn by the banking system.
Export and import of Rials is permissible up to Rls. 500,000.
Import and export of Syrian Pounds, Arabian Rials, Emirates Dirhams, Iraqi Dinars, Lebanese Pounds and Afghanis are prohibited by passengers and commercially. In case a passenger has them with him at the time of entry, an exchange declaration must be filled to prevent difficulties on exit.