{"id":5234,"date":"2019-10-12T14:09:48","date_gmt":"2019-10-12T14:09:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iran.1stquest.com\/blog\/?p=5234"},"modified":"2019-10-12T14:12:09","modified_gmt":"2019-10-12T14:12:09","slug":"non-touristy-experiences-in-iran-tips-for-discovering-the-real-persia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/non-touristy-experiences-in-iran-tips-for-discovering-the-real-persia\/","title":{"rendered":"Non-touristy Experiences in Iran \u2013 Tips for Discovering the Real Persia"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As a seasoned traveller, I\u2019m always trying to balance my travel experiences. When travelling to a new country I want to visit some of the main sites but I also want to get a chance to see behind the scenes and really discover what the place is all about. Non-touristy experiences in Iran are waiting for you.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Striking this balance is tricky. Especially in emerging travel destinations like Iran where the international tourism industry is in its infancy. So, how can you see all the good stuff but avoid a cookie-cutter tour where you don\u2019t make it past the souvenir shops selling fridge magnets and postcards?<\/p>\n<p>Here at <a href=\"https:\/\/iran.1stquest.com\/\">1stQuest<\/a>, we\u2019ve written a tonne about the best places to visit in Iran. Some good reads are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/7-days-in-iran-how-to-experience-everything-in-1-week\/\">7 days in Iran<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/off-the-beaten-track-irans-secret-backpacker-destinations\/\">Off the Beaten Track in Iran<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/city-guide-for-less-known-destinations-in-iran\/\">Iran&#8217;s Lesser Known Destinations<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In this post, I\u2019ll give you some tips on how to experience Iran, while not feeling like a cheesy tourist the whole time!<\/p>\n<h2><strong><b>Before we go on\u2026<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/strong>Have you arranged your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/iran.1stquest.com\/visa\">Iran tourist visa<\/a>\u00a0and <a href=\"https:\/\/iran.1stquest.com\/insurance\">travel insurance<\/a>?<\/p>\n<p>Most incoming tourists need to apply for a visa to enter Iran. You can apply for a <a href=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/iran-visa-on-arrival-complete-2018-guide\/\">visa on arrival<\/a> but we recommend applying in advance. For as little at \u20ac35 1stQuest will apply for your Iran tourist visa and arrange travel insurance for you. Most visa applications get approved within 3 days! For more information\u00a0visit 1stQuest.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5240\" style=\"width: 744px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5240\" class=\" wp-image-5240\" src=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/bus-stop-300x203.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"734\" height=\"497\" srcset=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/bus-stop-300x203.jpg 300w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/bus-stop-768x521.jpg 768w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/bus-stop.jpg 782w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-5240\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Why not have a chat to a local at the bus stop? (Javid Jalali &#8211; wikicommons)<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><strong>Come with an open mind<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Despite what you read in the media, the Iranian people (men and women alike) are spunky, educated, informed and opinionated. Any preconceived ideas that you might have about Iran will most likely be thrown out the window the minute you arrive.<\/p>\n<p>Come with an open mind, objectively observe and decide for yourself what\u2019s really going on in Iran. You\u2019ll see it is crazy, but not for the reasons you read in the news!<\/p>\n<p>Want to know more about Iranian culture, check out\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/guide-to-iranian-hospitality\/\">Iranian hospitality and culture explained<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Get out of the cities <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>This is a simple idea yet it is often forgotten. The disparity between Iranian cities and villages is huge. Iranian cities (such as Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan and Shiraz) are sprawling concrete jungles where all occupants live in apartments and rarely experience nature. The villages are like stepping back in time to a place where life is simpler and people still have a connection with their surrounding environment.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"189\">\n<h3><strong>If you\u2019re visiting&#8230;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<td width=\"412\">\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Consider a day trip to\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" width=\"189\"><strong>Tehran<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"412\"><strong>Darband<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Located at the foothills of the Alborz Mountains to the north of Tehran you will find the small village of <a href=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/tour-of-darband-tehran\/\">Darband<\/a>. Accessible only by foot or donkey, take a walk through the village and to the mountain trail beyond, or chill at one of the traditional tea houses in the village.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" width=\"189\"><strong>Kashan<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"412\"><strong>Abyaneh<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>One of Iran\u2019s most photographed villages, Abyaneh is famous for its traditional mud brick houses and handicrafts. Located 1.5 hours outside of Kashan, consider a day trip to this quaint village. Book an <a href=\"https:\/\/iran.1stquest.com\/experiences\/kashan\/visiting-abyaneh-village\">Abyaneh day trip<\/a>\u00a0 with 1stQuest.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" width=\"189\"><strong>Rasht<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"412\"><strong>Masuleh<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/experience-irans-lush-wilderness-gilan\/\">Masuleh<\/a> is a favourite destination for Iranian tourists. High in the mountains, surrounded by thick forests and running steams is the unique \u201cstacked\u201d village of Masuleh. Here one house&#8217;s roof serves as the neighbour\u2019s balcony. Masuleh\u2019s bazaar sells beautiful knitted clothing and medicinal plants found in the surrounding mountains.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" width=\"189\"><strong>Shiraz<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"412\"><strong>Ghalat<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Located 40 kilometres from Shiraz, the village of Ghalet has winding streets and traditional stone buildings. Just outside of the village are a gorgeous waterfall and decent hiking. A few years ago this village was referred to as Iran\u2019s Amsterdam because tourists could easily find illegal substances in Ghalat\u2019s coffee shops.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" width=\"189\"><strong>Tabriz<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"412\"><strong>Kandovan<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Home of the rock houses \u2013 the tiny village of Kandovan is unique and amazing. For hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years the locals have lived in small houses cut out of strange rock formations protruding from the side of the mountains. Hidden in the rocks, the locals were safe from invading forces and protected from the cold winters. See traditional agriculture in Kandovan where the locals graze sheep and cultivate walnuts.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_3076\" style=\"width: 716px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3076\" class=\" wp-image-3076\" src=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Kandovan-300x142.jpg\" alt=\"Kandovan village\" width=\"706\" height=\"334\" srcset=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Kandovan-300x142.jpg 300w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Kandovan-768x363.jpg 768w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Kandovan-1024x484.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Kandovan.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 706px) 100vw, 706px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3076\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kandovan village, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><strong>Go on Couchsurfing<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Undoubtedly meeting locals is the best way to keep it real when you\u2019re travelling. In Iran, it can be hard to actually meet locals as many people who approach tourists are in fact tour guides wanting to make a buck.<\/p>\n<p>Although the Couchsurfing website is blocked in Iran (along with Facebook, Twitter, etc.) many Iranians have profiles and are active members. I do not recommend using Couchsurfing to find a place to crash for the night but I do recommend it as a way to meet up with locals.<\/p>\n<p>Go on, be brave \u2013 what have you go to lose?<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5239\" style=\"width: 543px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5239\" class=\" wp-image-5239\" src=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/lamiz-242x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"533\" height=\"661\" srcset=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/lamiz-242x300.jpg 242w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/lamiz-768x953.jpg 768w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/lamiz.jpg 826w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-5239\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">People watch at one of Tehran&#8217;s hip cafes (Lamiz Coffee Instagram)<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><strong>Explore Tehran\u2019s caf\u00e9 scene<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Most international tourists coming to Iran will fly in and out of Tehran. Although Iran\u2019s capital often gets a bad wrap as being a busy, polluted metropolis (this is true), Tehran is also Iran\u2019s most edgy and progressive city.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of visiting yet another mosque or museum, why not spend the afternoon in a hip caf\u00e9 in Tehran. Cafes are the best place to people watch. Over the course of your single origin latte and New York cheesecake feel the media stereotypes of jihadist Iranian\u2019s disappear.<\/p>\n<p>Try these spots:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>UpArtMann Caf\u00e9, Haft e Tir<\/li>\n<li>Type Caf\u00e9, IranShahr<\/li>\n<li>Lamiz, Vanak Square, Tajrish or Vali Asr Square<\/li>\n<li>The Cinema Caf\u00e9, Bagh Ferdos<\/li>\n<li>Sam Cafe, Sam Centre, Fereshteh<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Reach out before you arrive<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Thanks to social media, connecting with strangers is really easy. As well as Couchsurfing, try connecting with locals on other social media platforms. Many Iranian\u2019s will post on social media in English as well as Farsi, so finding out what\u2019s happening is easy as pie.<\/p>\n<p>What are you in to? Art? Rock climbing? Teaching English? Parkour? Shakespeare? Go online and find out what\u2019s happening within your scene in Iran.<\/p>\n<p>Iranian\u2019s are super friendly and very willing to collaborate. Consider a pottery course, an artist\u2019s residency or hosting a discussion while you\u2019re in Iran. \u00a0The level of culture will surprise you.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/1483860975268043\/\"><em>See you in Iran<\/em><\/a> Facebook page is a good place to start looking.<\/p>\n<h2>Stay at an Ecolodge<\/h2>\n<p>Ecolodges are an increasingly popular choice for ecologically minded travelers and those who are seeking a genuine cultural experience. If you want to stay on a farm or spend the night in a traditional desert lodging an ecolodge stay might be just for you! What about riding a camel through the desert or weaving a basket out of reeds from the Caspian Sea? Yes &#8211; okay, you can do these things at some of Iran&#8217;s best ecolodges.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/iran.1stquest.com\/hotel\">Iranian ecolodges<\/a>\u00a0are like ecolodges everywhere, a hotel or guesthouse that follows the philosophy and principles of ecotourism. Check out this post on <a href=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/irans-best-ecolodges-2019\/\">Iran&#8217;s best ecolodges 2019<\/a>\u00a0for all my ecolodge recommendations.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3963\" style=\"width: 729px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3963\" class=\" wp-image-3963\" src=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Gileboom-300x226.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"719\" height=\"542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Gileboom-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Gileboom.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 719px) 100vw, 719px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3963\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Consider staying at one of Iran&#8217;s ecolodges. Gileboom Homestay Ecolodge in Gilan, Northern Iran<\/p><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Allow a few unplanned days<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Consistently travellers to Iran tell me that they wish they had left some flexibility in their schedule. While booking hotels and transportation in advance makes your travel stress free, consider leaving a few days at the end of your trip open. You never know who you might meet, what you might hear about or where you might want to revisit.<\/p>\n<p>Booking online before you arrive or while you\u2019re in Iran is easy with 1stQuest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As a seasoned traveller, I\u2019m always trying to balance my travel experiences. When travelling to a new country I want to visit some of the main sites but I also want to get a chance to see behind the scenes&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":5252,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-iran-in-depth"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5234"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5234"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5234\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5252"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}