Travel Guide Tehran. Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels. Quick view Iran Travel etiquette Health

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Marion Roberts
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Travel Guide 02 02 03 03 Quick view Travel etiquette Health 04 05 07 07 Phone calls & Internet Top 10

1 Travel Guide Quick view Travel etiquette Health Phone calls & Internet Top 10 sights Shopping in Restaurants Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels Shutterstock LH.com/travelguide 01/11

2 02 Quick view a brief overview s capital city isn t a classic tourist destination. It doesn t have romantic riverbanks to wander along, open-top bus tours to join or wine bars to linger in. What it does have, however, is life in spades. This is the country s beating heart, a hubbub of whirling markets, buzzing traffic and round-the-clock streetlife, gazed over from the north by the Alborz Mountains. It s a surprisingly welcoming place too, and as can be said about as a whole, it destroys all manner of preconceptions. When you also factor in the city s museums and restaurants, no trip to the country would be complete without time here. General Information Country overview is a remarkable travel destination in myriad ways, and chief among these is the fact that preconceptions of a stern, inhospitable destination are invariably shattered. Geography is located in the Middle East, bordered to the north by Turkmenistan and the Caspian Sea, the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan, the south by the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and the west by Iraq and Turkey. The centre and east of the country are largely barren undulating desert, punctured by qanats (irrigation canals) and green oases, but there are mountainous regions in the west along the Turkish and Iraqi borders and in the north where the Elburz Mountains rise steeply from a fertile belt around the Caspian Sea. General knowledge Key facts Population: Population Density (per sq km): 48 Capital:. Language Persian (Farsi) and Persian dialects are the most widely spoken language, used by 58% of the population. Turkic and Turkic dialects and Kurdish are also used. Arabic is spoken by 1% in Khuzestan in the southwest, and Turkish in the northwest around Tabriz. English, French and (to a lesser extent) German are spoken by many businesspeople and officials. Currency ian Rial (IRR; symbol Rs) = 100 dinars. Notes are in denominations of Rs50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of Rs500, 250, 100 and 50. Electricity 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the round two-pin type. LH.com/travelguide 02/11

3 03 General business opening hours Sat-Wed , Thurs (some offices may close all day). Public holidays Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2018 December 2019 period. Note Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given below are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-fitr itself. Eid al-fitr and Eid al-adha may last up to several days, depending on the region Victory of Islamic Revolution: 11 February 2018 Nationalisation of Oil Industry Day: 20 March 2018 Nowruz (New Year): 20 March 2018 Day of the Islamic Republic: 1 April 2018 Anniversary of Khomeini's Death: 4 June 2018 Eid al-fitr (End of Ramadan): 15 and 16 June 2018 Eid al-adha (Feast of Sacrifice):22 25 August 2018 Milad un Nabi Birthday of Prophet Mohammad: 21 November Victory of Islamic Revolution: 11 February 2019 Nationalisation of Oil Industry Day: 20 March 2019 Nowruz (New Year): 20 March 2019 Day of the Islamic Republic: 1 April 2019 Anniversary of Khomeini's Death: 4 June 2019 Eid al-fitr (End of Ramadan): 5 and 6 June 2019 Eid al-adha (Feast of Sacrifice):12 15 August 2019 Milad un Nabi Birthday of Prophet Mohammad: 10 November 2019 All information subject to change. Travel etiquette How to fit in Social Conventions Visitors should avoid contentious political subjects in conversation. In general, "liberal" Western influences are discouraged by authorities. Handshaking is customary, but not with members of the opposite sex. It must be remembered that intimate relations between non-muslim men and Muslim women is illegal, and may incur imprisonment. ians are incredibly hospitable and like to entertain. It is customary to be offered tea, and guests are expected to accept hospitality. Dress should generally be conservative and discreet women should cover their heads in public and wear loose clothing. During Ramadan, smoking, eating and drinking in public are prohibited between sunrise and sunset. Health Health LH.com/travelguide 03/11

4 04 Food & Drink Mains water is normally chlorinated, and whilst relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Pasteurised milk is available; unpasteurised milk should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Other Risks Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present in southwestern ; avoid swimming and paddling in stagnant water. Travellers diarrhoea is relatively common. Diarrhoeal diseases are common. Hepatitis B occurs. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. Contractual physician of Lufthansa Dr. Rasti, Hamid Pars General Hospital Keshavarz Blvd Pars Hospital Teheran Tel Private practice Pezeshk-e Shahr Clinic Shariati Ave Before Mir Damad Street Next to Mofid Hospital No Teheran Tel Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment. Phone calls & Internet Phone calls & Internet Telephone/Mobile Telephone Dialing code: +98 Telephone Telephone booths are yellow. Mobile Telephone Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone operators but visitors are advised to check with their service provider before travelling. Coverage is limited to urban areas. Internet There are Internet cafés in and all other major cities. LH.com/travelguide 04/11

5 05 Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in Golestan Palace The one-time royal palace complex is made up of numerous grand buildings, these days occupied by different museums and national collections. It s interesting stuff, but you need plenty of time to do it full justice. Arq Square, Panzdaeh Khordad Tel: Mon-Sat Carpet Museum Persia is celebrated the world over for its carpets, and there are some stunning examples on display here, some dating back as far as the 17th century. Northwest corner of Laleh Park Tel: Tue-Sun (spring and summer) Tue-Sun (autumn and winter) National Museum of Tracing a route through the country s often dramatic history, this museum covers everything from archaeological remains to ancient bronzes. Its modern building was designed by a French architect. 30th Tir Tue-Sun (spring and summer) Tue-Sun (autumn and winter) Treasury of National Jewels One of the top tourist draws in the city, this is a display of the country s one-time crown jewels in a vault under the central bank. Opening hours are limited, but it s well worth making the effort to visit. Ferdowsi Ave Sat-Tue Milad Tower This 435m tower has been standing above the western suburbs of since On a clear day, the observation deck close to its summit gives excellent LH.com/travelguide 05/11

6 06 views of the city and nearby mountains. Private Road of Milad Tower Daily Ebrat Museum Occupying a former prison, this sobering attraction focuses on the various misdeeds of the Shah s secret police force. Making plentiful use of waxwork dummies, it doesn t pull many punches. off Sabt St Daily tours at 1000 and Niavaran Palace Complex This attractive complex was the main home of the Shah in the 10 years running up to the Revolution. It s set in landscaped gardens around half an hour s drive from the centre of town. Pourebtehaj Tue-Sun Imam Khomeini Mosque Set on the edge of the bazaar, this is one of the most interesting mosques in the city, almost permanently busy with worshippers. The building dates back to the 18th century. Bazaar Various The Cultural Historical Complex of Saadabad Spreading across more than 100 hectares of hillside parkland, this was formerly the site of a summer residence belonging to the royal family. Today, the various palaces and mansions house museums. Alborzkooh Tue-Sun (spring and summer) Tue-Sun (autumn and winter) Museum of Contemporary Art LH.com/travelguide 06/11

7 07 A genuinely impressive collection of works not just by ian artists but from leading international names from the late 19th century onwards. Set in a modernist building from the 1970s. N Kargar St Sun-Thu Fri Shopping in Shopping in Key Areas Valiasr Avenue is the longest street in the city and has some good shopping options, particularly if you re after clothing. Another major thoroughfare, Enqelab Avenue, has plentiful choice of its own. For classic Middle Eastern souvenirs, however, the bazaar is as good a bet as anywhere. Markets s main bazaar (Khordad Avenue) has been here in some form for close to a millennium, and its labyrinthine lanes and alleys play home to a mass of tailors, spice vendors, shoemakers, coppersmiths, gold merchants and carpet salesmen. It s a lively place to wander, even if you re not buying. And if you are, prepare to haggle. Shopping Centres The Gandi Shopping Centre (Gandi Avenue) has a good range of cafés alongside its retail outlets, while the Donyaye Noor Centre (Resalat Highway) is another that offers a number of local stores for those who find themselves with cash to splash. Restaurants Restaurants in Unsurprisingly, the capital is full of good places to sample ian cuisine, which tends to centre on breads, salads, rice and charcoal-cooked meats.you can also find a good range of European and global options, particularly in the city s more affluent north. Divan Persian dishes presented with care and attention in elegant surrounds. Sam Center, 8th floor Fereshteh Price: Expensive Dizi A decorative restaurant well known for its traditional stew and authentic atmosphere. shahr Shomali Mousa Kalantari st, n#52 Price: Moderate LH.com/travelguide 07/11

8 08 Tamasha Offers a good spread of Western and Asian dishes. Farahzadi Blv San'at Square (Milad e noor Mall) Price: Moderate Bix Californian cuisine in might sound unlikely, but Bix carries out the concept well. Gandi Mall Gandi St. Price: Moderate Khoshbin Hearty local fare at a reasonable price a good budget choice. 510 Sadi Price: Cheap Nightlife Nightlife in For fairly obvious reasons, this isn t a city where you can find much in the way of nightclubs, or even bars coffee, fruit juice and other non-alcoholic drinks are the order of the day.there s a good theatre, and you can often enjoy live music in traditional restaurants and teahouses. City Theatre The main city theatre, with a good range of performances in Farsi. Enqelab Azari Teahouse A wonderful old-style teahouse that remains a local institution. Valiasr Ave, north of Rah-Ahan Sq LH.com/travelguide 08/11

9 09 Armenian Club One of the few places in where you re permitted to drink. 68 Khark St, cnr France Ave Milad Tower Restaurant The revolving restaurant at the top of the tower has become a popular spot to spend an evening. Private Road of Milad Tower Mehrva Art Gallery Hosts regular exhibitions and is often open in the evenings. 78 Shahid Azodi St Calendar of events Calendar of events Fadjr International Theatre Festival ian and international theatre companies stage an eclectic mix of plays in this three-decade-old festival. There s a competitive element too, with awards for the best acts. Aside from the main event, a photography and poster exhibition showcases the best photos and artwork relating to the performances January 2018 fitf.theater.ir/en Venue: Various venues Nowruz (Persian New Year) s New Year holidays kick off on 21 March and continue for two weeks. Radiant flower displays bloom in public spaces, children paint and decorate eggs, and parks and museums are packed with visitors. Special festivities take place throughout, with live concerts, puppet shows and colourful street performances. 21 March 2018 Venue: Throughout and RoboCup Open Hundreds of teams from and overseas compete in this annual robotics competition. Teams are set challenges, such as making their robots play football. It LH.com/travelguide 09/11

10 10 sounds like geek heaven, but the event has the more serious aim of developing new initiatives and technologies within the robotics industry. 3-7 April 2018 iranopen.ir/ Venue: International Fair Fajr International Film Festival On the go for more than 30 years, this hugely popular film festival presents a whole raft of prizes to its ian and international competitors. Actors, screenwriters, directors and producers are all in the running for the coveted Crystal awards, with crowds queuing for hours to watch screenings April 2018 fajriff.com/en/ Venue: Various venues International Puppet Festival Puppet theatres from around the world present an enchanting series of performances in this delightful event, held every other year. From marionettes and hand puppets to shadow theatre and towering giants, there s a terrific range of beautiful puppets on show. August - September 2018 mobarak.theater.ir/en Venue: Various venues Hotels Hotels in There s no shortage of places to stay in, and you can find plenty in the way of both smart, business-friendly hotels and smaller, more affordable properties. Espinas International Hotel A big 5-star affair a few blocks from Laleh Park, with 224 rooms and a health club. 26 Keshavarz Blvd Category: Expensive Homa Hotel A large and well-established property on one of the city s key streets. Shahid Khoddami 51 Category: Expensive Ferdowsi International Grand Hotel LH.com/travelguide 10/11

11 11 A regular option for international visitors, being well located for many of the museums and key sights. 20,Ferdowsi Ave. North of Imam Khomeini square Category: Expensive Parsian Evin Hotel A large outdoor swimming pool is one of the highlights of this 4-star place, close to s International Fair. Evin Crossroad, Chamran Hwy Category: Moderate Hotel Sasan They re a little dated, but rooms at Hotel Sasan are cheap and the service is friendly. Niroo Alley, Near Cinama, Between Malek and Taleghani Shariati St Category: Cheap LH.com/travelguide 11/11

International Conference on Combating Sand and Dust Storms Tehran Iran, 3-5 July 2017 Administrative Note

International Conference on Combating Sand and Dust Storms Tehran Iran, 3-5 July 2017 Administrative Note Conference venue: The International Conference on Combating Sand and Dust Storms (ICCSDS) will