"Aadil's new Teheran Page" a Tehran Travel Page by aadil

Teheran was the first stop on my tour to Iran for the Total Solar Eclipse of 1999. We were a small group of six amateur astronomers from Mumbai and were travelling with Mohammed Owtad, our guide and also the proprietor of Otad Travels, who became our friend by the end of our lovely trip.
Teheran's Meherabad Airport is not a very inviting place but good enough for your arrival. The Iran Air flight from Mumbai landed in the night and we were escorted out of customs and immigration by our guide without much of a problem. We were expecting a lot of problems due to the rush for the eclipse but were surprised at the efficiency of the staff at the counters. After a short drive from the airport we reached the Teheran Grand (4 star) hotel in the city centre for a good nights sleep.
We saw the Jewels of the crown, the Peacock Throne and a lot of precious stones and jewellery at the National Jewels Treasury which is a part of the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic Of Iran. A lot of people miss seeing these splendours of the world but we were lucky enough to speak to the person in charge of the whole collection for a short introductory tour.
Damavand, highest mountain peak in Iran is visible from the city itself but you have to go to the mountain to enjoy it! The Azadi (Freedom) Monument is a nice looking monument which can be seen on the way from the airport. The Ayatollah Khomeini Memorial and also his simple one room home in Teheran are worth visiting and offer a different perspective to a ruler who lived in the most simple manner.
The people in Iran are very friendly but there is a communication problem as many may not understand or speak fluently in English. Normally if you have a guide along with you or carry a calculator you can get around to fixing the prices for any thing you want to buy and bargaining is possible in most places. The dry fruits are one thing that you cannot avoid eating in Iran especially since it is so very cheap. Chello Kebab is the most famous dish in Iran along with lamb, chicken and fish, but vegetarians beware: there is no such thing as vegetarian food in Iran!! The only thing you may get is rice, canned beans and salad with yogurt.
All restaurants are very cheap and some even have live traditional music playing. Sorry, but there are NO alcoholic drinks served and discos or western music and dance allowed in Iran! Tea is a favourite drink at any time and is normally had without milk and the sugar cubes or small pieces are to be placed in the mouth while you sip your tea! Do not refuse to have it if offered by your host. Do not shake hands with a member of the opposite sex. Wear sensible clothes with long sleeves and long trousers (no shorts allowed even for the men!!). Women should have a scarf covering their hair and cover their legs. The hijab or chaddor is only required when you enter the mosques or religious shrines in Iran.
Things are changing quite a lot for the better and a lot of improvements are taking place to make things easier for the tourist in Iran. So get your bags, visa and take a trip to one of the most beautiful places on this planet.