Visit to Iran

Omid, this topic is for your invitation iin Iran. What did you tell about visa and visitng program?

As you might know, I’ll go back to Iran after Feb 07 and stay there for some time, to be there for the Persian New Year, Norooz (i.e. start of spring, around 21 March).
Usually, weather conditions in April (and beginning of May) are very nice and mild in Iran. And hopefully I’m there in April. So, you are all invited to visit my country (of course, before I die!).

What I could offer:
> Free Educated Tour Guide through different places in Iran; your guide is called Omidololo...
> Free food and accommodation in Isfahan, my incredible hometown (I won‎’t say the paradise on Earth, as Balaji might say about TN!). I can also search for free accommodation in other places (no promise!)
> Free transportation by my father’s car (hopefully he will agree!)
> Nice Persian made Red Wine!
> 1-2 week visit program (depending on you wishes, but better to have at least 10 days), ranging from visiting old historical sites (from thousands of years ago –what Anna might call ruins or pieces of stone and bricks!), to newer, more modern places; tours in nature (like wild deserts (probably I can find a camel! unfortunately, my father doesn’t have one!), high mountains, forests ...), etc.

The main cities that define the route are Tehran (short stay), then going to Esfahan (while visiting Kashan, a city on the border of a huge desert, on the way which has a lot of beautiful old houses, and also a short tour to desert), we can also go to my parents’ villa or garden on the way (you can also visit the Iranian Nuke Plants on the way if any interested!), staying 3-4 days in Esfahan, the probably going to Shiraz, and ...
There are apparently a lot of things to do / visit.

So, what do you think? Don’t miss this great opportunity (Keiko! I can’t promise to live long! Sorry!)
Anyhow, if you are interested please let me know; then we should start the visa procedure ASAP; unfortunately, I’ve heard that it is quite difficult for Westerners to obtain Iranian Visa (hehehe... YES! Tit for tat!...)

That’s it...
Please reply me as soon as you can... (even if it is NO).

Anna and me agree, if some other people come. What is the plane price ticket by the way?

It's not much for people who earn money in GBP!!!
Don't worry!

Dates: April, anytime.
For us certainly 10 days more or less, starting thursday, coming back on monday, for cheaper ticket prices.

prices (approximation):

BA: London-Tehran 400 pounds
AF: London-Tehran 560 euros with one stop in Paris, and Paris-Tehran alone costs 718 euros

These figures are TOO HIGH!
Look:

Return Ticket:
Iran Air, London <-> Tehran: GBP 376
(http://www.iranair.co.uk/fares.htm)

Lufthansa, Paris <-> Tehran: GBP 372

Emirates, London <-> Tehran : GBP 350
(http://fly.emirates.com/airDspBestFareResults.jsp?startIndex=1&cid=)

So, as you see the prices are not so high!!!
All of the above airlines are kind of nice!...

It seems Iran is not a turist place for Russians
The flight ticket is not very expensive (Moscow-Tehran-Moscow within 300 euros)
I'll find out info about visa preparation process

All the best,
Nat

yes but I don't trust russian airlines...

@Omid: My tickets were not so hight: 560 euros--> 378 pounds...

Natalia:
What is this photo?! It's only a forum here, but perhaps you want to find your future husband too!

Guillaume:
You British people! Always problems with conversion!
Anyhow, I think the price is OK for you! I can also give you a letter that you have some grants for your travel to Iran... it's ok! you'll get it (and you know that the end will be!)

People! The most important things are:
1. Visa Procedure
2. Fixing Times (as I should also plan my time!)
3. After all, we can arrange the trip, starting with airplane tickets, etc.

Omid, Omid, Omid...
This cap suites you veeery well, maybe you need one now to attract girls.

In fact, Natalia investigated that it is possible to get 7-days Iranian visa in most of the international airports of Iran. There are some conditions:
1. Flight tickets to the both ends should be presented.
2. Woman who do not weir scarf are not allowed.
3. Woman with open legs and arms are not allowed as well.
So, you might not recognize me, Natalia and Keiko, when we will exit the terminal and we'll be lost in that man's country Iran And especially because I need to pretend that I do not know that strange French guy, otherwise they can be suspicious .
The cost of such kind of visa is less than apllying in the embassy - just 50$.
But I have one important question for you: what is the probability that such young and single girls as us will be not allowed to enter and we'll just fly back without even seeing you? Or if we will tell that we come to see Omid, they will suspect you in organazing harem?

Anna!
I don't need another of these caps to attract girls, 'cause I'm already attractive enough for them!

I have also heard about the one-week visa, but... I think the best is to apply for a visa and have it stamped in your passport.
I also called the Iranian Embassy in Berlin; they also proposed applying for the visa through a travel agency.

Moreover, I personally believe that one week is really nothing! If we consider the travel times, then you cannot really see anything! It's however, up to you guys to see if you can manage this much time! My suggestion is 10 days.

Well, I don't know if Iran is a man's country! Especially because during the last couple of years, women are getting more and more educated, and even much more than guys!!
(more than 60% of universities are occupied by girls! nice to study there for guys!)

I think the best is that each of you guys tries to investigate about the visa in the embassy of your motherland. According to my telephone calls with the Iranian Embassy in Berlin, it should not be very complicated to get the visa...

Let's see how things will go on

Omid,
We talked with Natalia yesturday about Iran trip. In any case our position will be uncertain till February and then we actually can organize some days-off and holidays. If visa will not take more than two weeks, it should be ok to star tapplying in February. I and Gui will probably apply in UK, but for Natalia it might be a problem to find a touristic agency which organize Iranian visas. We'll see, but by now we need just to wait... and see how does the situation in Iran change.

OK OK!
I think it should not take a long time; moreover, it should be possible to do it from Russia.

The situation in Iran is usually normal. Do NOT believe what you hear from MEDIA! There are some political conflicts between Iran and the US, but... it doesn't affect you and me at least, at this moment!

Let's see how your schedules will be in Feb... The earlier the decisions are made, the better!

hum... it might be that I go back to Iran a bit later, that is mid of April or May. That'll be a pity, but...
I will try to let you know when I'll go back and how long I'll stay there so that you kind of know the time window.
Probably, this makes it better for you guys as you do not need to take 1 week off just at the beginning of your work!

Stay Tuned!
and take care.

Any news of your PHD Omid?

Guillaume wrote:

Any news of your PHD Omid?

Well, things are going fine! The only matter is that I should finally take the TOEFL! So, I'll do that in March, and hopefully shortly after that, I'll have my letter of admission...

So, I think NOW my schedule is a bit clear:
I'll stay in Berlin for some more months, most probably until end of May.
Then, I will go back to Iran for June and July.
And finally, I will start my Ph.D. in August.

June is still nice time to visit Iran!
What do you think?

yep!

50 or 60 degres outside? I never remember...

At least we have some time to planify the things nicely

pff!
You French people always complain!

I think in June the weather is NOT yet so hot! Even if the temperature is higher than 30, it does not bother much because in most of the places, the humidity content is very LOW!

By the way, what was that freaky word: "planify"?!