By Afshin Majlesi

Preserving the past, building the future: Kandelous and the path to sustainable tourism

KANDELOUS (Mazandaran province) – Nestled in the heart of Iran’s Alborz mountain range and just 35 kilometers from the Caspian Sea, the ancient village of Kandelous offers an authentic rural escape for those in search of tradition, tranquility, and natural beauty.

By Afshin Majlesi

From salt domes to sand sculptures: Iran’s geological gems await

TEHRAN – Imagine exploring a land where geological wonders stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the most renowned natural sites in the world.

By Afshin Majlesi

Affordable adventures await in these six must-visit cities

TEHRAN - With a history stretching back over 6,000 years, Iran is one of the world’s most appealing destinations for budget-conscious travelers.

By M.A. Saki

Belarus is a hidden gem

MINSK – On July 7, as the sun was setting, a tall and thin young man was waiting for me from Iran and another journalist from Kazakhstan at Minsk airport. He said I welcome you to Belarus on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Fathabad Garden: Kerman’s overlooked Qajar masterpiece

TEHRAN - Nestled in the arid expanse of Kerman province, Fathabad Garden, also known as Bag-e Biglarbeigi, stands as a stunning testament to the grandeur of Persian garden design.

By Afshin Majlesi

Wonders of Uzbekistan: a ten-day travel experience

From my childhood, the names of Samarkand and Bukhara have been etched into my memory; whether in poems, school classes, grandmother’s tales, or stories in my books, those names always lingered in the back of my mind.

By Afshin Majlesi

Tranquility amidst history: Jameh Mosque welcomes travelers to Semnan

TEHRAN - In the heart of the ancient city of Semnan, where the whispers of the Silk Road still echo through time, lies a jewel of Islamic architecture, a testament to centuries of cultural exchange and spiritual devotion.

By Afshin Majlesi

Awe-inspiring Lut Desert: a photographer’s paradise

TEHRAN - With its endless stretches of golden dunes, rugged landscapes, and mesmerizing geological formations, the Lut Desert stands as a testament to the raw beauty of our planet.

By Afshin Majlesi

Discover the rich artistry of Lalejin’s clay pottery

TEHRAN—Lalejin, a small town in west-central Iran, has magnificently carved a niche for itself as a world-renowned hub for pottery and potters, making it a must-visit destination for any lover of art and culture.

By Afshin Majlesi

Sanati Museum: a great stop for art lovers and tourists alike

TEHRAN – The Sanati Contemporary Arts Museum in southern Iran is a great place to see the amazing legacy of our ancestors. Here, visitors can enjoy the beauty and complexity of these masterpieces, ranging from classic portraits to abstract forms.

By Afshin Majlesi

Dune diving and star gazing: reveling in the enigmatic beauty of Iranian deserts

TEHRAN - From hiking through colossal dunes of polychromatic sand to gazing at the stars on a flawlessly clear night, a desert vacation may be a unique life experience.

By Afshin Majlesi

Blossoming beauty: rosewater festival is a place to be

Once again, joyous celebrations of roses take center stage in Kashan and many other Iranian villages and towns where rosewater production is at its peak.

By Afshin Majlesi

Get enchanted by Isfahan’s cultural delights

A landmark cultural event is currently underway in Isfahan to pay a warm tribute to the ancient Iranian city widely known as the “half of the world”.

By Afshin Majlesi

Afif-Abad garden: a sanctuary for rose bushes, friends and guns

TEHRAN - Situated in an affluent quarter of Shiraz and on a street with the same name, Afif-Abad promises a unique experience of visiting genuine Iranian gardens.

By Afshin Majlesi

On two wheels: 10 best bike routes in Iran

TEHRAN - The main appeal of a bicycle is that, in its most basic form, it is merely a very effective method of transportation for humans.

By Afshin Majlesi

In Hamedan, ancient monuments and gigantic in-cave lake await

TEHRAN – From the dramatic sceneries to countless cultural sites, and from archeological sites to the largest in-cave lake on the planet, Hamedan offers a variety of destinations for history buffs, sightseers and nature lovers.

Travel back in time to Persepolis, capital of mighty Achaemenid Empire

TEHRAN - Persepolis was one of four important cities that made up the center of the mighty Achaemenid Empire that once stretched from the Indus River to Ethiopia.

By Afshin Majlesi

Eight awe-inspiring natural wonders for your bucket list

Apart from symmetrical mosques, eye-catching mansions, and magnificent ruins, Iran’s diverse and dramatic landscape reveals a wealth of unspoiled scenery that will surprise nature lovers.

By Afshin Majlesi

12 travel destinations for nature lovers

TEHRAN— Reconnecting with nature has been shown to offer many mental and physical benefits, not to mention the pleasure of being surrounded by beautiful scenery. The majority of potential travelers to Iran usually think of big cities like Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd, and Shiraz, or ancient monuments like Persepolis or the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan.

Historically-rich Alamut possesses great capacity for tourism: official

TEHRAN—The historical region of Alamut has a great capacity for sightseeing and tourism, Qazvin’s governor-general said on Thursday.

Muharram rituals in Kashan attended by 130 foreign travelers

TEHRAN —More than 130 foreign travelers attended mourning ceremonies in the tourist city of Kashan, Isfahan province’s tourism chief said on Thursday.