As an experienced construction project manager, I am well aware that no project, even with the best resources and the most investment, will be successful without thorough preliminary studies and meticulous planning. Therefore, the first step in launching this website was to "roam" through blogs and websites that were somehow related to the topic of travel and our field of activity.
In the platform I am currently developing, "writing" and "photography" form two fundamental pillars, but it is "travel" that will shape its ultimate identity. My goal is to share unique writings and photographs that I have captured myself, but without an inextricable link to the concept of "travel", all these efforts would be meaningless.
While reviewing similar websites and popular travel blogs, I noticed an unpleasant point. Among around twenty well-known and popular travel blogs, there was no trace of Iran! Iran was not listed among the travel destinations in their blog menus, and even when I searched for Iran in the website search section, I was repeatedly met with the message:
"No results found for your search!"
A sense of loneliness crept into my being. As someone who lives in Iran, I know better than anyone else that in the world's media and mainstream news, the name of my country is associated with war and enmity. I do not want to talk about the right or wrong of it here. I neither have the opportunity nor the intention to dwell on the facts and myths in this regard. But as someone who is constantly traveling to different parts of the world, I have felt with every fiber of my being that:
"Iran and its cities are safer and more welcoming for tourists than many European capitals."
And it is very surprising to me that travel bloggers, who sometimes find their exotic tourist destinations under the pushpins of a map, have not been to Iran? Perhaps I can accept that a female blogger might be concerned about the limitations she might face as a woman in Iran, but what about male bloggers? The obscurity of Iran as a tourist destination far outweighs the gender of the traveler who intends to travel to Iran!
Isfahan, Iran - Amidst the grandeur of Isfahan's Chehel Sotoun Palace, a historical gem that draws tourists from across the globe, I encountered a Polish family, their faces etched with wonder and delight. With a modest grasp of English, I seized the opportunity to engage in conversation, eager to learn about their experiences in Iran.
As I delved into a dialogue with the family's matriarch, a woman of about fifty, I posed a simple question: "How long have you been in Iran, and for how long do you plan to stay?" Her response took me by surprise, challenging the preconceived notions I held as an Iranian citizen.
"We initially intended to spend a week in Iran as part of our Middle Eastern tour," she explained, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "But two months have passed since we arrived, and we're still captivated by the country's beauty. There are so many more places we long to explore, so we're unsure of when we'll depart."
Amidst the daily hustle and bustle, take a moment to glance at a map of Iran. For many Iranians, including myself, an avid cat lover, the country's outline bears an uncanny resemblance to a feline friend. Let's embark on a brief cartographic journey, starting with the cat's head in northwestern Iran.
Here, we encounter the Turkish-speaking people, their lives imbued with the rich tapestry of Turkish Asian culture. As we gently traverse the country's western flank, heading south, the landscape transforms, and so does the language, giving way to the melodious Kurdish tongue.
Continuing our southward journey, we approach the Persian Gulf, where the air grows warmer and more humid, and we find ourselves immersed in the vibrant culture of Iran's Arabic-speaking people.
Venturing eastward along the Persian Gulf to Gulf of Oman, we arrive in Baluchistan, a land where the sweet melodies of the Balochi language fill the air and customs lean towards Eastern traditions.
Heading north, into the heart of the desert, we meet the hardy inhabitants, each speaking Persian in their own unique, charming dialect. Despite common threads, the cultural tapestry of Iran's desert dwellers varies from town to town.
Venturing north from the heart of Iran, one encounters the majestic Alborz Mountains, a gateway to the lush, verdant expanse of the Caspian Hyrcanian forests. Nestled amidst these towering peaks lies the Caspian Sea, a shimmering jewel crowning the nation's northern reaches.
As one journeys eastward along the Caspian's shores, a rich tapestry of cultures unfolds, revealing the Turkmen people, whose language has gracefully enriched the Persian linguistic heritage.
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Despite possessing just six percent of India's population, Iran boasts a cultural diversity that rivals that of its vast eastern neighbor. From the scorching, desolate expanses of the African-like deserts to the verdant, European-esque mountain ranges, Iran offers a kaleidoscope of landscapes to explore.
Imagine basking in the warm embrace of the Persian Gulf's waters, and then, just a short distance away, skiing down the snow-capped peaks of western Iran's Zagros Mountains. Iran is a land of captivating contrasts, far more profound and multifaceted than its portrayal in mainstream media.
In the coming days and months, I will delve deeper into Iran's myriad charms, painting a vivid portrait of this extraordinary nation. But for now, let this simple truth resonate:
“Iran is a country that is impossible not to fall in love with.”
