When we read this as Lonely Planet’s top reason to visit Iran we kind of laughed… People are nice everywhere, right? True, but Iranian culture is special. You get invited everywhere to drink tea, eat and even sleep. You get invited to family outings and get presents as a guest instead of the other way around.

And yes, your itinerary will change because of this. But hey, this is the only place where we’ve been called a present from God, so big deal if you have to drink tea instead of visiting another mosque?

2. Book a stay at a one-million-star hotel

Booking into a one-million-star hotel in Iran affords you the most spacious rooms imaginable and, unusually for Iran, air-conditioning that kicks in at night.

Unfortunately, this is not for everyone, as this is not actually a real hotel at all but the term used by Iranians to indicate that they are sleeping underneath the star-filled sky.

We slept outside multiple times but always in our tent. However, the most spectacular experience was sleeping without a tent in the middle of the desert on top of a Kalut. As you can imagine, the sunset and sunrise were out of this world. If you visit Iran, just do it!

3. Visit Isfahan

See some of the most beautiful mosques in the world, get inspired and talk to some locals. Maybe even see the president’s speech? Words simply cannot describe the beauty of this city and its many mosques.

4. Take a walk on the wild side

People called us crazy, multiple governments highly advised against it, but still, we decided to visit Kurdistan in search of the Kurdistan spotted newt (yeah, go figure).

While we may have gone for the newts, we’ll be coming back for the lush green fields and beautiful mountains of Kurdistan. We had similar experiences in Loristan and Ilam too.

So get out of your (and governmental) comfort zones and try something non-traditional.

5. Visit Persepolis

To visit Iran completely you have to see the archaeological site of Persepolis. Built over 2,500 years ago it still gives you a good sense of its majestic past.

Tucked away and generally ignored are the remains of the 2,500-year celebration of the Persian Empire that took place in 1971 to celebrate the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire by King Cyrus the Great…what could be known as the biggest party ever.

During this festival, the Shah of Iran created a city of about fifty ‘tents’, which actually were luxury apartments with all the amenities. Royalty from all over the world were present alongside presidents and prime ministers.

Food was served by Maxim’s which, at that point, was probably the best restaurant in the world. Of course, there was Caspian caviar, truffles, champagne, foie gras and probably all the other things we associate with extravaganza. All this was filmed by none other than Orson Welles.

Sure, all this sounds really nice, but not in a country where people were dying from famine. It is likely that this celebration was the start of a chain of events leading to the Iranian Revolution.

Although not really impressive to see, it still is a nice fun fact to show off to your travel companion who doesn’t know the story.

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6. Be a caveman, sleep in a cave

The UNESCO village of Meymand is special. It’s like being in the Shire (where the hobbits live) but also on Tatooine (where the sand people live). Carved into the rocks are around 350 hand-dug houses, including a mosque.

When you visit Iran, take the unique opportunity to sleep in a cave and meet some of the local people.

7. Visit Shushtar and Shoqa Zanbil

Want proof that there is more than just sand in the desert? While Shushtar is a pleasant city to visit with multiple archaeological sites, the main attraction is Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, a large irrigation complex consisting of water mills, dams, tunnels and canals. Impressive, and, like all great things in the world made by Italians.

An hour drive from Shushtar is Choqa Zanbil, or, “the big heap of rocks in the desert”, as called by some. Nonetheless, it is quite an impressive pyramid style (ziggurat) building in the desert.

Turns out those people were not wrong as ‘Choqa’ actually means hill. So, yeah…Choqa Zanbil: a big impressive heap of rocks in the middle of the desert…I really don’t know how to make it sound sexy, but go visit, it’s cool.

8. Pretend you are Aladdin or the Prince of Persia in Bam

If you think about Persian cities, Bam is probably what you are imagining. Unfortunately, most of it got destroyed in a devastating earthquake and people generally do not visit it anymore.

However, people are rebuilding it and, if you’re lucky, your guide may take you to places you normally wouldn’t visit.

It helps to know sign language as they don’t speak English.

Some Iranian people think the region is unsafe but, then again, we noticed that inhabitants from a particular province would ALWAYS tell you that neighboring provinces were dangerous. We never felt unsafe.

9. Buy a Poem book in Shiraz

If Isfahan was spectacular, then Shiraz was cozy. You can stroll through its Persian gardens and watch Iranian pilgrims admire their famous poet, Hafez.

Maybe ask one of them to cite their favorite poems and enjoy either the sounds of Farsi rolling over their lips, or savor every verse should they decide to cite in English.

10. Bring some adventure stories back home

People have certain expectations before they visit Iran, most of them negative and most of them untrue. One of the most dangerous countries in the world turns out to be not quite that.

So, to please the people at home, make sure to bring back some adventures. Crash a car in Kurdistan. Get your car registration taken by the police, realize this 100 km further and then arrange a rendezvous, like you’re doing some dodgy transaction. All this while using a pocket translation guide.

But remember to keep the adventures safe. Try to avoid guides that use drugs in the middle of the desert and try to sell you opium; you’d only end up feeling nervous the day after anyway because there is no way around those police checkpoints.

Suggested next reading: 6 Not Well Known Places You Should Visit In The Middle East

The post I Visited Iran: Here Are 10 Amazing Reasons Why You Should Too appeared first on Modern Trekker.

1. One of the safest countries in the Middle East

While many Muslim countries in the Middle East have experienced continuing unrest, the small Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has managed to maintain peace and safety. As a proof for that, many immigrants have fled from the neighboring countries and settled in Jordan during the wars—Syria, the West Bank, or Iraq. Therefore, Jordan has doubled its population and this also means its territory is safe and a great opportunity to explore its sights.

Throughout Jordan, you will see royal gendarmes who carefully guard and make sure everything is ok, especially in the touristic spots. Tourists bring one of the main incomes for the country (see the next point for more on this) and they are well protected. During my stay, people living there told me that if I experienced any problem, I should immediately look for a gendarme and tell him my issue. Rules and punishments are very severe in Jordan and nobody would risk harassing you and get many years in prison.

2. Support the country’s economy

Situated in one of the driest regions in the Middle East, Jordan is among the top five countries in the world that experience a shortage of water. The country doesn’t have many (or almost any at all) natural resources of fresh water. Converting salt water from the Dead Sea (which has a very high salt content of 31%) is time-consuming and pricey. The only viable source of water in the country is the 130-km-long Jordan River (in the North of Jordan).

During my travel to Jordan, I ended up staying with a local family in Amman and they shared with me more about this issue. They have big water reservoirs on the rooftop of their houses. Each family receives a monthly water ration and they have to somehow deal with that. My hostess, Salam, was working at the Ministry of Waters and she told me they had recently considered exploring even the 20km of coastline along the Red Sea (in the South of Jordan).

Tourism is one of the most powerful industries for Jordan’s economy and compared to other industries, it doesn’t create pollution. So, next time you’re thinking about whether to travel to Jordan or not, consider that visiting this country is helping its economy.

3. Christian sites in a Muslim country

If you’re potentially unsure about what you’d like to see in a predominantly Muslim nation, remember Jordan has a community of Christians too. This is due to the fact that many religious sites from the Bible are located on Jordan’s territory. If you travel to Jordan, will find proof that religious tolerance is possible!

You may be interested to go to the Baptism Site of Jesus in the Jordan River, Moses’ memorial at Mount Nebo, or Herod’s Castle. Also, the small town of Madaba (half an hour from Amman), has several churches with incredible well-preserved Roman mosaics. Among them, Saint George’s Church houses the famous Mosaic Map—the oldest map with historical insights into the region.

4. Low-cost flights to Jordan

For a long time, the flights’ cost was pretty high if you wanted to travel between different continents. Nowadays, airline companies have a wide range of offers and if you know where to search, you may find the most incredible prices. At the time of writing this article, a simple search into any popular flight search engine will bring light cost round-trip flights as low as follows: €21 from Cyprus, €51 from Italy, €62 from Austria, €75 from Romania, or €96 from Belgium. If you are not living in Europe, this is not a problem. When you visit this continent, keep this tip in mind and travel to Jordan too. You will experience a totally different culture.

5. Visit Petra—one of the new Seven Wonders of the World

The former capital of the Nabataean empire and a trading center in ancient times, the Rose City carved into red-hued sandstone has been declared one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Walking the main trail in Petra, you will have to go through a narrow canyon, then you’ll suddenly enter an open space in front of the great Treasury carved into a high sand-cliff. If you are fit and can walk more (remember to bring sports shoes), you will have the chance to explore many other Roman monuments, Nabataean tombs, and Bedouins’ caves.

Almost 85% of ancient Petra is still uncovered and untouched by archaeologists. Despite this, visiting Petra in just one day is not enough time and it’s worth reserving at least two or three days. Beside the main trail (8km in total), there are many other 2-3-hour trails that go up to key sights located in the surrounding mountains. The Treasury Vista, the Place of Sacrifice, or the famous Monastery are the most popular ones. They require more time to be reached but once you get there, you will enjoy some of the best views in Jordan.

6. Venture into the desert of Wadi Rum

If you travel to Jordan, you can see a bit of everything. You have ancient tombs and Roman ruins in Petra, modern beaches and coral reefs in Aqaba at the Red Sea, and Crusaders’ castles in the far east. In the southern part of the country, you will find an incredible combination of reddish rocks and sand dunes in the desert of Wadi Rum. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this desert spans over 720 sq km and features deep sandstone canyons, natural arches, and even prehistoric carvings.

Jeep tours or camel rides are available to explore the sights of the desert. Numerous Bedouins have set up their own camps for tourists in the desert and you can easily book an overnight stay in a traditional tent there. Not only you will experience the desert lifestyle (expect rudimentary restrooms and showers!), but if you are a true explorer, you will return with the astonishing memory of sleeping under the roof of a “million star hotel.” You can actually bring your sleeping bag and sleep in the sand, but pay attention to scorpions (especially in summer).

7. Experience the Bedouin culture

While you will meet many Bedouins in Petra or Wadi Rum, the Bedouin tribes are spread throughout the country. You will have a deeper insight into the Bedouin’s culture, customs, and traditions if you go to lesser known places in Jordan. Bedouins are very hospitable and will certainly invite you for a glass of tea—or the “Bedouin whiskey,” as they call it. Some of them may even invite you for lunch or dinner, and this is a great way to see how a real mansaf (a traditional dish) tastes.

If you are open to travel to Jordan and trust your instincts, you will have incredible experiences in this country. I was invited to join a Bedouin dance in Ali’s cave located at the foot of the Shobak Castle. Abu Ali danced and played the flute for me and even let me film him. Then I decided to stay for a couple of days in the Bedouin village of Dana in the middle of the Dana Nature Reserve (the biggest one in the country). In the nearby Wadi Dana, I had the chance to meet Bedouin shepherds and see how they live between mountains and desert.

Suggested next reading: 6 Not Well Known Places You Should Visit In The Middle East

The post 7 Reasons Why You Need To Visit Jordan Before You Die appeared first on Modern Trekker.

While it is not recommended to travel to Syria or Iraq at the present time of writing, the same also goes for many other sites such as the Sinai Peninsula or Abu Simbel in Egypt (definitely only go with a travel agency there). The Gulf countries (United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, etc.) are safer to travel, and the same goes for Jordan, many places in Turkey, Cyprus, and even some parts of Egypt. However, don’t forget to check the latest news in the region as things can change rapidly there.

Despite this, the Middle East is a beautiful and interesting place to visit that is still relatively unexplored by many travelers. Let’s see a short list of some awesome, less known places to go in the Middle East that you should definitely visit.

1. Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

Nicknamed the ‘city of oases and forts’, Al Ain is the U.A.E’s first World Heritage Site. The desert region surrounding Al Ain has been continuously inhabited since the Neolithic period. Over the centuries, mudbrick forts were built to protect the valuable oases containing water. They are spread throughout the city, but a remarkable concentration of both forts and oases can be found right in the city center, around the Al Ain Oasis. There, at the feet of endless rows of palm trees, it’s still possible to see the ancient irrigation system (called falaj). The forts of Al Jahili and Al Murabba played an important role in defending this oasis because it was (and still is) the largest in Al Ain.

Very close to Al Ain, a genuine and unforgettable experience is the exploration of the Camel Market (Al Qaws Souq). It is located almost 8 kilometers out of the city behind Al Bawadi Mall, but there’s a bus that takes you from the city center to this mall. Whilst I was there I quickly observed that not only was I the only tourist, but I was the only woman in the whole souq. However, this didn’t stop me walking among the pens with hundreds of camels (some of them with their babies too). Eventually, I was blessed to witness a camel trading.

2. Nicosia, Cyprus

Cyprus has a very special historical and political status, as well as being close to other Middle Eastern countries such as Syria, Israel, and Lebanon. Inhabited by both Greeks and Turks, Nicosia is the world’s last divided capital. In the same day, one can walk from the Greek part to the Turkish one and back, just passing the buffer zone that crosses the heart of the city. The border that runs through Nicosia can be passed only on foot. Before entering the Turkish or the Greek part of Nicosia (depending on which direction you’re coming from), a customs officer will check your passport and tourist visa.

I was surprised to discover that two cultures and religions had developed naturally in such a limited territory, each one on its side of the border. In the Greek part, I walked among Christian churches, while two hours later, having crossed the border toward the Turkish part, I wandered among mosques with high minarets and Ottoman inns (han). As Nicosia is conveniently located in the middle of the island, it’s easy to take a road trip to the sea at Kalymnos Beach (the Greek part) or to Alagadi Turtle Beach (the Turkish part)…after all, Cyprus is situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.

3. Manama, Bahrain

The small island country of Bahrain has attracted headlines as potentially being the site of the Garden of Eden. Despite this, it attracts few visitors compared to neighboring Qatar or the United Arab Emirates. For this reason, Manama is not as affluent as other Gulf capitals despite being built by wealthy developers. The Financial Harbour and the World Trade Center are two of the city’s landmark buildings and look especially spectacular when lit up at night. As a non-Muslim, it is possible to enter the largest mosque in the country, Al Fatih Mosque. But you’ll have to respect their dress code and women will have to wear headscarves.

On the flip side, the Bahrain Island is rich in archaeological sites. Bahrain Fort and A’Ali Burial Mounds are good examples of the country’s historical past and are places where one can improve their pottery skills in a pottery workshop. Before leaving the country, the Formula 1 Racetrack is a must-see given the whole circuit is a unique $150 million desert design.

4. Al-Salt Town, Jordan

Tucked in the hills between Amman and the Jordan Valley, the medieval town of Al-Salt is the hidden gem of Jordan. Despite Al-Salt being an administrative center during the Ottoman rule, the town has never developed much beyond that. For this reason, its historical feel has been well preserved. I wandered along the main pedestrian street (the Hammam Street) and discovered a wonderful museum of Ottoman-period architecture, with hammam (Turkish bath), mosque, and workshops.

Perched on a steep hill, the complex of the English Hospital (including a Christian church) sits right above the Grand Mosque of Al-Salt. Catholic nuns offered me an orange juice on the terrace of the English Complex, while the muezzin was singing the call to prayer from the minaret of the town’s main square. In Al-Salt (as well as in Jordan generally) you can witness the crossing of different religions by simply crossing the street from a mosque to a church, or the other way round.

5. Alexandria, Egypt

Another place to go in the Middle East is the ancient city of Alexandria. Alexandria was home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world—the famous lighthouse of Alexandria. Also, the city was well-known for its gigantic library that contained 400,000 papyri. I was thrilled to find out that the library could be visited, even though it turned out to be slightly rehabilitated for the modern period. Stepping in one of the most ancient places on the planet is a must-do for anyone with the travel bug.

One of the best things about Alexandria is being able to witness the different periods of its history. Before leaving Alexandria, it’s definitely worth a visit to the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. These catacombs were considered one of the seven wonders of the Middle Ages. Lastly, don’t forget that Alexandria is very close to Cairo, where another landmark of Ancient Egypt awaits its visitors—the complex of the three pyramids of Keops, Kefren, and Mikerinos.

6. The Dead Sea, Israel/West Bank/Jordan

The Dead Sea lies at the lowest point on earth, 428m below sea level. The extreme saltiness of the water comes from a high evaporation rate, which also contributes to continuous changes of its boundaries. Dead Sea minerals and salts have created a prosperous industry, including spa centers and products of all types. After trying some body scrub salt and body butter (both containing minerals from the Dead Sea), I can understand exactly why they have such a good reputation for providing a healthy glow and silky skin.

The Dead Sea can be reached from Jordan (via Amman Beach or O Beach), Israel (via Ein Gedi Beach or Ein Boken Beach), or the West Bank (via Mineral Beach). It is said that if you’re ill, floating in the salt water of the Dead Sea can heal all your diseases (or at least the ones that can be healed from contact with salt water!) Personally, I have been to the Dead Sea twice. Many years ago, having come from the West Bank, I entered the water for a swim. The water literally stung my skin. Last year, however, I went to the Dead Sea again, this time coming from Jordan, and I could swim as long as I wanted without being stung. I like to think that my skin is healthier now because of it.

Suggested next reading: 6 Amazing Locations In The Balkans You Might Not Know About

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