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Top Posts & Pages

  • 10 Instagram Accounts to Follow Before Travelling to Iran in 2020
    10 Instagram Accounts to Follow Before Travelling to Iran in 2020
  • Guide to Tehran Palaces: Niavaran Palace
    Guide to Tehran Palaces: Niavaran Palace
  • The Most Scenic Train Ride in Iran
    The Most Scenic Train Ride in Iran
  • How I Learned Persian
    Learn Persian

    How I Learned Persian

    October 12, 2020 /

    Learning Persian by yourself has certain difficulties. First of all, there are not many textbooks that would teach you enough vocabulary. Most English textbooks cover all Grammar and Vocabulary in just one book which is a huge volume of information that may be hard to comprehend. And most Iranian textbooks (which cover various skills and are designed for different levels) are available only in Iran. Secondly, even if you decide to take group courses, it`s pretty hard to find one in your town. So the most efficient way to learn the Persian language is to work with a tutor. Just in case you are looking for one, I`d be happy…

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    Katya 0 Comments
  • Worst Books and Movies about Iran
    Books and Movies about Iran

    Worst Books and Movies About Iran

    May 4, 2020 /

    Iranians constantly blame Western media that they are showing only the negative side of Iran creating a very dark perception of Iran in the world. However, I believe that the worst damage to the image of Iran is done by Iranians themselves. Many books and movies about Iran created in the West, are created by Iranians who fled the country due to political reasons or limitations or whatsoever. And what do they talk about? Of course, the hard times they had in Iran. I realize that these things must be said as well. But it hurts me when these films and books make a way greater impression on the audience…

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    Katya 0 Comments
  • Redfis
    About Iran,  Culture

    Nowruz: Persian New Year Traditions

    March 17, 2020 /

    Nowruz is the biggest and oldest holiday celebrated in Iran. It takes a month of preparations and two (!) weeks of celebrations. So it might be a good idea to celebrate with Iranians.  In this post, you will find out what Nowruz is and get familiar with Persian New Year traditions. Nowruz (Norooz) is as old as Iran itself. Somehow it is a symbol of Persian culture. The tradition of celebrating Nowruz unites Iranians from the Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf. Nowruz means a new day. This is the day when a new year starts in Iran and corresponds with spring equinox which marks the start of spring.

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    Katya 0 Comments

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    Yalda Night in Iran: 5-Step Guide to Celebrate the Longest Night of the Year

    December 19, 2016
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    Iranian Cinema: An Overview of Fajr Film Festival

    January 29, 2018
    Cinematheques in Tehran

    Tehran Events Guide: Cinematheques in Tehran

    December 12, 2016
  • northern iran_sari
    Iran Travel Guide

    The Most Scenic Train Ride in Iran

    January 15, 2020 /

    Train has been undeservingly avoided by many tourists travelling to Iran. Most of them prefer to travel by bus which is faster and available any time of the day and sometimes even at night. But personally, I love travelling by train in Iran. And believe me, I know what I`m talking about! My husband and I traveled Iran by train a lot – from Mashhad in the east of Iran to the small city of Shoosh in the west, Sari in the north and Bandar-Abbas in the south. What I love about train trips in Iran is the comfort they offer, an opportunity to mingle with locals and finally, just…

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    Katya 0 Comments

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    Vardij mountains

    One Day Trip From Tehran: Vardij & Varish Villages

    March 28, 2016
    It`s a pleasure to have a picnic by the river.

    One Day Trip From Tehran: Shahrestanak

    November 25, 2014
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    Travel Guide to Qazvin: City of Ornaments

    November 27, 2016
  • Yazd_Towers of Silence
    Iran Travel Guide

    Travelling Iran: What to See in Yazd

    August 7, 2018 /

    Yazd had been my favorite destination in Iran (until I discovered Qeshm island), and I always recommend it to everyone who travels to Iran. Located on the edge of a desert, it impresses travelers with its unique mud-brick architecture, very different from Isfahan, Shiraz or Tehran. I have been to Yazd two times and would love to visit it again because every time I discover more and more (and of course, I don`t mind adding a couple of bowls or other Yazd ceramics to my collection). However, traveling to the city of wind-catchers is not only about visiting Yazd itself – there are plenty of religious, historical and natural sights scattered all…

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    Katya 2 Comments

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    The Most Scenic Train Ride in Iran

    January 15, 2020
    It`s a pleasure to have a picnic by the river.

    One Day Trip From Tehran: Shahrestanak

    November 25, 2014
    Vardij mountains

    One Day Trip From Tehran: Vardij & Varish Villages

    March 28, 2016
  • 10 Instagram Accounts About Iran to Follow in 2020
    Iran Travel Guide,  Like a Local

    10 Instagram Accounts to Follow Before Travelling to Iran in 2020

    March 6, 2018 /

    Nowadays the Internet is overloaded with information about different countries and travelling tips, and social networks are making planning a trip even easier. Many Iranian Instagram accounts I follow give me inspiration to continue exploring Iran, its deserts, villages and islands, as well as rediscover major cities on the tourist trail. If you are planning to visit Iran, these Instagram accounts will be a great help to you to plan your route, whether you prefer a safe plan or are looking for an adventure. And if you are just curious about Iran, they will definitely inspire you on packing your bag and travelling to Iran as soon as possible because…

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    Katya 2 Comments

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    It`s a pleasure to have a picnic by the river.

    One Day Trip From Tehran: Shahrestanak

    November 25, 2014
    Vardij mountains

    One Day Trip From Tehran: Vardij & Varish Villages

    March 28, 2016
    Qazvin Guide-1

    Travel Guide to Qazvin: City of Ornaments

    November 27, 2016
  • Fajr Film Festival_logo
    About Iran,  Culture,  Iranian Cinema

    Iranian Cinema: An Overview of Fajr Film Festival

    January 29, 2018 /

    Fajr Film Festival may not be a well-known film festival in the world, but it is definitely a significant event inside Iran. Interestingly, not only people from cinema industry, but ordinary people as well (mostly younger generation) try to attend as many film screenings as possible. Read up to the end to find out why. As in Iranian cinemas you can see only Iranian movies (well, with rare exception), and even Iranian TV channels show a very small percent of foreign movies, Iranian cinema industry has to fulfill these needs and produce a huge number of films, animated films and documentaries. I`ve come up with interesting statistics that will help you imagine the scale of…

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    Katya 0 Comments

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    Tehran tourism fair

    Guide to Events in Tehran: The International Tourism Fair

    March 12, 2016
    Shab-e Yalda

    Yalda Night in Iran: 5-Step Guide to Celebrate the Longest Night of the Year

    December 19, 2016
    christmas mood

    Feel Christmas Spirit in Tehran!

    December 21, 2015
  • Niavaran Palace
    Explore Tehran

    Guide to Tehran Palaces: Niavaran Palace

    November 25, 2017 /

    You can`t imagine visiting Tehran without seeing one of Tehran palaces. Tehran has been the capital of Iran for around 200 years and has seen many shahs, each of whom wanted to build a palace more beautiful than previous shahs. Golestan, Sadabad and Niavaran palaces remain the most popular and significant tourist attractions in Tehran. Each of them can offer its visitors several palaces from different historical periods as well as a range of museums. So I`ve decided to write a complete guide for each palace complex to help you decide which palaces and museums to visit. In this article I`ll tell you about Niavaran palace and its museums. Sahebgheraniyeh…

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    Katya 0 Comments

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    One Day Trip From Tehran: Shahrestanak

    November 25, 2014
    Grand Bazaar_Featured

    Ultimate Guide To Tehran Grand Bazaar

    February 19, 2016
    Vardij mountains

    One Day Trip From Tehran: Vardij & Varish Villages

    March 28, 2016
  • Ashura in Tehran
    About Iran,  Culture,  Like a Local

    Ashura in Iran: What to Do on Ashura in Tehran

    September 29, 2017 /

    Moharram is a month during which Iranians and other Shia Muslims commemorate the death of Imam Hossein. The mourning reaches its culmination at Ashura, the tenth day of Moharram. I have already written about Ashura in Iran and mourning ceremonies organized on this occasion here and here. During several years I`ve been living in Iran, I have attended quite a number of ceremonies in different parts of Tehran (there are still areas uncovered though). Some attract hundreds of people, while others are attended only by locals. However, many foreigners hesitate to go out on the day of Ashura which is the culmination of Moharram mourning ceremonies. Maybe, they are afraid of Iranians…

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    Katya 2 Comments

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    Moharram. The Time for Mourning: The Day of Ashura

    November 8, 2014
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    Guide to Events in Tehran: The International Tourism Fair

    March 12, 2016
  • Like a Local

    Best Android Apps Made in Iran

    July 22, 2017 /

    Although Iran seems to be cut off from the outside world by the sanctions and political situation, it remains a dynamically developing country. A huge part of Iranian population is formed by young people who use smartphones on everyday basis. However, due to filtering restrictions and lack of English knowledge, most Iranians just can`t use some popular smartphone apps. That`s why the demand in quality, authentic apps that would satisfy Iranians` needs is rapidly rising. In this article I`m going to introduce best Android apps made in Iran and designed by Iranian developers which I believe, will help you understand Iranian culture and Iranians much better. So, let`s take a…

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    Katya 1 Comment

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    Restaurants in Iran

    Cheat Sheet on Iranian Restaurants and Street Food

    May 27, 2017
    Ashura in Tehran

    Ashura in Iran: What to Do on Ashura in Tehran

    September 29, 2017
    10 Instagram Accounts About Iran to Follow in 2020

    10 Instagram Accounts to Follow Before Travelling to Iran in 2020

    March 6, 2018
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About Me

I`m Katya, and I am here to share my insights on life in Iran as well as tips and tricks for travelling Iran!

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