Publication Date:October 1, 2004 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Customer Reviews:
Lives up to the nameDecember 5, 2008 This is based on the previous 2004 edition but I understand the content is very similar.
I was in Iran in June 2008 and this book is of a typically fantastic LP standard, with a good mix of background information and vital directories. This is particularly important in a country like Iran - many Western visitors have a limited knowledge of Farsi (myself included) and rely heavily on helpful hotel managers. Luckily these abound, and I found that once we had found one they were happy to recommend equally excellent hotels in other cities.
Although this is a review of the book I would urge anyone considering travelling to Iran to go for it. It is a very friendly country with some beautiful sights and good food. The one thing I would say is you have to be absolutely ruthless with carpet sellers etc. in Shiraz and especially Isfahan, who will befriend you, spin you some yarn and then absolutely plead with you to buy a carpet for a colossal amount of money, even by european standards. This happened to us on four or five occasions over four days! It can be disappointing when your new "friend for life" turns out to be a very good salesman, and can make you wary of people coming to say hello. This is of course the exception rather than the rule, and many people were very relaxed and friendly, especially outside of the main merchant cities.
How guide books should be!November 12, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm writing this from Dubai Airport on the way back from my first but not, I hope, my last visit to Iran. I was in Kish Island (disappointing) and in Shiraz and Persepolis (absolutely wonderful). I found the book really helpful, practical and accurate. The Iranian people are every bit as warm hearted, open and hospitable as the book suggests. They, like the Americans (another people I love), are saddled with an idiot as a leader - though we can hope that may change in January in the US! The Iranians are much more outspoken on politics than I expected. Several people said to me that they hope that the Iranian elections next year will produce a leader (ie not Ajhmedinejad and his cronies), who can move forward with Obama. If you love hospitality, curiosity, fun loving people and magnificent history (or any combination of these), Iran is the place for you. I'm going to buy another copy of this book. I left my first copy with our delightful Iranian tour guide who liked it a lot but can't yet get a copy.
Iran in actual factAugust 16, 2008 3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Having recently visited iran in August 2008 I found the Lonely Planet guide to be the most accurate, although my version was 2004 therefore not quite up to date eg the new airport has now opened. It provides information on just about everything you can expect to encounter on your travels through this country. The biggest truth being the Tehran traffic! This being the only issue regarding safety I had throughout my 3 week travels. The pollution makes your eyes water, and the smog hanging over the city cuts out the view of the mountains beyond. Crossing the road made a farce of the green cross code! Yes, you really do wait for others to cross and go with them! Fashions for women are variable. Many do still wear chador, and all without exception hijab. However, colour and design is appearing - matching scarf, bag and shoes for instance, flamboyant and exotic. The underground in Tehran is immaculately clean with shiny marbel, and frequent trains running. The book omits to mention that "women only" carriages exist on the underground trains, both the front and back carriages are for us girls. Also, on the frequent and very cheap buses, the back is reserved for women, the front for men. I enjoyed my travels and will definately return. Lonely planet thank you for your accurate and helpful guide on my travels.
Visit Iran!August 6, 2008 4 out of 5 found this review helpful
in April of this year I've visited Iran. Truly lovely people, amaizing islamicarchitecture, wonderful landscapes and incredibly cheap to be there. Beside their teocratic dictactorship, people there are joyfull, honest, warm and at the same time frustrated by desire to talk with Westerners that they are not arabs and not even extremist as Usa goverment are making a propaganda against them. That country is worth to visit before Usa will strike against them. I feel sorry for such indoeuropeans as we are, that are under the pressure by worlds leaders. This country is most missunderstoed.
