Anyone interested in going to Iran should definitely read the lonely planet book, see some Iranian movies, learn to love lamb and accept the fact that the country is really going through some big changes.

Flights to Iran are expensive, but internal flights are really cheap, all on Iran Air of course. I was planning to go for the first time in 30 years this past September, but the unrest delayed our trip. I have heard that US citizens have had good luck getting visas when they go through with "expedition tours", these are more expensive but also expedite the airport process.

Teheran is one of the most polluted cities in the world, my friend just returned and said it was unbearable. I suppose if you go to the suburbs or to kashan, Isfahan, Shiraz or Tabriz it would be better.

The best time to visit is early spring or late fall. Late fall means lots of fruit :0 (mmmm), spring, the weather is quite lovely.

For women this is also a consideration, especially when faced with wearing
a head scarf and raincoat with long pants every place you go.

check out this site: http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Base/1406

for more info.

another aside, when my mom went back in 1990, she said the most terrifying thing was giving lufthansa her passport 3 days before her flight.

lalala