Well this possible trip has gathered more interest here than where it was first posted, so who knows?! Maybe there is a "BUZZ" about visitng Iran? That thread, now we are here, and for anyone who wants to join in, is at:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/000679.html

To recap it said in part:

Anyone on Flyer Talk want to get together and visit Iran?

www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Base/1406

For ANY person who is interested in this fascinating place, PLEASE take a moment to check that comprehensive link.

There was a Travel Agent listed there called "Magic Carpet Travel" based in UK. Could not resist clicking on that one!
http://www.magic-carpet-travel.com/

They offer small group tours for only £895 ex London INCLUDING all airfares and transport to and from UK and within Iran. Hotels, admissions, UK airport tax, English speaking guides etc. It is with Air Iran, but I am sure by paying a little extra they can do it on Lufthansa or Austrian Airlines so I can get Star * Alliance points/possibly upgrades. (And gives another stopover in Europe as well!)

This looks like the perfect one for me ... Treasures of Persia: 8 day tour - Tehran / Shiraz / Persepolis / Isfahan / Tehran. Full itinerary on their site.

Next scheduled such group tour will be on April 8th, 2001. ANYONE from FT want to join such a tour???? If there can be 40+ FT'ers fly from all over the world into Dusseldorf next week, or Hawaii, or indeed a whole bunch is migrating to Northern Thailand starting this week,(starting with MrKey above!) simply to get UA status after I posted an obscure loophole, so a few of us to Iran is surely VERY possible? Who knows, if a group of us gets together the package price may reduce even further! This was the only travel agent link I clicked. There certainly may be better/cheaper tours on offer.

I realise Iran is NOT a "mainstream" destination, but reading MCRT's excellent current thread below on amazing countries many of those here have visited, I can bet a few of those adventurous souls among us would be game to take a week and see some of it, hence my posting of this here to elicit interest. Travelling with 4 or 5 FT'ers would add to the fun. The countries I most like visiting are those who do NOT yet have a McDonalds on every corner, a Sheraton/Hilton/Marriott in main cities, and Coke and Bud on tap everywhere, served by kids wearing Nikes.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/002315.html


Conde Nast Traveller May 2000 British Edition said: Iran is, without any doubt at all, the warmest, politest, most hospitable country that I have ever been in - almost shamingly so.

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~ Glen ~