PERSIAN PASS
Oct 31, 2000 | 7:31 am
#1
Original Poster
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: TUS
Programs: AA 1.8 MM, DL, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold,
Posts: 3,430
PERSIAN PASS
Are there any FTers out there that want to accompany Oz and I to Iran in April? It would be another 'trip of a lifetime' . I was there in'75 and it is a beautiful, amazing country. I'm just trying to'spark' some interest here".
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MRKEY
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MRKEY
Oct 31, 2000 | 11:03 am
#4
Original Poster
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: TUS
Programs: AA 1.8 MM, DL, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold,
Posts: 3,430
YES- U.S. CITIZENS ARE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL IN IRAN.
See the posts by Oz in the community forum. He really has some great links to sites that exlain in detail how to get a visa. This trip would also include Europe, so there might be a milage run involved too! Any suggestions are encouraged as usual.
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MRKEY
See the posts by Oz in the community forum. He really has some great links to sites that exlain in detail how to get a visa. This trip would also include Europe, so there might be a milage run involved too! Any suggestions are encouraged as usual.
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MRKEY
Oct 31, 2000 | 12:35 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: IST, TR
Programs: TK*G EP
Posts: 488
Looks like a very interesting idea. 
Which cities are you planning to visit? Tehran, Qom, Tabriz, Isfahan?
Does anybody has any idea of land travel in Iran?? Is it secure?
I can easily fly domestic IST-VAN on TK and take a bus from VAN to THR. The 10-hour-busride would cost me appr. US$10-15 one way. A little bit long but very very cheap for me. (And for your information Van is the border state of Turkey to Iran and a fascinating city by the Lake Van and Akdamar Island in the middle of the Lake Van with a church from eight century!)
Which cities are you planning to visit? Tehran, Qom, Tabriz, Isfahan?
Does anybody has any idea of land travel in Iran?? Is it secure?
I can easily fly domestic IST-VAN on TK and take a bus from VAN to THR. The 10-hour-busride would cost me appr. US$10-15 one way. A little bit long but very very cheap for me. (And for your information Van is the border state of Turkey to Iran and a fascinating city by the Lake Van and Akdamar Island in the middle of the Lake Van with a church from eight century!)
Oct 31, 2000 | 1:55 pm
#6
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NJ
Posts: 3,343
Just a gentle reminder that this would probably be best posted in General Travel Talk or FlyerTalk Community. That way those just looking for items on "frequent flyer buzz" won't mistakenly think this is about a new "persian pass" FF program and get irritated by finding out that it has no relation to frequent flyer programs at all. Besides that advantage, as I have pointed out before, if we all try to use the right categories, then when anyone is looking for information, they will be able to search the forum it ought to be in and find it. For example, someone looking for general travel information on Iran would probably do a search under "General Travel Talk" forum, and would never think to search "Buzz." So, by posting here in Buzz, you make it unlikely that anyone will ever find your information when looking for it. It's a logical set-up, and works well for everyone, and for lots of different purposes, if people follow the general layout of the forums.
Djlawman
Djlawman
Oct 31, 2000 | 3:15 pm
#7
Original Poster
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: TUS
Programs: AA 1.8 MM, DL, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold,
Posts: 3,430
It could be a milage run, but I see your point...how can we switch this thread to the general or community forum? Maybe an administrator can help. 
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MRKEY
[This message has been edited by MRKEY (edited 10-31-2000).]
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MRKEY
[This message has been edited by MRKEY (edited 10-31-2000).]
Oct 31, 2000 | 3:38 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,351
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 ~
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 ~
Oct 31, 2000 | 4:23 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: No one cares
Posts: 7,616
Hey All,
Not to think the Iran is the most unspoiled place in the world, but western culture abounds, especially for those with US dollars and satellite dishes.
Iranian women (middle-class and upper class) are some of the snappiest dressers this side of the champs-elysees. Not to mention some of the vainest, the dollar talks and the health care is good, so tons of Iranian women and girls go back home each year for nose jobs, facelifts etc. I like my nose, so I won't be going in for that or anything else.
If my trip with my parents doesn't go through this spring, I may consider it. April is very nice in Iran, lots of lovely trees blossoming and everyone is happy because the new year has just started.
I was wondering how to make it through Iran for up to 3 weeks with my parents without bringing up contreversial subjects or doing anything that would irritate the morality police. I decided that I would indulge in my partner's love of Antarctic and Arctic exploration and read only historical accounts. No one could get ticked off by that and I can live without glossy mags for a month or two.
Anyways, this is getting most interesting. I hope it comes to pass.
lala
Not to think the Iran is the most unspoiled place in the world, but western culture abounds, especially for those with US dollars and satellite dishes.
Iranian women (middle-class and upper class) are some of the snappiest dressers this side of the champs-elysees. Not to mention some of the vainest, the dollar talks and the health care is good, so tons of Iranian women and girls go back home each year for nose jobs, facelifts etc. I like my nose, so I won't be going in for that or anything else
.If my trip with my parents doesn't go through this spring, I may consider it. April is very nice in Iran, lots of lovely trees blossoming and everyone is happy because the new year has just started.
I was wondering how to make it through Iran for up to 3 weeks with my parents without bringing up contreversial subjects or doing anything that would irritate the morality police. I decided that I would indulge in my partner's love of Antarctic and Arctic exploration and read only historical accounts. No one could get ticked off by that and I can live without glossy mags for a month or two.
Anyways, this is getting most interesting. I hope it comes to pass.
lala
Oct 31, 2000 | 5:45 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Ridgewood NJ
Posts: 221
Can Americans travel to Iran? On another thread 2 days ago smg77 said:
It appears for any of us there would be no problems joining this group. Sounds like fun to me.
"in most cases Americans cannot do business in Iran or with Iranian nationals. Travel is a different matter -- there's no travel ban a la Cuba here". From http://www.ustreas.gov/ofac/t11iran.pdf viz :
"All transactions ordinarily incident to travel to or from Iran, including the importation of accompanied baggage for strictly personal use, payment of mainte-nance and living expenses and acquisition of goods or services for personal use are permitted".
"All transactions ordinarily incident to travel to or from Iran, including the importation of accompanied baggage for strictly personal use, payment of mainte-nance and living expenses and acquisition of goods or services for personal use are permitted".