I'm an American who traveled to Iran. It's not what most Americans think.

I'm American and had been wanting to travel to Iran ever since I visited Israel in 2011. I imagined it would be a great way to complete the "Jewish - Muslim" triangle in the Middle East. <br><br><br>In 2015, I decided to take the plunge. I had to apply for a visa (no big deal), but the challenge was that Americans were still required to have a "guide" if we were going to independently travel. I spent hours trying to figure out who I should hire. I finally found another solo female American traveler who was in the same situation as me, and we decided to go together. We hired an incredible guide named Amir Hassanpour who was a historian and a musician. We followed his pre-set itinerary, which was perfect because he knew way more than we did. He took us all around the country, and introduced us to so many different people along the way. One of the highlights was staying with his mother in a small village close to Persepolis. It was such a special experience. <br><br><br>I also had the opportunity to attend a traditional Jewish wedding in Tehran, which was a fascinating cultural experience. <br><br><br>I extended my trip and spent 5 weeks in Iran and loved every moment of it. I met so many nice people, including other travelers who were from all over the world. Some people were on their 4th - 7th trips to Iran. The history, culture and natural beauty are remarkable, and I enjoyed the food and hospitality too. <br><br><br>I want to make it clear that I am aware of the political complexities between Iran and the US (and Israel), and I tried to be as culturally sensitive as possible. I wore a headscarf the entire time I was there, and followed all the other cultural norms to the best of my abilities. <br><br><br>I am so glad I decided to travel to Iran without listening to other people's opinions. What I learned was that Iran is an ancient country with so much to offer, and the people I met were so warm and welcoming. I plan to go back again someday. <br><br><br>Edit: A few people asked for recommendations to travel to Iran. Here are a few suggestions: <br><br><br>1. Iran is a big country, so create an itinerary that works for you. I loved the city of Yazd very much, and the desert was absolutely beautiful. <br><br><br>2. Learn some basic Farsi phrases. It goes a long way in making the locals happy. <br><br><br>3. If you want to hire a guide, I recommend Amir Hassanpour. If you prefer to independently travel, you can figure it out once you are there. <br><br><br>4. If you are an American, you will need to hire a guide or go on a guided tour. <br><br><br>5. Be respectful of the culture and dress modestly. <br><br><br>6. Don't rely on Trip Advisor to figure out where to eat. I tried a few places it recommended and didn't like the food. Listen to the locals for recommendations. <br><br><br>7. Iran is safe and I felt comfortable as a solo female traveler. <br><br><br>8. I loved the food, but if you are vegetarian or vegan, it may be a bit challenging to find options. <br><br><br>9. Try to attend a traditional wedding if you can. It's an unforgettable experience. <br><br><br>10. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me. Happy travels!<br><br><br>Xposted byu/traveltheglobe2