Lonely Planet Iran

Lonely Planet Iran (Country Guide) This guide added immeaurably to my just-completed & thorougly enjoyable three-week vist to Iran. As the authors stress in the opening chapters, Western perceptions of Iran are largely based on government propaganda, ours as well as Iran's. They also point out the huge differences between public and private life. For example, alcohol may be government banned, but it is available for anyone who really wants it. The Iranians are warm,friendly, and most of them do not hesitate to tell us "We love you! We love America!" Getting free of effusive schoolgirls--high school and university--who want to take our photos, can be difficult. I missed a mosque & a couple of old homes in Natanz because of this entrapment! November was an ideal month, perfect weather throughout the country includinn sunshine in Tabriz and the Caspian Sea region which can be bitterly cold in the winter. I didn't like having to wear the hijab in public, but this and no access to ATMs were small prices to pay for an invaluable experience. Burke and Elliott's Lonely Planet Iran makes both an ideal introduction to a visit and encapsulates everything one wants to remember about various sites from Persepolis to the flourishing bazaars in every city. I would encourage everyone, especially Americans, to visit Iran. Ignorance on both sides is a problem that can be dispelled by first-hand experience.

I've used over 20 Lonely Planet guides, of widely varying quality. The 2008 Iran guide is one of the very best I've used, from historic background information to feet-on-the-ground travel pragmatics: * The maps are excellent. There are multiple maps of the largest cities and there are very helpful detailed maps of key sites such as Persepolis or the Haram-e Razavi shrine in Mashhad. * There is thorough background information on culture, history and religion which helped me understand the country and the sites better. The general tone is benign and factual. * The hotel and restaurant guides seem accurate and pragmatic. I had to trudge around a number of hotels in Tehran while searching for a room and the Lonely Planet descriptions seemed consistently on the mark. * The specific coverage of cities and historic sites, and the suggested walking tours were helpful and accurate. * There is copious and (allowing for the vagaries of the bus companies) accurate information on train and bus schedules, travel times and costs. I often saw other travelers consulting various editions of this guide in Iran. It seems to have become the standard. It deserves it!

Great to refresh my memory of a visit some 35 years ago in preparation for a re-visit later this year

There have been some rumors concerning a previous edition. I have just been to Iran (in September 2006). The 2004 edition is as witty and informative as any Loney Planet book. When compared with two German books for travelers it is a notch above the others. I haven't found any insensitive or belittling remarks only the usual sarcasm, just as the description of Ahvaz: "Unremitting Iraqi bombing during the Iran-Iraq War didn't beautify it and subsequent redevelopment has faild to offer much inspiration." Some telephone numbers and addresses are however outdated.

These are some excerpts from the new edition from the section entitled 'The National Psyche': "Iranians are the most surprising people. Where you might expect them to be austere they are charming; rather than dour, they are warm, and instead of being hostile to foreigners, they are welcoming and endlessly curious". "Iranians are not frightening people. They are generally warm and welcoming to an extent that can be embarassing to Westerners." "...the Iranian system of courtesy [...] makes Iran a haven for travellers - you will be treated with unfailing politeness wherever you go." Now compare this with the attitude taken by the racist idiot who wrote the previous (third) edition and one realises what a huge difference it makes when the guide authors actually appreciate and enjoy being in the country about which they write. A welcome (and IMO absolutely necessary) new edition of the guide. Lonely Planet has shown shrewd judgment in replacing the previous one as well as its author.