You won't believe it but it looks like we are a very lucky backpacker couple once we start a new country… Everything has started with a simple message on the "See you in Iran" Facebook group to get advices for our itinerary and the highlights of Iran. And you know what? We got more than 50 private messages and so many comments on the post itself. Incredible, isn't? In those private messages, one woman proposed us to stay (to CouchSurf) with her and her family in Shiraz, Iran.
We were in Dubai, United Arab Emirates at this time and totally forgot to answer to all the messages. And just a few hours before taking our flight to Shiraz, we answered to our host (Yes, yes … We known, it was very last minute…). But we got an answer very quickly with so much compassion for us.
To be honest, we were a bit surprised. How it is possible to be so welcoming? During first hours we understood that all the unimaginable and mean messages we can read on Internet regarding Iran are so not true. Iranians are one of the most hospitable, warmest and kindest people we ever met.
Day 1: Gardens, Citadel, and the Mirrored Mosque
We took the metro (which is incredible clean and efficient) to reach the center of Shiraz. We started by a nice walk to the Eram Garden where we can find so many different varieties of plants and fruits trees. That was our first Persian style garden and it is really impressive.
Then, we visited the Old Cafe (Shapouri Garden or Pavillon) which is a very quiet place. It's a traditional Persian building and garden built in an early 20th century. You can have a tea, coffee or you can try also flowers distillates. It's a really strange taste, like you drink a parfum.
We continued our city tour by walking toward the citadel (Arg of Karim Khan). Thanks to our host, we tried the best ice-cream in Shiraz! After this, we enjoyed the famous Vakil Bazaar. It was the first Bazar we visited in Iran and it's totally different from all the markets of Asia we visited, it's really clean and not so noisy!
And to finish this long day, we visited the Shah Cheragh Mosque which is a marvelous mirrored mosque.
Day 2: The Pink Mosque and Persepolis
Next morning, we woke up early to visit the famous Pink Mosque (Nair-al-Molk Mosque). It was not the best time of the year to see the famous lights throughout colorful windows, but still it was beautiful.
Not far from the Pink Mosque, we discovered a really nice garden (Naranjestan-e-Ghavam) and its Museum.
Then, we went to the famous Necropolis (Naqsh-E Rostam) and Persepolis. Persepolis – a famous historical city, that once was the capital of Persian empire. Unfortunately, Alexander the Great burned this city to the ground.
Day 3: Picnic on a Pink Salt Lake
We finished our last day in Shiraz very calmly. We visited the Pink Lake which is a Salt Lake but it's almost dry during summer season. We never had a picnic in the middle of the Salt Lake before.
What a nice start in Iran! And it's getting just better.
June 23–26, 2018