jonny blair working in iran

Working Wednesdays: Helping out at Issa’s Allotment in Zarad Band, Iran

Anyone who has travelled in Iran will tell you that you always get offers to stay with families and live with them. This happened to us a load of times, and we ended up in three family houses over the course of a month and it could have been more. Two of our host families Read more about Working Wednesdays: Helping out at Issa’s Allotment in Zarad Band, Iran[…]

christmas dinner in shiraz

Friday’s Featured Food: Dizi on Christmas Day in Shiraz, Iran

My “Christmas Dinner” in 2013 came in the form of local Iranian dish Dizi while I was backpacking in Iran. We were almost at the end of our month in Iran when we arrived in the city of Shiraz. We were there to see the city itself, as well as visiting Marvdasht, Persepolis and Naqsh-e Read more about Friday’s Featured Food: Dizi on Christmas Day in Shiraz, Iran[…]

alamut castle

Backpacking in Iran: Visiting Alamut Castle, Gazor Khan, Iran

Heading out into the Alamut Valley is something you should aim to do when you’re backpacking in Iran. Away from the big city appeal of Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz and Tabriz, here you find solace in a tranquil mountain village in the gorgeous valleys. You might even forget you’re in Iran for a second!  We found Read more about Backpacking in Iran: Visiting Alamut Castle, Gazor Khan, Iran[…]

turkey iran border

World Borders: How to get from Turkey to Iran (Gurbulak to Bazargan)

As far as world borders go, this one from Iran to Turkey overland is one of the fastest and easiest believe it or not. In fact, I was a bit surprised by the simplicity of it. If you’re heading overland from Gurbulak to Bazargan, here’s a guide on how to get from Turkey to Iran. Read more about World Borders: How to get from Turkey to Iran (Gurbulak to Bazargan)[…]

Backpacking in Iran: Visiting Kandovan Cave Town near Osku

Backpacking in Iran: Visiting Kandovan Cave Town near Osku

Iran will throw more surprises at you than your expectant heart expected. What you experience when visiting Kandovan cave town is a place peculiarly similar to Turkey’s Cappadocia yet so quiet and untouristy and blatantly without the same commercial appeal. There are still currently no buses that run to Kandovan Cave Town!! Making it an Read more about Backpacking in Iran: Visiting Kandovan Cave Town near Osku[…]

trying camel meat in iran

Friday’s Featured Food: Camel Meat Stew in Yazd, Iran

I spent a whole month backpacking in Iran such was my desire to make the most of my Iranian visa and see as much of the country as I could. Despite rumours beforehand that the food would be terrible, it came as a pleasant surprise to taste a few above average meals. While the breakfasts Read more about Friday’s Featured Food: Camel Meat Stew in Yazd, Iran[…]

Backpacking in Iran: Top 10 Sights in Kerman

Kerman is never going to be the most obvious Iranian city you visit. But that’s not to say you should leave it off your itinerary. While a lot of people use Kerman as a gateway to the desert or en route to Pakistan, others find solace in the variety of sights around the city. You Read more about Backpacking in Iran: Top 10 Sights in Kerman[…]

jonny blairs dont stop living guide on How to get an Iran Visa in Trabzon Turkey

How to Get an Iran Visa in Trabzon, Turkey

It’s Visa time again on Don’t Stop Living as I share my expert visa advice from my travels with you. The most recent visa advice is on how to get an Iran Visa in Trabzon, Turkey. A lot of seasoned travellers have found that Trabzon in Turkey is the easiest, fastest and handiest place to Read more about How to Get an Iran Visa in Trabzon, Turkey[…]