Places of Interest - Iran

The ancient city of Kashan is located in an oasis at a plateau which reaches about 900 meters high. The year of the foundation of the city is not exactly known but experts say it’s must have been around the year 6000 BC due to objects found in the surrounding neighbourhood from that era. The city was at least twice completely destroyed twice. In the 11th century, Malik Sjah I of the Seljuks built in the centre of Kashan a fortress, whose walls are still standing. The city became known at that time for its pottery, textile and tiles. Despite a terrible earthquake, the conservative city has been rebuilt again and is now famous for its relaxed atmosphere, its lovely big bazaar and the beautifully renovated traditional houses; you can also enjoy the "Fin" gardens and the great mosque.

If you come from Tehran, there is a chance that you will be dropped at the big roundabout "Shahid Mohammed-e Montazeri". If you want to walk to the center (which is easy and do-able) then take the "22 Bahman" street. Via a few big roundabouts you reach the center. There is also a bus and train station located both in the east of the city. Both are about 500 meters/ 1 kilometre outside the center and from each other.

Kashan - Esfahan: The bus to Esfahan goes every hour (8:00, 9:00 etc.) from the bus station. A ticket costs 70,000 Rial and the trip takes about 3 hours.

• Name: "Khan-e Eshan"

Address: in the alley near Fazel-e Navaji street

Price: 350.000 (dorm) including breakfast

Phone nr. : 0913 2762561

Website: www.kajweb.com

Content:

This beautifully renovated yet Arabian-Persian-style hotel is located a stone's throw from Kashan city center (Kamal ol Molk square) and maybe hard to find. Ask around for directions and then you will see the signs that lead you to the right alley. An oasis of small mudbrick corridors brings you to the front desk where everyone speaks fluent English and helps you professionally. Around a pond and large courtyard with seating beds and banks where apple cranberries grow, various types of rooms are offered, the cheapest of which is 800,000 Rial. The dorm is in the basement, has fans and 4 beds. There is a fridge with cold water and a towel is ready for you. There is WIFI in the courtyard and breakfast is a kind of walking buffet. The only annoying thing is that the shower (which was cold 2x) and toilet were located outside the room - opposite the dormitory.

The hotel is great, the city is pleasant, the people friendly, the sights worthwile but there is just something i missed in this town. And that's a place to eat and drink next to the place I stay. I walked a lot of streets but did not encounter a tea house and only two small eateries where you can buy a piece of pizza or a sandwich. No kebab or shoarma. There are a few more expensive traditional restaurants in town if interested - one in the bazaar and the other in the traditional house.

In addition, there are already a fair amount of salesman around who are looking for tourist with money (touts). Of course they are the one who speaks english and you aproach on the streets. Especially when you're alone, you're "troubled” by it and it's hard to find out if these people are in the beginning salesman, just curious Iranians who want to know something about you