The end of summer is fast approaching and kids are getting ready for school again. While this may spell the end of traveling time for families with kids, it signals the beginning of a holiday season for young couples with no parental obligations yet.
Fall is the time of the year when the leaves turn bright hues of gold, orange and crimson. Iran, being one of a handful of countries in which seasonal shifts can be seen and felt, provides travelers with a host of destinations to choose from.
Yoush-Nour Route
People often say the journey is more important than the destination, and that is why our first place of preference is not technically a destination, but a journey between two villages in Iran’s verdant northern region.
Yoush is a quaint village at the foot of the Alborz mountain range in Mazandaran Province, located 105 km south of Amol. The narrow 100-km road connecting Yoush to Noor is lined with trees set against a stunning backdrop of lush plains and gentle slopes.
Due to its many twists and turns, the road does not receive many travelers, which means only those looking to get a glimpse of unrivaled, unspoiled Iranian landscapes are willing to go through the trouble of driving on it.
Golestan Province
While naming a province as a destination may seem unusual, given the number of cities, towns and villages it has, Golestan Province is a place worth visiting in fall.
Close your eyes, point at a spot on Golestan’s map, get your gear and head out! The province is replete with colorful forests and cascading waterfalls, making Golestan a top destination from spring to fall.
Golestan boasts Iran’s oldest national park, home to over 300 animal and 1,350 plant species, making it one of the most ecologically-diverse protected areas in the country. Golestan National Park became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1976.
Among the province’s myriad of waterfalls, Shirabad Waterfall, located in a dense forest 60 km from the provincial capital Gorgan, is arguably the most stunning.
Nayband
Nayband Village in South Khorasan Province is a historical village on the crossroads of three geographically distinct formations: desert, mountain and plains.
The village is located on the foothills of mountains with easy access to lush plains. Adventurers can drive 200 km north to Tabas, in the heart of the desert.
Nayband is located close to a wildlife sanctuary named after it, which is home to a large population of gazelles.
Because of their popularity among young travelers, Tabas and Nayband are on most travel agency’s brochures. Due to their remoteness, travelers are advised to opt for package tours.
Olasabelanga
Don’t worry; pronouncing Olasabelanga is no easy task for Persian speakers, either. The name traces its roots to the local Gilaki dialect and means “a high spot where hornbeams grow”.
Olasabelanga is a mountainous village in Masal, Gilan Province. Like other northern provinces, Gilan’s cool climate and green landscapes radiate a sense of serenity.
Verdant plains filled with trees extend in every direction as far as the eyes can see, which is great for those who prefer to set up tents and a light a campfire.
Looking at pictures of the village, with lush landscapes, wooden cottages and cloudy skies, it is easy to mistake Olasabelanga for a village in Northern Europe.
