Adrienne Smith, the Constant Traveler: An Iranian 'Idyll,' Part IV

By Adrienne Smith

Jun. 24, 2015: It's time now for a little education about Iran, some items the result of personal observation and others found on Internet sites, and, most certainly, of varying importance:

Iran's geographical area is slightly smaller than the US's largest state, Alaska.
Almost half of Iran is desert.
Its population exceeds 80 million people, making it the second largest in the Middle East and 18th in the world.
People of Persian extraction make up roughly 61% of the population, followed by 16% Azerbaijanis and 16% Kurds.
70% of Iranians are under the age of 30.
Somewhere between 90 and 95% of Iranians are Shia Muslims, representing the largest Shia Muslim population in the world, followed by India.
Iranians, who at least for the 61% prefer to be called Persians, do not consider themselves to be Arab. This is because they have their own language, Persian (Farsi), are Shia, rather than Sunni, Muslim, and have maintained a distinct national culture over the centuries.
The current president of Iran is Hassan Rouhani, who is considered a moderate, at least compared to his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The supreme leader of Iran is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the second ayatollah to serve since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
There are many ayatollahs, including a few women. Ayatollahs obtain their status via study and discourse.
Iran is the only country in the Middle East that offers a high school course of study equivalent to the A-levels and the International Baccalaureate and a university entrance exam equivalent to the A-level and IB exams and the SATs.
Iran sided with the Axis in World War II, which led to its occupation by the British and Russians in 1941.
Iran has the largest proven gas reserves in the world and is fourth in oil reserves.
Roughly 14.2% of Iranians are obese, compared to 33.9% of Americans.
Starting at menarche, young girls start wearing the hijab.
Girls of 13 or more may marry with the permission of their fathers.
Iran is the nose-job capital of the world. Young women with white bandages on their proboscises can be seen in all the big cities.
Iran is the locus of more sex-change operations each year than anywhere else in the world except Thailand. The procedure is legal and, often, state-financed.
Men who do not marry continue to live at home and are known as na-mard (not-men).
Private ownership of satellite TV dishes is officially banned but violations are mainly overlooked.
Polo had its origins in Persia in the sixth century.
Women in Iran can vote and drive but cannot wear bathing suits in front of men. Beaches and athletic clubs are segregated, the former with barriers down each side.

And now for my favorite factoid. Certain Shia men are allowed to enter into short-term marriages, called siigheh, regardless of whether they have wives and children at home. This is done by contract and can specify a time period ranging from an hour to years. The origin of this procedure seems to derive from pilgrims' "needs" on long, lonely trips to Mecca.

Add to this that there are no beggars on the street, littering is rare, cars don't honk, and young children seem remarkably even-tempered, and you have quite an unusual country.

Pictured here: Ayatollahs in Shiraz.

Photo by Adrienne Smith

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Bayside Travel Wins Small Business Award from '914INC.' Magazine

By Sally Winston, Bayside Travel Sep. 20, 2017: Bayside Travel won a 2017 Small Business Award from 914INC., a Westchester magazine. The agency is honored to have won in the category...

Day Trips: The High Line

Urban Adventure! Have you been to the High Line yet? It is the park located on Manhattan's West Side that runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues. It is a fun place to see and a nice place to take a walk before dinner at one of the many cool meatpacking district restaurants! They have ongoing events. Click here to learn more. www.thehighline.org/events/all/2010/10

Hike Leatherman's Loop in the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Plus Lunch Ideas

NOTHING LIKE A GREAT HIKE AND A GREAT OUTING RIGHT IN OUR BACKYARD! There is a beautiful hike called the Leatherman's Loop within the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. It brings you up to Point Lookout with an incredible view over the Cross River Reservoir. Pick up a trial map at the entrance. Bring a picnic or go for a morning hike then hop back in your car and continue south on Rt. 121, for approx. 2 or 3 miles, to Richard Gere's restaurant Bedford Post for lunch.....very nice and casual hiking clothes are fine.

Katonah Museum of Art Plus Lunch Ideas

There are always great exhibits the Katonah Museum of Art called Mapping: Memory and Motion in Contemporary Art. This museum is a gem! Closed Mondays. Fun learning center for kids. Click here for more information. http://www.katonahmuseum.org/

Have lunch in Katonah (right out of driveway and immediate left on Jay Street) at The Blue Dolphin Diner (Great Italian) or Willy Nicks (American).

From the Museum you can also easily get to Bedford Post.
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Herzerl Tours

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We believe in doing tours to places that we know well - have lived there or visited there - so that we can give our clients the best for their money.

Susanne Servin, owner of Herzerl Tours is a native of Vienna, Austria; she has lived in Europe and traveled there extensively. She started her company to share her experiences with Americans by taking them to tour her birthplace and other favorite spots of hers.

Herzerl Tours Philosophy: we offer destinations that are very well known to us -where we have stayed and know the people- the owners, chefs, vintners and guides etc. personally.We only organize small, intimate tour groups (or mini groups / FIT's) to enable personal contact such as the use of traditional public transportation as much as possible, meeting and talking with locals (most of whom speak some English), listening to their music; learning to cook the local cuisine and pairing it with local wines, eating in typical restaurants - avoiding the known "touristy" venues. This will give the tour participants a chance to find out what the country of their choice is really all about.

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sms@herzerltours.com

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Vacation Ideas: The Four Seasons Washington

Enjoy a weekend in Washington, DC during Cherry Blossom Season (late March/early April). Stay at the Four Seasons Washington, an elegant hotel that is part of the Four Seasons chain. Located right in the center of Georgetown, the hotel is “great for kids” providing welcoming touches in the room (confetti, yellow duck, balloons, cookies) as well as an indoor pool. Enjoy everything that Washington has to offer.

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20007
202-342-0444

Martha’s Vineyard

Escape to the Martha’s Vineyard for a week or weekend in the summer. Enjoy the beaches and all the great activities the Vineyard has to offer. If not renting a house or staying with friends, consider staying at the Hob Knob , a “casually elegant boutique hotel” in Edgartown.

128 Main Street Box 239
Edgartown, Mass 02539
508-627-9510
www.hobknob.com

Mayflower Inn and Spa

Robert and Adriana Mnuchin discovered the Mayflower Inn in 1992 and set about restoring the Inn to its former glory. This included traveling across Europe to obtain “the very best in Old World art and artifacts.” If you are in need of some quiet time with your wife or husband, this might be the place for you. No children under 12 are allowed. They have beautiful rooms and a restful spa.

118 Woodbury Road, Route 47
Washington, Connecticut 06793
860-868-9466
www.mayflowerinn.com

Mohonk Mountain House

If you’re looking for a family getaway, the Mohonk Mountain House might be for you. It is a historic hotel that, depending on the time of year, offers many activities including hiking, tennis, lake swimming, ice skating, cross country skiing and horseback riding, They also offer a Kids Club and a “Kids Stay Free” program on specific days throughout the year.

1000 Mountain Rest Road
New Paltz, New York 12561
800-722-6646 (reservations)

Mont Tremblant Ski Resort

Mont Tremblant Ski Resort makes for a ski vacation with an international flair. Best of all, you can combine great skiing with site seeing in beautiful Quebec and create a family ski vacation that is a little different from most. There are many ski-in, ski-out hotels and condominiums right on the mountain.

www.Tremblant.ca.

Nantucket

The beautiful island of Nantucket is a wonderful place for a vacation or getaway. If you aren’t staying with friends or renting a house, consider staying at the Wauwinet, a premiere waterfront resort on the island. The Inn offers attractive rooms along with private beach, spa, tennis and fine dining at its Topper’s restaurant. in Nantucket. The Inn’s also has an excellent restaurant called Topper’s.

508-228-0145
www.wauwinet.com

Newport

A weekend or vacation in Newport, Rhode Island is always fun. Depending on your mood, consider staying at the Castle Hill Inn and Resort, which was built in 1874 as a summerhouse and has a variety of accommodations including rooms right on the beach or The Chanler at Cliff Walk, which was voted “one of the 15 best new luxury hotels in the world” by Food & Wine (2003). Your weekend can include a Mansion Tour, Cliff Walk, tennis on the grass courts of the Tennis Hall of Fame and, depending on the time of year, a jazz festival, folk festival or flower show.

Castle Hill Inn & Resort
590 Ocean Drive
Newport, Rhode Island 02840.

The Chanler at Cliff Walk
117 Memorial Boulevard
Newport, Rhode Island 02840
401-372-2578
www.thechanler.com
888-466-1355
www.castlehillinn.com

Skytop Lodge

The historic Skytop Lodge, located in the Pocono Mountains, is “fun for little kids.” The Lodge offers a variety of accommodations and a myriad of activities for children and adults during both the winter and summer. It also offers morning and afternoon camps for children ages 4 to 10.

Skytop Lodge
One Skytop
Skytop, Pennsylvania 18357
800-345-7759
www.skytop.com

The Hamptons

Many people who go to the Hamptons own a house or rent one, but, if you don’t plan to “summer” there, you might consider spending a weekend either in season or just before or after the season - - such as early fall when pumpkins have replaced corn at the farm stands and the summer crowd has returned home. It is a beautiful part of the world and offers pristine beaches, wine tasting, cycling, kayaking, tennis, great window shopping and fine dining. Consider staying at The Maidstone, a historic Inn which is walking distance to downtown East Hampton.

The Maidstone
207 Main Street
East Hampton, New York 11937
631-324-5006

http://www.themaidstone.com/

The Homestead

The Homestead is America’s oldest destination resort. Located in the mountains of Virginia, the resort is “steeped in the rich and timeless tradition of Southern hospitality” and offers every activity imaginable for adults and children. Take a closer look!

1766 Homestead Drive
Hot Springs, Virginia 22445
Reservations: 866-354-4653
www.thehomestead.com

Woodstock Inn & Resort

If you’re looking for something to do for a week during the Holidays, consider the Woodstock Inn & Resort. Located in the heart of lovely Woodstock, the Inn offers easy access to skiing at Suicide Six. You can also enjoy a sleigh ride or spend time in the low-key athletic facility that includes tennis courts and an indoor pool. Finally, you can walk to town for dinner and simply enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Fourteen The Green
Woodstock, Vermont 05091-1298
802-457-1000
www.woodstockinn.com

A Bar A Ranch

Plan ahead if you want to stay at the A Bar A Ranch in Wyoming. Families come back year after year and it can be difficult to get a reservation. Located in Encampment, Wyoming, the A Bar A offers simple phone-free cabins, fun riding, great fly fishing and the opportunity to relax. They also have a small pool, one tennis court and a quirky golf course if you can’t leave those clubs at home. Many of the summer staff are college-age men and women (many from the south) who are there to help you with a smile. Finally, the A Bar A offers a camp for kids age four and up.

Encampment, Wyoming 82325
307-327-5454

Beaver Creek Resort

Everyone looks for something different in a ski vacation - - some want the best possible skiing, some are there to enjoy the “après-ski”, while others want a good place for their children to learn to ski. Known as a “family friendly resort” Beaver Creek, located in Colorado, has a homey feel and offers a little bit of all of the above. There are many places to stay right on the mountain and the “interactive lodging map” under “travel plans” on Beavercreek.com provides a review of all the options.

888-830-SNOW (lodging)
www.beavercreek.com

Caneel Bay

Caneel Bay is one of those places honeymooners enjoy and families return to year after year. Located in St. John, Virgin Islands, the resort can be defined as “low key” luxury. It has very nice accommodations and offers everything from tennis to snorkeling to fine dining, but it has purposely eschewed the glitz of some of today’s upscale resorts.

PO Box 720
St John, Virgin Islands, USA 00831-0720
340-776-6111
www.caneelbay.com

The Coral Beach & Tennis Club

The Coral Beach Club in Bermuda has a feel of old world casual elegance in a beautiful, dramatic setting. While it is well known for its tennis club, it also offers swimming, squash, croquet, snorkeling, and fitness and has reciprocal rights with some of the great golf courses on the Island. Its accommodations range from rooms and suites to cottages. The Club has a membership and members can introduce guests to the Club.

Coral Beach & Tennis Club
P.O. Box PG 200
Paget PGBX, Bermuda
441-236-2233
www.coralbeachclub.com

The Gasparilla Inn & Club

The Gasparilla Inn & Club is a great place for a spring break vacation for the family. It is a “classic old Florida resort located on Gasparilla Island on the Gulf of Mexico” and offers golf, cycling, spa, fitness, croquet, boating and tennis.

P.O. Box 1088
500 Palm Avenue
Boca Grande, Florida 22921
800-996-1913

The Golden Door

Plan an annual getaway for you and your girlfriends to The Golden Door. They have room for 40 guests and offer weeklong stays that include “comprehensive wellness training,” inner focus, gourmet spa cuisine, two swimming pools, a tennis court, exercise pavilion, hiking, the latest in modern therapies, beauty regimens - - - need I say more?

Golden Door Reservations
Post Office Box 463077
Escondido, California 92064-3077
760-744-5777
US Toll Free 800-424-0777
www.goldendoor.com

The Ritz Carlton in Key Biscayne

It’s hard to go wrong with a Ritz Carlson and the Ritz Carlton in Key Biscayne doesn’t disappoint. Key Biscayne is a barrier island east of Miami with beautiful beaches, nature preserves and shopping villages. The Ritz Carlton offers elegant accommodations, two outdoor swimming pools, a fitness center, a large tennis center, a kids recreation program, a variety of excellent dining options and easy access to South Beach and other nearby attractions.

455 Grand Bay Drive
Key Biscayne, Florida 33149
305-365-4500
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/KeyBiscayne/Default.htm

The Tryall Club

Located 12 miles west of Montego Bay in Jamaica, Tryall is a special place. It is a private Club but many members rent their beautiful homes and the rental includes a staff that does the shopping, cooking and cleaning. Many families come back year after year and get to know each other. If you don’t need the space provided by a house, you can also stay in rooms at the “Great House.” The Club has an excellent tennis pro and golf pro and also offers beach swimming and dining.

876-956-5660
www.tryallclub.com

Deer Valley

If you are looking for a great ski vacation with your family, Deer Valley is for you. An easy flight from New York (Delta flies direct to Salt Lake City), Deer Valley is less than 45 minutes from the airport. There are no snowboarders allowed and they have a large number of groomed slopes that are good for children. They also limit the number of skiers during peak times to avoid overcrowding. Consider staying at the Stein Eriksen Lodge, which is nestled "mid" mountain and is considered the premier hotel in the area. You can rent your equipment there, store your skies and boots, which are dried overnight, and enjoy all the convenience of ski in/ski out accomodations. If you want to take advantage of ski school, make reservations well in advance. You can eat a casual cafeteria-style lunch at the Silver Lake Lodge. Other restaurants good for the evening include the Mariposa at Silver Lake Lodge, The Glitretind Restaurant at the Stein Eriksen, the Seafood Buffet at Snow Park Lodge or the the Fireside Dinner at Empire Canyon Lodge.

Stein Eriksen Lodge
7700 Stein Way
Park City Utah 04060
800-453-1302
www.steinlodge.com

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