Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 May 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 116
Iran on the FCO

Go right now to the FCO website at British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) - home page and try to find out anything about Iran. If I try I get told either "no information is held on that country" or that I need a username and password to see the information.

Stupid government website!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 May 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Posts: 1,048
To be honest, don't trust the FCO website too much. Yes, they have demographics and facts, but they are not objective in the slightest. They will tell you that travel there is not recommended and that it is not safe. They have useful info on VISAs, medical risks (predmoniant diseases), but I just looked on there and Colombia and India to name but 2 are listed as "Countries the FCO advises against all travel to parts of". Others listed are Russia, and, you guessed it, Iran. Yes there are dodgy places, but I feel the advice is very over cautious.

Look in the relevant forum and see how many people on here alone have travelled to these places. I say trust the advise of people whjo have been and not a governement organisation that errs heavily on the side of caution so that it can not be held accountable should you go on their advice and stub your toe....Particularly in relation to how travel there is, rather than what official steps need to be taken to get there etc.
__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2 May 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Guildford, UK
Posts: 269
I've not had much success checking out the FCO info either and don't bother now. I've suspected that the advice is also politically motivated - there's never a bad word said about friendly regimes. Lots of tourists have been killed in Egypt in some pretty elaborate attacks but Iran gets a worse report despite very little history of actual hostility towards tourists.

The information often does not seem region specific. Pakistan was up there on the hot list some time ago but it seemed unfair to link the far north and Karokorams region with Karachi. I think Michael Palin lobbied the FCO on this matter after his Himalaya series.

Seems like the HUBB is more relevant than the FCO website.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Iran-Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Iran skin Trip Paperwork 1 27 May 2010 09:49
Iran now? Lars Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 51 13 Jun 2006 00:41
Iran smee Travellers Seeking Travellers 5 21 Jun 2004 00:49
Iran Visa or Iran Embassy? David and Cheryl Laing Trip Paperwork 2 26 Dec 2003 03:33
Iran james Repair Shops, Middle East 1 11 Apr 2003 21:25

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 22:52.