Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

The Middle East is a grand epic, a cradle of civilisations & a beautiful, complicated land that is home to some of the planet's most hospitable people. From the gravitas of the Sahara to the blue tiles of Isfahan, this is a region for discerning travellers, for those looking for the story behind the headline & where the bridges between ancient & modern civilisations are everywhere evident. Here, history is not something you read about in books. It was here that some of the most significant civilisations of antiquity rose & fell. It is a story written on the stones that litter the region, from the flagstones of old Roman roads to the building blocks of ancient Egypt & the delicately carved tombs & temples from Petra to Persepolis. This is where humankind first built cities & learned to write and it was from here that 3 great monotheistic religions Judaism, Christianity & Islam all arose.

Its cities read like a roll-call of historical heavyweights: Jerusalem, Beirut, Cairo, İstanbul, Isfahan, Damascus & Baghdad. Aside from ranking among the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth, these ancient-modern metropolises are places to take the pulse of a region. It is here too, that you find the stirring, aspirational architecture that so distinguishes the 3 faiths.

Salam & welcome to Islamic Republic of Iran - one of the friendliest countries on earth. the jewel in Islam's crown, combining glorious architecture with a warm-hearted welcome. Land of fire, a journey of flavours, being one of nature – so many metaphors to describe the country.

Little understood & seldom visited by Western tourists, Iran can seem opaque & enigmatic. Many preconceptions are based on its confusion with the Arab world, a fact lost on many in the West & a mistake many in Iran, with its over 2,500 years of Persian history, would probably take issue with.

An essential stop on the Silk Road, the Persian Empire stretched from Greece to India & brought its famously tolerant culture - including early medicine - to a world mired in comparative medieval backwardness. Today's Iran is still a place of bustling bazaars, glorious architecture & mountain villages with a young, friendly & open population. As long as you are not too attached to that glass of wine (curiously, Shiraz was invented here), a visit will take you beyond the rhetoric into one of the world's truly great cultures.

Arrive in the dynamic & vibrant city Tehran, one of the world’s greatest megalopolises with its chaotic charm & juxtapositions found on every street.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? – Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer. Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the start hotel.

Reach the centrally located hotel & Check-in.

*Rooms held from previous day to ensure immediate Check-in.

Hugging the lower slopes of the magnificent, snow-capped Alborz Mountains, Tehran is Iran’s most secular & liberal city city that attract students from across the country. Expect relatively bold fashion statements & a range of ethnic & international restaurants.

Many travellers & no small number of Tehranis will tell you there is no reason to hang around in the capital. But to take their advice is to miss out. This is the nation's dynamic beating heart & the place to get a handle on modern Iran & what its future will likely be.

The first time Tehran is mentioned in historical accounts is in an 11^th century chronicle in which it is described as a small village north of Rayy (Ragha or Ray). Rayy, often considered to be Tehran’s predecessor, became the capital city of the Seljuq Empire in the 11^th century but later declined with factional strife between different neighbourhoods & the Mongol invasion of 1220. Although, in later years Rayy continued to serve as an important centre of strategic advantage during various military campaigns across the Iranian plateau, its significance as a city was lost. Now a suburb of Tehran, Rayy is well known for its religious shrines.

In the 13^th century Tehran was a prosperous market town, known for its pomegranates, its 12 rival neighbourhoods with their underground dwellings surrounded by a band of trees & its defiance of the government.

At the time of the Zand dynasty, it was a little town that was significant from a strategic point of view. The first of the Qajar kings, Agha Mohammed Khan, named Tehran as the country's capital in 1778 & most of its growth started during the reign of a subsequent Qajar monarch, Fath-Ali Shah. The Castle which Agha Mohammed Khan had built was to contain the new majestic buildings. Even though the dynasty was in a period of decline, Tehran soon took the shape of a modern city.

In the late 19^th century, a major program of modernization transformed the capital, enlarging the urban area by several times its size. Gates, Squares & Mosques were built & it was at the time of Nassereddin Shah that the city's master sketch was prepared & modern streets were constructed. The structure of large government buildings, new streets, recreation centres, urban service organizations, academic & methodical centres were started. The city's old architectural fabric replaced by a contemporary one. Later, huge central Squares like Toopkhaneh Square (now Imam Khomeini Square) & quite a few military buildings were built. At the same time, the city's population doubled & now total 14 million.

The new urban structure resulted in a north-south divide, separating the rich from the poor & modern from traditional, establishing a new character for the city. The northern districts are more prosperous, modern, cosmopolitan & expensive while southern parts are less attractive but cheaper.

In addition to Persians, there is a large population of Azeris in Tehran, as well as other ethnicities including Armenian, Assyrian, Kurdish, Jewish & Zoroastrian communities. The majority of Tehran's residents speak Persian.

Tehran has also earned itself the rather unenviable reputation as a smog-filled, traffic-clogged, featureless sprawl of concrete. But you can also find an endless number of nice & cozy places in & around the city - if you know where to look. The city is dotted with Mosques, Churches, Synagogues & Zoroastrian Fire Temples, Art Centers, Palace complexes, Cultural Centers & serene Gardens & well-kept  serene Gardens & Parks, more than 800 of them.

And while Tehran lacks history, it makes up for it with many impressive Museums specializing in a range of themes. If much of Iran is an open-air Museum, Tehran brings it back indoors, with a vast concentration of Artwork, Manuscripts, Jewellery, Rugs, Qurans & more sourced from across the Persian Empire. The Cinema & Contemporary Art Museums reveal the country’s continuing love affair with art in all its forms & holds works from a number of major international artists. The National Museum specializes in ancient Iranian heritage while the Carpet Museum displays masterpieces of this national craft. A great start to your holiday as you learn about Iran’s rich history before visiting the sites. 

Tehran plays a noted role in the arts. The Tehran Symphony Orchestra has performed both at home & for international audiences abroad & the Fajr International Theater Festival is held here annually. Iran’s film industry, based in Tehran, has been internationally recognized for its new realist school of cinema & its award-winning films.

The Iranian Revolution in 1979 had a distinctive cultural impact, limiting particular forms of expression while nurturing others. Within this framework, traditional arts such as Calligraphy & Music have seen a revival, with many educational institutions & Galleries involved.

Exploring this fascinating Metropolis will transport you on a journey through Iranian history - from the glittering Golestan Palace & the adjacent Grand Bazaar to the notorious former US Embassy.

Tehran’s architecture is eclectic; while many buildings reflect the international Modernist style, others display postmodern, Neoclassical & traditional Persian styles. A modern, vibrant city, its skyline is dominated by snow-capped mountains & a proliferation of high-rise buildings, topped by the beautiful 21^st century Borj-e Milad (Milad Tower) rising 435 metres above the city.  The Azadi Tower, completed in 1971, greets visitors at the western entrance to the city, which has come to symbolize the city. The unique pedestrian Tabiat (“nature”) Bridge, the largest of its kind in Iran, that connects 2 public Parks, is a modern internationally renowned architectural marvel.

With so much fascinating history on show in its Museums, Mosques & Palaces, those in charge clearly decided that Tehran needed a more “contemporary” attraction, too. Enter the world’s highest Dolphinarium, at the top of Tehran’s Milad Tower, where dolphins & sea lions perform for visitors 4 times a day to the sound of pounding Persian pop. But, we will stick with a civilisation showcasing 1,000s of year of history within history.

Tehran’s vibrancy is marked by large crowds of young people, numerous Shopping Malls, commercial streets, fast-food outlets, an expanding network of highways & bustling public Squares. The city mixes tradition with modernity & religious imagery with secular lifestyles, as evident in the large roadside hoardings that display revolutionary religious iconography standing alongside those advertising consumer goods.

With its relatively short history, ugly mask of concrete, sometimes choking smog & manic streets flowing hot with machines, many travellers & no small number of Tehranis will tell you there is no reason to hang around in the capital. But to take their advice is to miss out. For while Isfahan or Persepolis has a convincing case for being the soul of Iran, Tehran is indisputably its big, ugly, chaotic & dynamic beating heart & the place to get a handle on modern Iran & what its future will likely be.

Spend time here - as you should - and you will soon realise that the city is so much more than a chaotic jumble of concrete & crazy traffic blanketed by a miasma of air pollution.

But to get inside the real Tehran you need to get beyond the Museums & into the contemporary chic Cafes & traditional Teahouses, plenty of Art Galleries & on the walking trails in the mountains. That is where you will connect with Tehranis & enjoy all that is good about Tehran.

No services are envisaged for this evening.

However, if time permits & you wish to explore independently, let us know (we shall be only too happy to offer suggestions).

Overnight.   

Morning, Check-out & meet your Tour-guide in the lobby at 08.30 am to proceed for a 6 hour sightseeing tour of the city.

Visit a selection of carefully-chosen highlights, from the remarkable buildings featuring some of the most stunning architecture to be found anywhere & concentrating on its excellent museums.

First stop will be at the Golestan Palace complex.

Located between Imam Khomeini Square & the bazaar, the Palace complex is made up of several grand buildings set around a carefully manicured garden. In what was once the heart of Tehran is this monument to the glories & excesses of the Qajar rulers. Although there was a Safavid-era Citadel on this site, it was Nasser al-Din Shah (ruled 1848 - 96), impressed by what he had seen of European Palaces, who built it into the ‘Palace of Flowers’. Originally it was much bigger, with inner & outer sections to encompass Offices, Ministries & private living quarters, but several surrounding buildings were pulled down under the Pahlavis.

Walk around the courtyard & along the long pool to Ivan-e Takht-e Marmar - a mirrored, open-fronted Audience Hall dominated by a magnificent Throne, supported by human figures & constructed from 65 pieces of yellow alabaster mined in Yazd. It was made in the early 1800s for Fath Ali Shah (ruled 1797 - 1834), a Monarch who supposedly managed a staggering (& quite likely very tiring) 200 odd wives & 170 offspring. This Hall was used on ceremonial occasions, including the Napoleon-style self-coronation of Reza Shah in 1925.

Then, walk outside to the open-sided corner known as Khalvat-e Karim Khani (Karim Khan Nook), all that remains of a 1759 building that served as Karim Khan Zand’s 17^th century Tehran residence

The Complex boasts several Museums that you might be able to see depending on the available time.

Negar Khane (Art Gallery) displays a fine collection of Qajar-era art & it was the brainchild of Nasser al-Din Shah, who had been particularly captivated by European Museums. Especially interesting are the portraits of the Shahs wearing the jewels & crowns that you can see in the National Jewels Museum (which you will visit), and pictures of everyday life in 19^th century Iran.

The dazzling Talar-e Ayaheh (Hall of Mirrors) Museum, closed for almost 30 years, is now open to the public. Built between 1874 & 1877, the Hall was dedicated to the Peacock Throne before it was moved to the National Jewels Museum. More recently it was used for the coronation of Mohammad Reza Shah in 1967 (25 years after he came to power) & royal weddings. Today, it houses gifts received by the Shahs, including a large green malachite Vase from Russia & 13 huge Chandeliers.

Further down, is the Howze Khaneh (Pool Room), named for the small pool & fountain in its centre. It houses a collection of paintings & sculptures of 19^th century European royalty - generously given to their Qajar counterparts by the same European Monarchs.

At the east end of the garden, the imposing Shams-Al Emarat (Edifice of the Sun) blends European & Persian architectural traditions. Inside, a sequence of mirrored & tiled rooms house a collection of photographs, together with yet more furniture & Vases gifted by European monarchs.

Next door you will see four soaring Badgirs (wind towers, used for air-conditioning), rising above the recently restored Emarat-e Badgir, first erected in the reign of Fath Ali Shah. The interior has typically ostentatious mirror work & is worth a quick look. In the basement, the Aks Khaneh (Historic Photograph Gallery) exhibits a fascinating collection of photographs depicting Qajar court life; look particularly for the picture showing the inside of a Zoroastrian Tower of Silence, with bodies in varying states of decay & the shot of ‘freaks & dwarfs’.

Next up, the tiny Talar-e Almas (Diamond Hall) displays a range of decorative arts - especially 18^th & 19^th century French ceramics - in a room with red walls & a tiled floor. The attractive Teahouse underneath might well be more appealing.

After wandering back through the gardens you’ll come to the Ethnographical Museum near the main entrance, featuring a range of mannequins in traditional ethnic costumes.

The Palace tour finishes & you will walk out into the bustling ‘real world’ vibrant Bazaar & continue on to the National Jewels Museum which houses royal jewelry & historical objects from ancient periods to modern times,

Owned by the Central Bank & accessed through its front doors, the cavernous vault displays an impressive collection of some of the most famous & spectacular jewels in the world including many priceless pieces. Many pieces have disappeared over the years but the remaining collection of gemstones, jewelry, royal emblems, ornamental guns & jewel-encrusted furniture is still impressive.

All over the world, from ancient times to the present, jewelry has been collected to be both a display of power & to enrich the Treasury of Kings & governments. The Safavid, Qajar & Pahlavi Monarchs adorned themselves & their belongings with an astounding range of priceless gems & precious metals, making this collection of bling quite literally jaw-dropping. During the Safavid period, Kings sent Ambassadors to neighboring countries to buy, collect & preserve existing & newly purchased jewelry.

During the 19^th century Qajar period, jewelry design was supported & developed for the first time. Iranian & Armenian designers & jewel makers were invited to the Court & tasked with designing & creating a Collection of exquisite gifts & the precise classification of government Treasury jewelry started. The unique & valuable objects that exist today are a mixed collection of the history & art of Persia.

On display is an impressive collection of some of the most famous & spectacular jewels in the world including many priceless pieces. The majority of the items were given to Safavid Kings as gifts but many pieces were brought by Nader Shah from his conquest of India. These include the Darya-e Nur Diamond & the Jeweled Globe. Other pieces include the Crowns of the Qajar & Pahlavi Kings. Many pieces have disappeared over the years but the remaining collection of gemstones, jewelry, royal emblems, ornamental guns & jewel-encrusted furniture is still impressive. Neyshabour turquoise & the Persian Gulf pearls were gradually added to the precious collections.

The huge Peacock Throne built in 1798 by the order of Fath Ali Shah. is adorned with 26,733 gems, including an extravagant carved sun on the top of the throne studded with precious diamonds. Hence, it was originally called the Throne of the Sun. Later Fath Ali Shah married a lady named Tavoos Taj al-Dawlah & to mark the occasion in her honor, the Throne became known as the Peacock Throne (Takht-e Tavoos). Some evidence also suggests this was the Throne of the Mughal King Shah-i Jahan of India, which was brought to Persia by Nadir Shah Afshar, the King of Persia (1736 - 47) who invaded the Mughal Empire of India with a huge army, eventually attacking & looting Delhi in March 1739.

Another special object on display, is Nader Shah’s Shield, 46 cm in diameter, which he used in various wars. Initially, it was just a simple cover but later, like the Sword on display, it was ornamented by the order of Fath Ali Shah Qajar. In the center of this Shield covered with rhino skin, you will see one of the largest Rubies in the world, weighing 225 carats, surrounded by Emeralds, Rubies & Diamonds.

After spending 2 hours in the Jewellery Museum, drive on to the next spot.

In between, enjoy lunch in one of the city Restaurants.

If time permits, you may stroll around Sadabad Cultural Complex sprawling across the foothills of Darband, covering 110 hectares & comprising 18 separate buildings, The Complex is located in what used to be the royals’ Winter Palace since the Qajar dynasty, although it was the Pahlavis who expanded it to the site you see today.

It houses several Museums, though not all of them are open at the same time; the ones that are, provide a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Reza Shah Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran. For a glimpse into the luxurious life of the Shahs, see the extravagant 54 room White Palace, built in the 1930s. The more classical-looking Green Palace dates from the end of the Qajar era. The eclectic well-curated Nations Fine Art Museum is found in the basement of the White Palace. There are also Exhibitions covering royal vehicles, military paraphernalia, royal costumes & even royal tableware.

Bridges have always been close to the heart of Iranian identity. Isfahan, a top tourist destination & a former capital of Persia, boasts 2 spectacular Bridges from the 16^th century Safavid dynasty when the city was at the centre of Islamic art & culture.

But Tehran boasts the modern architectural marvel - the Tabiat (“nature”) Bridge, the largest of its kind in Iran & reminiscent of Isfahan’s Siosepol, whose name means ‘Bridge of 33 Arches’, & Khaju Bridge, which are a place for public meetings, poetry reading & traditional tea houses.

Architect Leila Araghian was 26 when she came up with Tabiat Bridge which she designed while she was a student, winning a local competition for a plan to connect 2 Parks separated by a highway in north Tehran. Her first Project, 5 years on, the 270 metres structure was a reality, despite sanctions, garnering awards & paving the way for a new, more avant-garde generation of Iranian designers. So, it is no surprise that a new hi-tech award-winning structure has appeared in the Iranian capital. It was recently named among the winners of the Architizer A+ awards, an internationally acclaimed global Architectural competition based in New York.

It was built over 2 years & was unveiled in late 2014. It is easy to see why this multi-level, sculptural pedestrian Bridge has been a huge hit with locals & is a popular place for hangouts & morning sports as thousands flock to the Bridge. It is a fun space to relax & in good weather, provides superb views of the north Tehran skyline against the Alborz Mountains.

Supported by 3 large pillars, the 270 metres curved structure has broad Entrances, multiple Pathways & 3 floors of restaurants, cafes & sitting areas. The walkway connects Park-e Taleghani & Park-e Abo-Atash, spanning over the busy Modarres Expwy, one of the main highways in northern Tehran. Not being a commercial Bridge connecting 2 points to which people are used to, there are multiple points from one side which connect various points on the other.

Spend an hour strolling around or enjoying Tea in one of the Cafes on the 3^rd floor.

In time, return to the hotel.

Balance of the evening is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration (we shall be happy to offer suggestions, in case you want to walk around).

Overnight.  B D 

Early morning, depart for Hamadan.

Arrive by early afternoon & Check-in at the hotel.

Known in classical times as Ecbatana, Hamadan was once one of the ancient world’s greatest cities. Pitifully little of antiquity remains, but significant parts of the city centre are given over to excavations and there is a scattering of historical curiosities.

Assyrian inscriptions dating back to 1100 BC mention, Hangmatana, the ancient name of Hamadan but the city had almost certainly been populated since the 3^rd millennium BC making it the oldest city in Iran and one of the oldest in the world. It was here in 673 BC that the first Median capital was established under the name of Ecbatana, meaning "place of assembly".

From 549 BC, after he last of the Median kings had been defeated by Cyrus the Great, the city became the summer capital of the Achaemenid kings who would come here to escape the baking heat of Susa.

The Greek historian Herodotus wrote that, at the height of its glory, Ecbatana was a shining jewel of the ancient world with buildings plated with precious metals & 7 layers of city walls, the inner 2 being coated in silver & gold. From the time of Alexander, the city suffered many invasions & lost much of its wealth & importance though it remained the summer capital during Parthian & Sassanid times.

The city was captured by the Arabs in 644 & its name was changed to Hamadan. For several centuries it prospered as a commercial hub & provincial capital. In the latter half of the 12^th century the Seljuks made it their capital & so it remained for 50 years until 1220 when the city was destroyed by the armies of Tamerlane.

In the following centuries, wars with the Ottoman Empire caused further destruction & as a result, little remains of the city that predates its partial reconstruction in the 17^th century. The modern city of Hamadan was built according to a plan by the German architect Karl Fritsch with 6 avenues radiating like the spokes of a wheel from a central square.

Later in the afternoon, meet the Tour-guide & proceed to see the Shrine of Esther & Mordechai.

According to legend, this is the last resting place of Esther, the Jewish princess & wife of Xerxes I, along with her uncle Mordechai who, it is said, persuaded the king to allow Jewish colonies to be established throughout the Persian Empire.

However, the Shrine, a simple brick building on a square plan, has also been attributed to a much later Jewish Queen of the Sassanid period who persuaded her husband Yazdegerd I to establish a Jewish colony in Hamadan in the early 5^th century AD. The architectural style reflects that of Islamic shrines but bears inscriptions in Hebrew from the Torah & the Ten Commandments. Situated alongside the tomb is a synagogue and a Jewish cemetery.

You will also travel outside the town to have a look at the Ganj Nameh Inscriptions, located high in the Alvand mountain pass that merchants on the Silk Road would have seen on their travels.

The 2 Cuneiform features inscriptions in the ancient Persian, New Elamite & New Babylonian languages, carved side by side on a large granite stone. The left hand inscription tells of the conquests of the Achaemenid King Darius I (522 – 486 BC) & gives thanks to the god Ahuramazda who bestowed upon him the right to rule. An identical inscription can be found at the gates of the Apadana Palace at Persepolis. The 2^nd inscription is identical in content to the first but instead tells of Xerxes I (486 – 465 BC), son of Darius.

Before these inscriptions were translated, it was believed that they contained instructions directing the reader to the location of undiscovered treasures of the Achaemenid Empire, hence the name Ganj Nameh which means "treasure letter".

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the evening is at leisure.

Overnight.   B D

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08:00 am & embark on a 4 hour excursion to visit Ali-Sadr Water Cave.

The wonderfully beautiful Cave, discovered in the first half of '70s by a group of mountaineers from Hamadan, is one of the world's largest & longest water caves & the only lagoon cave in Iran. One of the natural wonders of the world, it is located at the height of 1980 meters above sea level in the Zagros Mountains.

Historically, the Ali-sadr Cave & two other nearby caves were used by Safavid army as secure refuges. Public use of the Caves began in 1354. The cave area has numerous winding corridors & a great lake inside, which was formed by water streams & its access is possible only by boat. In fact, it is an endless network of caves full of clear water. Some changes have been done to increase the waterways for boating & the land routes and some new beautiful scenery has been created in the cave. The interior view of the cave is very innovative & the temperature is cool in summer & pleasantly warm in winter.

Drive back to town by early afternoon & visit Maghbareye Aboo Ali Sina (Avicenna's Mausoleum & Museum)

Avicenna is the name by which the great Persian scientist & philosopher Ibn Sina is known in the West. During his lifetime he wrote 450 books on a wide range of subjects & is considered by many to be the father of modern medicine.

Avicenna died in 1037 near Hamadan. The current construction dates back to 1952, its predecessor having been destroyed by an earthquake in 1948. The tower design was inspired by the Gonbad-e Kabus funerary tower which is located in the city of the same name in Mazandaran Province, northeast Iran. The Tower houses a small Museum dedicated to his life & works. Beside the grave of Avicenna is the grave of his great friend Abu Said.

Return to the hotel by late afternoon.

Balance of the day is at leisure (We shall be happy to offer suggestions, in case you want to walk around).

Overnight.  B D 

Very early in the morning, depart for Kashan, passing through Saveh.

Saveh was a stronghold of the Medes in the 7^th century BC. During the Parthian rule of Persia, it was called Saavakineh & was one of the main hubs of the empire.

In the Middle-ages, it was a residence of the Dailamites & of the Seljuqs. It was severely damaged by the Mongol invasion in the 13^th century but was restored during the Ilkhanids. Saveh was again sacked by the Timurids but later grew under the Safavids. It eventually lost much of its importance when Tehran became the official capital of Persia & in the mid 19^th century, many of the inhabitants moved to Tehran.

Saveh is said to have possessed one of the greatest Libraries in the Middle East, until its destruction by the Mongols during their first invasion of Iran.

The modern city’s current economy constitutes industries & mines, animal husbandry &, agricultural products. Saveh produces large amounts of wheat & cotton and is also well known for its pomegranates, dried figs & melons. Traditional artisans include Potters & Carpet weavers.

Not much to see in the tourist context. Notable is Masjed-e Jame of Saveh, one of the first mud brick Mosques built in Iran & considered as one of the valuable works of art, architecture, painting, tiling & stucco. The building has undergone many changes during different historical periods - the Sassanid, early Islamic & Safavid eras.

Nearby, there Maidan (Sorkh) Mosque (also called Red Mosque), a remnant of the Saljuq period. It comprises of a simple brick dome, a minaret dating back to the 5^th century, 3 porticos & a few porches. It has a beautiful Altar adorned with plasterwork & vaulted inscriptions in the ‘Kufic’ & ‘Tholth’ scripts. One of the ‘Kufic’ inscriptions, is white & the other is maroon in color. Its brick minarets AH.

Outside the city are the fortresses of Esmaeilieh, Alvir & Ardemin, as well as the archaeological sites of Aveh & Alishar.

Reach Kashan by afternoon & Check-in at the hotel.

Kashan, a delightful oasis city on the edge of the Dasht-e Kavir, is one of the most alluring destinations in Iran, boasting a highly atmospheric covered bazaar, a cluster of architecturally significant 19^th century houses. Its charm is also due to the contrast between the parched immensities of the deserts & the greenery of the well-tended oasis.

Archeological discoveries in the Sialk Hillocks which lie 4 km west of Kashan reveal that this region was one of the primary centers of civilization in pre-historic ages & boasts numerous historical places.

King Shah Abbas I was so enamoured with Kashan that he insisted on being buried here rather than in Esfahan. Other historical figures of note who are associated with the town include Abu Musa al-Ashari, a soldier & companion of the Prophet Mohammed whose army took the town in the 7^th century AD. Legend has it that his troops tossed thousands of scorpions from the surrounding desert over the city walls, causing the terrified Kashanis to capitulate.

During the Seljuk period (AD 1051-1220), the town became famous for its textiles, pottery & tiles reaching high levels of accomplishment in each of these cottage industries. Currently local textile artisans are enjoying something of a renaissance of interest in their work, but mechanisation has largely led to the demise of this ancient craft.

Today it is more widely known as a major centre for the production of rose water, which is sold at outlets around the main tourist attractions & at dedicated stores in the bazaar. It is also a major centre for the production of textiles & rugs and a great place to stock up on quality souvenirs. The wool for the carpets is usually shorn by local men in spring or autumn & women are mostly in charge of the weaving. In April, one can see the fields of rose bushes outside town in full & fragrant bloom.

Traditional houses in Iran offer interesting details like the interior & exterior of homes, indicating the different aspect of Persian moral characters in & out of home. Marvel at the 19^th century traditional mansions.

Later in the afternoon, meet the Tour-guide & proceed to visit the Fin Garden & Sialk Tappeh.

Drive on to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Bagh-e Fin in one of the suburbs, the village of Fin,  passing by elaborate modern Italian style villa that line the road near the garden, evidence that the location continues to attract fashionable Kashanis.

Designed for Shah Abbas I in the 16^th century & combining architectural features of the Safavid, Zandiyeh & Qajar periods, this delightful 2.3 hectares Garden, which has influenced the planning of gardens as far afield as India & Spain, with its symmetrical proportions & is renowned as being the very epitome of the Persian garden & its evocation of heaven.

It was developed further during the Safavid dynasty, until Abbas II of Persia (1633 - 1666). It was highly recognized during the reign of Fath Ali Shah Qajar & has been considerably expanded.

In contrast to the arid location, the Garden flows with crystal-clear warm water channelled from a natural spring on the hillside behind the Garden, through a series of circulating turquoise-tiled pools & fountains & continuing along the main road in jubs (canals, pronounced ‘joobs’) without the need for mechanical pumps. The evergreen trees inside the Garden are up to 500 years old & the profusion of complementary deciduous old cedars & cypress trees contributes to a Garden that works to please year-round.

The Garden has a main yard surrounded by ramparts with 4 circular towers but the highlight are 2 pavilions built in the later Qajar period: the shotor gelou, a 2 storey pool house sporting  an elaborate painted dome of outdoor vignettes (including a semi-naked beauty being surprised in the act of bathing), with water running through the middle of the ground floor & a recreational pavilion at the rear of the garden. In the adjoining rooms, stalactite ceilings & coloured glass windows play a role in keeping visitors content with blue, white & green glass chosen to be cool & soothing & to make the room look bigger; in contrast, red, orange & yellow glass has the opposite effect, making the room seem warmer in winter. Interestingly, red & blue combined apparently confuses insects & wards off mosquitoes.

Many Iranians head to the Hammam complex along one side of the Garden, famous as the place where the nationalist Mirza Taqi Khan, more commonly known as Amir Kabir, was murdered. He served as Prime Minister under Nasir od-Din Shah from 1848 to 1851. He was a moderniser who instituted significant change, especially in the fields of education & administration, but his popularity was not appreciated in the royal court & the shah’s mother eventually persuaded her son that he had to go. Amir Kabir was imprisoned in Fin Garden & eventually murdered in the bathhouse. Inside, mannequins posed in scenes from the drama form the backdrop of many a selfie taken by those coming to pay homage to a hero.

Spend an hour here before moving on to Sialk Tappeh.

Sialk Tappeh is a large ancient structure, believed to contain the world's oldest Ziggurat, dating to the 3^rd millennium BCE, tucked away in a suburb. The culture that inhabited this area has been linked to the Zayandeh Rud Civilization.

At the site, there are actually 2 structures at Sialk situated several hundred feet from each other. The 3 platforms of the larger Ziggurat however still remain in place. Not much remains of the smaller structure. The Louvre Museum has also excavated a Cemetery near the structures that have been dated as far back as 7500 years.

But like the thousands of other Iranian historical sites, the treasures of Sialk eventually found their way to Museums such as the Louvre, the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York & private collectors.

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the evening is at leisure (We shall be happy to offer suggestions, in case you want to walk around).

Overnight.  B D 

Morning at 08:00 am, meet the Tour-guide and embark on 4 hour walking tour of Kashan & marvel at the 19^th century traditional mansions.

First stop is at the historic Borujerdi House, built in 1857 by architect Ustad Ali Maryam, for the wife of Seyyed Hassan Natanzi Mehdi Borujerdi, a wealthy merchant (who was nicknamed Boroujerdi because of the trade he did with the city of Boroujerd).

Legend has it that the  Boroujerdi family were seeking the hand in marriage of a girl who came from the affluent Tabatabaei family, for whom Ostad Ali had built the Tabatabaei House some years earlier. The condition set for the marriage was the construction of a house as beautiful as the Tabatabaei house.

Boroujerdi House is famous for its unusual shaped 6 sided wind towers which are made of stone, brick, sun baked bricks and a composition of clay, straw & mortar and a large hall decorated with mirrors. The unique features of the House have resulted in a minimal amount of renovation & alteration of the original structure.

Walk from the Groom’s house to the Bride’s place. Tabatabaei House, one of the most beautiful traditional houses of Kashan that was built by Seyyed Jafar Tabatabei, a famous carpet businessman of this city about 200 years ago.

It is renowned for its intricate stone reliefs, including finely carved cypress trees, delicate stucco & striking mirror & glass work. The house is arranged around four courtyards, the largest of which boasts a large pond with fountains, helping to keep the courtyard cool and the seven elaborate windows of the main courtyard (most houses sport only three or five) are a particular wonder, designed to illustrate the high social status of the owner. Inside, you can see delightful paintings of flowers & birds by the royal painter Kamal-ol-Mulk From mid-afternoon on most days (depending on the month), sunlight & stained glass combine to bathe some rooms in brilliant colour.  

You may also visit Ameriha House which is the biggest Iranian house with 85 rooms, structured in the form of 3 traditional houses & 5 courtyards.

Next stop will be Masjed-e Agha Borzog. Comprising 4 storeys, including a large sunken courtyard with ablutions pool, an austere dome, tiled minarets & unusually lofty badgirs (windtowers), this decommissioned 19^th century Mosque complex is famous for the symmetry of its design. The wooden front door is said to have as many studs as there are verses in the Quran, and the mud-brick walls are covered with Quranic inscriptions and mosaics. A fine portal & mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca) at the rear is particularly noteworthy. While the mosque is no more in use, the ‘males’ only Madraseh (school) in the sunken courtyard is still operational. Near the mosque’s entrance is the Khajeh Taj ad-Din, the tomb of Ghotbs Kashani, a famous mystic of the Qajar period.

If time permits, you may also visit a Silk Factory before returning to the hotel to Check-out.

In time, depart for UNESCO World Heritage listed village of Abyaneh, among the oldest villages in Iran, on the slope of the beautiful lofty Karkas mountain, surrounded by beautiful valleys & seasonal river flows. 

Reach Abyaneh  by afternoon & Check-in at the hotel.

UNESCO World Heritage listed Abyaneh is an ancient village that is a living architectural & anthropological Museum, having largely preserved its culture, language, architecture, clothing & traditional rituals over the years. It is testament to both the age & isolation of the village that the elderly residents speak Middle Persian, an earlier incarnation of Farsi, the language of Sassanian Persia that largely disappeared some centuries ago.

Men still dress in the traditional wide-bottomed trousers & black waistcoats. Women's clothing features hijabs that cover the shoulders & are traditionally strewn with printed or embroidered red flowers, colorful dresses with a special pair of pants. In winter, women add a velvet vest to their outfit. Although a popular destination drawing local & foreign visitors year-round, the village has actually a very few numbers of permanent residents. A cold climate & numerous springs have created favourable conditions for Agriculture.

When the Arabs invaded Persia in the 7^th century, some followers of the Zoroastrian religion fled to the surrounding mountains & deserts to escape forced conversion to Islam. In a long & narrow valley in the Karkas Mountains, north of Isfahan, the Zoroastrians are believed to have founded a string of villages. Abyaneh is one of the last surviving villages of the valley.

Dating back to antiquity, its golden age was during the Safavid period. The ancient village is a warren of steep, twisting lanes lined with crumbling red mud-brick houses with lattice windows & fragile wooden balconies, placed in a step-like structure. Due to an unusual high level of iron oxide, the soil in Abyaneh village has a beautiful reddish color which makes it even more distinguished.

Abyaneh’s most impressive building is the 11^th century Jameh Mosque, with its famous walnut-wood Mihrab from Saljukian period & astonishing ancient carvings. In addition to the Mosque, there are some other places which are worth a visit including the Zoroastrian Fire Temple dating back to the Sassanid period, 3 Castles that protected the people when the enemy attacked, a pilgrimage site & 2 other Mosques.

Abyaneh’s most impressive building is the 11^th century Jameh Mosque, with its walnut-wood mihrab & ancient carvings. In addition to the mosque, there are some other places which are worth a visit including the Zoroastrian fire-temple dating back to the Sassanid period, three castles, a pilgrimage site & two other mosques.

Balance of the day is at leisure.

Overnight. B D 

Early morning, depart for Isfahan, perhaps the most beautiful of all Iranian cities.

Arrive in Isfahan & Check-in at the hotel.

After consolidating his control, Shah Abbas I initiated one of the world's grandest experiments in city planning, moving the capital from Qazvin to Isfahan in 1598 where it remained until 1722.

Mosques, palaces, bazaars & parks were built under the monarch's personal supervision over the next 30 years. Its profusion of tree-lined boulevards, Persian gardens & important Islamic buildings gives it a visual appeal unmatched by any other Iranian city & the many artisans working here underpin its reputation as a living Museum of traditional culture.

Isfahan is Iran’s top tourist destination for good reason. 400 years ago, the city was larger than London, more cosmopolitan than Paris & grander, by some accounts, than even storied Istanbul. Elegant bridges crossed its modest river, lavishly outfitted polo players dashed across the world's largest Square & hundreds of domes & minarets punctuated the skyline. Europeans, Turks, Indians & Chinese flocked to the glittering Persian Court, the center of a vast Empire stretching from the Euphrates River in what is today Iraq to the Oxus River in Afghanistan. In the 17^th century, the city's wealth & grandeur inspired the rhyming Persian pun & proverb "Esfahan nesf-e- jahan ast" (Isfahan is half of the world).

Isfahan's history is an epic cycle of fabulous boom & calamitous bust. Here, a road traveling across the Iranian plateau east to the Mesopotamian plain meets a path connecting the Caspian Sea to the north with the Persian Gulf to the south. That geography linked the city's fate to the merchants, pilgrims & armies who passed through. Blessed with a pleasant climate - the city lies at nearly the same altitude as Denver and has relatively mild summers - Isfahan evolved into a bustling township at ancient Persia's crossroads.

It would be another 2 centuries before Isfahan would rise again, under the reign of Shah Abbas I, the greatest ruler of the Safavid Empire (1501-1722 A.D.). Cruel as Russia's Ivan the Terrible, canny as England's Elizabeth I & extravagant as Philip II of Spain (all contemporaries), Abbas made Isfahan his showplace, after consolidating his control, he transformed the provincial city into a global metropolis, importing Armenian merchants & artisans and welcoming Catholic monks & Protestant traders. He was generally tolerant of the Jewish & Zoroastrian communities that had lived there for centuries.

Most remarkably, Abbas sought to establish Isfahan as the political capital of the first Shiite empire, bringing learned theologians from Lebanon to bolster the city's religious institutions - a move begun by his predecessors that would have profound consequences for world history.

The arts thrived in the new capital; miniaturists, carpet weavers, jewelers & potters turned out ornate wares that enhanced the mansions and palaces that sprang up along spacious avenues. He initiated one of the world's grandest experiments in city planning, moving the capital from Qazvin to Isfahan in 1598 where it remained until 1722. Mosques, palaces, bazaars & public parks were built under the monarch's personal supervision over the next thirty years. Its profusion of tree-lined boulevards, Persian gardens & important Islamic buildings gives it a visual appeal unmatched by any other Iranian city & the many artisans working here, underpin its reputation as a living museum of traditional culture.

Abbas was a man of extremes. A European visitor described him as a ruler whose mood could quickly turn from jolly to "that of a raging lion." Abbas's appetites were legendary: he boasted an enormous wine cellar & a harem that included hundreds of women & more than 200 boys. He loved to roam Isfahan's markets, eating freely from stalls, taking whatever shoes on display suited him & chatting with whomever he pleased. "To go about in this way is to be a king," he told scandalized Augustinian monks accompanying him on one of his jaunts. "Not like yours, who is always sitting indoors!"

After a brutal siege shattered that golden age in the early 18^th century, new rulers eventually moved the capital to Tehran, leaving Isfahan to languish as a provincial backwater, which not incidentally left many of the old city's monuments intact.

During the last half of his extraordinary 42 year reign, which ended with his death in 1629, Abbas left behind an urban landscape that rivaled or exceeded anything created in a single reign in Europe or Asia.

The French archaeologist & architect Andre Godard, who lived in Iran early in the 20^th century, wrote that Abbas' Isfahan "is above all a plan, with lines & masses & sweeping perspectives - a magnificent concept born half a century before Versailles". By the mid-1600s, that plan had filled out into a city that boasted a population of 600,000, with 163 mosques, 48 religious schools, 1,801 shops & 263 public baths. The elegant main street was 50 yards wide, with a canal running down the middle, filling onyx basins strewn with the heads of roses & shaded by two rows of Chinar trees. Gardens graced the pavilions, which lined either side of the promenade called the Chahar Bagh. "The Grandees were airing themselves, prancing about with their numerous trains, striving to outvie each other in pomp & generosity," remarked one visiting European.

As the country’s 3^rd largest city, Isfahan is home to some heavy industry, including steel factories & a much-discussed nuclear facility in the outskirts of town. Inevitably, then, traffic jams are a regular occurrence. Despite these modern realities, the inner core of the city remains a priceless gem.

"One could explore for months without coming to an end of them," marveled British traveler Robert Byron on his 1933-34 journey across Asia. In his 1937 travelogue The Road to Oxiana, he was slightly more geographically specific when he ranked ‘Isfahan among those rarer places, like Athens or Rome, which are the common refreshment of humanity’.

The Armenian quarter of Isfahan dates from the time of Shah Abbas I, who transported a colony of Christians from the town of Jolfa (now on Iran’s northern border) en masse & named the village ‘New Jolfa’. Abbas sought their skills as merchants, entrepreneurs, artists & he ensured that their religious freedom was respected - albeit at a distance from the city’s Islamic centre. At one time over 42,000 Armenian Christians lived here. Now, around 6,000 remain.

Kelisa-ye Vank (Vank Cathedral) forms the centre of this fashionable area and there are also a number of other Armenian Churches & an old Cemetery. Good options to enjoy a meal in this relatively liberal village ambience.

Walking through the historic bazaar, over the picturesque bridges & across the UNESCO World Heritage listed Central Square are sure to be highlights of your visit. Inevitably, then, traffic jams are a regular occurrence. Despite these modern realities, the inner core of the city remains a priceless gem.

Afternoon, meet the Tour-guide at 01:00 pm & proceed for a 3 hour sightseeing tour of this iconic city.

Walk through the huge UNESCO World Heritage listed Maidan-e-Naghsh-e-Jahan or Royal Square. .

4 centuries ago, this Square, which is also called the Maidan, was the economic & political heart of a prosperous & largely peaceful empire that drew foreigners from around the world. "Let me lead you into the Maidan," wrote Thomas Herbert, secretary of the English Ambassador to the Persian court from 1627 to 1629, which is "without doubt as spacious, as pleasant & aromatic a market as any in the universe."

Measuring 656 by 328 feet, it was also one of the world's largest urban Plazas of that time. But unlike vast concrete spaces such as Tiananmen Square in Beijing or Red Square in Moscow, Naqsh-e Jahan served alternatively & sometimes simultaneously as a marketplace, polo field, social meeting point, execution ground & festival park. Fine river sand covered the Plaza & vendors peddled Venetian glass in one corner & Indian cloth or Chinese silks in another, while locals sold firewood, iron tools or melons grown with pigeon droppings collected from special towers surrounding the city. Acrobats passed their hats, hawkers called out their wares in several tongues & hucksters worked the throngs.

A mast in the middle was used for archery practice - a horseman would ride past it at full gallop, then turn to shoot down an apple, silver plate or gold cup on top. Marble goal posts that still stand at either end of the square are reminders of the fierce polo matches at which the shah on a heavily bejeweled mount often joined others dressed in fantastic colors & bold plumage.

Today the sand, merchants, hucksters & polo players are all gone, tamed by early 20^th century gardens. Yet the view around the Square remains remarkably unchanged. To the north is a great arch opening into the high vaulted ceilings of a snaking, covered marketplace that stretches nearly a mile.

The city's first recorded golden age is traced to the arrival of the Seljuk Turks from Central Asia in the 11^th century. They turned the town into their capital & built the magnificent Square leading to an enlarged 17^th century Imam Mosque, with its mosaic tiles & calligraphy covered dome & minarets.

Facing each other on the east & west sides of the Square are the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, with its pale brown & blue dome and the Ali Qapu Palace. That structure - dismissed by Byron as a "brick boot box" - is topped by slender columns that turn it into a regal grandstand; bright silk curtains once hung from above to block the sun. The 2 Mosques bend at odd angles to orient toward Mecca, saving the Square from a rigid orderliness, while two-story arcades for shops define & unify the whole. Constructed between 1603 & 1617, with its exquisite 17^th century Persian tile work on the domed ceiling, it served as a private chapel for the Imperial family. The domed ceiling has the finest faience tilework of 17^th century Persia. The inscriptions were executed by Ali Reda Abbasi, the greatest calligrapher of the Safavid period.

On the west side of the Square is the 16^th century Ali Qapu Palace, a charming pavilion used to receive dignitaries & ambassadors. Here the walls are covered with frescos & paintings and the superb wooden roof of the porch is painted with a series of geometrical decorations interspersed with flowers. It has enchanting music rooms & a balcony overlooking the Maidan, from where the Safavid Kings watched polo games.  The roof was waterproofed by covering the roof with a fresh layer of beaten eggs every year, the weight of which has caused many to collapse.

On the southern side, the towering portal of the Shah Mosque, a monument to the grand vision of Shah Abbas the Great who died shortly before its completion.

Come back to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration (we shall be happy to offer suggestions, in case you want to walk around). 

During the stay in Isfahan, you will also pay a sunset visit to the Safavid Bridges on the Zayandeh Rud River followed by tea in a traditional Tea room.

Overnight.  B D 

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08.30 am & proceed for a 3 hour sightseeing, continuing where you left off in discovering this wonderful iconic city.

First stop will be the 17^th century Kelisa-ye Vank (Vank Cathedral also called the Church of the Saintly Sisters) & the Armenian Museum complex in the heavily Armenian populated New Jolfa district.

Proceed to the Armenian Quarter to visit the richly decorated Vank Kelisa-ye (Vank Cathedral) - the historic focal point of the Armenian Christian Church in Iran with its dome & walls covered with colorful paintings representing the story of Creation. The exterior of the Church may appear drab, but the interior is richly decorated & shows a mixture of styles - Islamic, Persian & Christian European. The delicate blue & gold painted central dome depicts the Biblical story of the creation of the world & man's expulsion from Eden. Right above the entrance, there is an interesting Fresco of Heaven & Hell with black & brown devils slaughtering white naked people who obviously sinned. To Heaven go the well dressed pious people with candles.

Those who are interested may visit a carpet shop to sip tea & admire Iran’s most valuable craft & art form. The Persian knot allowed the tight composition to create intricate Arabesques, geometric &d other floral designs. See both City & Tribal carpets. Unlike Arabic Islamic design, Shia Muslims took literally God’s commandment to know Him through His creation. Thus you find figurative art in all forms including tile, metalwork and carpets. Persians also developed natural - and lasting- dyes. Cobalt found in Isfahan was exported to China where it was used in the blue on ceramics known later by the British as ‘China’.

From here, drive to Kakh-e Chehel Sotoun (Palace of 40 Columns, literally), a charming Pavilion with its exquisite collection of frescos & tile paintings, in the middle of a park at the far end of a long pool, built by Shah Abbas II to be used for his entertainment receptions & to receive dignitaries & ambassadors. Today you are the guests of honor!

Built using the Achaemenid-inspired talar (columnar porch) style, this beautifully proportioned Palace is entered via an elegant terrace that perfectly bridges the transition between the Persian love of gardens & interior splendour. The 20 slender, ribbed wooden pillars rise to a superb wooden ceiling with crossbeams & exquisite inlay work. The roof was waterproofed by covering it with fresh layers of beaten eggs every year, the weight of which has caused many roofs to collapse.

The only surviving Palace on the royal precinct that stretched between Naqsh-e Jahan (Imam) Square & Chahar Bagh Abbasi St, this Safavid-era complex is reputed to date from 1614; an inscription uncovered in 1949, however, says it was completed in 1647 under the watch of Shah Abbas II. Either way, the Palace on this site today was rebuilt after a fire in 1706.

The Great Hall (Throne Hall) is a gem, richly decorated with frescoes, miniatures & ceramics. The upper walls are dominated by historical frescoes on a grand scale, sumptuously portraying court life & some of the great battles of the Safavid era - the two middle frescoes (Nos 114 & 115) date from the Qajar period but the other four are original. From right to left, above the entrance door, the armies of Shah Ismail do battle with the Uzbeks; Nader Shah battles Sultan Mohammed (astride a white elephant) on an Indian battleground; and Shah Abbas II welcomes King Nader Khan of Turkestan with musicians & dancing girls.

On the wall opposite the door, also from right to left, Shah Abbas I presides over an ostentatious banquet; Shah Ismail battles the janissaries (infantrymen) of Sultan Selim & Shah Tahmasp receives Humayun, the Indian prince who fled to Persia in 1543. These extraordinary works survived the 18^th century invasion by the Afghans, who whitewashed the paintings to show their disapproval of such extravagance. Other items, including Safavid forebear Safi od-Din’s hat, are kept in a small museum.

The UNESCO World Heritage listed Palace garden, Bagh-e Chehel Sotun, is an excellent example of the classic Persian garden. An ancient fallen pine resting on a plinth gives a sense of the great age of the garden. The polished noses of the lions on the standing water spouts at the head of the decorative pool hint at this being a favourite spot for a photograph of the garden's perfect symmetry. Art students have set up a Calico shop at the garden's entrance selling Iran's popular printed fabric. On the far side is the garden tomb of Arthur Upham Pope & his wife Phyllis Ackerman, Americans who were dedicated to the study of Persian art, history & culture.

Walk across the Square through the historic bazaar to the picturesque historical Khaju bridge, constructed by Shah Abbas II in 1650. It is essentially a bridge superimposed upon a dam, 436 feet long & supported by twenty-four stone arches. There is a pavilion located in the center of the structure, inside which Abbas II would have once sat, admiring the view. Today, remnants of a stone seat is all that is left of the king's chair. It also served a primary function as a place for public meetings & has been described as the city's finest bridge.

Those who are interested may visit a carpet shop to sip tea & admire Iran’s most valuable craft & art form. The Persian knot allowed the tight composition to create intricate Arabesques, geometric &d other floral designs. See both City & Tribal carpets. Unlike Arabic Islamic design, Shia Muslims took literally God’s commandment to know Him through His creation. Thus you find figurative art in all forms including tile, metalwork and carpets. Persians also developed natural - and lasting- dyes. Cobalt found in Isfahan was exported to China where it was used in the blue on ceramics known later by the British as ‘China’.

End the afternoon with a visit to the Hasht Bahesht (eight paradises) Pavilion & Park. It was built as an official court & a reception hall by Shah Abbas II (1647 AD). The ceilings are outstanding.

You may also be invited to a private gallery to visit with a famous miniature artist.

But the day is not over yet.

We have planned an exciting Wellness experience – a visit to an exotic Hammam.

If the Persian Garden as a world heritage is a unique style of Garden design, then the Persian Bath along with its age-old rituals is an important brand of public hygiene in the history of the world.

Cleanliness & hygiene were already important in pre-Islamic Iran & the importance of Bathing in Iranian culture dates back to the era when the state religion was Zoroastrianism. The emergence of Islam played an important part in the development of Bathhouses to the extent that it was considered to be part of a Muslim’s faith.

According to excavations, the first Bathhouses were constructed in the time of Jamshid Shah & according to archaeological documents the earliest ruins were found in ancient Chogha Zanbil in Khouzestan province.

In Islamic in Iran, especially in Safavid era, as reported by Jean Chardin in his travelogue “The Travels of Sir John Chardin”, there were more than 270 public Bathhouses only in Isfahan which not only shows the significance of sanitation but also the high level of urban development of Persia.

Traditional Hammams in Iran (or everywhere) have never been a place for personal bathing only; rather they have functioned as a Social forum, a place for communication, relaxation & recreation. In the time when no TV news or social media existed. It was one of the major places for staying up to date with the latest news, passing information & of course, spreading rumours or gossiping. Moreover, a Hammam was a location where many important social & political events took place. Traditional rituals like Hana Bandan (bridal henna party), Hammam-e Zayeman (childbirth bath), Mourning Bath upon the loss of dear ones etc. were / are performed here.

Hammams were also used as Wellness Centres for doing traditional medical treatments like massage, bloodletting, cupping & circumcision. Women specifically, often frequented it for relaxation activities like getting a massage or beautifying deeds such as having a haircut, clipping their nails & face makeup in addition to shaving.

Join this once in a lifetime experience to hear the history of Iranian cleanliness & traditions and touch the aesthetic beauty of Persian architecture in an underground vaulted Hammam lined with harmonious blue tile work & centred with fountains.

Prepare to be soaped by a professional attendant, scrubbed with an indigenous peeling glove (kiseh) & chalk-like material (Sefid-ab) & massaged by a skilled Dallak (masseur) like never before, as they used to do in the centuries before. Soak up the rich Persian culture with a cleaning adventure. Feel extremely clean & reinvigorated after getting rid of the long-lived fatigue & dirt on your body.

On arrival, you will welcomed with traditional beverages & Tea, offered an explanation about the Hammam’s history & background & etiquettes to be followed. You will then be guided to your personal Dressing Cubicle (Sarbineh) to undress. You will don a red-coloured Bath Wrap (called Long in Persian) to cover up & slip into sandals. You will be handed a package of your personal bathing supplies (soap, scrubbing mitt, bath-wrap, towels).

After washing up & a traditional massage, you will have a scrubbing to slough off your dirt & dead skin by the skilled Dallak. Then, gently soap & relax in the hot water pool & Jacuzzi equipped with water purification system before moving to the cold room, taking shower & being handed your towels to dry out. Getting dressed, feeling great & extremely clean, you will be offered a light snack & drink in Reception Room before being transferred back to the hotel.

Balance of the evening is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration (we shall be happy to offer suggestions, in case you want to walk around). 

Overnight.  B D

Morning, depart for Yazd, enroute stopping at Naein & Meibod.

The desert city of Naein is dates back to the Achaemenid (550 - 330 BC) & Parthian (247 BC – 224 CE) eras when Naein served as an administrative center for Yazd. After the advent of Islam, the city became a rest stop for Caravans crossing the desert. The name of the city is said to come from the Persian word ‘Ney’ meaning reed and it was named Naein as there were numerous reed beds in the area.

The city has various historical attractions ranging from the Parthian Narenj Castle, to the Jame Mosque, which dates  back to the 10^th century and is considered one of the oldest and most important Mosques of the Persian Islamic architecture in Naein ; the Mosalla  prayer grounds where mystics & Naein personalities are buried ; Fatemi House & the ancient Reigareh Watermill.

Naein is the producer of one of the finest and most sought-after Persian carpets. The Naein is made of high quality wool or silk and has a Shah Abbasi design. A Shah Abbasi design consists of elegant arabesque, palmette and lotus motifs and requires a high knot density. The Naein rug often has blue highlighting on cream or ivory backgrounds.

Continue on to Meibod, a desert city with an ancient past.

This ancient city was established in pre-Islamic times and today contains many fine buildings from both the Sassanid and the Safavid eras. The city, which resembles Yazd city in many aspects, is considered to be much older than the city of wind towers with a history of over 7,000 years.

Some believe the city was founded by Meybodar, a Sassanid (226 - -651 CE) commander, who named the city after himself & others say the city was founded by Keyumars, the First Man in Avestan accounts & the first of the Pishdadi Kings in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh (Book of Kings).  Pishdadian are considered the first Aryan dynasty in Persian mythology. The Meibod minted Sassanid coins found in excavations in different parts of Iran suggest the city was an important center towards the end of the Sassanid era as only a handful of the 111 known Sassanid cities were able to mint coins.

Stop at Narin Ghale (Castle), one of the oldest mud Castles in Iran along with a restored Caravanserai which now features a small carpet exhibit. This mud brick Parthian (247 BC - 224 CE) structure, which has been built in five stories on a hill overlooking Meybod, was used as a military fortress for most of its life but there are expert who say that the castle was originally an Elamite Ziggurat (temple) built over 4,000 years ago.

Meibod is famed for its ceramics & countless shops throughout the city sell these fine Persian creations.

Drive on to Yazd.

Check-in at the hotel. 

The UNESCO World Heritage listed desert city of Yazd is as picturesque as Middle Eastern cities come. In 1272, it was visited by Marco Polo on his way to China & he called it the "good & noble city of Yazd". It may not have the big-ticket sights of Isfahan or Shiraz, but, with its atmospheric alleyways & centuries of history, it exceeds both in its capacity to enchant.

Located in the heart of Iran between the northern Dasht-e Kavir & southern Dasht-e Lut, 5,000 year old Yazd, known for its silks & other fabrics, was a major stop on the international Caravan routes to Central Asia & India.

Isolated from any approach by a huge tract of monotonous desert, the vibrancy of Yazd is invariably a surprise, indeed. During the invasion of Genghis Khan in the early 1200’s A.D. it became a safe haven & home for many artists, intellectuals & scientists fleeing their war ravaged cities around Persia.

In the course of history, due to its distance from important capitals & its harsh natural surrounding, Yazd remained immune to major troops' movements & destruction from wars, therefore it kept many of its traditions, city forms & ancient architecture until recently.

The city has resisted the modern urbanisation changes & maintained its traditional structure. The geographical features of this region have encouraged the locals to develop special architectural styles.

Consequently, most of the older houses are built of mud-bricks with sun-baked domed roofs. The mud bricks served as insulation preventing heat from passing through. The existence of special ventilation structures, called Badgirs (wind catchers, a high structure on the roof under which, in the interior of the building, there is a small pool), on the roofs is a distinctive feature of the architecture of this city & is an ingenious way to maintain natural air-conditioning. These Wind Towers are seen all over Iran but are most highly developed in Yazd.

Visiting one of these Towers will show how the slatted Towers capture the slightest desert breeze, drawing it down to the lower level where it is cooled by passing over water & circulated through the house. Enormous domes starting at ground level would act as protective roofs for deep water-tanks built 6 metre below street level (access to these tanks was by steep staircases).

Yazd’s well-preserved Old Town, with winding lanes, distinctive Badgirs, dotted around the skyline & numerous historical sites, makes Yazd essential to any journey to Iran.

Yazd is famous for its various handicrafts. Termeh, a lavish hand-woven cloth is synonymous with the city. It can be only produced by Masters of the craft & requires good-quality wool with long fibers. The final product is a beautiful densely woven cloth with great longevity & comes in many colors & designs.

Other handicraft items are copper dishes, gold & silver, carpet, silk fabrics & cashmere. Like other cities of Iran, it has both traditional Bazaars & modern Shopping Centers. We recommend the traditional Bazaars where guests can enjoy the great architecture as well as buy Souvenirs.

Yazd is also famed for its sweets & confectionery. Qottab, baklava, cotton candy, noghl & sohan are just some of these sweets that come in various shapes & sizes.

Later in the evening, meet the Tour-guide & walk to the Amir Chakhmaq Complex - a well-known structure in Yazd, noted for its symmetrical sunken alcoves. It has a Mosque located on a square by the same name. The complex also houses a Caravanserai, a Tekieh (a place where religious mourning rituals are held), a public Bath, a cold water well & a Confectionery. At night, the building is lit up after sunset twilight hours with orange lighting in the arched alcoves making it a spectacular sight.

Come back to the hotel.

Balance of the evening free. You may want to chill in the city's cafes & chat with local Iranians. Most likely, they will be very interested in talking with you.

Overnight.  B D 

The Old Town, a mesmerizing labyrinth, with winding streets that are extraordinarily well preserved; some say that this is one of the oldest continually-inhabited cities in the world. The architecture here is perhaps the most traditionally Persian to be found, preserved by the dry climate & spared the devastations of the Mongols.

First stop will be Friday Mosque. The tiled portal of the Friday Mosque, crowned by twin minarets, is the tallest in the country. Like many early mosques it was constructed on the site of a Sassanid fire temple. Yazd's Friday Mosque was built over a forty year period from 1324 to 1365 & is probably the best preserved 14^th century mosque in Iran. The portals facade is decorated from top to bottom with dazzling tile work, predominately blue in colour. The view from the dome shows the sun-baked roofs & wind towers of the city. These wind towers are seen all over Iran but are most highly developed in Yazd.

Our visit to one of these towers will show us how the slatted towers capture the slightest desert breeze, drawing it down to the lower level where it is cooled by passing over water & circulated through the house. Enormous domes starting at ground level would act as protective roofs for deep water-tanks built 6m (20 ft) below street level. People would access these tanks by steep staircases.

Other notable Islamic monuments in Yazd are the Seljuk shrine dedicated to the Twelve Shi'ite Imams & the Ziaieyeh Theological School known as Zendan-e-Eskander, or Alexander's Prison. There are also many beautiful old houses in Yazd, among them the Dowlat-Abad Garden, with an 18^th century hexagonal house.

Yazd is also an ancient centre of Zoroastrianism, considered the world's first monotheistic religion. Seeking refuge from the invading Arabs, the Zoroastrians found a safe haven within Yazd's fortified walls.

Visit the active Zoroastrian Fire Temple and the 'towers of silence'.

The sacred flame of the temple, which is considered to be the symbol of the God of Light, has been burning for the past 3000 years, which makes the place one of the most important fire temples for the Zoroastrians, so that the believers from the whole world come to venerate the sacred and eternal fire.

This fire temple is located on a hill in a small garden & is surrounded by evergreen trees. There is also a large round pool in the courtyard, which offers a vivid reflection of the temple for artistic photography.

A couple of paintings, including the Zoroaster’s, can be pointed out as another attraction of the place. The initiated meet at the fire, but nobody apart from the Grand Priest, who is a descendant of the Magi, has access to the Saint of Saints. There exists a winged figure atop the facade as well. This figure is the visual representation of the supreme god in Zoroastrianism

Yazd Tower of Silence (Zoroastrian's Dakhmeh) - the name tower is misleading as they consist of huge circular walls on top of two hills, within those the dead were left to be picked clean by the vultures. This is done in accordance with Zoroastrian belief. However, the towers are not in use anymore and open to the public. A quiet, serene place. The modern Zoroastrian cemetery is just there as well.

Come back to the hotel.

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08:00 am in the Lobby and proceed for full day of sightseeing of Yazd.

First point will be Yazd Water Museum which showcases a lot of interesting information about the Canat water distribution system 

Yazd is a city that essentially blossomed out of the desert, and one of the major issues was getting water, so much so that it has a museum dedicated to explaining how it was obtained. To some of visitors this question may come to their head that why they wouldn’t built the city in a more strategic location. The answer is because the location is magical. I don’t know what it is about Yazd, but it’s just got good energy.

A visit to this museum will explain all about qanat, an elaborate tunnel system used to extract groundwater. The tunnels were hand-hug and just big enough to fit one person.

This 124 year old Museum displays the tools & techniques used for the past 4000 years in Iran in creating underground waterways (called Qanats) and connecting them to the city & field locations for agricultural & other uses. Before the Romans built their aqueducts, Iranians had built an extensive system of underground qanats (aqueduct). A lot of these systems are still functioning today. In fact there is a large one under this Museum.

Water from the qanat is stored in “ab anbar”, water reservoirs, which were usually adorned with badgir, windcatchers, to keep the water near ice cold temperature. As you make your way around Yazd, you will see these all around. From the courtyard you go downstairs into the basement for the actual Museum.

The Museum building has once been a merchant’s house built in 1929. Two qanats are running beneath the Museum at different levels, which are reachable through a special stairway called “Payab”. This Museum has put on display a variety of water objects from qanat to water ownership documents. Some parts of the house structure represent some part of water history in the region. For example the stairway to qanat or a reservoir on the roof can show how water technologies & everyday life have been interwoven in the past.

Move next to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Doulatabad Garden is a beautiful complex constructed in 18th century. The specially designed garden pavilion inside was once a residence of Persian governor of the time, Mohammad Tagi Khan-e Yazdi to reside with his family. He would also entertain his guests here.

The interior of the pavilion is superb, with intricate latticework & exquisite stained-glass windows. It is also renowned for having Iran’s loftiest badgir, standing over 33m, though this one was rebuilt after it collapsed in the 1960s. The Garden is regarded as a notable illustration of verdant gardening skill in landscape architecture, irrigation method & in the richness of architectural design.

Visit Ziyaeiyeh school (Alexander’s Prison), the 15^th century prison, generally believed to have been built by Alexander the Great to detain the Iranian elite.

Even the city was known with this same name during the first century after the advent of Islam. The dungeon lies in the heart of the old city of Yazd. It has a domed roof which is very interesting. There is also a well and some nooks in the courtyard.

Afternoon, drive out of town to the visit the nearby Cham traditional village.

Only 3 families live under old thatched-roof houses in the small village of Cham. A dusty narrow road runs through the middle of the village and past the pomegranate gardens.

Cham’s by-road, passes a tiny building on a hillside. Pir-e Rahgozar is the only place that brings life to the village, although this happens just once a year. Pir-e Rahgozar is the temple where Zoroastrians gather on Bahman 10 (30 or 31 January) to celebrate the ancient Sadeh Festival.

The tour finishes and you return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration (we shall be happy to offer suggestions, in case you want to walk around). 

Overnight.  B D

Early morning, depart for Kerman. Enroute, stop at Mehriz

Continue on after visiting Caravansary in this old city.

Caravansaries were established by religious foundations on pilgrim routes or by merchants’ guilds, as well as by rulers & notables on normal commercial routes, which were often identical with the pilgrim routes (in only rare instances are original building inscriptions preserved in situ). Especially during the reign of Shah ʿAbbas, the road system was systematically extended throughout Iran & the court at Isfahan seems to have built many caravansaries along the new roads.

The Zein-o-Din Caravanserai dates back to the 16^th century & is situated on the ancient Silk Road. It is one of 999 such inns that were built during the reign of Shah Abbas I to provide facilities to travelers.

Arrive in Kerman by early afternoon

Kerman is one of the largest & most developed city in Kerman Province in the southeast of Iran, famous for its long history & strong cultural heritage and is home to many historic mosques & Zoroastrian fire temples.

Situated on an important Asian trade route, it was ruled by a succession of dynasties including the Arabs, the Buyids, the Seljuq's, the Turks & the Mongols, the remoteness of Kerman resulted in the town remaining without much wealth through the centuries.The desert trading city has long been a staging point for travelling between Persia & the Indian subcontinent and today it remains the best place from which to explore southeastern Iran. Something of a melting pot, blending Persians with the more subcontinental Baluchis who dominate areas east of here. This mix is most evident in the bazaar, which is a highlight.

The city is the largest carpet producing & exporting center in Iran & is also a large producer of pistachios. Kerman, a former capital of Iran, is also on the recent list of the world's 1000 cleanest cities was a position that it held during several periods. The city has a mud-brick core centred around the historic & very lively bazaar, surrounded by ever-expanding low-rise, blond-brick suburbs punctuated by qanat-fed parks. Surrounded by dramatic desert & mountain scenery, the city offers many notable sights.

Check-in at the hotel & relax for an hour.

Later in the afternoon, meet your Tour-guide in the lobby at the pre-arranged time and proceed for a 4 hour visit to the city’s highlights.

Walk first to Ganjali Khan Complex (Bath & Museum). Ganjali Khan was one of the rulers during reign of Shah Abbas of Safavid the 17^th century who constructed  many monuments & building.

Ganjali khan complex is composed of a school, a square, a caravanserai and a public bath, a water reservoir, a mint house, a mosque, a tea house and a bazaar. The historic bath now is an ethnographic museum with unique work of architecture with beautiful tile work, painting, stuccos & arches. Attracting an increasing number of Iranian & foreign tourists. 

What Iran is lacking in functioning historic bathhouses, it sure makes up with in museums! Kerman's contribution the the genre is the Hammam e Ganjali Khan. Hamum-e Ganj Ali Khan was once Kerman's most important bathhouse that has now been restored as a museum. The hammam is part of a complex of buildings servicing the trading function of the bazaar.

Wonderful frescoes adorn the walls of the various domed chambers, replete with very fine painted tile-work around the pools (which were often furnished with goldfish!) &  wax dummies illustrate the workings of a traditional bathhouse, bringing back the memory of everyday scenes from past.

The reception area, for example, was divided so men practising different trades could all disrobe together. Look for the ‘time stones’ at the east and west ends of the hammam; translucent, 10cm-thick alabaster doorways through which bathers could get a rough idea of the time according to how light it was outside. Narrow passages lead to a row of halls, each of which had a specific use such as massages, hot and cold bath. Objects that are displayed from previous periods are similar to objects used in bathhouses today.

Further to the North, there is another bathhouse called Ibrahim Khan (named after another governor) from 18^th century. This bathhouse is still in operation.    

Walk a few steps to the historical Vakil Bazaar, stretching for a kilometer. Offering a glimpse into the markets of eastern Iran, it houses many historical buildings that date back to the 17^th century.  Architecture here, is a great attraction, amidst the smells of oriental spices.

Situated right beside the bazar, is the well-preserved & restored Jameh Mosque. With its four iwans (rectangular halls opening into a courtyard) & shimmering blue tiles, it was built in 1349 & extensively modernised during the Safavid period.

Next, we go to Mouyedi Ice-House - an amazing cone shaped 17^th century ice-house. There are several small-gardens around this ice-house which were filled with the water in winter, then after that the water iced, the ices lead to the ice-house to use in summer.

We now walk to Bazar-e Sartasari, one of the oldest trading centres in Iran. This main thoroughfare is made up of four smaller bazaars, and a further 20 or so branch off to the north and south. It is, however, easy enough to navigate and has a vivacity that should keep you interested, especially in the morning & late afternoon.

On the north side of the courtyard is the photogenic Bazar-e Mesgari Shomali (Coppersmith’s Bazaar), and at the square’s north-eastern end is Masjed-e Ganj Ali Khan, Ganj Ali Khan’s lavishly decorated private mosque. Next door Golshan Caravanserai has recently been restored and is now home to a bunch of antique-cum-bric-a-brac stores.

Depending on the time, you might also drive out of town to see Gombad-e Jabaliye, or "Mountain of Stone," one of the most impressive monuments of southern Iran and also one of the most puzzling.

Neither its date nor its use can be determined. This mysterious small double-domed structure was constructed in an octagonal shape using stone rather than the more usual brick. Some historians have determined that it pre-dates the 2nd century AD and may have been an Observatory or a Tomb or a Zoroastrian building. Evidence supporting this theory is the several fire temples located further along the road. Whatever its function, it is remarkable because it is constructed of stone rather than the usual brick; though the double-layered dome, added 150 years ago, is brick. Today it houses a museum of old gravestones.

Return to the hotel.

Morning at 07:00 am, proceed for a full day 8 hour excursion to see the greatest archeological wonders in the vicinity.

South of the city of Kerman, in the small town of Mahan, stands the beautiful blue-tiled Mausoleum of the Sufi saint Shah Nur-ed-Din Nematollah Vali, who was born in Aleppo (now in northern Syria), but spent much of his early life in Iraq, including seven years in Mecca, and then traveled to Samarkand, Herat & Yazd before finally settling in Mahan in 1406.

He is said to have lived for one hundred years, from 1331 to 1431, and is the founder of the Nematollahi order of Sufi dervishes who still gather at the sanctuary in Mahan.

The shrine complex comprises three courtyards, a reflecting pool, minarets & a mosque. The earliest construction is attributed to the Bahmanid ruler Ahmed I Vali who erected the sanctuary chamber in 1436. King Shah Abbas I undertook extensions & renovations in 1601, including reconstruction of the tiled blue dome, one of the most magnificent architectural masterpieces in old Persia. During the Qajar period the site was particularly popular, necessitating the construction of additional courtyards to accommodate increased numbers of pilgrims. The minarets also date from this period.

The small room where Nematollah Vali prayed & meditated contains beautiful tile decorations & has a wonderfully peaceful feeling.

Continue on the UNESCO World Heritage site, the city of Bam.

Bam situated on the Silk Road route in the desert on the southern edge of the Iranian high plateau, on the banks of the Bam River.

The region around the city has long been known for its date palms, which are among the most productive in Iran, although cotton & various grains are also raised there. The modern city is located immediately to the south.

The existence of life in the oasis was based on the underground irrigation canals, the qanats, of which Bam has preserved some of the earliest evidence in Iran and which continue to function till the present time. Arg-e Bam is the most representative example of a fortified medieval town built in vernacular technique using mud layers (Chineh), sun-dried mud bricks (khesht), and vaulted & domed structures.

Bam is the site of an ancient citadel Arg-e Bam, once one of the world’s largest mud-brick complexes.

Located on a hilltop, the citadel consisted of a series of three concentric walls made of mud brick & palm timbers, the outer wall of which enclosed the old city.

The origins of the citadel of Bam, Arg-e Bam, can be traced back to the Achaemenid period 6^th – 4^th centuries BC & even beyond. The heyday of the citadel was from the 7^th to 11^th centuries, being at the crossroads of important trade routes and known for the production of silk & cotton garments.

Bam’s highest point, the citadel proper, rose to about 200 feet (60 metres) above its base. The walls of the fortress, some 40 feet (12 metres) high, were once surrounded by a deep moat. The citadel, which contains the governor’s quarters & the fortified residential area, forms the central focus of a vast cultural landscape, which is marked by a series of forts and citadels, now in ruins.

The citadel was established during the Sasanian dynasty (224 - 651 CE); even as late as the beginning of the 19^th century, it was the strongest fortified place in Iran, having been used most extensively during the Iranian dynastic disputes of the 18^th & 19^th centuries. During that same period, the fortress fell into the hands of invading Afghan armies, and much of the population fled.

By the late 19^th century the establishment of secure borders & a strong centralized state made such a military stronghold obsolete. The old city site was abandoned by the end of the century, though the fortress continued to be used as a military garrison until the 1930s. Beginning in the 1950s, the Iranian government began to restore the fortress, but in 2003 the region around Bam was struck by a massive earthquake & devastated the modern city, and the fortress itself was largely destroyed.

Outside the core area of Arg-e Bam, there are other protected historic structures which include Qal’eh Dokhtar (Maiden’s fortress, ca. 7^th century), Emamzadeh Zeyd Mausoleum (11-12^th century), and Emamzadeh Asiri Mausoleum and the 12th century historic qanat systems & cultivations southeast of the Arg.

Come back to the hotel.

Morning, you would be transferred to Terminal? -  Kerman International Airport, for your fight to Teheran.

On arrival, at Terminal? - Tehran Mehrabad International Airport, you will connect on your own for the flight to Shiraz.

On exiting in the arrival Hall at Termnal? - Shiraz Shahid Dastgheib International Airport, you would be met by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in and provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

Celebrated as the heartland of Persian culture for more than 2000 years, Shiraz has become synonymous with education, nightingale & poetry. It was one of the most important cities in the medieval Islamic world and was the Iranian capital during the Zand dynasty (AD 1747 - 79), when many of its most beautiful buildings were built or restored.

The very name Shiraz evokes images of ancient Persia: exotic, tranquil gardens, lavish mansions, colorful woollen rugs, art, philosophy & of course, the famous Shiraz red wine (although it is no longer found here).  Shiraz is also a renowned centre of learning & boasts many of the most prestigious colleges & universities in the country.

Known as Iran's cultural capital - a city of poets, it was home to two of Persia's most famous poets in the 13^th & 14^th centuries, Hafez & Saadi, whose mausoleums are found here, both major pilgrimage sites for Iranians. It is also home to splendid gardens, exquisite mosques & whispered echoes of ancient sophistication that reward those who linger longer than it takes to visit nearby Persepolis, the area’s major tourism drawcard.

In his 1893 book A Year Amongst the Persians, Edward Browne described Shirazis as ‘…amongst all the Persians, the most subtle, the most ingenious, the most vivacious’. And even in Iran, where regional one-upmanship is common, everyone seems to like Shirazis.

There are the usual Iranian traffic issues, but the city’s agreeable climate, set as it is in a fertile valley once famed for its vineyards, makes it a pleasant place to visit. See from outside the famous Tomb of Shah Cheragh, brother of Imam Reza. The tomb, beautifully lit at night, draws thousands of pilgrims annually and is the principal pilgrimage center in the province of Fars.

Check-in on arrival by late afternoon.

Morning, meet the tour-guide at 08:00 am & proceed for a full day 6 hour excursion to ancient ruins of Persepolis.

Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenian Empire and perhaps one of the country's most beautiful & spectacular archaeological sites surviving today. The administrative center of the Achaemenians was actually at Susa, shifting during the summer to Hamadan while Persepolis was reserved only for ritual celebrations. Persepolis stands on a limestone terrace overlooking the Marvdasht plain at the foot of the Kuh-e Rahmat, the Mountain of Mercy.

Ruler of the largest empire the world had ever seen, Darius I started constructing the great metropolis to serve as a summer capital in around 512 BC. Subsequent Achaemenian kings, including Xerxes I, added their own palaces over the next 150 years.

There are about 15 major buildings, including the Apadana, the Hall of Hundred Columns, the Gate House of Xerxes, the Treasury, the Harem and the private palaces of the different rulers. The most important buildings at Persepolis were crowded onto a terrace of natural rock that rises over 9 m (30 feet) above the plain on three sides and is adjacent to a low mountain on the fourth side.

The Great Porch of Xerxes, flanked by winged bulls of stone, leads you into a massive ruined complex of royal palaces, halls, courts and apartments covered with inscriptions & carvings. A stunning wall of detailed bas-reliefs represents thousands of envoys from as far away as Ethiopia & Armenia, India & Cappadocia, bearing gifts to their almighty ruler.

A short drive away is the Naghsh-e-Rostam, site of an Achaemenid-period fire-temple & sanctuary and four Royal Tombs, widely accepted to be those of Darius the Great, Xerxes, Artaxerxes and Darius II. There are also eight reliefs from later in the Sassanian Dynasty which are cut into the stone below the facades of the tombs. These fine reliefs depict various scenes of imperial conquests as well as a probable fire temple & a Zoroastrian religious centre from Achaemenian time, perhaps once the most important in the world.

Return to the hotel.

Morning at 09:00 am, meet the Tour-guide & embark on a city tour that covers the highlights of this celebrated historical city.

Start at the lovely Eram Garden or Garden of Paradise (Bagh-e Eram), which has an impressive collection of cypress trees as well as a pond and a small 19^th century palace.

You will visit the Fars Museum, an octagonal pavilion originally built by Karim Khan & used for official receptions. It now houses a collection relating to the life of Karim Khan & other historic artifacts relating to the province. Perhaps even more interesting than the museum is the building itself with its charming tiled panels & painted roof.

Our sightseeing will also take us to the Mausoleum of Sa'di, one of Iran's best known poets & the Tomb of Hafez, a literary giant of the 14^th century. Here we see the alabaster tomb under a tiled cupola, covered with beautiful mosaic faience of wonderful design.

Hafez was a Persian poet who was born in Shiraz around 1310. After several years of travelling round the world, he returned to Shiraz & remained there until he passed away. His works were very surreal & mystical and he is still regarded these days as a bit of a folk hero in Iran. His tomb in the beautiful Musalla Gardens, which has been restored many times (present structure was constructed in 1942), is a place of pilgrimage.

Sa'di, another great poet and writer from Shiraz, was more of a scholar. His tomb is also set in a garden, beside a fish pond. Paying homage to both these men enables us to understand their continued relevance.

We finish our tour by walking around the Bazar-e Vakil, regarded as one of the finest & most evocative bazaars in the country.

Return to the hotel.

Morning, meet the tour-guide at 08:00 am & proceed for a full day 8 hour excursion to Firuzabad.

Firuzabad is located south of Shiraz. The town is surrounded by a mud wall and ditch.

Alexander of Macedonia destroyed the original city of Gor. Centuries later, Ardashir I, founder of the Sassanid Dynasty, revived the city before it was ransacked during the Arab invasion of the seventh century. As Firuzabad is situated in a low-lying area of the region, Alexander was able to drown the city by directing the flow of a river into the city. The lake he created remained until Ardashir I built a tunnel to drain it. He founded his new capital city on this site.

Ardashir's new city had a circular plan so precise in measurement that the Persian historian Ibn Balkhi wrote it to be "devised using a compass". It was protected by a trench 50 meters in width, and was 2 kilometers in diameter. The city had four gates & the royal compounds were constructed at the center of a circle 450 m in radius. At the center point of the city was a Zoroastrian fire temple 30 m high & spiral in design, which is thought to have been the architectural predecessor of the Great Mosque of Samarra of Iraq.

It is at this time that the old name of the city - Gor was abandoned in favor of the new. King Adud al-Dawla, as the story goes, changed it to Peroz-abad, "City of Victory."

Among the attractions of the city are the Qalah-e Dokhtar & the Palace of Ardeshir & the fire temple tower.

The Palace of Ardashir Papakan, also known as the Atash-kadeh is a castle located on the slopes of the mountain on which Dezh Dokhtar is situated

The palace was built opposite the city he had founded, Although one had to cross a river, it was easy to travel from here to the town or to the nearby castle, which is called Qalah-e Dokhtar. The palace consisted of several parts.

In the northeast was an iwan that opened to a garden with a pool. Behind the northeastern iwam, you will find two - originally three - large rooms with domes, followed by a large court in the southwest, which was surrounded by many residential rooms. The entire complex was more than hundred meters long (104, to be precise) and fifty-five meters wide. The walls were decorated with stucco, which were inspired by the architecture of Persepolis.           

The supporting walls are sometimes more than four meters wide, which is understandable, because there were corridors & galleries on the first floor, which make it is possible to walk around the domes. These are the oldest examples of this type of architecture in Iran. It is possible - perhaps even likely - that they were inspired by western models & that would not be without parallel, because the representation of Ahuramazda on the nearby Second Relief is also inspired by western art.      

However, unlike most Roman domes of this age, the domes at the Firuzabad palace were not made of concrete but of brick. From the point of view of the history of architecture, they are more advanced than, for example, the Pantheon in Rome.

Spend some time looking at Qal'eh Dokhtar - "the Maiden Castle", made by Ardashir I, located on a mountain slope near the Firouzabad. The name of the castle implies it was dedicated to the Goddess Anahita, to whom the term "Maiden" refers. After capturing Isfahan & Kerman from the Parthians, Ardashir (re)built the city of Gor near the castle in Pirouzabad, making it his capital. Ardashir's grandfather was a prominent priest of the Goddess Anahita at the nearby temple of Darabgird, "City of Darius."

Time to return to the hotel.

Alas, like all good things, the wonderful experience comes to an end & it is time to say au revoir.

Check-out of the hotel by 11:00 am (if the departure time is later in the evening, you are allowed to use the hotel facilities and leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

5,000 years of cultural influences flowed into ancient Persia from the Far East, Arabia, Russia & Europe. Whilst from afar, modern Iran is dominated by the singular might of Islam, the culture here is every bit as rich & varied as its history suggests.

Even considering Iran’s abundance of worthy sights, travellers, particularly North Americans, are most impressed with the warmth of open-minded Persians & really discover what life is like - away from politics & newspaper headlines. Interacting with well educated, friendly locals, often curious about the West & keen to show the best of their country, foreign guests in Iran are guaranteed endless cups of tea, spontaneous gifts & home invitations.

A journey to Iran is a chance to peel away the layers of a country with a serious image problem. Beyond the stereotypes, you will experience a country desperate to be seen for what it is, rather than what it is perceived to be.

So, you see, you have much more to discover if you come to mystical Persia ‘again’ & we will of course, look forward to be able to facilitate that.

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller” - Ibn Battuta

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? – Shiraz Shahid Dastgheib International Airport for the flight back home.  B

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