Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Forbidden Treasures,no more-mystical Persia

Persia Highlights

"People don’t take trips . . . trips take people” - John Steinbeck

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. Quite simply extraordinary, one of the world's most fascinating & rewarding travel destinations.

The word is out: as far as off-the-beaten-path destinations go & if you fancy travelling somewhere neither East nor West, and exotic & fascinating yet perfectly comfortable then, Iran might just be the most rewarding destination on Earth. More than ever, intrepid travellers are making their way to the Islamic Republic of Iran and there’s little wonder why. Come……experience Persia with us& prepare to be charmed…..

In the Middle East, history is not something you read about in books. It was here that some of the most significant civilisations of antiquity rose & fell.  Here, 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.

Left behind is an astonishing open-air Museum of ancient cities & historic buildings, the stones of which still resonate with the sounds of the faithful. The ruins of the once similarly epic cities of history - Petra, Persepolis, Ephesus, Palmyra, Baalbek, Leptis Magna & the bounty of ancient Egypt, also mark the passage of centuries in a region where the ancient world lives & breathes. Wherever you find yourself, the past is always present because here, perhaps more than anywhere else on earth, history is the heart & soul of the land.

The Middle East is quite simply extraordinary, one of the world's most fascinating & rewarding travel destinations. 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.

Above all else, however, your most enduring memory of the Middle East is likely to be its people. At some point on your visit here, you will be sitting alongside the more secular charms of bazaars & coffee shops or looking lost in a labyrinth of narrow lanes embodying all the mystery & storytelling magic of a land that gave us The Thousand & One Nights, when someone will strike up a conversation & within minutes, invite you home to meet their family & share a meal. Or someone will simply approach & say with unmistakable warmth, ‘Welcome’. Their gracious welcome, many kindnesses & boundless hospitality speak of an altogether more civilised age. These spontaneous, disarming & utterly genuine words of welcome can occur anywhere across the region. And when they do, they can suddenly (& forever) change the way you see the Middle East.

Let us talk about the Islamic Republic Iran now & leave your preconceptions at home. If you believe what the media tells you & decide not to visit, you would be missing out on the journey of a lifetime.

.

Ancient Civilisation | Beauty of Islam | Redefining Hospitality

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. Whether you’re travelling in cities like Esfahan or Tabriz, in the Zagros Mountains of   central Iran or the deserts around Kerman, the real Iran will be revealed.

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 it’s 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.

If you are drawn to places where echoes of ancient civilisations resonate down through the ages, Iran could be your thing. Some of history's biggest names - Cyrus and Darius, Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan - all left their mark here & the cities they conquered or over which they ruled are among the finest in a region rich with such storied ruins.

Formerly known as Persia, Iran illustrates its strength of spirit & unique historical & natural delights. Littered with a diverse, eye-catching array of ancient temples & artworks, mosques, fortresses & striking monuments, each of which reflects its own intriguing history. With a warm, but not overbearing climate, you can bask in the sunshine & take in the multitude of different atmospheres this country has to offer.

Iran is a treasure house for some of the most beautiful architecture on the planet. Seemingly at every turn, Islam's historical commitment to aesthetic beauty & exquisite architecture reigns supreme. The sublime, turquoise-tiled domes & minarets of Esfahan’s Naqsh-e Jahan (Imam) Square gets so many appreciative gasps of wonder, and rightly so, but there are utterly magnificent rivals elsewhere, in Yazd & Shiraz among others. And it is not just the mosques - the palaces (especially in Tehran), gardens (everywhere, but Kashan really shines) & artfully conceived bridges and other public buildings all lend grace & beauty to cities across the country.

And before you come to Iran, you might be thinking the main reasons to visit the Islamic Republic are because it is a bit adventurous & there is a lot to see from the years when Persia was a great world power. At some levels you would be right. Culturally & historically linked to Central Asia, Iran is full of incredible highlights

Iran's greatest attraction could just be its people. The Iranians, a nation made up of numerous ethnic groups and influenced over thousands of years by Greek, Arab, Turkic and Mongol occupiers, are endlessly welcoming.

For those who have grown up on an endless diet of images depicting Iran as a dark, dangerous place full of fundamentalist fanatics, discovering the real Iran is the most wonderful surprise. Before long you are asking yourself: how can somewhere supposedly depicted as so bad be so good? Sure, not every Iranian you meet is going to invite you around to dinner.

Offers to sit down for tea will be an everyday occurrence, and if you spend any time at all with Iranians, you will often find yourself invited to share a meal in someone's home. Say yes whenever you can & through it, experience first-hand, Iranian culture, ancient, sophisticated & warm. It is these experiences that will live longest in the memory.

Walking around beautiful, romantic & hospitable Shiraz, the sublime, turquoise-tiled domes & minarets of Isfahan’s Naqsh-e Jahan (Imam) Square, the awesome power & beauty of the Achaemenid’s ancient capital at Persepolis, the mud-brick alleys and rooftops in Yazd & the wonderfully immense Elamite ziggurat at Choqa Zanbil will put you in the footsteps of some of history’s most outstanding figures & will carry you all the way back to the glory days of Ancient Persia. And certainly, you won’t find yourself crowded out of any sights. Which is fun in a way.

Authentic Iranian culture & tradition is kept alive in the many scenic local villages & the city bazaars. And hikers are spoilt for choice with Iran`s stunning mountains, valleys & the Middle East`s highest peak, Mount Damavand. History lovers can soak in the legends of ancient temples & imposing fortresses, dating from early civilisations such as the Safavids & the Sassasians. Art enthusiasts can admire the innovative mosque designs & ancient mountain relief paintings.

If you make your travel decisions based on what your friends & family say, you will probably never make it to Iran. This is a country whose politics is impossible to escape. Independent travel is easy &, through the people you meet, rewarding & sometimes sobering. A journey to Iran will change the way you see this part of the world.

This short trip for the cultural aficionados will help in dispelling the media-driven myths & helping you to discover the ‘real’ Iran. You would have the opportunity for an in-depth discovery of an ancient & scientifically evolved civilization. A civilization that dates back to antiquity & features so many artistic treasures. History within history is probably the best way to describe this journey. From Persepolis in Shiraz, to the largest covered Bazaar in the world in Tabriz to a lot of other UNESCO sites, you will find a ‘talking’ ancient history coupled with amazing architecture.

The highlights, together with the atmospheric teahouses, bustling bazaars, deserts punctuated by historic oases & rugged mountain ranges, gives Iran more than its fair share of fantastic places to see. But to think of Iran only in terms of ‘sights’ is to miss the real story. You will be enchanted at the lovely sense of humor from the local population.

Unknown, mysterious & misunderstood. Travel through this fascinating country to discover refined Islamic cities, colorful bazaars, ancient Persian ruins, fascinating nomads & shimmering deserts.

History, great food & idyllic scenery are just the beginning……. Take the plunge now & yep….Islamic Republic of Iran is waiting. A warm welcome, historical secrets, an artistic paradise & of course hospitable Persians  await you and The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery.

Come…be inspired & discover the World with us

 

 Beyond Politics, discover Civilisation…

Persia Highlights

Shiraz * Yazd * Isfahan * Kashan * Qom * Tehran

13 Days | 11 Nights

Mystical Persia… prepare to be charmed

Persia Highlights

*Seat in Coach. Guaranteed departures with minimum 4 people, arriving on any day There may be other participants & group size may vary.  Participants may come from all over the world & most of them will be English speaking. Private Tour with English speaking Guide & vehicle can be arranged with a supplement cost. For less than 10 guests, the Tour will be guided by Tour-guide cum Driver. For 10 +, there will be a separate Tour-guide, in addition.

 

** Please note that the Program highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. The sightseeing tours combine ‘walking’ & driving. Some places you will see from inside, some from outside only. Some Monuments / places may require additional Entrance Fees to be paid for accessing some of the areas.

 

*** It is extremely rare that Programs need to be changed but it can occur.  We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the Itinerary if required, for example occasionally the tour sequence & duration of time spent in each city can change due to local conditions which are out of our control or due to heavy traffic conditions or bad weather. The Price will not be affected.

 

****Special Conditions, if any, related to specific Tours will be advised in due course.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Mystical Persia… prepare to be charmed

Persia Highlights

And last but not least:

Departure:

Arrival in Shiraz  on Any Day (minimum of 4 Guests)

Validity:

→ December 2023

Prices:

We offer several accommodation choices for this tour. The price varies by selected accommodations. The itinerary remains unchanged.

Exchange rates fluctuate with great frequency. Please contact us for current Pricing and we will respond

within 24 hours. Your personalised Proposal will depict the applicable Price. 

 * Supplements, if applicable, are to be advised at the time of Proposal / Booking.

** Flight timings may involve a pre & / or post tour ‘extra’ night accommodation to be booked at a supplement cost.

*** Airfare fluctuates by the minute & the approximate range listed is for  illustration only. Actual fare to be advised at the time of Booking.

Some important notes

• Flights are subject to constant modifications / delays and cancellations.  In such cases, we will do all possible to find the best available alternative / solution but will not accept any liability, whatsoever.
• Our rates only include those items which are specified in the Itinerary / Inclusions.
• The cost has been calculated on the existing tariffs / conditions and in case of any currency fluctuations or amendment in local Government taxes, or any fuel hike, we reserve the right to revise the tour price accordingly.
• Our quotations are calculated on base category of accommodation at each property and are subject to modification, if the same hotel / category of room not available at the time of reservation. In that case, we will confirm a superior category of room at a comparable or better hotel and supplement charges, if any, shall be advised accordingly. Final Itinerary will illustrate updated information and / or it would be furnished at the time of confirmation.
• All prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability at the time of booking. The from price reflects the lowest available price at time of publication, which is valid for a specific start date or dates and also based on availability at the time of booking.
• Room availability is getting saturated due to heavy demands from the tourism industry, international Fairs and Congresses. Due to these constant sold- out situations the hotels are applying the cancellation rules more stringently. Once the reservation is guaranteed, the booking will be subject to full cancellation charges as per our Terms & Conditions (details will be advised at the time of deposit). We strongly recommend obtaining Insurance to protect yourself against any unforeseen scenarios.
• Additional services including Optionals, if any, can be paid directly by the clients to our local offices.

The Journeys strongly recommends that all Guests purchase appropriate Travel Insurance (Trip Cancellation / Interruption & Medical) to cover any eventuality & / or Emergency. Between missed Connections, lost or delayed Luggage, or Medical Emergencies, you want some peace of mind that your travel investment is well protected. No matter who you buy from, please consider purchasing a Travel Protection Plan before you travel. Still unsure? Talk to us.