Decorative Arts of Iran in Association With

Home , Arts of Iran, Bakhtiari rug, Parviz Tanavoli

TOUR 22 September - 4 October 2016 Decorative Arts of Iran in association with

MAR TIN R ANDALL TRAVEL

LEADING EXPERTS IN CULTURAL TOURS ‘I have such good memories; HALI’s calm and enthusiastic leadership, plus the local guides contributed to a super experience.’ HALI Tour Armenia 2015 participant

‘Everyday I learned something and found myself looking at unbelievable treasure. Great trips are memorable and this was.’ Welcome HALI Tour Iberia 2015 participant

I am delighted to announce our second Sheikh Lutfallah Mosque, Esfahan HALI Tour in association with Martin Randall Travel, an opportunity to gain exclusive access to the iconic carpets and Successive Persian civilisations inhabiting the land of This HALI Tour offers a unique encounter with wonderful textiles of Iran. Iran have been responsible for producing some of the most rugs, fragments and textiles in a country integral to these refined artistic achievements in the world. It is impossible objects and the narratives they carry at a pivotal time in to overstate the importance of the region in terms of carpet the country’s history. Ben Evans history—indeed the very idea of a Persian carpet holds a Visit Shiraz, Kashan and Esfahan—cities whose very Editor, Hali Publications Limited special place in the global consciousness for good reason. names conjure up romantic images of bustling bazaars, Carpets produced in court workshops during the Safavid glorious gardens, great poets and Islamic art. Get a taste of dynasty remain at the pinnacle of what it is possible to rural life in the Zagros Mountains with a visit to traditional achieve when you marry elegant design with technical Qashqa’i pastures, and drink in the ambient history of ability. Nomadic groups, who have moved around the region Persia in the form of incredible Islamic architecture and the for generations have their own tribal weaving traditions impressive ruins of ancient empires, before encountering with an entirely different, but no less beautiful, aesthetic. world-class collections in the capital, Tehran. Tabriz CASPIAN SEA

MAZANDARAN Mashaad Tehran Espinas Hotel Hamadam 9 10 11 12 QOM

ARAK Kashan

Esfahan Z A Abbassi Hotel G R 5 6 7 8 O BAKHTIARI S I M O U N T A FARS I N Iranian landscape by Amin Abadini, www.instagram.com/aminabedini

Pasargarde Kerman Persepolis Shiraz Hotel Zandiyeh 1 2 3 4 PERSIAN GULF © Amin Abedini

Itinerary Iran Nasir al-Mulk ‘Pink’ Mosque, Shiraz Khorjin front (detail), southwest Persia, Reza Zollanvari Collection Assyrians present sheep to Darius I in a frieze at Persepolis

HALI Tours represent the distillation DAY 1 Thursday 22 September DAY 2 Friday 23 September DAY 3 Saturday 24 September of more than thirty-five years of HALI articles and the experience gathered SHIRAZ SHIRAZ PERSEPOLIS through their preparation. We guarantee Accommodation: Hotel Zandiyeh, Shiraz Accommodation: Hotel Zandiyeh, Shiraz Accommodation: Hotel Zandiyeh, Shiraz special access to material not normally on Arrive independently in Shiraz Nasir al-Mulk Mosque Persepolis public view in the company of experts. Meet at midday in the city of gardens and poets. Kaleidoscopic stained glass illuminates ornamental One of the great wonders of the ancient world, this architecture within the ‘pink mosque’. dramatic Achaemenid ceremonial city was built by City walking tour Darius I and Xerxes in the 5th and 4th centuries BCE. Once one of the most influential cities in the medieval Madrassa Khan Spectacular stone reliefs depict mythological beasts Islamic world and the capital of Iran during the Zand Towering palm trees surround fountains in the lush and scenes from the First Persian Empire. dynasty (1750-1794), Shiraz is home to magnificent gardens within the Safavid-era theological school architecture from many historic periods as is evident in which remains in use today. Naqsh-e Rustam The Zandiyeh Ensemble of Fars Province, a prospective Ancient necropolis with rock reliefs of Sasanian UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Shah-é- Zollanvari monarchs and Achaemenid royal tombs cut into Chéragh shrine and the Karim Khan citadel, once The Iranian carpet brand is synonymous with the the cliffs. the living quarters of the founder of the Zand Dynasty, region’s quality materials and natural dyes, the sixth with imposing walls that dominate the city centre. generation of the Zollanvari family now runs the global business. A visit to the Shiraz factory throws Dinner at the famous Haft Khan restaurant. light on the process of making textiles, followed by a presentation of antique and vintage material belonging to the family and other local private collections. DA© ToursGracetheglobe Co. September 27 Tuesday Abbasi Hotel, Esfahan : tion

ccommoda DAY 6 ESFAHAN Tiles in the Sheikh Lutfallah Mosque, Esfahan Lutfallah Mosque, in the Sheikh Tiles A Take in the vast Maidan-e-Naghsh-e-Jahan Imam in the vast Take and monuments nearby including the six- Square Ali-Qapu Palace, Sheikh Lutfallah Mosque storey with its delicate understated dome and the Masjed-e Shah—a classic work of Persian art with a profusion tiles. of turquoise Visit a number of local shops that specialise in in a tea house. antiques or take time to relax Monday 26 September Monday Abbasi Hotel, Esfahan : tion

ccommoda DAY 5 SHIRAZ TO TO SHIRAZ ESFAHAN A Tomb of Cyrus the Great at Pasargarde of Cyrus Tomb Pasargarde the Great The ruined first Persian capital built by Cyrus the (6th century BCE), whose tomb is situated on the city. windswept plain surrounding Esfahan Safavid capital of city, Arrive at the monumental royal Persia (17th and 18th century), with many examples of beautiful Islamic architecture.

ccommoda DAY 4 NOMADIC WEAVERS NOMADIC Contemporary gabbeh by Zollanvari. Photo reproduced by kind Photo reproduced gabbeh by Zollanvari. Contemporary catalogue from the 2016 Collections AG permission of Zollanvari A Drive in four wheel drive vehicles to the traditional Drive in four wheel drive vehicles to the traditional for of Qashqa’i nomads, renowned summer pastures beautiful tribal rugs and trappings. Visit a producing lunch will be provided where weaving village remote shown. and weavings Shiraz bazaar. or visit the time to relax Free © Arad Mojtahedi © Arad

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‘Para Mamluk’ prayer rug (detail), east Mediterranean region, Syria or Meidan-e-Naghsh-e-Jahan Imam Square, Esfahan The murquanas roof decoration of Jameh mosque, Natanz southeast Anatolia, 15th century, Chihil Sultun, Esfahan

DAY 7 Wednesday 28 September DAY 8 Thursday 29 September DAY 9 Friday 30 September ESFAHAN ESFAHAN KASHAN Accommodation: Abbasi Hotel, Esfahan Accommodation: Abbasi Hotel, Esfahan Accommodation: Espinas Hotel, Tehran

Masjed-e Jameh Free time in the bazaars Natanz The biggest and one of the oldest mosques in Iran, The Jameh Mosque is one of the best preserved located beside the Grand Bazaar, is a veritable Serraphian house and archive Ilkhanid-era buildings in an important early Islamic museum of Islamic architecture, incorporating most Visit the Qajar period home of Esfahan’s most famous complex. periods and styles, as well as a busy place of worship. weaving family, the Seirafians. Private viewing of pieces from the collection and original designs, with Kashan Tomb of Arthur Upham Pope members of the family. The attractive oasis town on the edge of the Dasht-e The American expert on Persian art and pioneer of Kavir desert where Shah Abbas I is buried was carpet studies (1881-1969) is buried close by the renowned for textiles and ceramics in the Seljuk dramatic arched bridges over the Zayandeh River Period (1051 – 1220 CE) and is still a major centre for commissioned in the Safavid era. rugs and rose water.

Vank Cathedral and Museum Bagh-e Fin In the Armenian quarter of New Julfa, an array of Built under Shah Abbas I, these lush gardens in an Christian murals of varying styles and ages can be seen arid landscape are a living example of the Persian along with several carpet fragments and an 18th- Garden Carpet. Turquoise waterways crisscross the century Indian chintz made for the Armenian Church. area, lined with cedar and orange trees.

Chihil Sutan Pleasure Palace Surrounded by a classical Persian garden, frescos, miniatures and painted ceramic tiles are all housed in the pavilion built by Shah Abbas II to entertain visiting ambassadors and dignitaries. Rug (detail), Iran, 16th century, Carpet Museum, Tehran Bakhtiari rug (detail), circa 1900, Nishaburi Collection Silk and gold thread lampas, circa 15th century, Central Asia or Iran, National Museum, Tehran

DAY 10 Saturday 1 October DAY 11 Sunday 2 October DAY 12 Monday 3 October TEHRAN TEHRAN TEHRAN Accommodation: Espinas Hotel, Tehran Accommodation: Espinas Hotel, Tehran Accommodation: Espinas Hotel, Tehran

The Carpet Museum Golestan Palace and stores National Museum Many fine carpets and fragments are kept in the A jewel of Qajar-period architecture with several A museum full of artefacts relating to Iran’s rich recently reopened museum and archives, including buildings containing fine carpets and fragments history and its place in the Islamic world. ‘Salting’-group pieces and other 17th-century court positioned around a manicured garden. Access to the workshop carpets that represent the best of Persian carpets currently housed in the palace stores. Parviz Tanavoli Collection weaving. Spend a full day here with exclusive access View the personal collection of textiles and rugs to the stores. Nishaburi weaving workshops amassed by the leading Iranian artist during decades Lunch is hosted by an established brand at the centre of enthusiastic research for his many published of the carpet bazaar. View the Nishaburi private titles on tribal weavings. collection of antique weavings.

DAY 13 Tuesday 4 October

ONWARDS INDEPENDENT TRAVEL should be arranged for Tuesday 4 October 2016.

Martin Randall Travel is able to assist with booking air travel from London only. See the last page for contact details and special flight offers.

Highlights

So-called ‘Salting group’ rug with silk foundation Lion rug (detail), Parviz Tanavoli Collection on a wool ground embellished with metal thread Iran, mid-16th century, Carpet Museum, Tehran

Carpet Museum, Tehran Private Collections

A great collection of Persian carpets, ranging from the 19th century through Unique access to private collections of tribal and fine Persian rugs including to little – known Safavid pieces. Enjoy privileged access to items not normally Iranian carpet producers Zollanvari and Nishaburi, the Seirafian family and on public view accompanied by Iran’s leading writer on carpets, Turaj Zhuleh. celebrated sculptor and artist Parviz Tanavoli.

Vank Cathedral and Museum Golestan Palace and Stores

Find Christian art documenting the influx of Armenian spinners and weavers Behind-the-scenes access to the royal collection of 18th-19th century to Iran during the transformation of Esfahan and Kashan into famed centres © Golestan Palace carpets and textiles that furnished the Shah’s palaces. for silk weaving under Shah Abbas the Great.

Persepolis Chihil Sutan Pleasure Palace

Witness the ruinous grandeur of this monolithic ceremonial city. A A small textile collection that includes a very rare 15th-century ‘Para-Mamluk’ UNESCO World Heritage Site that demonstrates the almighty power of Chihil Sutan prayer rug and two inscribed Topkapi-group prayer rugs the First Persian Empire in the 5th - 4th centuries BCE. housed in a wonderful pavilion with ornate gardens.

Chihil Sutan Hotels DAYS 1 - 4 22 - 25 September DAYS 5 - 8 26 - 29 September DAYS 9 - 12 30 Sept - 3 October We provide the best standard of hand-picked accommodation HOTEL ZANDIYEH ABBASI HOTEL ESPINAS HOTEL available. All hotels are graded as SHIRAZ ESFAHAN TEHRAN 5 star, however local star ratings Accommodation: H H H H H Accommodation: H H H H H Accommodation: H H H H H do not necessarily correspond Duration of stay: 4 nights Duration of stay: 4 nights Duration of stay: 4 nights to international categories and In the heart of Shiraz, located close to the spectacular Located in a former 17th-century royal caravanserai, A new business-style hotel located near some of standards of maintenance vary. architecture of the Zandiyeh Ensemble of Fars from this hotel is one of the sights of the city with grand Tehran’s best museums. The hotel offers modern which it draws inspiration. Modern health club facilities. Islamic architecture and delightful gardens. facilities including an indoor swimming pool and spa.

www.zandiyehhotel.com www.abbasihotel.ir www.palace.espinashotels.com Practicalities Pricing Booking Tour details For further information or to This includes: ❖ Price per person: £3,610 make a booking please contact: travel by private, air-conditioned coach ❖ hotel accommodation as described Single supplement: £640 ❖ full-time services of local English- Martin Randall Travel Ltd. speaking guides and two HALI staff - Deposit: 10% of full amount Voysey House Ben Evans, Editor and Rachel Meek, Barley Mow Passage Assistant Editor London ❖ Flight offer all admissions for group visits W4 4GF ❖ all state taxes United Kingdom ❖ all gratuities for restaurant staff and The above price excludes flights. [email protected] drivers Air travel (into Shiraz and out of Tehran) ❖ full board — three meals a day and soft from London only may be arranged through or book online at Martin Randall Travel, with a 10% deposit at drinks (no alcohol is served in Iran) the time of booking, for a special rate of www.martinrandall.com/persia £510 per person. PLEASE NOTE: The cost of the required tourist visa is not Martin Randall Travel Ltd. included. MRT can advise on obtaining these UK +44 (0)20 8742 3355 independently and upon further practicalities

Mailing list USA 1-800-988-6168 such as dress codes and currency. Canada (647) 382 1644

For news on all HALI Tours or to be added to Australia 1300 55 95 95 the mailing list please contact Rachel Meek It may be necessary to slightly amend [email protected] the programme according to local +44 (0) 207 657 1220 conditions

MAR TIN R ANDALL TRAVEL

LEADING EXPERTS IN CULTURAL TOURS On the cover: 16th century silk foundation rug, central Persia, 5085 Carpet Museum, Tehran