2016 & 2017 PERSIA & THE SILK ROAD ESCORTED TOURS EXPLORING THE WONDERS OF IRAN RETURN to Persepolis An escorted tour exploring the wonders of Iran 22nd October to 3rd November 2016; 22nd April to 4th May 2017 & 21st October to 2nd November 2017 A r his unique journey takes in destinations that are rarely experienced by the Western visitor which makes it all the more special. Cyrus, Darius and Xerxes all belong to our cultural memory,T as do their palaces and tombs and now it is again possible to visit the ancient land of Tehran Persia, a crossroad of Asia, with its infinitely varied countryside and outstanding monuments. Kashan It is the home of Shia and Sunni Muslims, fire-worshipping Zoroastrians, as well asArmenian Abyaneh Christians and Jews remaining from the days of the Babylonian Captivity. IRAN Isfahan The sparkling turquoise domes of Islam are equally renowned, especially those of Isfahan. Yazd Since the Islamic revolution, the country has rebuilt its tourist infrastructure and the visitor will find the sites virtually unchanged from earlier days. As well as Persepolis, we will visit Tehran, Bishapur Persepolis Shiraz Shiraz – the ‘City of Wine and Roses’, the great desert city of Yazd – home of Zoroastrianism, and Isfahan - ‘Pearl of Persia’. We will stay in the best available hotels and the food will be traditional Persian cuisine. The Itinerary Day 1 London to Tehran, Iran. Fly by scheduled Eram Garden, one of the oldest and the most Day 7 Yazd. Today we embark on what indirect flight. beautiful gardens of Shiraz. This garden with will be a long but rewarding day’s drive to the magnificent central building was once used Yazd, stopping to see the ruins of the first Day 2 Tehran. Arrive early this morning and as a place to receive foreign guests by the local Archaemenian capital at Pasargadae, created transfer to the Espinas Hotel for a two night chiefs of the Qajar dynasty and later by the by Cyrus the Great in 546 BC and including his stay. After a morning at leisure we will visit Pahlavi kings. We will also see the tomb of Hafez austere tomb. Continue to Yazd, an important the National Museum of Iran, an excellent which is the symbol of Shiraz as Hafez is the centre of Zoroastrianism, for a two night stay at introduction to Iran’s rich history. We continue most famous and popular Persian poet of the the Hotel Moshir Al-Mamalek Garden. to Abguineh Glass and Ceramics Museum, one 14th century, the Naranjestan Palace, a delightful of the most impressive in Tehran, not least for its Qajar pavilion set in an ornamental garden and Accommodation: The Moshir Al-Mamalek architecture from the Qajar period. the Vakil Mosque, a beautiful mosque built in Garden Hotel was created within the garden mid-18th century by Karim Khan, Regent (Vakil) and pavilions of a Qajar nobleman. The Accommodation: The Espinas Hotel is situated and the founder of Zand Dynasty. Hotel has considerable charm and character, right in the heart of Tehran city centre. The and is a fine example of the traditional superb location means the hotel is surrounded Accommodation: The Shiraz Homa Hotel is architectural style of Yazd. The ochre by Tehran’s most spectacular attractions. situated next to Azadi Park, offering glorious coloured property is a short drive from the Offering great city views, the rooms offer mountain views. The property was formerly centre of town and retains many original spacious and comfortable accommodation with managed by Sheraton and offers a superior features dating from the 19th century. The contemporary furnishings. The hotel also offers standard of accommodation. There are three property’s 70 newly built air-conditioned an indoor climate-controlled pool. restaurants (offering Iranian and International rooms are simple in style and have been cuisine), a coffee shop, small shopping arcade, designed to fit in with the traditional Day 3 Tehran. This morning we visit the Saad currency exchange facilities, in-door swimming surroundings. A highlight of the Moshir abad Palace complex with its many museums. pool, and fitness centre. One of the most Al-Mamalek Garden Hotel is its extensive The royals of the Qajar dynasty in the 19th attractive features of the property are its gardens. garden and orchard. Set within the garden are century used this palace as their summer All rooms are spacious and comfortably furnished. large benches covered with carpets which are capital. The palace was then converted into the ideal place to relax at the end of the day. many museums after the Iranian Revolution, Day 5 Persepolis. We spend the day in the Hotel facilities include an internet station and including the military museum and the museum magnificent ruined city of Persepolis, the winter Persian restaurant. of calligraphy. After lunch we visit Golestan capital created by Darius in 512 BC and burnt Palace in downtown Tehran with its renovated by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, perhaps Day 8 Yazd. The Three Magi may well have Versailles-inspired mirror-encrusted Marble accidentally in revenge for the destruction of travelled to Bethlehem from Yazd and Marco Throne Hall used for the coronation of the Athens. The monumental staircase of the Palace Polo passed through on his way to China. Today last Shah. Most of the remaining brick and tile has friezes of all Darius’ vassal states bringing we will explore this desert city and see the buildings date back to the 19th century Qajar tribute, or chained as prisoners. We also see Friday mosque of 1324, home to one of Persia’s dynasty. Our final visit of the day is to Iran’s the nearby Zoroastrian Fire Temple and the finest mosaics, the famous Water Towers and National Jewels Museum in the Central Bank of Royal rock- tombs of Darius I and three of his the old covered bazaars. We also see the Fire Iran Building, with its vast array of crown jewels successors at Naqsh-i Rustam and that of the Temple, the 17th century Towers of Silence, used by the Qajar and Pahlavid royalty. Sassanian, Shapur I at Naqsh-i Rajab. where in accordance with Zoroastrian beliefs dead bodies were not buried but left in these Day 4 Tehran to Shiraz. Morning flight to Shiraz, Day 6 Bishapur. Today’s excursion takes us through uncovered stone towers so that vultures could the delightful ‘City of Roses and Nightingales’ the mountain passes, crossed by Alexander, to pick the bones clean. The 18th century Dowlat- for a three night stay in the Shiraz Homa Hotel. the Sassanian capital of Bishapur. Here we see the Abad garden complex and the Khan-e Lari, Shiraz has many strings to its bow: poetry, well-preserved palace complex founded in 266 AD, one of the best preserved Qajar-era houses in literature, wine, flowers and amazing gardens the nearby Zoroastrian Fire Temple and the rock Yazd with stained glass windows and elegant and fruit trees. A highlight of our tour is the reliefs of Shapur I and his successors. archways. 2 www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Yazd Persepolis Siosepol bridge, Isfahan Dried fruit Day 9 Isfahan. Another rewarding drive today religions and customs. We will visit the many Day 12 Isfahan to Tehran. Today we drive to during which we will stop for lunch to visit splendid palaces, mosques and medresses built Tehran stopping at the village of Abyaneh and the 11th century Friday Mosque in Na’in, an round the Naqsh-e Jahan Square which is the the town of Kashan en route. Overnight stay in important trading post on the old Silk Route. largest historical public square in the world after the Espinas Hotel. We reach Isfahan, the ‘Pearl of Persia’ for a three Tiananmen Square and is one of UNESCO’s night stay at the Abbasi Hotel. World Heritage Sites. Our visit includes the Day 13 Tehran to London. Transfer to the airport Chehel Sotun (Palace of forty columns) and for the return scheduled flight to London. Accommodation: The Abbasi Hotel is centred Hasht Behesht, reportedly built for residence on a stunning 300 year old royal caravanserai. purposes of the King’s harem. Our visit today will Formerly called the Shah Abbas Hotel, in end with a stroll in the old bazaars. honour of the Isfahan’s great 17th century prices per person ruler, the Abbasi has as its focal point a lovely Day 11 Isfahan. We visit New Julfa to explore Based on double occupancy. Persian garden. Complementing the gardens, the Armenian Quarter and Vank Cathedral are the Abbasi’s grand public areas which were which is the historic focal point for the Armenian 2016 2017 designed to impress the last Shah of Iran’s church in Iran. The interior is richly decorated Twin: £3595 Twin: £3795 guests. All rooms are equipped with individual and shows a curious mixture of styles, Islamic Single: £4195 Single: £4395 climate control, satellite television, mini-fridge, tiles and designs alongside Christian imagery. and wireless internet access and facilities at the This is followed by a visit to the Friday Mosque Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, Abbasi Hotel include a choice of restaurants, which can be seen as a stunning illustration 11 nights hotel accommodation, all meals with soft coffee shop, in-door swimming pool, currency of the evolution of mosque architecture over drinks, excursions, Noble Caledonia Tour Manager, exchange facilities and several shops. twelve centuries, starting in AD 841. It is the tour guides, entrance fees, transfers, airport taxes, oldest preserved edifice of its type in Iran and a gratuities. Day 10 Isfahan. Today we explore Isfahan, one prototype for later mosque designs throughout Not Included: Travel insurance, visa.