IRAN A JOURNEY THROUGH PERSIA 14 DAYS – LIMITED EDITION JOURNEY - 18 GUESTS PRICE: FROM $9,595 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE. This unique journey reveals why Iran is widely regarded as one of the most cultured nations on earth with a 5,000-year-old history and some of the world’s most extraordinary ancient sites like the ruined cities of Persepolis and Pasargadae. JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS • Marvel at the amazing treasures and artefacts in Tehran’s main museums including the Carpet and National Jewels Museums • Stroll through Tajrish Bazaar and discover the essential ingredients used in Persian cooking • Ride Like a Local on Tehran’s modern metro system • Discover Golestan Palace, a former royal complex and UNESCO World Heritage site • Explore Persepolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important in the Ancient Destination HQ 5 E Concourse, Beaumaris, VIC, 313 Ph: 1300 859 852 E: [email protected] YOUR ITINERARY IRAN: A JOURNEY THROUGH PERSIA 14 DAYS – LIMITED EDITION Day 1: Arrive Tehran. Welcome to the Iranian capital. On arrival you will be are welcomed into a local home with a cooking demonstration followed by met, assisted through immigration and transferred to your hotel. This evening, dinner. Shiraz Grand Hotel | Meals: BD meet fellow travelling companions and your Resident Tour Director for a Day 8: Pasargadae | Tomb of Cyrus the Great. Drive to the oasis town of briefing and welcome dinner. Espinas International Hotel | Meals: D Yazd. On the way, stop at another of the great Persian sites — Pasargadae, which Day 2: Tehran | Art & Antiquities. Head out to explore Iran’s most pre-dates Persepolis. See the simple but impressive tomb of Cyrus the Great, liberal city. First stop is the National Museum where an extensive collection the founder of the Persian Empire, and the remains of several of his palaces at this includes ceramics, textile remains, rare books, plus stone figurines and UNESCO World Heritage site. Stop for lunch at the desert town of Abarkuh to carvings taken from important sites such as Persepolis and Susa. Next see the 4,000-year old cypress tree. Safaiyeh Hotel | Meals: BLD door admire a stunning collection of arts and antiquities from throughout Day 9: Yazd | Zoroastrian Relics & Beautiful Gardens. Spend the day the Islamic period. Later prepare to be dazzled at the fabulous National exploring this unique desert town. Observe the Friday Mosque dating Jewels Museum. This priceless collection includes the Globe of Jewels, the to 1324 and take a walking tour of the historic Fahadan. Stroll past the 200-year-old stone encrusted Peacock Throne and the world’s largest Seljuk shrine, the old Ziaieyeh Theological School and visit some of the pink diamond. Finally, admire the extensive collection of old Persian carpets traditional textile workshops and stalls. Experience an active Zoroastrian Fire and rugs at the Carpet Museum. Temple and hear from a Zoroastrian cleric before viewing one of the two Espinas International Hotel | BLD abandoned Towers of Silence. Proceed to beautiful Dowlat Abad Garden to Day 3: Tehran | Persian Cuisine. Exercise your taste buds this morning on admire the 18th century house and view the highest badgir (wind-catcher) a guided culinary walk through Tajrish Bazaar. Be introduced to the fragrant in Iran. This evening, witness an intriguing 3,000-year-old desert sport at a spices and ingredients used in traditional Iranian cooking, before meeting zurkhaneh. Safaiyeh Garden Hotel | Meals: BL a local chef who puts them to use in her kitchen. Sit round the table and Day 10: Na’in | 2,000-Year-Old Desert Town. Continue west to Isfahan enjoy a Persian feast with plenty of engaging conversation and local insight. stopping en route in Na’in, a charming desert town famous for its high-quality After lunch, an intriguing look at the lavish lifestyle of the shahs on a visit to carpets and woollen textiles. Wander through the 10th century Friday Mosque the Sa’ad Abad Palace & Museum Complex. Espinas International Hotel | and the 17th century Pirnia Traditional House and stroll through the old Meals: BL town. Abbasi Hotel | Meals: BLD Day 4: Shiraz | Literature & Gardens. Ride like locals on the metro arriving Day 11: Isfahan | A Hidden Jewel. Considered by many to be the most at the Golestan Palace, one of the city’s oldest historic monuments set around beautiful city in the Islamic world, Isfahan’s key sites are on show today an elegant garden. Its grand buildings are decorated with beautifully painted including its splendid mosques, cathedrals, public squares, bridges, palaces tiles, mirrored halls and ceremonial rooms housing royal portraits, decorative and bazaars. Start with a stroll around two of the world’s greatest mosques artworks, paintings and sculptures. You also visit the Reza Abbasi Museum — the Sheikh Lotfollah and the Imam — before visiting the Ali-Qapu Palace. with a collection dating from pre-historic times through to the early 20th Explore the Qeisarieh Bazaar, admiring handicrafts for which Isfahan is century. Afterwards, fly south to Shiraz, considered the heartland of Persian famous. In this city of bridges, watch the sun go down at the Khajou and Sio- culture and sophistication. Shiraz Grand Hotel | Meals: BD se-pol bridges. Abbasi Hotel | Meals: BD Day 5: Shiraz | Handicrafts, Mosques & Madrasas. Explore the famous Day 12: Isfahan | Epic Persian Architecture. More astonishing sights gardens, tombs and mosques of Shiraz. Begin with Eram Garden, one of the in store today. Discover the magnificent Friday Mosque with its famous most famous in Iran and included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Stroll prayer niche and the Chehel Sotun Palace, built by Shah Abbas II in the 17th through the historic gardens where palm trees, flower beds and fountains have century. Head to the Armenian Jolfa area to admire the Vank Cathedral, created a wonderful atmosphere and visit Narenjestan e Ghavam, an old then proceed to the nearby Music Museum for a performance of traditional merchant’s house situated in the grounds. instruments. Abbasi Hotel | Meals: BL Next stop is the splendid pink tiled 19th century Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, one of the country’s most impressive. Spend time interacting with teachers and Day 13: Kashan | Delightful Oasis Town. Return to Tehran, stopping students at Madrasa Khan, an important theological school, before heading to en route at Abyaneh, one of the oldest and most beautiful villages in Iran. Arg-e-Karim Khan, the 18th century citadel. Finish the day exploring the Vakil Continue to Kashan, an attractive oasis town famous for its carpets, ceramic Bazaar, one of the best places in Shiraz to buy Persian rugs, spices, handicrafts tiles and silk. Visit the early 16th century garden of Fin and a 19th century and antiques. Shiraz Grand Hotel | Meals: BLD merchant residence with its beautiful stucco dome, inlaid mirror work and fine badgirs. Arrive back in Tehran in time for a farewell dinner. Espinas Day 6: Persepolis | Ancient Achaemenian Capital. Prepare to be amazed International Hotel | Meals: BLD as you visit Persepolis and the remains of palaces and tombs of some of the greatest rulers in history. Highlights of this extraordinary UNESCO World Day 14: Depart Tehran. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your Heritage site include the palaces of Darius the Great, Xerxes and Artaxerxes, and the famous bas-reliefs, depicting kings and courtiers and gift-bearers from around the Persian Empire. Journey to Naghsh-e-Rostam, an ancient necropolis with royal tombs cut high into the cliff face. Back in Shiraz relax with a cup of mint tea in the beautiful garden of the celebrated Persian poet Hafez. Shiraz Grand Hotel | Meals: BL Day 7: Shiraz | Culinary Appreciation. Enjoy a morning at leisure. Later, an appreciation of the tar, one of the most important musical instruments in Iran, when you visit a workshop and enjoy a musical performance. This evening, you Destination HQ 5 E Concourse, Beaumaris, VIC, 313 Ph: 1300 859 852 E: [email protected].