MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE Iran: Architecture, Gardens & Design Shiraz, Persepolis, Isfahan, Kashan & Tehran September 12–22, 2019 MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE Dear Travelers and Friends, If you have always been intrigued by ancient cultures and great civilizations, then 2019 could be the year for a unique discovery and experience. The Museum Travel Alliance is pleased to offer a new Iran tour, "Architecture, Gardens & Design in Iran" (September 12–22, 2019). Travelers on this exclusive journey will discover the country’s most spectacular museums, ancient sites, mosques, palaces, and public centers. They will also enjoy Iran’s contemporary culture, with opportunities to attend a live performance of traditional Persian music, dine at local restaurants, see contemporary art, meet artists, and shop at lively bazaars. Begin in Shiraz to admire tombs of mystical Persian poets, elegant architecture, and fine handicrafts. In Persepolis, wander vast ruins that have remained nearly unchanged since the city was destroyed by Alexander the Great. Continue to Isfahan, the 17th-century capital of the Safavid Dynasty, to stroll the magnificent square (the Maidan-e-Naghsh-e-Jahan), and explore a sumptuous palace, a music museum, the city’s Armenian Quarter, and a historic bazaar known for its handicrafts and kilim rugs. Our journey concludes in the capital of Tehran. Explore collections of art, artifacts, and jewelry at several of the city’s finest museums, and admire extraordinary tilework at the UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace complex. There will also be opportunities to see some of Iran’s famous gardens in Shiraz, Isfahan, and Kashan. Arrangements Abroad, the tour operator for MTA, has taken travelers to Iran for many years. The local tour operator has been a trusted partner on all these trips, and we’ll have one of the top guides in the country. I had the opportunity to travel to Iran in 2017 with my wife Liz. We found the Iranian people to be extremely gracious and welcoming towards Americans and the sights inspiring—far beyond our expectations. From the haunting caravanserais along the old trade routes to the splendidly tiled city mosques, the country’s elegant 2,500-year-old heritage exists alongside a new creative energy. With the endless array of cultural splendors that awaits, this journey to Iran promises to be a trip of a lifetime. And you will enjoy traveling in the congenial company of members from a number of museums and cultural institutions. We hope you will join us. Sincerely, SPECIAL NOTE ON THE REQUIRED VISA: Due to strict guidelines imposed for necessary visas to travel to Iran, the deadline for enrollment in this September program is May 15, 2019. A passport-sized photo is required for enrollment. Please review the U.S. State Department’s Travel Advisory for Iran at travel.state.gov. Arrangements Abroad has safely operated a dozen Jim Friedlander trips to Iran over the last decade and welcomes your participation. President, Museum Travel Alliance HIGHLIGHTS DISCOVER UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from MARVEL at the 2,500-year-old ruins of ancient ruins to medieval mosques to lush gardens. Persepolis, once the center of the great Persian This includes visits to ten palaces and houses, eight Empire and one of the most important sites of the museums and collections, seven mosques, six gardens, Ancient World. three ruins, two bazaars, and one vault filled with gems and jewels. MEET contemporary artists during private gallery visits, and learn about the creation of beautiful BROWSE age-old bazaars in Shiraz and Isfahan. Persian carpets. Iran: Architecture, Gardens & Design Shiraz, Persepolis, Isfahan, Kashan & Tehran September 12–22, 2019 Narenjestan Palace, Shiraz THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12: ISTANBUL AIRPORT Arrive independently to Istanbul Airport by late afternoon. We will meet there to connect to our late-night flight to Shiraz. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14: SHIRAZ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13: SHIRAZ After breakfast, depart for the pink-tiled 19th-century Arrive in Shiraz in the early hours and transfer to the Homa Nasir-al-Mulk (Pink Mosque) to see its beautiful stained- Hotel for time to rest. Rooms have been reserved from the glass windows in the morning light. Continue to the Khan night before, so they will be ready for us. In the afternoon, Madrasa (school) to see a restoration workshop, and depart to visit the Qajar-period Narenjestan Palace and stop at the Vakil Bazaar. This afternoon, visit the Stone Garden and the elegant Pars Museum. We will also see the Museum and see the tomb of Hafez (time permitting). In tomb of the poet Saadi and the Masjid-i-Vakil, a mosque the evening, explore the Naranj Art Gallery before dinner, famed for its spacious prayer hall of vaulted bays, twisting where we hope to be joined by some artists. B,L,D columns, and stained-glass windows. This evening stop at a carpet merchant before dinner. B,L,D Abstract Calligraphy by Amin Ashrafian, Naranj Art Gallery, Shiraz Nasir-al-Mulk (Pink Mosque), Shiraz Entry doors and windows of the Great Palace of Xerxes, Persepolis SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15: PERSEPOLIS / ISFAHAN Today drive to Isfahan, stopping en route in Persepolis. Caravanserai, Izad-Khast Once the center of the Persian Empire, Persepolis was one of the most important sites of the ancient world. At the fascinating necropolis of Naghsh-é-Rostam, see the Royal Tombs and the Ka’bé-Zardosht “fire temple.” After lunch, we continue northwards, stopping to see the 17th- century Safavid caravanserai. On the ancient Silk Road, a caravanserai (roadside inn) served travelers to rest and recover during journeys. We will also see the hilltop remains of the ancient castle at the Izad-Khast. The complex is under consideration to join World Heritage List. Arrive in Isfahan for check-in and dinner at the elegant Hotel Abbasi, where we'll stay for three nights. B,L,D The necropolis of Naghsh-é-Rostam, Persepolis NEAR PERSEPOLIS: The necropolis of Naghsh-é-Rostam House-Studio Museum of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Copper wares in the bazaar, Isfahan MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16: ISFAHAN Isfahan, the 17th-century capital of the Safavid Dynasty, is referred to as Nesf-e-Jahan, or “Half of the World.” Admire the domes and walls surrounding the UNESCO- listed square, Maidan-e-Naghsh-e-Jahan. The square is flanked by the Ali-Qapu Palace and two of the world’s greatest mosques: the Sheikh Lotfollah and the Masjid-i Iman, both featuring splendid tile work. No visit to Isfahan would be complete without a stop at the historic bazaar, where hundreds of shops sell traditional Persian handicrafts. After lunch, we will also see the Hasht Behesht Pavilion, set amongst tree-lined alleys, a reflecting pool, and water rills. End the afternoon with a visit to the Khaiu Bridge, one of Isfahan’s famous eleven bridges. Enjoy an optional visit to a carpet weaver, followed by dinner at a restaurant. B,L,D TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17: ISFAHAN This morning, marvel at the sumptuous Palace of Chehel Sotoun, whose twenty columns reflected in the garden pool give the palace its name of “Forty Columns.” Tour the Decorative Arts Museum before continuing to the Music Museum to admire its collection of traditional Persian instruments and attend a performance. Before lunch, we will also see the Armenian Quarter, where Shah Abbas I transplanted a colony of skilled Christian entrepreneurs in 1604. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Friday Mosque or Masjid-I Jameh, considered to be a museum of more than a thousand years of religious architecture. Explore a local art gallery before dinner. B,L,D Masjid-i Iman, formerly known as the Shah Mosque, Isfahan Tabatabaee House, Kashan WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18: ISFAHAN / KASHAN / TEHRAN Bagh-e-Fin Garden, Kashan Drive north to Kashan, known as the City of Roses, to find shops selling rose water, fragrances, soaps, lotions, and even rose candies. We'll discover the UNESCO-listed Fin Garden, or Bagh-e Fin, a 19th-century merchant residence, and Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse. If time allows, we'll visit the Tabatabaee House, once a merchant's home. This evening, we arrive in Tehran and check in at the centrally located Espinas Hotel. B,L,D Bagh-e-Fin Garden, Kasha,Kashan, Rose distillery, inset of roses, photo by Erwin Bolwidt Kashan Fragment of a stone column from Persepolis, National Museum of Iran, Tehran THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19: TEHRAN We start our day at the Golestan Palace Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating from the 18th to early 20th century. See the Marble Throne Hall and the Hall of Mirrors, used as a coronation room, and stroll the garden to view the ornate tile-covered walls. After lunch, visit the Malek National Museum and Library, Iran’s first private museum, to admire the manuscripts collection. An optional guided walk takes us to the nearby Laleh Park and past the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, currently closed for renovation. Dine at a local restaurant tonight. B,L,D FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20: TEHRAN In the morning, discover the National Museum of Iran and the adjacent Islamic Era Museum. Enjoy lunch at the Ferdowsi Hotel with a special ice cream dessert and tea/ coffee in the 1960s lobby lounge. This afternoon, tour the Abgineh Museum’s collection of pre-Islamic and Islamic glass and ceramics, displayed in an elegant early 20th- century mansion. There will also be time for visiting a few art galleries. B,L,D SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21: TEHRAN Today we go to the fashionable northern part of Tehran for a visit to the Niavaran Palace complex, set among the foothills of the Alborz Mountains. See the former Pahlavi residences and tour the museum of paintings and artifacts collected by Farah Diba, the last Empress of Iran.