RETURN TO PERSEPOLIS AN ESCORTED TOUR EXPLORING THE WONDERS OF IraN 21ST OCTOBER TO 2ND NOVEMBER 2017; 7 TH TO 19TH AprIL & 6TH TO 18TH OCTOBER 2018 Persepolis Isfahan 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 Tmemory, 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. Since the Yazd 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, Shiraz – the ‘City of Bishapur Persepolis Roses and Nightingales’, the great desert city of Yazd – home of Zoroastrianism, and Isfahan - ‘Pearl of Shiraz Persia’. We will stay in the best available hotels and the food will be traditional Persian cuisine. our view The Itinerary “Noble Caledonia has a reputation for offering unique and fascinating Day 1 London to Tehran, Iran. Tehran with its renovated trips all over the world and Iran is certainly one of them. We were Fly by scheduled indirect flight. Versailles-inspired mirror-encrusted fortunate enough to visit this amazing country in October 2016 with a Marble Throne Hall used for the group of well-travelled guests who were all looking for a unique and Day 2 Tehran. Arrive early this coronation of the last Shah. Most perhaps an unusual choice of destination. Iran is an amazing country with morning and transfer to the Espinas of the remaining brick and tile kind, generous and welcoming people, fascinating palaces and museums Hotel for a two night stay. After buildings date back to the 19th and diverse cities. Bustling Tehran has so many incredible places to a morning at leisure we will visit century Qajar dynasty. Lunch is visit such as the Sa’ad Abad Palace complex, one of the homes of the the National Museum of Iran, an followed by our final visit of the day late Shah and also the stunning Goleston Palace with its silver and gold excellent introduction to Iran’s rich which is to Iran’s National Jewels interior and beautiful gardens. You cannot help but marvel at the gems history. We continue to Abguineh Museum in the Central Bank of in the National Jewels Museum. The collection takes your breath away. Glass and Ceramics Museum, one Iran Building, with its vast array of Away from Tehran you have amazing archaeological sites such as the of the most impressive in Tehran, crown jewels used by the Qajar and world famous Persepolis and others that are more or less on the brink of not least for its architecture from the Pahlavid royalty. discovery. Visit Shiraz and the beautiful Eram Gardens with the glittering Qajar period. Palace standing proud, as though it is looking over and guarding the Day 4 Tehran to Shiraz. Morning gardens. In Isfahan you can enjoy one of the largest public squares in Accommodation: The Espinas flight to Shiraz, the delightful ‘City the world, with its array of shops, mosques and restaurants. Take a walk Hotel is situated right in the of Roses and Nightingales’ for a here in the evening when the families are enjoying a stroll and you can heart of Tehran city centre. The three night stay in the Shiraz Homa imagine you’re in another world. Iran is welcoming guests with open arms superb location means the hotel Hotel. Shiraz has many strings to and when you do visit this country you are treated as a ‘special guest’ and is surrounded by Tehran’s most its bow: poetry, literature, wine, leave with memories that will never be forgotten. ” spectacular attractions. With great flowers and amazing gardens and city views, the rooms offer spacious fruit trees. A highlight of our tour is Peter Graham, Noble Caledonia Tour Manager and comfortable accommodation the Eram Garden, one of the oldest with contemporary furnishings. The and the most beautiful gardens Siosepol bridge, Isfahan hotel also offers an indoor climate- of Shiraz. This garden with the controlled pool. magnificent central building was once used as a place to receive Day 3 Tehran. This morning foreign guests by the local chiefs of we visit the Saad abad Palace the Qajar dynasty and later by the complex with its many museums. Pahlavi kings. The royals of the Qajar dynasty in the 19th century used this Accommodation: The Shiraz palace as their summer capital. Homa Hotel is situated next to The palace was then converted Azadi Park, offering glorious into many museums after the mountain views. The property was Iranian Revolution, including the formerly managed by Sheraton military museum and the museum and offers a superior standard of of calligraphy. After lunch we visit accommodation. There are three Golestan Palace in downtown restaurants (offering Iranian and www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Eram Garden, Shiraz Yazd Dried fruit International cuisine), a coffee centre of Zoroastrianism, for a two ‘Pearl of Persia’ for a three night Iman Mosque, the Chehel Sotun shop, small shopping arcade, night stay at the Hotel Moshir Al- stay at the Abbasi Hotel. (Palace of forty columns) and currency exchange facilities, indoor Mamalek Garden. Hasht Behesht, reportedly built for swimming pool, and fitness centre. Accommodation: The Abbasi Hotel residence purposes of the King’s One of the most attractive features Accommodation: The Moshir is centred on a stunning 300 year harem. We will end our visit with a of the property are its gardens. Al-Mamalek Garden Hotel was old royal caravanserai. Formerly stroll in the old bazaars. All rooms are spacious and created within the garden and called the Shah Abbas Hotel, in comfortably furnished. pavilions of a Qajar nobleman. The honour of the Isfahan’s great 17th Day 11 Isfahan. Today we will Hotel has considerable charm and century ruler, the Abbasi has as its visit the Friday Mosque which can Day 5 Persepolis. We spend the character, and is a fine example focal point a lovely Persian garden. be seen as a stunning illustration day in the magnificent ruined city of the traditional architectural Complementing the gardens are of the evolution of mosque of Persepolis, the winter capital style of Yazd. The ochre coloured the Abbasi’s grand public areas architecture over twelve centuries, created by Darius in 512 B.C. and property is a short drive from the which were designed to impress starting in A.D. 841. It is the oldest burnt by Alexander the Great in centre of town and retains many the last Shah of Iran’s guests. All preserved edifice of its type in Iran 331 B.C., perhaps accidentally original features dating from rooms are equipped with individual and a prototype for later mosque in revenge for the destruction of the 19th century. The property’s climate control, satellite television, designs throughout Central Asia. Athens. The monumental staircase 70 newly built air-conditioned mini-fridge, and wireless internet Close by is the old Jewish colony of of the Palace has friezes of all rooms are simple in style and access and facilities include a choice Yaduddiyeh which dates back 2700 Darius’ vassal states. We also see have been designed to fit in with of restaurants, coffee shop, indoor years to the Jewish Captivity in the nearby Zoroastrian Fire Temple the traditional surroundings. swimming pool, currency exchange Babylon. We also walk besides the and the Royal rock tombs of Darius A highlight of the hotel is its facilities and several shops. three old bridges of Isfahan that I and three of his successors at extensive garden and orchard. span the Zayandeh-rud River. After Naqsh-i Rustam and the rock reliefs Set within the garden are large Day 10 Isfahan. Today we explore lunch we visit New Julfa to explore of Sassanian Kings at Shapur I at benches covered with carpets Isfahan, one of the finest cities in the Armenian Quarter and Vank Naqsh-i Rajab. En route back to which are the ideal place to relax at the Islamic world, created by Shah Cathedral which is the historic focal our hotel we vist the Vakil Mosque, the end of the day. Hotel facilities Abbas the Great. This enchanting point for the Armenian church in a beautiful mosque built in the include an internet station and city, which served as Persia’s capital Iran. The interior is richly decorated mid-18th century by Karim Khan, Persian restaurant. from 1598 to 1722, is 2500 years and shows a curious mixture of Regent (Vakil) and the founder of old and one of the oldest in Iran. styles, Islamic tiles and designs Zand Dynasty and also take the Day 8 Yazd. The Three Magi may As a crossroad of international alongside Christian imagery. opportunity for some shopping at well have travelled to Bethlehem trade and diplomacy, Isfahan has the bazaar. from Yazd and Marco Polo passed a rich mix of languages, religions Day 12 Isfahan to Tehran. Today through on his way to China. Today and customs. We will visit the many we drive to Tehran stopping at the Day 6 Bishapur. Today’s excursion we will explore this desert city and splendid palaces, mosques and village of Abyaneh and the town of takes us through the mountain see the Friday mosque of 1324, medresses built round the Naqsh-e Kashan en route.