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Iran Art and Architecture Escorted Tour
offered by supplier M18559 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 11
day(s)
Group Size: 11
- 15
people
Destination(s):
Iran
Specialty Categories:
Cultural Journey
Sightseeing
Season: April
Airfare Included: Yes
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 2195 Pound Sterling (GBP)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2195 Pound Sterling (GBP)
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You will discover the mysteries of the Zoroastrian fire temples, the power of Darius the Great at Persepolis, the exquisite inventiveness of early Islamic architecture in Isfahan, the gardens of Kashan, the ancient wind towers at Yazd, and of course carpet making, bazaars and a people warm and kind. This trip to Iran is the opportunity of a lifetime. This is a country with 7,000 years of history and like the carpets it is famous for, it is patterned by colorful and complex influences.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart London and arrive Shiraz.
Day 2: Shiraz. After taking time to rest in the morning we will have lunch together. Shiraz is a city dear to the heart of Persian romantics, the home of poets, famous for its roses, and in the past, vineyards. We will take time to visit the Tombs of Hafiz and Saadi and explore the gardens for which Shiraz is famous before eating in a former Bath house. Accommodation in Pars Hotel.
Day 3: Day excursion to Persepolis and Naksh-e-Rustam. Short tour of Shiraz sights early evening. Persepolis, about an hour from Shiraz, was built by the biblical Darius the Great and destroyed in 331 BC by Alexander. It is the probably the most impressive pre-islamic monument in Iran, thoroughly excavated to reveal columns, ceremonial staircases, chambers and stunning reliefs celebrating the triumphs of the Achaemenid dynasty. Naksh-I Rustam nearby is the site of huge rock reliefs dating from five centuries later, telling the stories of Sasanian victories over their neighbors, including the Roman emperor Valerian in 260 AD. In the evening we will return to Shiraz and explore the bazaar. Accommodation in Pars Hotel.
Day 4: Drive to Yazd via Abarquh. This drive of about 450 km will take us an easy day, including a picnic at a deserted caravanserai. We will pass through the Zagros mountains (up to 12,000 feet), and hope for sight of some fine landscapes. Abarquh, en route, is a village with an imposing tomb tower, an early example (1056) of the Islamic architecture we will fast become familiar with. Accommodation in Moshirolmamalek or Malekoltojar Hotel.
Day 5: Yazd. Full day in Yazd, with a short out of town excursion to visit Zorastrian towers of silence. Yazd is the traditional capital of the Iranian Zoroastrian community, the now tiny remnant of the major world religion celebrated by Persepolis, and later the Sasanians. We shall see something of their community and customs. Fine cloth is made in Yazd and we usually find fine old pottery and traditional crafts in a small bazaar. Yazd also offers some fine Islamic buildings, notably its stunning Friday mosque (1330-ish), the masterpiece of late Mongol tile work. Accommodation in Moshirolmamalek or Malekoltojar Hotel.
Day 6: Drive to Isfahan via Nain. We will break drive to Isfahan of about 300 km (5 hours) at the small town of Nain on the edge of the Great Salt Desert, which has one of the earliest mosques in Iran (10th century). The all-over decoration of carved plaster and clever brickwork, shows how you don’t need pretty tiles (not yet invented) to work magic with decoration. Accommodation in Abbasi Hotel 5*, the grandest hotel in Iran, built in a converted 17th century caravansary, still as romantic as ever in the very center of this wonderful city.
Days 7–8: Isfahan. Isfahan is the Florence of Iran - full of architectural jewels, and also a great center for trading and handicrafts.
Day 9: Drive to Tehran via Natanz and Kashan. We will leave after an early breakfast and break our journey at the shrine of Abd-al Samad (1299) in Natanz, a lovely spot where a cool tile work sets off peaceful sylvan surroundings. Then on to Kashan where we will visit the Bagh-i Fin and the Borujerdi house.
Day 10: Day in Tehran. We will begin the day with a visit to the Central Bazaar where a carpet merchant will show us carpets made only from vegetable dyes. For those who wish to buy these can be shipped to UK if necessary. After lunch we will visit the Ceramics Museum and possibly the Carpet Museum. There will a chance to buy gifts of glass, jewelery etc. Accommodation in Laleh Hotel.
Day 11: Return flight to London.
Tour dates: April 8th-18th 2010.
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Flights
- Insurance for UK residents
- Transfers in Iran
- Accommodation in 3*/4*/5* hotels
- All meals
- Guiding.
Price Excludes:
- UK airport transfers
- Personal expenses (telephone calls, gifts, tips, etc).
Also see tour packages in:
Middle East
Iran
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
Sightseeing
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, ext: 18559
