Day 1 [Tehran] [Tehran]

Day 2 [Tehran] [Tehran]

Day 3 [Tehran] [Razavi Khorasan]

Roll on to Neishabour (the tomb of two famous poets of Iran by the name of Omar Khyam and Attar. Rumi Poetry Night. O/N Mashhad.

In the morning we`ll board our flight to Shiraz, enjoy a city tour and also a evening poetry session at Hafez’s tomb, O/N Shiraz.
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visit Pasargadae, UNESCO World Heritage-designated and get up close to the famous structure, then slow the pace down and give yourself a chance to uncover Pasargadae’s hidden treasures. Continue your day, when your tour takes you past the mighty ancient site of Persepolis the UNESCO World Heritage designated, walk through the lively old structure, with its well-preserved style. Afterwards explore charming Naghsh-e-Rostam, and Naghsh-e-Rajab, en route visit Qoran gate, O/N Shiraz.

NOTE:

Pasargadae, UNESCO World Heritage-designated: The tomb of Cyprus the great, also known as Cyrus II or Cyrus of Persia, the founder of the Persian Empire under the Achaemenid dynasty (559–529 BC). He was a righteous human being because at the time of victory, he was generous toward defeated people. Being a freeman, he won the heart of his people, permitting them to worship their gods. He was extraordinarily peerless in all over the world. Comparing Cyrus’ manner with Semi’s rulers, one feels great pleasure for the Persian liberality and generosity and truly regards the Persian as the instructor of human race).

Persepolis: One of the most majestic ancient monuments. Its ancient name was Parsa to ancient Persians, its modern name is Takht-e Jamshid, (Persian: Throne of Jamshid), to Iranians it was the capital of the Achaemenid kings of Iran (Persia). Persepolis is located about 50 kms northeast of Shiraz in the province of Fars in southwestern Iran. It was set on fire by Alexander upon his defeat of Darius III)

Naghsh-e-Rostam , Where you will see 4 tombs in the mountain of Darius I, Artaxerxes I, Xerxes I, and Darius II Eight stone carvings from Sassanians dynasty below the Achaemenians tombs showing conquests of kings; believed was created to celebrate the victory of Sassanians king, over the Romanian invader

Naghsh-e-Rajab, a beautiful stone carved from Sassanians dynasty (224-651 A.D.), at your leisure in the morning.

Quran Gate: A historic gate in the southern-central Persian city of Shiraz which was first built By the time of the Zand dynasty, it had sustained a lot of damage, so it was restored and a small room on top was added, in which were kept hand-written Qur’āns. Travelers passing underneath the gates were believed to receive the blessing of the Holy Book as they began their trip or journey from Shiraz.

This morning we`ll roll on to Isfahan.The beautiful city of Isfahan is enchanting and atmospheric, so prepare for your upcoming adventure and enjoy a city tour visiting, Naghshe Jahan Square (Ali Qapu Palace, Imam Mosque, Sheikh-Lotfollah Mosque, Bazaar), Overnight Isfahan.

NOTE

Naghshe Jahan: an important historical site and one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites and the second biggest square in the world. It is 160 meters wide by 508 meters long, an area of 89,600 m2. The square is surrounded by buildings from the Safavid era.

Ali Qapu Palace: A grand palace in Isfahan was built by decree of Shah Abbas the Great in the early seventeenth century. It was here that the great monarch used to entertain noble visitors, and foreign ambassadors. Shah Abbas, here for the first time celebrated the Now – ruz /New Year’s Day/)

Imam Mosque: UNESCO World Heritage Site (Built during the Safavids period, it is an excellent example of Islamic architecture of Iran, and regarded as the masterpiece of Persian Architecture and one of the everlasting masterpieces of architecture in Iran and all over the world. Its construction began in 1611, and its splendor is mainly due to the beauty of its seven-color mosaic tiles and calligraphic inscriptions.

Sheikh-Lotfollah Mosque: One of the architectural masterpieces of Safavid Iranian architecture, standing on the eastern side of Naghsh-e- Jahan Square, It was built by Shah Abbas I of the Safavid dynasty. The building functioned as a prayer hall and lecture hall

Enjoy a full day city tour including Armenian Quarter including cathedral Vank then Chehel-Sotoun Palace,Sio-Se-Pol and Khajo bridges, tombs of famous American Iranologist professor Arthur Upham Pope. O/N Isfahan.

NOTE

Vank Cathedral: of the first churches to be established in the city’s Jolfa district by Armenian immigrants settled by Shah Abbas I after the Ottoman War of 1603-1605

Chehel sotun (40 pillars): An enchanting pavilion in the middle of a park at the far end of a long pool, built by Shah Abbas II to be used for his entertainment and receptions, The name, meaning “Forty Columns” in Persian, was inspired by the twenty slender wooden columns supporting the entrance pavilion, which, when reflected in the waters of the fountain, are said to appear to be forty

Hasht Behest (8 paradises): dates back to the time of Shah Suleiman and is located in the middle of the Hasht Behesht Garden. The palace was the king’s residence. A two story palace, with several rooms and cubicles. Its beautiful exterior is decorated with bricks and tiles. The palace’s surroundings have been changed into a public park.

Sio se pol-33 bridges: one of the eleven bridges of Isfahan highly ranked as being one of the most famous examples of Safavid bridge design. It consists of two rows of 33 arches. There is a larger base plank at the start of the bridge where the Zayandeh River flows under it, supporting a tea house.

Drive to Tehran, we stop to visit Kashan with the chance to see Fin garden, The Boroujerdis’ house and The Tabatabayis’ house (two historical sites made on 13th century).In the evening meet Iranian Poets and poetry night. O/N Tehran.

NOTE

Fin garden: Historical Persian garden. It contains Kashan’s Fin Bath, where Amir Kabir, the Qajarid chancellor, was murdered by an assassin sent by King Nasereddin Shah in 1852.

The Boroujerdi ha House or Khāné-ye Borūjerdīhā is a historic & fantastic house built in 1857, by architect Ustad Ali Maryam, for the bride of Haji Mehdi Borujerdui, a wealthy merchant. The bride came from the affluent Tabatabaei family, for whom Ustad Ali had built the Tabatabaei House some years earlier. It consists of a rectangular beautiful courtyard, delightful wall paintings by the royal painter Kamal-ol-molk, and three high wind towers which help cool the house to unusually cool temperatures.
The Tabatabaeis’ House or Khaneh Tabatabaei-ha is a historic house built in the 1840s for the affluent Tabatabaei family.It consists of a four beautiful courtyards, delightful wall paintings with elegant stained glass windows, and all the other classic signatures of Traditional Persian residential architecture such as biruni and andaruni.

Time to bid farewell to Tehran and our new found friends as our memorable tours come to an end.
A morning flight allows for hometown connections.