DESCRIPTION:

Discover Iran’s fabulous bazaars, admire its splendid architecture and complex ornamentation, discover its formidable archaeological sites, and converse with the people who call it home. Once the seat of the mighty Persian Empire that grew up alongside the ancient Greeks and Romans, today Iran is a place of searing beauty, with its domes and mosaic-clad mosques and madrasahs. Its monumental archaeological sites are some of the finest in the world, its architecture is infused with color and energy, and its bazaars are without equal. Explore spirited Tehran, romantic Shiraz, and luminous Isfahan as well as the Zoroastrian stronghold of Yazd and the carpet-weaving center of Kerman.

 

With a culture that prizes hospitality, Iranians are unfailingly warm and engaging, delighting in welcoming travelers into their modern lives. explore palaces, mosques, and 1,000 year-old fortresses. Sip tea in a teahouse and stroll through a true Persian garden, with its aromatic air of almond and pomegranate trees. Other highlights include:

• Discover Shiraz, a city of sophistication at the heart of Persian culture for more than 2000 years. One of the most important cities in the medieval Islamic world, it has been known as the House of Learning, the City of Roses, City of Love, and City of Gardens; it is now synonymous with education, nightingales, and poetry.

• Tour magnificent Persepolis, which embodies the greatest successes of the ancient Achaemenid Empire, as well as its downfall. The monumental staircases, exquisite reliefs, and imposing gateways are testimony to the grandness of this city. Although in ruins now, it remains one of the greatest surviving masterpieces of the ancient Near Eastern civilizations.

• Drive through the scenic Zagros Mountains to Isfahan, the jewel of ancient Persia and one of the finest cities in the Islamic world. It is a city of grandeur, called a “masterpiece,” with Islamic buildings of exquisite blue mosaic tiles, an expansive bazaar, gorgeous bridges, beautiful gardens, and teahouses. Isfahan embodies the high refinements of Persian culture.

 

Those who visit Iran leave surprised, often saying it was one of the most fascinating, friendly, and enjoyable places they have ever visited.

 

CONSIDER:

Women must dress modestly with a head scarf, long pants, and long sleeves.  No shorts for the men. Also, alcohol is not served in Iran.

 

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS & ADD-ONS:

Please inquire.