Iran with Luxury & Style (11 Days):
Sample Itinerary Outline
ID #: DT-I-11-6-2-10-RAIJ
DAY
1: Arrive Tehran, IRAN
You will be met on arrival and taken to your hotel. This afternoon,
tour the ancient capital city, nestled at the foot of the
snow-capped Alborz Mountains. The largest city in the Middle East,
Tehran overflows with religious history - historic mosques,
churches, synagogues and ancient Zoroastrian fire temples. Tour the
National Museum of Iran, the Abhineh Museum (housed in a 19th
century Qajar mansion), and the Sa'ad Abad Palace -a complex that
was the summer residence of Qajar kings and then the Reza Shah’s
residence. ►Suggested hotel: Laleh Hotel,
Tehran
DAY 2: Tehran & Yazd, IRAN
This morning visit Tehran’s Grand Bazaar - a city within a city.
Later this afternoon fly to Yazd, a true oasis in the middle of the
desert, and one of Persia's oldest cities. Yazd with more than 3,000
years of history and culture seems untouched by modernity. ►Suggested hotel:
Moshir Garden Hotel, Yazd
DAY 3: Yazd, IRAN
Though the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism was marginalized by
the Islamic conquests of the 7th century, it is still strong today
in Yazd. During today’s sightseeing, you can see the Zoroastrian
influence throughout the city. Visit the Zoroastrian Fire Temple and
the Towers of Silence - where the Zoroastrians placed their dead on
raised circular structures to expose them to the desert sun. Tour
the Jame Mosque, a colorful example of 12th century Persian
architecture and a mosque still in use today. Visit the Doulatabad
Garden and the educational Water Museum. ►Suggested hotel: Moshir Garden Hotel, Yaz
DAY 4: Yazd to Shiraz, IRAN
On your drive this morning visit the small mountainous Zoroastrian
village of Cham, continue to the city of Abarquo, to see the
incredible 4,000-year-old Cypress tree. Next stop is Passargad, the
first capital of the Iranian tribes and the Achaemenian empire, to
visit the huge limestone Tomb of Cyrus the Great. Late afternoon
arrive in Shiraz, the city of poets, roses and nightingales. ►Suggested hotel:
Homa Hotel, Shiraz
DAY 5: Shiraz, IRAN
Enjoy a full day exploring Shiraz, the cradle of the royal Persian
civilization. Visit the 18th century Eram Gardens, home to the Sarv-e
Naaz Cypress tree, the inspiration for many Persian folk songs.
Explore the Narenjistan Gardens and Narenjistan Museum, and the Tomb
of Hafez, a 14th century poet known for his lyrical poems or ghazals.
Also, visit the Tomb of Saadi, a medieval poet, and the Nassirolmolk
Mosque, known as the ‘Pink Mosque’ because of its unique red and
pink tiles. ►Suggested hotel:
Homa Hotel, Shiraz
DAY 6: Persepolis & Isfahan, IRAN
Today visit Persepolis, the pride of the Achaemenian kings until it
was destroyed by Alexander the Great in 330 BC. Impressive for its
size, the complex also offers astounding examples of intricate
sculpture and graceful limestone architecture. Stop to see
Naqsh-e-Rostam, an archaeological site dating back to 1000 BC. Back
in Shiraz visit the peaceful Afif Abad Garden before your evening
flight on to Isfahan. ►Suggested hotel:
Abbasi Hotel, Isfahan
DAY 7: Isfahan, IRAN
Located in the lush plain of the Zayandeh River, beautiful Isfahan
was the 17th-century capital of the Safavid Dynasty. Visit the
ornate bridges of Shahrestan / Kajou / Sio-se-pol, and stroll the
Armenian Quarter with its notable churches, including the Cathedral
of Vank and the Chehel-Sotun Palace. Next see the ancient Friday
mosque, the Chehel Sotoun (forty pillars) Palace and the Pigeon
Tower and Hasht-Behesht Pavilion/Park. ►Suggested hotel:
Abbasi Hotel, Isfahan
DAY 8: Isfahan, IRAN
Enjoy another day exploring Iran’s third largest city. Walk through
Naghsh-e Jahan Square, one of the biggest in the world and a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Surrounded by many notable buildings from the
Safavid era, we explore the Ali Qapu Palace, built by decree of Shah
Abbas the Great in the 1600s. From the balcony you can see the
incredible blue domes of the Shah and Sheikh Lotfollah mosques,
famous for their magnificent tile work. Finish the day with a visit
to the extensive Queisarieh Bazaar, with its vaulted mile long
street linking the old and new city. ►Suggested hotel: Abbasi Hotel, Isfahan
DAY 9: Isfahan to Tehran, IRAN
Return to Tehran today, stopping en route to visit Naein, once
world-famous for its production of exquisite carpets, now revered
for its 19th-century stucco decoration, including intricate
geographic, floral and calligraphy work. Next visit the ancient
mountain village of Abyaneh, and then Kashan’s Sialk Hillocks, one
of the primary centers of pre-historic civilization. In Kashan visit
the Fin Garden and Fin Bath, the houses of Tabatabaeiha and
Broujerdiha, with their beautiful courtyards and elegant stained
glass windows, and the Agha Bozorgh Mosque. ►Suggested hotel: Laleh Hotel,
Tehran
DAY 10: Tehran, IRAN
Your full day city tour includes the Carpet Museum and the
Contemporary Arts Museum with its vast collection of international
sculptures. See the Raza Abbasi Museum, named after the famous
painter and calligrapher, and visit the Crown Jewels Museum, with
its display of elaborate crowns, thrones, jewel laden swords and
shields, and many more unique metals and gem-encrusted items. ►Suggested hotel: Laleh Hotel,
Tehran
DAY 11: Tehran, IRAN
Today you are taken to the airport for your flight home or on to
your next destination.