Ancient Persia – Modern Iran

Itinerary

• Days 1-3: Tehran (Iran)
  

  Tehran – Iran’s capital and its major metropolis, numbering more than nine million residents – is the natural starting point for exploring the country’s rich history and bustling contemporary life. Visits to major museums provide an introduction to Persian culture, and tours of two palaces are your first immersion into the region’s majestic architecture. You’ll dine at local restaurants, gaze at the spectacular Crown Jewels, and get a photo op at Azadi Tower, Tehran’s iconic modern landmark.

  HIGHLIGHTS

  • Golestan Palace, the 16th-century fortress of the Safavid Dynasty, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Sa’ad Abad Palace, a beautifully manicured 700-acre complex that was once home to the royal family
  • The spectacular Iranian Crown Jewels, including Darya-ye-Nur, the world’s largest uncut diamond, and the Peacock Throne, covered in over 23,000 gems
  • Reza Abbasi Museum’s extensive array of decorative arts, some dating back well over a thousand years
  • The Carpet Museum, a striking showcase for one of Persia’s signature crafts
• Days 4-6: Tabriz, Zanjan
  

  A flight of a little over an hour takes you from Tehran to Tabriz, a city of 1.7 million that serves as capital of Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province. Tabriz is home to one of the world’s oldest and largest covered bazaars and is the site of the Blue Mosque, renowned for its 15th-century mosaics. A day trip takes you to the remote Monastery of St. Stephanos, a thousand-year-old testament to the long history of Christianity in the region. The following day, visit the Throne of Solomon, an archaeological site that includes ancient Zoroastrian and Sassanian temples, and spend the night in the charming city of Zanjan.

  HIGHLIGHTS

  • Browsing through the grand labyrinth of Tabriz Bazaar, a UNESCO-listed site that’s been flourishing since the 13th century
  • The intricate, arabesque mosaics decorating Tabriz’s Blue Mosque
  • The UNESCO-listed Monastery of St. Stephanos, distinguished by its elaborate, Armenian-style brickwork
  • The remains of a 3rd-century Zoroastrian fire temple at the UNESCO-listed Throne of Solomon
• Days 7-10: Kerman, Rayen, Jupar, Yazd
  

  The next stop is the mile-high city of Kerman. This serves as a base for exploring the ancient citadel of Rayen, the mausoleum of revered Sufi teacher Shah Nematollah Vali, and UNESCO-listed Shahzadeh – one of Iran’s grandest Persian gardens. During your time in Kerman you’ll tour the city’s splendid bazaar, sip tea in what was once a traditional bathhouse, and visit a workshop in the celebrated weaving center of Jupar. The next stop is Yazd, a desert city of such beauty and cultural significance that it’s designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety. Yazd is a traditional center of Zoroastrianism; its Fire Temple remains an important pilgrimage site, and its Towers of Silence, central to Zoroastrian death rituals, loom on the hilltops outside of town.

  HIGHLIGHTS

  • Rayen Castle, one of the finest examples in the world of ancient mud-brick architecture
  • The vibrant blue-tiled dome and minarets of the Shah Nematollah Vali Mausoleum
  • The terraced pools gracing UNESCO-listed Shahzadeh Garden
  • Taking tea in Kerman at a former bathhouse that’s maintained its original elegant tile-work
  • The many treasures Yazd, including the UNESCO-listed Dowlat Garden, the Friday Mosque, and the Zoroastrian Fire Temple and Towers of Silence
• Days 11-14: Shiraz, Persepolis, Firuzabad, Bishapur, Yasuj
  

  Departing from Yazd, stop at the ruins of the city of Pasargadae, founded by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BC. Next, arrive in Shiraz, one of Iran’s most beautiful and historically rich cities renowned for its gorgeous gardens and intricate architecture. Shiraz is also a base for two memorable day trips: to Persepolis, one of the world’s great archaeological sites, and to Firuzabad, home to the Ardashir I Palace and a congregating point for Qashqai nomads. A mountain drive the following day leads to the city of Bishapur, built by King Shapur I in 266 and famed for its ancient reliefs carved into a cliffside.

  HIGHLIGHTS

  • The limestone mausoleum of Cyrus the Great at the UNESCO-listed ruins of Pasargadae
  • The brilliant colors of Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque and the cypress-lined avenues of Naranjestan Garden, two highlights of Shiraz
  • The ornate columns and beautifully rendered bas-reliefs at UNESCO-listed Persepolis, once one of the great cities of the ancient world and now one of the world’s most impressive archaeological sites
  • Dining on Persian stew at a local restaurant in Firuzabad
  • The towering cliffside reliefs of Bishapur, depicting military triumphs by Cyrus the Great over Roman adversaries
• Days 15-19: Isfahan, Tehran
  

  Past and present majestically intertwine in the city of Isfahan, where beautiful, historic public spaces buzz with activity. Stroll through the centerpiece, UNESCO-listed Imam Square, and explore the spectacular buildings that surround it – the Imam Mosque, the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, and the Ali-Qapu Palace. Other Isfahan attractions include the Royal Qeisarieh Bazaar, the Friday Mosque, the Chehel Sotun Palace, the elegant bridges over the Zayandeh River, and the Armenian and Jewish quarters. En route to Tehran for departure, discover a final UNESCO-listed site: Bagh-e Fin, a classic Persian garden.

  HIGHLIGHTS

  • Taking in the scene at 22-acre Imam Square, one of the largest city squares in the world
  • The turquoise minarets and intricate tile-work of the magnificent Imam Mosque
  • Shopping for classic Persian arts and crafts at the immense Royal Qeisarieh Bazaar
  • Eight hundred years of Persian architecture on display at UNESCO-listed Friday Mosque, the largest and most eclectic mosque in all of Iran
  • Discovering the legacies of minority cultures in Isfahan’s Armenian and Jewish quarters
  • The beautiful, brilliantly engineered waterworks at Bagh-e Fin