Persian Jewels

After breakfast, we’ll leave for Isfahan, the ancient Persian capital and modern Iran’s third-largest city. On the way, we’ll stop at Kashan to visit the spectacular, world heritage-listed Fin Garden, the Agha Bozorg Mosque (considered among the finest of the mid-19th century) and Borujerdi House, a beautiful example of Persian traditional architecture. Our final stop before reaching Isfahan is the traditional village of Abyaneh, one of the oldest in Iran and known for the unusual reddish hue of its buildings.

Piroozi 4 star breakfast & lunch

Isfahan was once one of the world’s largest cities and is renowned for its architecture, so it’s only fitting that we begin the day by visiting the Safavid emperors’ palaces of Chehel Sotoun (“The Palace of Forty Columns”), Hasht-Behesht (“The Palace of Eight Paradises”) and Aali Qapu (“The Royal Palace”). Then we’ll stroll through Naqsh-e Jahan Square (UNESCO world heritage site) to the magnificent Imam and Sheikh Lotfollah mosques before heading to the Armenian district of Jolfa for a tour of Vank Cathedral.

Overnight Isfahan Piroozi 4 star breakfast & lunch

Enjoy a free day exploring Isfahan at your leisure. In the evening we’ll take a walk from Si-o-Seh Pol (“Thirty Three Bridges”) to Khajou Bridge, built in 1650.

Overnight Isfahan Piroozi 4 star breakfast & dinner

Today we drive to the romantic city of Shiraz, renowned for its poetry and gardens. En route, we’ll visit another UNESCO world heritage site: the Pasargad Complex, containing the tomb of Cyrus the Great (founder of the Achaemenid Empire) and early Achaemenid palaces.

Overnight Shiraz Karimkhan boutique breakfast & lunch

Shiraz is such a beautiful city that it’s difficult to know where to start—but today we’ll make a good attempt! We’ll begin by visiting the world heritage-listed Bagh-e Eram (“Garden of Paradise”), Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, Narenjestan-e Qavam (“Qavam’s Orange Garden”—named for its plentiful sour orange trees), and Arg-e Karimkhani (“Citadel of Karimkhan”). Then we’ll explore Vakil Bazaar and continue to the Shah Cheragh Mausoleum, followed by Hafezieh (“Tomb of Hafez”) and Sa’dieh (“Tomb of Sa’adi”), the last resting places of two of Iran’s greatest poets.

Overnight Shiraz Karimkhan boutique breakfast & lunch

We’ll leave Shiraz in the morning and travel 60 km north-east of the city for a full day excursion to Persepolis. The earliest palace and temple remains of this heritage-listed capital of the ancient Achaemenid Empire date back to 515 BC. We’ll also visit the awe-inspiring Naqsh-e Rostam necropolis, containing the tombs and carved reliefs of Achaemenid and Sassanid emperors, before heading back to Shiraz for an evening flight to Tehran.

Overnight Tehran Enghelab 4 star breakfast & lunch

We’ll spend our last full day sightseeing in North Tehran, beginning with Sa’d Abad palace, a 300 hectare complex containing museums, forests, galleries and stately dwellings. Next up is the Niavaran Palace, another impressive collection of historical buildings, followed by a stroll through Tajrish Bazaar in one of Tehran’s oldest neighbourhoods. We cap off the day with a farewell dinner in green and tranquil Darband.

Overnight Tehran Enghelab 4 star breakfast, lunch & dinner

The tour concludes after breakfast, followed by transfer to IKA Airport for your departure flight. Khoda hafez! Goodbye! We hope your Persian Jewels experience has given beautiful memories of this ancient land and we look forward to welcoming you back in future!

Overnight none breakfast