Essential lran
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"Iran is an amazing place and I would highly recommend anybody to go there. Isfahan has got to be one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. The guide that I had in Iran was really first-rate... Don't miss Iran and go with MIR!"
James Duenow
San Luis Obispo, CA |
Visit a trio of Iran's finest cities to discover Persian treasures and modern Islamic daily life. See spirited Tehran, the country's marketplace, romantic Shiraz with its miles of roses, and beautiful Isfahan, its arched bridges glowing in the evening light.
Days 1-2: Tehran
Begin in Iran's capital, Tehran, a city buzzing with energy. Modern Tehran is full of shops, museums, mosques, minarets, restaurants, teahouses and a sprawling bazaar. Enjoy the bazaars and palaces, and visit the National Jewels Museum.
Days 3-4: Shiraz, Persepolis
Visit Shiraz, the "City of Roses," famed for its poetry, gardens, learning centers and architecture. One of the key cities of the Islamic medieval period, Shiraz has served as capital of several Islamic dynasties. Spend the day exploring Persepolis, one of the most important sites of the Ancient World and the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings. View the famous bas-reliefs showing kings, courtiers and gift-bearing representatives of the Persian Empire's tributary nations - and survey the tombs of Naghsh-e-Rostam, thought to be the burial sites of Darius the Great, Xerxes and Artaxerxes.
Days 5-8: Isfahan
Explore Isfahan, with its spacious Imam Square, flanked by three tiled and filigreed mosques. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the square was the symbolic center of the Safavid Empire. Stroll the luminous bridges of Shahrestan, Khajur and Siose-pol and pause in one of the many teahouses along the Zayande River before a visit to the spectacular Friday Mosque, one of the world's greatest.
Days 9-10: Tehran
Flying back to Tehran, enjoy a last afternoon to shop the markets and admire some of Tehran's finest applied arts at the Glass and Ceramics Museum and the Carpet Museum. Take the opportunity to learn about the art of weaving Persian carpets before a last evening in Iran.
Trip Details
| Length of Trip: |
10 Days |
| Departures: |
Your choice of dates - start on a Monday |
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| Land Tour Cost in 2010: |
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| 2 traveler minimum |
From $3,795** |
| Single Supplement |
From $525 |
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| Note: Pricing for the rest of 2009 may differ slightly. Call 800-424-7289 for more information about 2009 Essential trip pricing |
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| **Land tour cost includes internal flight costs which are subject to change; see the Descriptive Daily Itinerary for details. |
| Essential trip prices vary by season and are subject to hotel availability for your travel dates. Hotel upgrades, additional nights and solo traveler prices are available on request. Contact us for a descriptive itinerary and booking details. |
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Map - Click to Enlarge
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| Days 1-2: |
Tehran |
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| Day 3: |
fly to Shiraz |
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| Day 4: |
Shiraz |
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| Day 5: |
fly to Isfahan |
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| Days 6-8: |
Isfahan |
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| Day 9: |
fly to Tehran |
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| Day 10: |
Tehran |
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| Tehran |
Abgineh Museum of Glass and Ceramics, National Museum, Sa'ad Abad Palace, Gulestan Palace, Carpet Museum |
| Shiraz |
"City of Roses and Nightingales," Tomb of Hafez, Narenjestan Garden, Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque
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| Perspolis |
UNESCO World Heritage Site, Naghsh-e Rostam, burial sites of Darius the Great, Xerxes and Artaxerxes, Kabe-Zardosht fire temple and sanctuary, Sassanian rock-reliefs
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| Isfahan |
Imam Square (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Ali-Qapu Palace, Sheikh Lotfollah and Imam mosques, bridges of Shahrestan, Khajur and Siose-pol, Armenian Quarter, Cathedral of Vank, Bridges of the Zayande River, Friday Mosque, Ali Minaret, Jewish Quarter, Royal Qeisarieh Bazaar, Zoorkhaneh (house of strength)
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About Essential Trips
Flexible Essential Private Trips are compact, well-designed private tour itineraries ? researched and ready to book on the dates you choose. They work perfectly as brief overviews of a country or as effortless extensions to group tours ? great for solo travelers, couples, or private parties who prefer to travel independently but appreciate a savvy predesigned program.
Some images on this page courtesy James Carnehan
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