Persian Garden Tour

Tehran, as the most modern city and capital of Iran which clearly shows the classical and modern combination of Persian culture is located on the south of Alborz mountain range. Damavand, the highest Summit of Iran is a heroic symbol of Tehran, also the city embraces cultural & natural landscapes with brilliant glory of palaces and distinctive museums.

Today our tour begins with a Persian kind garden that is home to paintings, mirror-works and eye-catching brick architecture and has also been a narrator of Tehran history since around 200 years ago Negarestan garden embraces stories of the Qajar dynasty to the last kingdom of Iran, then we move to Golestan Palace, a royal complex with over 400 years old as a brilliant and historical monuments of Tehran, which is decorated with peculiar ornaments such as tiling, mirror-works and paintings, surpassed the four kings who crowned in its majesty and now distinguished itself as a Unesco World Heritage, soon after taking a walk to overlook Tehran Grand Bazaar, a roofed up building with old-time architecture of passages and pathways which leave you in a puzzle as a cultural end economic center in downtown of Tehran, after that (Sat to Tue 14:30 to 16:30) walking to Treasury of National Museum (National Jewelry Museum), where shines for the beauty of the diamonds, jewels and illustrious royal heritages, to feel kingdom excellency, in the evening (if National Jewelry Museum was closed) we keep traveling deep into Persia by visiting Iran National Museum as a cradle of Persia tale that holds archaeological collections in two separate structures; Ancient Iran Museum and Museum of Islamic Period to present you with culture, art and history of Iran.

Overnight Tehran, (B,L,D).

Today we visit Sa’ad Abad Complex which is located in Darband area at the footage of Alborz mountain range with green atmosphere and very pleasant weather, so proves itself as a royal resident for two dynasties from Qajar to Pahlavi in past two decades. Sa’ad Abad embraces palaces, museums and galleries which depicts Persia contemporary era in detail, then we move to Time Museum (Hossein Khodadad garden-house), a place that catches all attention for the incredible plasterwork and the invaluable time devices surrounded by a garden that creates a relaxing atmosphere with grass, trees and walking aisles, after that we move to feel spirituality in Tehran holiest shrine in Tajrish (Imamzadeh Saleh), where is so close to the old Tajrish Bazaar, to have further knowledge about traditional style of Persian daily life. Bypassing the longest street in the Middle East which is covered by trees and leaves to south, we will have the opportunity to walk along Nature Bridge which connects two parks on a highway as a symbol of modern architecture in Tehran.

Overnight Tehran, (B,L,D).

Today is devoted to Kashan legacies that begins with Fin Garden, which depicts a genuine Persian garden, telling us stories about contemporary era from murdering Amir Kabir to present, after that we visit Boroujerdi House which combines desert style of wind-catchers with Persian traditional models of iwan with superb plaster-work in interior and exterior decoration, soon after we touch Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse to feel Persian architecture meanwhile bathing, next in order of time we walk to Tabatabaee House which includes peculiar differences with the previous one in terms of stone reliefs, stucco and colored glasses, after that we travel to Abyaneh village to experience one of the ancient rural areas in Persia, which shows us historical traditions and customs along with distinctive habitable buildings.

Overnight Isfahan, (B,L,D).

Isfahan, the city of glories and Perso-Islamic masterpieces devoted itself to craftsman’s dexterity to become centre of art, not only in architecture or handicrafts but also in urban structures and music. The city is a treasure of mosques, Cathedrals, mansions, bridges and gardens which amazed visitors in all aspects of skilful ingenuities.
Tour through Isfahan begins with a three-floor building which is called Qeisarie Gate in remembrance of the king as the main entrance to Isfahan Grand Bazaar, which directs us to Naqsh-e Jahan Square (Meidan Emam) to visit the masterwork of chief architect Sheikh Bahaee, also having a workshop for the art of Minakari demonstrates us how ancient Persians enameled objects to place heaven into them by decorating metal(mostly Silver and Copper) or tile by patterns and paintings derived from the taste of the artist, soon after we walk to Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque to be amazed with the genius interior and exterior decoration of the dome which used to be a royal mosque dedicated to Shah Abbas Safavid, after that we visit Shah Mosque, which depicts Persian architecture in Islamic era, by consisting of iwans, domes, tilling and supreme engineering of voice echoing, then our trip to the square will end by Ali Qapu Palace which could be called as a gallery of art in terms of music, painting and decoration in an acoustic structure.
By nourishing our mind in the square we walk to Chehel Sotun Palace (Bagh-e Chehel Sotun), where a relaxing atmosphere with gorgeous paintings are awaiting us with palace pillar photo reflected into the front pond, then travel to the white river to indulge ourselves to the beauty of worldly known Si-O-Se-Pol Bridge.

Overnight Isfahan, (B,L,D).

Today Our tour includes Vank Cathedral with its fascinating paintings and mosque-like dome which is constructed by the Armenians who forced to move to Isfahan by Shah Abbas Safavid, after that we travel to Isfahan Jameh Mosque (Masjed-e Jame of Isfahan) to discover a unique practice of designing a holy place by renovation and reconstruction a mosque which is one of the oldest kinds in Persia, then we learn how masters do Ghalamzani to create outstanding works with a superb design on silver, copper, brass and gold to place visionary engravings on objects. Our exploration continues to Chahar Bagh Street where is a masterpiece of urbanism to Hasht Behesht Palace were used to be a royal pavilion with glamorous paintings, woodwork, mirror-work and tilling, then we touch Monar Jonban, an unbelievable structure built during Ilkhanate era, which is an architectural masterpiece as a result of minarets oscillation, constructed during Safavid dynasty, then travel to the white river to indulge ourselves to the beauty of worldly known Khajo Bridge.

Overnight Isfahan, (B,L,D).

We embark on a full day travel into the heart of the desert on the way from Yazd to Isfahan with an expedition to Maybod county to explore a region which was Mozaffarid dynasty capital and widely known in terms of architecture and handicrafts in north of Yazd. Our visits will include Abbasi Caravanserai where displays how travellers took rest on the way of their tours, after that we take a walk to traditional Water Reservoir which plays a vital rule to provide safe and clean water in the desert, soon after we have a glance of the Ice House which feed the county with Sufficient Ice reminded from winter to summer based on an evaporation engineering masterpiece since 1000 B.C, then we visit Narin Castle, which used to be a fortress during existence, dated back to Achaemenid era.
Our exploration continues to Naein county, where is an ancient region famous for the Qantas, handicrafts and castles, in south of Isfahan. We visit Naein Jameh Mosque which is one of the four mosques built soon after the Arabs conquest of Persia, after that we learn better about desert citizens lifestyle by surfing Desert Anthropology Museum, then we travel to Rigareh Qanat-based Water Mill to investigate how people quench their thirsty by constructing qanat underground since 1000 B.C in Persia.

Overnight Yazd, (B,L,D).

Yazd is a city which displays human adaptation to the hard nature by its unique architecture to use simple materials to build astonishing structures such as wind-catchers, Bath, mosque and houses to preserve the residents’ life in heart of desert, also Qanat construction is an ancient engineering knowledge which conveys water from natural sources to quench people and farms. The city is the home of Persian sweeties and a famous land in handicrafts especially for handwoven souvenirs, also religions diversity enlighten you about Zoroastrians, Jewish, Christians and Muslims in the city centre.
Today we begin our travel with Yazd Jameh Mosque, where the brilliance of tilling dazzle eyes next to highest minarets in Iran, depicting harmonious craft between Islamic and Persian architecture, but the Cashmere Fabric (Termeh) as the emanation of art in warp and weft of cloth is in the way to the mosque and some believe that the age of this magnificent fabric which is made of wool and silk goes back to more than 500 years ago. Some others believe that it’s come from the far lands of Cashmere. There are several types of this soft, magical cloth in Yazd, after that we walk to Fahadan area to explore brick and mud lifestyle with a particular style of construction, where customs and traditions fed the area, to reach Alexander Prison that was used to be a school, then we visit Fahadan Paint Shop to have a glance over Yazd handicrafts and purchase souvenirs, soon after we walk to Lariha House to capture a view of Yazd lifestyle in a well-decorated location with generally recognized architecture of wind-catcher plus archways, plaster-work and stained-glass window, then we visit Zoroastrians Fire Temple, which is continuously burning for around 2500 years, finally we travel to Pahlevanpour Garden that is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage because of the Persian architecture type in garden building.
Overnight Yazd, (B,L,D).

Our exploration continues to Amir Chakhmagh Complex with its gorgeous balanced submerged alcoves in the Tekyeh and historical mosque, after that tasting Ice-cream and purchasing Sweeties such as Qottab, Loz, Baklava and Yazdi Cake as souvenirs, soon after we take a walk to Water Museum to experience how people adapt themselves with the desert situation and water shortage, then we visit Khan Bath in Khan complex, where includes school and bazaar, to serve our lunch in a cosy location with Yazdi style of architecture in Shah Neshin (King Seat) and Khazineh (Water reservoir) of the bath, next in order of time we pass Yazd Saabats to explore the shaded area with distinctive architecture to feel the coolness of the atmosphere in the sunny climate of desert areas, then we experience a traditional form of athletics exercising, which was used for training soldiers for warfare in Zourkhaneh (Pahlavani Rituals). Our today tour ends with having a pleasing night is calm atmosphere around the highest wind-catcher in the world with a peculiar architecture in Dowlat Abad Garden.

Overnight Yazd, (B,L,D).

Departing Yazd we travel to Shiraz by having an expedition to Abarkooh county to wander at the 4500-year-old Cypress Tree, soon after our exploration takes us to the Global City of Wood-carvings to discover a very skilful art which is called Monabatkari or Moghaarkari by professionals who replete woods with religious design or flower motifs in their workplace, after that we keep going to Pasargadae, the ancient capital of Achaemenid, which was built under the order of Cyrus the Great with famous fourfold Persian model of the garden, to explain the nobility of the emperor and his necropolis, soon after we will have a glance to Quran Gate, which is the entrance gate of Shiraz from the north, built by Zand dynasty in reason of blessing passengers by the holiness of Quran, next to the gate is Tomb of Khwaju, who was the guru in literature, also a guide to Hafiz.
Overnight Shiraz, (B,L,D).

Achaemenian’s and Sassanian’s glories is the city of prose & poem, gardens and flowers. Historical ornaments such as Persépolis and Pasargadae is spread through the tale of the province from Achaemenid empire to Zand Dynasty, also spirituality always associates with story of the people, not only during Zoroastrianism but also at the time of Islam to the present era.
Today is devoted to Zand dynasty heritages which begins with Karim khan Citadel as a residence for Karim Khan and his family and also to be known as a military centre, the structure looks like a castle to guard the royal family and the king, soon after we take a walk to Kolah Farngi Mansion to experience the ceremonial palace of Zand Dynasty, where is a Zand legacy museum at the present, to explore the kingdom much closer, after that our visits include Vakil Historic Bath, which is an architectural masterpiece in Vakil Complex, built from gypsum, stone and brick, then keep walking to Vakil Mosque to experience royal holy place, which derives its fame from the art of architecture, calligraphy and columns engravings, as an entrance door to Vakil Bazaar, where you will be amazed by the passageways, to experience Shirazi nomads and tribes clothing and purchasing handicrafts, then our exploration continues with a gourmet taste of contrast in flavours, which make the taste of a food special. Sour Cherry Rice, a traditional Shirazi dish, is a great example of such contrast. On one hand, you can taste the sweet flavour, and on the other hand, you feel the sour taste, By exploring Vakil Complex we move to Eram Garden, the original meaning of Paradise (Pardis in Persian Language) by displaying the Persia peculiar Structure in magnificent buildings and botanical garden, finally we come back to Shiraz to catch a glimpse of Hafezieh, the mausoleum of a poet whose love stories, spiritual beliefs and sagacious poems left an untouched and legacy behind for readers to alleviate with. Hafez Ghazal by the use of eloquence inspired Persians to fall in love, be honest and worship Allah.

Overnight Shiraz, (B,L,D).

We travel outside of Shiraz to explore Persepolis, one of the three Achaemenid Empire Capitals, which is dedicated to ceremonial events to demonstrate the imperial majesty and eminence, constructed by Darius the Great. The palace with the meaning of ‘city of Persians’ is a great example of Achaemenid architectural style after that satisfy our curiosity about ancient culinary art by tasting original Shirazi food such as Kalam Polow, Ghanbari Polow, Baneh Polow and Dam Pokht to have a better taste of Persia, soon after on the way back to downtown our exploration continues with Naqsh-e Rustam, a Necropolis, where the emperors of Persian civilization are buried in rock cuts, with king’s engraved messages on rock reliefs, also the Zoroastrians sacred place “ Cube of Zoroaster ” as a spiritual monument is located next to the rock face, after that taking a short walk to Naqsh-e Rajab, an open-air archaeological archive which displays Sassanid imperial impregnable power and triumph over Roman emperor on bas-relief inscriptions, then our evening tour includes Delgosha garden that dates back to Sassanid era and rebuilt during Qajar dynasty where you can find a Persian garden full of Orange and sour orange tree with a an eye-catching mansion as a royal garden, finally we walk to Sa’diyeh, the mausoleum of a poet who nourishes you with words and wisdom to enlighten your soul. Sa’adi with his global reputation for verses about human rights left us the most valuable heritage by writing books such as GOLESTAN & BOSTAN.

Overnight Shiraz, (B,L,D).

Persia Architecture tour ends with visiting Nasir-ol-Molk, a supreme intellectual and artistic sacred place which proves no comparison with the typical mosques. Spirituality lies inside when sunshine passes through the colorful glasses of windows to Persian carpet orchards and on the firm columns inside, also you will be dazzled by the superb celling ceramic-work, soon after Further to usual monuments, soon after we reach Zinat Al-Molk House, where is a Persian style of home, to fascinate visitors by the mirror and woodwork, soon after we reach Narenjestan Garden (Narenjestan Qavam Garden), a unique model of Persian architecture which depicts most of the artistic value of the culture, not only in the garden with fountains, planting flowers and palm trees, but also with gorgeous mirror-works and European style of paintings, after that travel to the oldest mosque of Shiraz, which is built in Saffarid Dynasty and renovated during Safavid Dynasty, Atiqe Mosque is called Adineh by Shirazi people too, include eight entrance gate and Khodakhaneh (God of House) with unique architecture to amaze you, then we experience Shahcheragh, the third holiest shrine in Iran, where provides you with a very sophisticated feeling of spirituality as a reason of its brown color face which takes you out of the worldly tensions,

Overnight Shiraz, (B,L,D).

Kerman is the largest province in Iran with the most precious archaeological landscapes and legendary Persian gardens, also the city is the realm of Persian weaving such as Carpet, Terme and Pate. The city is not only famous for the widely known Lut Desert but also the pistachio nuts farms.

Departing Shiraz we travel to Kerman to visit Ganjali Khan Complex, a historical district which is built during Ganjali Khan as the governor of Kerman to devote himself to public services. The archive of the area includes mosques, bath, Bazaar and school which are attributed to the area prosperity, now it is the time to experience the blend of taste and smell sensations evoked by a flavour in the mouth in the city centre, If we could pick a taste for each city in Persia, Kerman perhaps would have had the flavour of Kolompe. Kolompeh is the special Kermani cooky inside which, is field with mashed sweet date palm.
Kolompeh, traditionally, has been made by the gracious hands of the Kermani woman, baked in the traditional ovens as one of the most popular Persian souvenirs, soon after a touch of softness and tenderness of ancient Persian art in the corners of Kermani house manifests a frame of paradise which feels like to keep a piece of heaven in your house.
Pete, as one of the famous handicrafts of Kerman province, the art of creating patterns with hairs called Ris, which are woven with woollen threads on goat wool fabrics called Ariz to keep the warmth in the heart of your home. The most popular Pate was used to cover the grave of Shah Nematullah Vali, then having an excursion to Fathabad Garden, where is a charming location to help yourself with Persian dishes especially at night, having lately come into existence by an imitation of Shahzadeh Garden during Qajar Dynasty.

Overnight Kerman, (B,L,D).

Today we travel outside of Kerman to Bam Citadel for a full day exploration, but on the way we have a glance on Shazdeh Mahan Garden, a true prototype of Persian garden with gorgeous mansion, which surrounded by trees and facing fountains, is structured in a well-situated location in terms of climate, after that taking an expedition to well-preserved Rayen Castle, one of the biggest adobe in the center of Lut desert which dented back to Sassanid era, then keep our tour to Bam Citadel, the biggest adobe structure in the world, which embraces ancient stories since more than 1000 B.C, renovated by Achaemenid empire to preserve its mysterious and magical glories. The heart of the citadel is the defensive fortress, which include residential area, buildings for lodging soldiers and governor’s residence, but Bazaar, mosque, watchtowers and gates are other significant constructions. Unfortunately, lately earthquake (2003) destroyed most part of the citadel, but early after that reconstruction has started.

Overnight Kerman, (B,L,D).