11-Day Persia Historical Towns Tour with Persepolis and Isfahan

Visit the Sa'dabad Complex, with 18 remarkable palaces, two of which we will visit. Built by the Pahlavi Dynasty, this magnificent complex houses several museums devoted to various subjects, such as miniature paintings and royal automobiles.

Next, see the Treasury of the National Jewelry Museum, if possible, which holds one of the world's most stunning jewellery collections.

Also, visit the Azadi Tower, the country's national symbol. We will end our tour by visiting Tabiat Bridge, Iran's most extensive pedestrian overpass.

Today's sightseeing tour of the capital of Iran will begin with the Tajrish Bazaar, the largest covered bazaar in Tehran, and continue with the glorious Golestan Palace.

Have a look at the Milad Tower.

Flight to Shiraz in the late evening.

We take a glance at the Nasir Almolk Mosque.

Next, we will see one of the most appealing gardens of Iran, Eram Garden, and the tomb of one of the most revered Iranian poets, Hafez.

We will also visit the Zandieh Complex, including the citadel, the great Vakil Mosque, Saray-e-Moshir, and Vakil Bazaar, with its marvellous architecture.

The tour ends with a visit to the Quran Gate, if there is still time.

Today, we go on a full-day excursion to see several remarkable places near Shiraz, including the UNESCO World Heritage site of Persepolis, a testimony to the greatness of ancient Persian culture and civilization built by Darius I the Great.

Next, we'll look at Naqsh-e Rustam, where you can visit several rock-cut tombs belonging to the Achaemenid kings.

We will end our tour by visiting the ancient capital of the Achaemenid Empire, Pasargadae, which holds the Tomb of Cyrus the Great.

Leaving Shiraz in the morning, we will drive to Yazd (490 km), visiting Abar Kouh and Zein-o-Din Caravanserai on the way.

We then visit Abar Kouh, an ancient city with impressive desert architecture and several historical sites. The 4500-year-old cypress tree is also seen, a trace of eternity.

Afterwards, we'll take a look at the Zein-o-Din Caravanserai, a Safavid structure rooted in the heart of the desert.

We will arrive in Yazd in the evening.

The full-day city tour of Yazd will start in the morning with a visit to the Towers of Silence, used by Zoroastrians for the ritual of death in the past.

We then glance at the daily activity at the Zoroastrian Fire Temple, an impressive place with a peaceful spirituality.

Next, we will visit the Water Museum and Amir Chakhmagh Square.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Jaam'e Mosque, with a couple of minarets among the highest in Iran.

We will end our tour by visiting Alexander Prison and Zour Khaneh, the traditional Iranian gymnasium.

Today, we are driving to Isfahan (280 km). We will make a few stops on the way to visit Chak Chak, the impressive Zoroastrian Pantheon, the old Caravanserai, the Ice House, one of the most ancient monuments in Meybod used to store ice during the year, and the Pigeon Tower, an eco-friendly structure artistically built with mud bricks.

Next, we can glance at the Jame Mosque, a magnificent sample of Islamic Persian architecture in Nain.

After we arrive in Isfahan, we'll stroll by the river and visit the historical bridges.

Our full-day tour in Isfahan includes visiting some UNESCO World Heritage sites: the massive Naqshe-Jahan Square, the particularly exquisite Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, the Imam Mosque, the elaborately decorated Ali Qapu Palace, and the famous Bazaar, where you have an opportunity to see arts and crafts products.

We also look at the Chehel Sotoun Palace and Garden, the best sample of Islamic Persian painting. The style of life delineated in these paintings is distinctive from the genuine state of society in that period.

The last day in Isfahan is dedicated to visiting the Jame Mosque and the Vank Cathedral. Regarded as a masterpiece of Iranian architecture built step by step during 12 centuries, the magnificent and splendid appearance of this historical monument is mainly because of the beauty of its calligraphic inscriptions and seven-colour mosaic tiles. The delightful Vank Cathedral is a Safavid monument where you can see the synthesis of Islamic architecture and Christian themes.

In the afternoon, we will drive to Kashan, visiting the eye-catching village of Abyaneh on the way.

Today is dedicated to a half-day tour of Kashan before leaving the city for Tehran. The contrast between the scorched deserts and the immense greenery of Kashan is remarkable.

Our city tour starts with a visit to some impressive houses - Borujerdis House, Ameri House, and Abbasid House - built in the traditional Persian style.

Next, we can look at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Fin Garden and the historical Mosque of Agha Bozorg.

We then leave the city for Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport, arriving in the evening.

Fly back home.