Persian Classic Experience: Historic Capitals

Arrival in TEHRAN. We visit the precious Archeological Section of National Museum with artifact and objects from prehistory to Islamic era. The Abgine Museum (Glass & Ceramics museum) as the next place to see is a real time travel with plates and dishes from different periods of Iran history.

In our second day in Tehran we visit the only world heritage site of the city, Golestan Palace, as well as the fascinating museums of Crown Jewels and Carpet. Golestan Palace is one of the oldest and best-known historic monuments in the Tehran (4 century old). Priceless jewels and unique carpets present you the luxury and delicacy of Persian royal households and artistic genius of its people.

Right After having breakfast, we drive to HAMADAN, the ancient capital of Medians (7th century BCE). In the afternoon, we visit the unearthed remains of ancient Ecbatana, Alavian Tomb Tower, and Tomb of Avicenna, the author of “Canon of Medicine” the most famous book in the Medicine world, as well as 2500 year old inscription of Ganjnameh.

In the morning, we leave Hamadan towards KERMANSHAH, a large Kurdish city. En route we visit Anahita Temple in city of KANGAVAR. We drive on to visit Bisotun and Taq-e Bostan. The former, a world heritage site, is a highly significant historical bas-relief and inscription displaying and recounting how Darius the Great (526 BCE) crushed his enemies; The latter belongs to the second major Persian Empire, the Sassanids (224-651 CE), the main rival of Romans in the East.

In the morning we drive to city of AHVAZ over and across the Zagros Mountains down to the lowlands of Khuzestan Province, the cradle of civilization in Iran, the birthplace of Elamites (2800-500 BCE). En route to Ahvaz, the current capital city of Khuzestan, we stop to visit Falak-ol-Aflak Castle, a gigantic structure built by the Sassanids in the city of KHORAMABAD in LORESTAN Province. Then, we continue driving through POL DOKHTAR where we will visit a third century bridge of the same name.Then, we drive on to Ahvaz.

Today, we have an excursion, archeological in nature! First, we visit Haft Tepe, the remains of an ancient Elamite city.Then, we visit the remains of SUSA, the capital city of the Elamite, a world heritage site. Choqa Zanbil located close to Susa is the crown jewel of the region: a huge temple over 3000 years old and a world heritage site. On our return route to Ahvaz we pass through the SHUSHTAR which houses an amazing Hydraulic System, a world heritage site, whose construction dates back to Sassanid period.

In the morning, we drive to SHIRAZ, the pride of Persia, the capital of Zand dynasty.The route from Ahvaz to Shiraz is long but worth taking. We have two stops on our way to Shiraz: the remains of ancient City of BISHAPUR and the bas-reliefs of Tang-e Chogan (meaning The Valley of Polo where Royal Sassanids used to play polo) where like Taq-e Bostan in Kermanshah you can see the carved images of Sassanid kings.

Today, we have the opportunity to see the highlights of Shiraz ranging from colorful mosques to the beautiful gardens and charming mausoleums: Marvelous Mosque of Nasir al-Mulk; Arg-e Karim Khan, an 18th century citadel; Pars Museum, the burial place of Karim Khan Zand, the founder of Zand dynasty; Vakil Complex with its bazaar, mosque and hammam; Eram Garden, an exemplary Persian Garden and a world heritage site; and the tombs of Sa’di and Hafez, the two greatest Persian poets.

We drive to ISFAHAN, the Islamic city of art and architecture. Before getting to Isfahan we have two must-see attractions of Iranand world heritage sites, to see. The remains of Persepolis, the glory of Achaemenid Empire and their ceremonial capital city; and Pasargadae, the first Persian capital city, where Cyrus the Great, the founder of Achaemenid Empire is buried. Naqsh-e Rostam where the tombs of four Achaemenid emperors have been cut into the cliff and Naqsh-e Rajab the Sassanid bas-relief are two other sights on our way.

Now, we are in the capital city of Safavid dynasty where the third major Persian Empire rose into fame in 17th century. Our first day in Isfahan is all spent in Naqsh-e Jahan Square, a world heritage site bordered on three sides by stunning mosques of Abbasi and Sheikh Lotfolla and beautiful palace pavilion of Ali Qapu. These monumental buildings are linked by a series of two-story arcades called Qeysarieh Bazaar where we can find best local handicrafts. A few minutes to the left of the Square we have Chehel Sotoun Palace to visit, another world heritage site. Here, we have art, architecture, spirituality, luxury, commerce and social life all together.

After breakfast we go to see the Vank Cathedral in Armenian Quarter. The displaced Armenians of 17th century built this cathedral and decorated it with wonderful frescos and donated valuable objects currently kept in cathedral’s museum. We also have a great 12th century mosque to see, the Jame Mosque of Isfahan. It is a world heritage site telling us about the evolution of mosque construction. In the evening, we can enjoy the social life of Isfahan while walking over and along the historical bridges of Si-o Se Pol and Khaju.

Today, we end our journey through historical capitals of Iran and finish our trip right where we began,Tehran. To get to Tehran, we pass through the village of ABYANEH, an ancient village with unique culture, and then KASHAN, a beautiful oasis in the middle of desert. Here, we visit two old houses of Tabatabai and Broujerdi; Sialk Tepe, an archeological site of a 5000 year old ziggurat; and Fin Garden, a world heritage site. The last stop is Imam Khomeini Mausoleum near Tehran. Fly back home!