<p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Iran, the Jewel of Persia</span></b></p>
<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">April 13</span></b><b>…</b>Depart Cape Town at 1:20pmon Qatar airlines

<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">April 14</span></b>…Arrive <b>Tehran</b> via Doha at 4:25am. Greetings and transfer to the hotel

for breakfast. A short day of sightseeing starting with the Golestan Palace

(UNESCO World Heritage), and the Archeologiacl museum.

Overnight…

<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">April 15</span></b>…After breakfast a full day tour of Tehran including the Jewel

Museum where the valuable collections include the pink coloured

diamond of Dayand –ye-Noor (182 carats), and the Peacock Throne

which was built during the reign of Fathali Shah with 26,733 jewels

attached to it. Saad Abad Palace (Master Bdhzad Museum, Master

Farshchian Miniature Museum and 2 palaces).

Overnight…

<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">April 16</span></b>…After breakfast we drive to<b> Kashan. </b>We will visit the Fin Gardens

(UNESCO World Heritage, one of 9 Persian gardens)) and the traditional

Boruierdi House, and the workshop of an essence producer in Kashan.

Then we continue onto Isfahan which was a vibrant trade center on

the ancient Silk Road, It’s glorious Islamic architecture and beautiful

gardens captured the hearts of many.

Overnight Isfahan…Abassi hotel…a former Caravanserai and the world’s oldest hotel.

<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">April 17</span></b>…After breakfast a visit to Imam Square (Unesco World Heritage site)

with the Imam abd Sheikh Lotfollah Mosques, and the Ali Qapu Palace

(UNESCO World Heritage) and a visit to the bazaar.

Reminder of afternoon free.

Overnight… Abassi hotel

<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">April 18</span></b>…After breakfast we visit the Jame mosque, Chehel Sotun Palace and

the Armenian vank and the Cathedral Quarter.

Overnight… Abassi hotel

<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">April 19</span></b>…After breakfast we drive to Yazd via Naleen. En route

visit Jaame Mosque or Old caravansari, Prinia House in Nain

and Mohamadiyeh village with traditional textile weaving.

Major poets, Sufis and clergy came from this area.

Overnight Yazd…Moshir Gardens hotel

<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">April 20</span></b>…After breakfast we visit the Fire temple, Friday Mosque,

Dowlatabad Gardens with the Wind Tower (UNESCO World Heritage)

And traditional Takiyeh Amir Chaqmaq arcade.

Overnight… Moshir Gardens hotel

<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">April 21…</span></b>After breakfast we will visit the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence in Yazd.

Then we drive to Kerman, the center for carpet weaving. En-route

we will visit the Zeynodin Caravanserai in Mehriz.

Overnight… Kerman  hotel

<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">April 22</span></b>…After breakfast we have a ½ day excursion to Mahan with the sanctuary

of Sufi Shah Nematollah Vali and the Shahzaden Gardens. Return to

Kerman.

Overnight…Kerman

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>April 23</strong></span>…After breakfast we will have a full day city tour of Kerman including

Gandi Ali Khan Complex (a caravanserai, small mosque, and bathhouse museum)

and the Zorastrian Fire Temple.

Overnight Kerman

<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">April 24</span></b>…After breakfast we drive to Shiraz via Sirjan and the Sarvestan Sassanid Palace.

<b>Shiraz,</b> traditionally known as the city of Roses and Nightingales.

Overnight… Shiraz

<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">April 25</span></b>…After breakfast a visit to the magnificient <b>Persepolis</b> (Unesco World Heritage)

which is the last ultimate expression of the ancient Middle East. Nearly 2500

years ago construction for its magnificent structure was begun by Darius the Great

with the intent to make it the focus of the mighty Achemenian Empire.

Onto <b>Noghsh-e-Rostam</b> with its rock caves and reliefs, and <b>Pasargadae</b>

with Cyrus’ tomb. (UNESCO World Heritage)

Overnight… Shiraz

<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">April 26</span></b>…After breakfast a city tour with Eram Gardens, (UNESCO World Heritage)

Hafez-Mousoleum where the guide will recite poems in Persian. A visit to

the magnificient Ali ebn-e Mosque with the mosaic mirror interior.

Vakil bazaar for essences.

Free afternoon

Overnight… Shiraz

<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">April 27</span></b>… Depart for home at 6am

<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">April 27… </span></b>Arrive Cape Town 9:10pm
<p align="center">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Includes:</span></b> transfers, transport, 13 nights in hotels w/breakfast  tours, entrances, guides, tipping</p>

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<p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Excludes:</span></b> International air fare, meals, visas, travel insurance, items of a personal nature</p>
<p align="center">~~~~</p>
<p align="center">A deposit of R5,000 secures you a place on the tour.</p>

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