Exclusive Iran Overland Journey for Residents & Guests of The World Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days Start: Dubai (12 October 2016) Finish: Doha (19 October 2016) Price From: USD$6,995 per person (Double Occupancy) USD$7,795 per person (Single Occupancy) 1-800-387-1147 www.butterfield.com
Your Journey My expectations are shattered immediately upon disembarking the plane and entering the airport. The immigration officer barely looks at my passport, passes a cursory glance over my hard earned visa, smiles at me and says welcome to Iran, have a wonderful trip. And I do. Long a pariah to the west, where we regard the Islamic Republic with mistrust and fear, relations are finally evolving. Recently, the U.S. and Iran have been reaching out for closer ties. Progress is slow and fraught with ego, tension and self interest, thanks to the politics. Then, there are the people, proud of their country, which stretches from the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea. They are unfailingly polite, welcoming, friendly and genuinely interested in visitors. Most smile and nod a welcome, those with a few words of English ask where you re from, thank you for visiting and ask for your impressions of Iran and its people. It is in the evening that I feel closest to Iran and its people. After the heat of the day passes, and the cool breeze begins to blow, I head to the square in Isfahan, the holy shrine in Shiraz, or walk the narrow streets of the old town in Yazd. Seasoned picnic-ers, Iranian families flock to the public areas to indulge in enormous feasts spread out on blankets and folding tables. The elderly relax in lawn chairs while the young play soccer or volleyball and eat saffron ice cream. In the distance, the muezzin calls from the mosques, but food, family and conviviality seem to win out, despite the influences of the Islamic State. Often, I m invited to sit and share a snack, or enjoy a cup of tea, to tell a little about myself or my travels and listen to the stories of their lives. In the background, softly illuminated, incomparably elegant and achingly beautiful are the minarets and domes of the mosques, the soaring hallways of the bazaars and the water gardens and fountains representing heaven in Islamic architecture. Further beyond lie the mountains and deserts of Persia, beckoning for more exploration and discovery. Notes from the road provided by Tom Abraham, B&R s trip planner for this exclusive Overland Journey for Residents and Guests of The World. Born and raised in British Columbia, Tom has explored virtually all of the world s wide-open spaces, from BC to Belize, Baja, Bhutan and beyond. An expert adventurer and citizen of the world, Tom specializes in fully immersing himself and his travellers in whatever corner of the globe they happen to find themselves.
October 12 To Tehran Your guides will meet at the Ship in Dubai to escort you to the airport in time for your mid afternoon to Tehran International Airport. After a 45 minute transfer, you ll arrive at your hotel, ideally located near one of Tehran s main shopping streets, close to museums and at the foot of the Alborz Mountains. Settle into your new home for the night before taking a short drive to Darband, a district at the foot of the mountains in the north end of Tehran. Beautifully lit in the evening, Darband is a favorite local hangout for an evening meal. The trailhead to the mountains behind Tehran start here and are perfect for anyone interested in a short walk before dinner. You ll return to the hotel at 22:00 to rest up for the following day. HOTEL Parsian Azadi, Tehran The Azadi Hotel, recently renovated, lies in the North of Tehran at the foot of the Alborz Mountains. The hotel is large, modern and well appointed with a pool, gym and spa. October 13-14 Tehran and Shiraz After breakfast at the hotel you ll begin a tour of Tehran with a visit to Golestan palace and museum complex - the former residence of the 19 th to early 20 th century Qajar Kings of Iran. Visit several palaces/museums including the Marble Throne Room, the Shams-ol-Emareh (Sun) Palace, the Emarat-e-Badgir (Wind-Catcher Building), and finish with a short walk around the garden. If time permits, visit what is potentially Iran s most important museum, that of Archaeology. Lunch today will be at a local outdoor restaurant housed on the grounds of the International Film School, after which you ll transfer to Tehran s domestic airport for our flight to Shiraz. Upon arrival in Shiraz
around 18:00, transfer to the hotel and have dinner shortly afterwards. This evening you ll visit the Shah-e-Cheragh Holy Shrine. Surrounded by a large plaza and fountains, decorated with amazing mirrorwork and beautifully illuminated, the shrine is an exceptional experience! You ll be back in your hotel by 22:30. Start this morning off early with breakfast at 7:30. Your first visit will be the Pink Mosque, a private mosque of a wealthy Shirazi family, which they have generously opened to visitors. It is not a large building but its form and decorations are exquisite and it is well worth a visit. Afterwards, you ll visit a charity organization that teaches women who are widowed, single or whose husbands have been incarcerated to make traditional handicrafts such as carpets, carvings and other items. You ll have the opportunity to chat with the ladies and learn about carpet making first-hand. After, continue to the tomb of the 14 th century poet Hafez (the name is given to someone who has memorized the Quran), who wrote of love and wine, but also criticized religious hypocrisy and political machinations in his work. His collected works are regarded as a pinnacle of Persian literature and are to be found in the homes of most Iranians, who learn his poems by heart and still use them as proverbs and sayings. His tomb is placed in the center of a beautiful garden of tall pines and waterways, and is a relaxing, poignant homage to the man himself. This afternoon you ll return to the hotel for lunch before transferring approximately one hour to the Necropolis and Persepolis, two of ancient Persia s most famous sites. Persepolis is the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings with remains of the palaces of Darius the Great, Xerxes and Artaxerxes. It is known for its famous bas-reliefs, depicting kings, courtiers and gift-bearing representatives of 28 tributary nations of the Persian Empire. You will visit Necropolis, sometimes known as Naghsh-e-Rostam to see the fire temple/sanctuary and Royal Tombs, as well as Achaemenid, and seven magnificent Sassanian rock-reliefs. Dinner will be back at the hotel this evening. HOTEL Shiraz Grand, Shiraz A large 5 star hotel located in the holy Quran Gate neighborhood. This hotel is well appointed with a spa, indoor pool, hammam and fitness center. The hotel has a very distinctive style and almost resembles a ship emerging from it s rocky surrounds!
October 15-17 Isfahan Begin the day with a long drive from Shiraz to Isfahan. Total driving time is roughly 7 hours, so you ll get an early start and plan to take several stops. The route takes us through some of the highest mountains of Iran, in an area that often receives winter rain storms from the Persian Gulf. There are a few small glaciers remaining in the highest peaks, and the landscape is lush and fertile in comparison to the rest of the arid interior of the country. You ll Stop in Yasuj for lunch and enjoy a country walk for an hour before continuing to Isfahan. Arrive in the late afternoon and relax for an hour before enjoying an al fresco dinner in the courtyard of your downtown hotel. After breakfast discover the central square in Isfahan and visit the exquisite Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, one of the architectural masterpieces of the Safavid era, as well as the enormous Blue Mosque and Ali Qapu - the Grand Palace of Isfahan. Connected by gardens, pavilions and the bazaar, the square forms the heart of Isfahan, and it is always incredibly beautiful and entertaining. Enjoy lunch in a casual restaurant overlooking one of the small side entrances of the square. This afternoon, walk along the river through a series of parks and greenspaces, past several bridges linking the north and south of the city. The most beautiful of these (and popular with the locals as a place to relax, or sing, enjoying the acoustics of the covered area) is the Khaju Bridge. You ll walk for about an hour back to the hotel to rest and enjoy the property. After, return to the square to experience it at night, when all the Iranian families come out for picnic style dinners, to play soccer in the fields, take a carriage ride around the perimeter or just generally enjoy themselves. Walk through the bazaar, searching for exotic spices, pistachios, pecans, glassware, carpets, gold, silk and so much more! This evening, return to the hotel s rooftop restaurant for a light dinner (weather permitting). Take advantage of some free time this morning to relax at the hotel, visit one of Isfahan s excellent carpet shops to look at the finest Persian rugs, or visit Isfahan s oldest and most historically interesting Friday Mosque. Friday Mosque is considered a museum of a thousand years of Persian religious architecture and is truly one of the world s greatest mosques. In the afternoon, drive to the Hasht Behesht Garden for a short walk among the flowers, trees and waterways, before heading to the Armenian quarter. New Julfa was established in 1606 as an Armenian quarter by edict of Shah Abbas from the Safavid Dynasty. Over 150,000 Armenians were moved there. The Armenians came to Iran fleeing the Ottoman Empire s persecution. Historical accounts agree that, as the residents of Julfa were famous for their silk trade, Shah Abbas treated the population well and hoped that their resettlement in Isfahan would be beneficial to Iran. You ll have the opportunity to visit the church and the tidy, charming neighborhood before heading to dinner at a pleasant local Armenian restaurant before returning to your hotel.
HOTEL Abassi Hotel / Isfahan Isfahan Abbasi Hotel is known as the oldest hotel in the world. It is one of the largest hotels in Iran and Isfahan. Originally built in the 12 th century as a small bazaar and caravanserai, it can be called a museum stylistically and architecturally. The garden restaurant of Isfahan Abbasi hotel is the most beautiful in Iran and Shah Abbas Hotel is considered the best hotel in Isfahan. October 18 To Tehran International Airport Begin the long journey to Tehran this morning. As it is a six and a half hour drive, you ll make a few stops along the way. First, pass by Natanz, the most important site of Iran s nuclear enrichment program. Then, continue to Abyaneh, one of Iran s most beautiful and oldest mountain villages. Characterized by a peculiar reddish hue, the village is exceptionally scenic. Older Abyanaki women typically wear a long white scarf with a colourful pattern and a long skirt. The dialect of the people of Abyaneh has preserved many characteristics of the middle Persian language, a remnant of the Sassanian era, and it is unintelligible to Iranians from the rest of the country. Take a walk through the village and the oasis of fruit trees and gardens nurtured by mountain springs. Afterwards, have lunch at the main hotel in town where the owner is a locally renowned chef. Later, continue to Kashan centered in one of the driest deserts in Iran and visit a traditional Persian garden filled with shade trees, flowers, water channels and fountains. Fed by a rushing mountain spring, the garden is famous throughout Iran, and makes a lovely place to stop and stretch. In the evening you ll arrive at the Tehran Airport Novotel hotel to enjoy a final night dinner. The terminal is across the street from the hotel making it a convenient stage for your very early flight to Doha the next morning.
HOTEL Novotel Airport Hotel / Tehran international Airport Novotel welcomes you with 5-star hospitality. Opposite the main terminal of Imam Khomeini International Airport, this elegant hotel is ideally appointed. Refuel and refresh with 24-hour room service, all-day dining in the lobby restaurant, fitness center and swimming pools, and stay connected from your air-conditioned room with complimentary WiFi. October 19 Back to the World Embark on an early flight this morning to Doha where you ll be met upon arrival and transferred back to the Ship.
The Details PRICE: USD$6,995 per person (Double Occupancy) USD$7,795 per person (Single Occupancy) DURATION: 8 days / 7 nights Start: 12 October 2016, The Ship, Dubai Finish: 19 October 2016, The Ship, Doha READY TO BOOK? Please consult The World Concierge Travel Coordinator at +1 305 622 6805 ext. 2212, or via email at: travel@theworld.cc WHAT S INCLUDED All hotel accommodation Meals as indicated Services of B&R guide(s), vehicle and a national guide. (Groups of ten travelers or more will have two B&R guides and one national guide. Groups of nine and under will have one of each.) All special events and private tours All transportation from rendezvous to drop-off Flights from Dubai to Tehran and Tehran to Doha (USD$900 in cost) All baggage transportation All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service Assistance with securing a visa WHAT S NOT INCLUDED International flights (other than those mentioned in inclusions) Cancellation insurance Items of a personal nature Gratuity for your B&R guide(s) Please note that your final itinerary may vary slightly from this one as we continuously research and develop each trip, customizing your experience to match your interests and tastes. Inclement weather though we d like to think there won t be any may also necessitate minor alterations. 2013 Butterfield & Robinson Inc. 1-800-387-1147 www.butterfield.com page 8