Jetsettersblog

JUMEIRAH GIVES UAE RESIDENTSREASON TO CELEBRATE

To mark the 37th anniversary of the United Arab Emirates, Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding, will join in the national celebrations and acknowledge the spirit of the UAE and its residents by launching a special rate.

The rate will offer UAE citizens and residence visa holders 15% off the best available room rate. The rate will be available starting December 2nd to UAE citizens and residence visa holders in any Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts in the United Arab Emirates.

Reservations can only be made by calling the Jumeirah central reservation toll free number on 800 58634724

.This offer is valid until April 17th 2009.

Guests will be asked to present a UAE passport or passport with a valid UAE residence visa upon check in.

The second spa for the world’s leading skin and beauty care brand, NIVEA Haus, officially opened its doors this month at the new Dubai Mall.

AMMAN, JORDAN, — The unique store concept, pioneered by NIVEA in Germany in 2006, offers expert pampering experiences using NIVEA’s extensive range of hair, skin, body care and cosmetic products. Services include a full range of spa treatments, beauty therapy as well as hairstyling. The state-of-the-art 5,000 square feet store allows customers to enjoy a retail advice centre, separate ladies and gents grooming lounges as well as private treatment cabins.

Robert Taylor-Hughes, Managing Director of Beiersdorf Middle East and project owner stated: “The NIVEA Haus Dubai concept represents one of the many pioneering expansion initiatives that we have launched this year. Through this spa facility, we hope to engage our customers in a different way, and let them experience the full and diverse range of NIVEA’s product line. It’s exciting considering the wellness industry offers tough competition in this market, but we have industry leading products and a world class location, so we are in no doubt about achieving ‘best in class’ in the day spa industry.”

The first NIVEA Haus was set up in Hamburg to astounding success leading the global skin care and beauty brand to consider the establishment of a second outlet in Dubai as a licensed venture between Beiersdorf Middle East and the local UAE partners, NMC.

The Store Manager is provided by Beiersdorf Middle East along with the necessary training required in order to offer perfect service at all levels. Sallyann Simmons, formerly with Clarins Technical Training, has been appointed to fulfil this important role.

NIVEA HAUS Dubai is located on the first floor of Dubai’s newest landmark, The Dubai Mall, directly above the grand entrance forming part of the dedicated beauty zone.

YEMEN PREPARES FOR A VERY HAPPY YEAR

The number of UK operators to Yemen looks set to triple in 2009

Yemen’s delegation to London’s World Travel Market was busy this year. Including the six tour operators already offering trips to Yemen, there are now twenty British companies planning programmes for 2009 and Yemeni operators will be hosting a series of study tours in January and February next year.

Other European tour operators from new markets in Scandinavia and Central and Eastern Europe are also keen to develop programmes and are not restricted by their governments’ official travel advisories, unlike in the UK, where the Travel Advice for Yemen is described by the British-Yemeni Society’s tour director Alan D’Arcy as “overcautious”. Such advice however is becoming less of an issue for experienced British operators. Yemen’s UK representative Dunira Strategy has negotiated special insurance cover with one of the UK’s top travel insurers for clients of British and Irish companies that are willing to travel to destinations currently proscribed by the Foreign Office.

Said Dunira’s managing director Benjamin Carey: “I personally agree with the Foreign Office that visitors should steer clear of places like Marib and Saada, but advising against ‘all but essential travel to Sana’a’ undermines its credibility. I was there last month and several friends are there at the moment. They tell me that the scenery is as sensational as ever and the legendary hospitality remains real!”

Tour operators were interested in a number of opportunities, typically involving a 10 or 11 night itinerary that includes 2 or 3 nights in the extraordinary Old City of Sana’a, which has more than 6,000 houses dating from before the 11th Century, followed by visits to two or three other gateway destinations, such as Aden, which is full of British colonial history, Shibam, the ‘Manhattan of the Desert’ with its 16th Century mudbrick skycrapers that literally rise out of the sand, and Zabid, which is an archaeologist’s paradise.

Alternative or add-on options would include 7 nights on Socotra, Yemen’s fourth and most recent UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is known as the ‘Galapagos of the Indian Ocean’, or dive sites along the mainland or on one of the country’s more than 200 islands. Said Dunira’s programme director and divemaster Christopher Imbsen: “Diving in Yemen is full of opportunities for adventurous dive operators wanting to expand their operations. Not only are there many islands, both explored and unexplored, in the Red Sea, but there is also the near mythical destination of Socotra in the Gulf of Aden. All the dive sites enjoy a profusion of tropical marine life and, with so few other visitors, you won’t have anyone else’s fins in your face in these waters!”

Another opportunity is language learning at one of Yemen’s leading institutes, since Yemeni Arabic is widely considered the purest and most beautiful in the world. Tim Mackintosh-Smith, author of Yemen: Travels in Dictionary Land and who, when learning Arabic in the 1990s had to persuade his own tutor of the merits of Yemen, commented: “Yemen is the best place on Earth for learning Arabic, especially in such a fascinating and inspiring setting as Sana’a”. Arabic students that are also fans of Paul Torday’s fantastic Salmon Fishing in the Yemen will be pleased to know that they will be able to practice their language skills by reading Abdulaziz Al-Maqalih’s magnificent translation, which was launched at the Sana’a Book Fair this October.

Yemen’s Minister of Tourism His Excellency Nabil Al-Faqih was delighted with the response from British tour operators and journalists and looks forward to seeing many more British visitors enjoy the tremendous climate and enduring hospitality of Yemen, which was known by the Romans as Arabia Felix.

The YTPB’s UK representative Benjamin Carey, who was there in October, added: “To see so few tourists in such an incredibly beautiful, welcoming and unique country was surprising. I felt entirely safe and am convinced that Yemen has what it takes to be a leading tourism destination of the future. There is now a real chance to support the growth of tourism in Yemen as a tool of economic development and encourage British visitors to contribute to Yemen’s development by going to enjoy Yemen’s magnificent cultural and natural heritage.”

Dunira is organising a programme of press trips and study tours and can support UK and Irish operators by arranging specially discounted rates and extended release periods on flights from the UK with Yemenia, enhanced baggage allowances on domestic flights in Yemen with Felix Airways and specialist insurance products for tour operators.

Yemen has retained its identity in the face of globalisation and with an incredible range of cultural and natural treasures this unique destination offers an exceptionally diverse holiday for the discerning, responsible traveller.

Explore some of the world’s great artistic centres with Cox & kings’ expert-led art treasures tours.

Cox & Kings has launched its new Art Treasures brochure for 2009, featuring special arts tours to some of the world’s most important centres for music, art and architecture. Each tour is accompanied by an experienced lecturer who will develop the visitors’ understanding and appreciation of the destinations visited through a series of formal and informal talks.

The company’s collection of 20 Art Treasures tours covers destinations as diverse as Berlin, Bulgaria, Libya, Iran, Albania, Uzbekistan, Russia and Cambodia.

CHINA: THE THREE CAPITALS with Lars Tharp
21 March – 2 April from £3,095
The Three Capitals’ route covers major themes of Chinese history and legend, including the early Ming capital shift from Nanjing to Beijing, the epic struggles of the 19th century and China’s emergence into the 20th century. Continue to Taiwan to see the Imperial collections taken from Beijing’s Forbidden City by Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist army, now forming the core of Taipei’s National Palace Museum.

The tour will be led by historian and archaeologist Lars Tharp of the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, previously a director and auctioneer at Sothebys who specialised in European ceramics, Chinese ceramics and Oriental works of art.

SYRIA: ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS with Chris Bradley
20 – 28 November 2009 from £1,575
This tour offers an insight into Syria’s fascinating history, which has been influenced by the many civilisations that have held sway in this region. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, early Christians, Crusaders and Arabs have all left their mark here with temples, arcades, churches, castles and mosques.

Chris Bradley has been a professional tour guide and lecturer for 30 years specialising in the history and culture of the Middle East and North Africa. He has written guidebooks to Libya, Yemen, the Red Sea, Cairo and Jordan.

TREASURES OF HISTORIC PERSIA with Graham Greenfield
3 – 16 October 2009 from £2,425
Iran has a length of history virtually unequalled by any other country, and this tour will look at the monuments of its greatest ages. From the ruins of Persepolis to the arrival of Islam under its different rulers and the Qajars of the 19th century: all left buildings and arts of great beauty.

Graham Greenfield studied Architecture and then Fine Art, and has works in the Tate Gallery and regional museums. He has travelled extensively in the Middle East and Central Asia and lectures at the Tate, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Royal Academy of Arts.

HALLE & HANDEL with Daniel Snowman
8 – 12 June 2009 from £1,125
2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the death of George Frederic Handel, the most celebrated composer of Italian opera of his day. Handel is also known for writing the most famous of all oratorios, Messiah (1741), and occasional pieces such as Water Music (1717) and Music for the Royal Fireworks (1749). This tour celebrates the great composer with a visit to his place of birth, Halle. The annual Handel festival will take on special significance in 2009 and the tour will include two festival concerts.

Daniel Snowman is a writer, lecturer and broadcaster whose books include close up portraits of the Amadeus Quartet and Placido Domingo, and a study of the cultural impact of the ‘Hitler Emigres’. His book on the social and cultural history of opera will be published in autumn 2009.

A VIENNESE CHRISTMAS with Elizabeth Gordon
21 – 27 December 2009 from £1,995
Vienna is a perfect place to celebrate Christmas, and this tour combines the most important sites of the city with day excursions to the Alps, the Vienna Woods and along the Danube Valley. Vienna is home to sumptuous Baroque palaces such as Schönbrunn, the Belvedere and Palais Schwarzenberg as well as elegant and innovatory Secessionist buildings of Art Nouveau.

Elizabeth Gordon lectures in Art History in both the UK and the US and has accompanied many art and music tours in Europe.

ATHENS & ISTANBUL: THE GLORY OF BYZANTIUM with Eileen Rubery
18 – 25 May 2009 from £2,275
This tour explores the religious and secular aspects of Byzantine art, also considering how earlier classical heritage influenced Byzantium, which itself then influenced Islamic culture. See museums crammed with jewellery, icons, silk, mosaics and manuscripts; monasteries decorated with golden mosaic narrative cycles and images of Christ and the Virgin Mary, and the stunning church of Hagia Sofia in Istanbul.

Dr Eileen Rubery researches and lectures on Early Christian and Byzantine art and is a part time tutor at Cambridge and Oxford Universities Institute of Continuing Education.

BERLIN: THE FALL OF THE WALL with Sir Christopher Mallaby
7 – 11 November from £1,245
The fall of the Berlin Wall on 9th November 1989 will always be remembered as a symbol for the end of the cold war. Exactly 20 years later, this tour includes many of the sights associated with this historic event, and includes opportunities to visit many of the city’s great museums.

Christopher Mallaby was a British diplomat from 1959 to 1996. He worked at the British Embassy in Moscow and Bonn, as well as the British Mission in West Berlin, and was the British Ambassador to Germany at the time the wall came down.

 The Rezidor Hotel Group announces the luxurious The Regent Doha in Qatar, and hereby adds the 55th country to its portfolio of hotels in operation and under development across EMEA. The Regent Doha will feature 365 rooms and is scheduled to welcome the first guests in Q1 2013. “We are delighted to further grow our most exclusive brand, and to have two spectacular Regent hotels under development in the Middle East – during the second quarter of 2011 we will open The Regent Abu Dhabi”, said Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor.

Qatar is an independent state, surrounded by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iran and the United Arab Emirates and has an area of more than 11,400 square kilometres. It is one of the richest countries in the world due to the substantial increase in oil prices and the growing exports of natural gas and hydrocarbons. Doha is its capital with a population of about 360,000 inhabitants. It is Qatar’s largest city, with over 80% of the nation’s population residing in Doha or its surrounding suburbs, and is also the economic centre of the country.

The Regent Doha will be located in the Bin Mahmoud district of Doha, 2.8 kilometres from the sea and 6 kilometres from Doha International Airport. Besides 365 outstanding rooms including 5 exclusive bungalows, the property will offer 2 bars, an all day restaurant, 2 specialty restaurants, a pool café, and an executive lounge. The world class meeting facilities will include a ballroom, a business centre, several meeting rooms and boardrooms. The Regent Doha will also offer a truly luxurious Spa facility equipped with steam bath, massage and treatment rooms. Further services will include a gymnasium, squash courts, a games & recreation area, and an indoor swimming pool.

In Qatar, much of the country’s new found wealth is being invested in tourism and real estate. Some of the main tourism-related projects under development are the Exhibition Centre at the Education City; the Pearl Qatar project located on a 400-hectare man-made island east of the West Bay shoreline and including residential, leisure and retail components; the Lusail mixed-use development; and the Bahrain-Qatar Causeway which will be the world’s longest fixed connection linking the west and east coast of Qatar.

 Caravan-Serai unveiled its tours of the Middle East for 2009. Once again, a tour of Yemen will start the year off, visiting the UNESCO World Heritage city of Sana’a, Shibam and Taiz. This tour has an optional excursion to Socotra Island where you can see plants and animals that can only be found there, such as the Dragon Blood Tree. Tour price starts at $2,749 per person, double occupancy, land only.

 The Socotra Excursion features a deluxe tour of Jordan and Egypt, Feb. 13 to 28, 2009. Highlights include visits to Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, Cair, Aswan, Luxor and Karnak, as well as the Valley of the Kings. Levantine Adventure Tour, March 8 to 22, 2009, includes visits to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, and several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Follow the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia, stand where Moses stood to see the Promised Land, visit the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world and visit one of the largest and best preserved Roman temples around. Prices start at $3,640 per person, double occupancy. Syria & Eastern Turkey, April 13 to 30, 2009, includes the sights of Syria, the Cradle of Civilization, from Damascus to Palmyra, to Aleppo and points in between.

 Continue on to Eastern Turkey where you will explore ancient sights nestled among the spectacular mountains, lakes and rivers, and high plateaus. We start on the coast of the Black Sea and work our way up to the higher plateaus, and along the way see history from pre- and post-Roman times, the Byzantines, and the influences of the Russians and Armenians. We will fly to Istanbul to spend our last few days of the tour exploring this vibrant and amazing city. Tour prices start at $3,970 per person, double occupancy, land only.

Other tours include Iran: Passage Through Persia, May 7 to 21, 2009, with prices starting at $3,185 per person, double occupancy, land only; Jordan and Syria, May 18 to June 2, 2009, with prices starting at $3,998 per person, double occupancy, land only; Jordan and Israel, Sept. 22 to Oct. 5, 2009, with prices starting at $3,680 per person, double occupancy, land only; and Iran: Susa Tour, Oct. 17 to Nov. 1, 2009, with prices starting at $3,845 per person, double occupancy, land only.

Caravan-Serai posts a blog at caravan-serai.blogspot.com about past tours, happenings, observations and feedback.

 For information, call 800-451-8097, email info@caravan-serai.com or visit www.caravan-serai.com

Abu Dhabi, UAE,: Operators of larger bodied, longer range jets in the Middle Eastern private aviation charter market will be better able to ride out the worldwide economic downturn, says Shane O’Hare, President and CEO of Royal Jet – the Abu Dhabi-headquartered international luxury executive flight services company, chaired by H.E. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan.

Talking to delegates at the Middle East Business Aviation event at Dubai Airport (November 16-18), O’Hare said that whilst airlines around the world were looking to cut back during this period of economic uncertainty, Royal Jet was about to embark on a period of significant growth.

“The very fact that the amount of exhibitors at MEBA has grown this year by 175 per cent to 244 from 30 countries, whilst 2,700 visitors have pre-registered to attend the show, demonstrates that there is still strong interest overall in the Middle Eastern market. We intend to take advantage of our proven track record by forging ahead with our plans to open more bases in the Middle East, and at the same time increase our portfolio of managed aircraft” he said.

“This will be done through a mix of our own investment and strategic partnerships and I would certainly not rule out markets further afield figuring in these plans.

I will be announcing details in the weeks ahead and am certain that these developments will further enhance Royal Jet’s position as the leading private jet operator in the Middle East.

“At Royal Jet we have in the main been unaffected by the current conditions, as our strategy has been one of diversification into a number of different service offerings which has protected us from the worst of the economic turbulence” he told them. “Royal Jet is still on target to meet all its business milestones.

 “We have always concentrated on higher net worth individuals who in the main require VIP and super mid-sized aircraft such as Boeing Business Jets and the higher end Gulfstreams, for which we continue to see constant demand.

“Indeed, brokers are telling us that there remains a shortage of aircraft available for charter that are capable of flying more than 20 people, and that we - with our fleet of five Boeing Business Jets, which is the largest such fleet in the world - are ideally suited to picking up much more business,” he added.

“At the same time, it is clear that the largest demand from the Middle East for VIP charters is from the GCC and at Royal Jet we are therefore ideally placed to service this growing market. We are growing our operations in these markets with a bigger local presence to ensure we are regarded as a highly localised operator.

“The market for smaller jets is still substantial.” O’Hare told his audience. “However the economic downturn across the globe that we have recently been witnessing means that many corporates are rethinking their expenditure in a number of different areas. This is part and parcel of any cyclical market where overheating is then followed by a period of correction. The market for private aviation services is no different and so this could affect the amount of corporate charter jet business available in the future.

The delegates were told that Royal Jet’s acquisition strategy was on target to operate around 20 aircraft by 2012 and 50 aircraft by the year 2020, with a preponderance of VIP and super-midsize aircraft in its fleet.

“We have one of the healthiest balance sheets in the industry and we have strong liquidity as a company; and our global experience in this industry is now second to none. We have shown steady profits ever since our second year of operations. Our strength as a business is due to the decision we made a long time ago to diversify our service offerings, and this strategy is paying dividends now, during these difficult economic times,” O’Hare continued.

“For instance, we have one of the most efficient and successful medical evacuation services in the Middle East which makes an important contribution to our bottom line. We also run a highly successful Aircraft Management and Acquisition Consultancy, and I have been greatly encouraged even over the last few weeks by the number of fresh enquiries we have had from owners wishing to partner with us in the management of their aircraft. We also have a maintenance and repair (MRO) facility and one of the world’s top Fixed Base Operations (FBO) facilities, located at Abu Dhabi International Airport and which was recently voted Best in the Middle East.

“We will soon be enhancing our capabilities in Abu Dhabi and greatly welcome the new private aviation facility to be opened at Al Bateen – the new City Airport of Abu Dhabi. All of these facilities will help us maintain price competitiveness across the Gulf as well as allowing us to have full control of the guest experience from airport arrival to embarkation to ensure our high service levels are maintained,” O’Hare said.

“What this all goes to show is that Royal Jet’s business is based on a sound footing and that our initial strategy is proving its worth in being able to see us successfully through leaner times,” Shane O’Hare concluded.

 Flying From Doha You Can Check-In Online Up To 36 Hours Before Departure
Print Your Own Boarding Pass… Or Send Your Boarding Pass To A Mobile Phone Through qatarairways.com

Qatar Airways’ passengers departing from the airline’s hub in Doha can now check-in online at qatarairways.com. This service is available for all passengers flying with the Five Star airline out of Doha International Airport with the exception of those travelling to New York or Washington.

The new online check-in service, accessible on the airline’s website qatarairways.com allows passengers in all classes of travel to check-in between 36 and 2 hours prior to departure from the comfort of their home or office. They can choose a seat, print a boarding pass or have a bar-coded boarding pass sent to a mobile phone in simple and convenient easy-to-use steps.

For passengers with baggage that needs to be checked-in, they can use the dedicated ‘Fast Bag Drop’ counters located in the departures hall of the main terminal. Those with carry-on bags can proceed directly to the gate after completing the necessary immigration and security procedures.

Boarding pass scanners have been rolled out throughout the airport to ensure a faster service for online check-in passengers.

First and Business Class passengers, who use the online check-in service and are departing from Qatar Airways’ Premium Terminal in Doha, can use any of the check-in counters to drop off their luggage.

 The launch of the online check-in service is part of a series of initiatives being introduced by the airline over the next few weeks to speed up the check-in process for the convenience and benefit of passengers.

Speaking during a demonstration of the new facility to media at Doha International Airport yesterday, Qatar Airways’ Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “We all know travel can be a cumbersome experience before the journey even begins. From arrival to the airport, to queuing at check-in, to security procedures – they can all take their toll.

“Over the past 12 months, Qatar Airways has invested in time and resources to develop a new range of online initiatives to provide passengers with an improved travel experience.

“Having launched a brand new internet booking engine, we have now taken our online service to new levels with a check-in facility and giving more control to passengers allowing them to print their own boarding passes and even have the boarding passes sent to their mobile phones.”

He added: “And, as more and more passengers recognise the simplicity and convenience that online check-in provides, it will ensure they spend less time at the airport completing check-in formalities and allow them to relax and have more time in the airport before their flight.”

Qatar Airways anticipates that a popular feature of the service will be the ability to select seats up to 36 hours in advance, ensuring passengers can sit together at the seats of their choice.

The airline will roll out the online check-in service to other airports served by Qatar Airways worldwide over the next few months.

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 64 Airbus and Boeing aircraft from its Doha hub to 83 key business and leisure cities across Europe, Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Far East and North America.

 Iran has a long history of art, music, architecture, poetry, philosophy, traditions, and ideology. Despite the several invasions the country encountered over the centuries, Iran has maintained a distinct cultural identity.

TEHRAN, IRAN - The art and culture of Iran has manifested itself in several aspects all through the history of the nation as well as that of many other nations. Like the Persian carpet that exhibits numerous colors and forms in a dazzling display of warmth and creativity.

Tolerance, accessibility and ability to adopt the best are the three factors characterizing the Culture of Iran. The cultural development witnessed by Iran today is a result of a long evolution since the ancient times. Iranians were not only open to other cultures, but freely adopted all they found useful for them.

Thus an eclectic cultural elasticity has been said to be one of the key defining characteristics of the Persian spirit and a clue to its historic longevity. After the Arab invasion of Persia, many of its people felt lost. Persians now had a choice, they could accept a new culture, including nationality, language (Arabic) and religion (Islam), or they could hold tight to the unique attributes making up their Persian identities.

Anyone who has heard of Persian pride knows they fought to remain as Persians, not Arabs. Islam did eventually displace the native Zoroastrian religion, however, the Persians held onto their identity through their language, literature and arts which will be discussed in further detail later.

 Language

Persian language, also known as Farsi, is the most widely spoken member of the Iranian branch of the Indo-Iranian languages. It is the official language of Iran and is also widely spoken in Afghanistan and, in an archaic form, in Tadjikistan and the Pamir mountain region. As part of the Indo-European family of languages, Persian is distantly related to Latin, Greek, the Slavic and Teutonic languages, and English. Many different dialects of Persian are spoken in various parts of the Central Plateau, and people from each city can usually be identified by their speech.

Art

Persian art is particularly noted for its architecture and production of exquisite miniatures, although perhaps best known today for ornate carpets. Countless painters, weavers, potters, calligraphers, metalworkers, stone masons etc. have produced some of the most beautiful works ever created, and contributed to the Persian artistic heritage that is known throughout the world. Although the wide diversity of outside influences makes it difficult to pin down distinct characteristics, Persian art is generally characterized by its firm lines, extensive detail, and bold use of color.

Festivals and celebrations

Though the traditional customs and traditions of the Iranians may often seem to be complex to the foreigners yet its detailed study reveals that this particular country is immensely rich when it comes to culture. Iranians do celebrate several festive occasions.

There are a number of festivals that bring national holidays with them. It is generally believed that the origin of almost all the Iranian national festivals come from the Pre Islamic Zoroastrian era .

The important National festivals of Iran are the Mehrgan, Noruz, Yalda, Chahar Shanbesh Suri. Islamic festivals such as Ramadan, muharram, Nimeh Åžabïn are also equally important.
Written by Richard Nelson Frye

Learn More

If you would like to know more about Glory of Persia, the essence of Persian culture, history and civilization or read the full article titled “Iranï’s glory has always been its culture”, visit Our Web site:

http://www.gloryofpersia.com

 Haggle over a Persian rug in a Tehran bazaar, admire the delicate beauty of Esfahan, Ponder life in Persepolis, Gain an insight into the lives of Silk Road traders and enter into the mysterious world of the Zoroastrians.

TEHRAN, IRAN - Welcome to the hidden world of Iran. As you travel through our fascinating country you will discover historical cities, colorful bazaars, ancient ruins, shimmering deserts and lofty snow-capped peaks. Whether you’re relaxing in a teahouse in Tehran, or breaking bread with the Ghashghaie nomads on the harsh Iranian plateau, you will be touched by the warmth and hospitality of the people, and the profound beauty of our land.

Haggle over a Persian rug in a Tehran bazaar, admire the delicate beauty of Esfahan, Ponder life in Persepolis, Gain an insight into the lives of Silk Road traders and enter into the mysterious world of the Zoroastrians.
Tour includes:
• 11 night Hotel accommodation in Tehran , Isfahan , Shiraz, Yazd & Kerman
• Domestic air tickets
• Full board (break fast, lunch, diner in)
• All transportation with A/C Coach
• Expert guide.
• All transfers from air port to air port.
• All entrance fees
• Portages

Day 1:Arrive at Tehran Airport transfer to Hotel O/N

Day 2: City tour in Tehran, visiting archeology & Glassware Museum, Carpet Museum, Evening fly to Shiraz, transfer to Hotel O/N

Day 3: Full day excursion to Perspolis - Neghshe Rostam and, Pasargade O/N Shiraz

Day 4: Full day city tour of Shiraz to see Eram Garden, Narenjestan Palace, Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, the tombs of poets Hafez and Saadi, and Shah-e-Cheragh Shrine, O/N Shiraz.

Day 5: Driye to Kerman, visit Sassanian Palace at Sarvestan en-route, O/N Kerman.

Day 6: Full day excursion to Bam, to visit Arg-e-Bam, and Shah Nematolah-e-Vali Shrine at Mahan en-route,O/N Kerman.

Day 7: In the morning visit city of Kerman to see Ganj-Ali-Khan Complex: bazaar, bath and caravansary; and Friday Mosque, in the afternoon drive to Yazd, O/N

Day 8: City tour of Yazd to see Towers of Silence, Fire Temple, Friday Mosque, the old part of city, Dowlat-Abad Garden and bazaar, O/N Yazd

Day 9: Drive to Isfahan, en-route visit the Friday Mosque and a 17th century private house in Nain , and the Friday mosques in Ardestanand , Zavareh O/N Isfahan.

 Day 10: Full day city tour of Isfahan to see Vank Cathedral, Sio-se-Pol and Khajou bridges, Chehel-Sotoun Palace, Friday Mosque and bazaar, O/N Isfahanf

Day 11: City tour of Isfahan to see Hasht-Behesht and Ali Qapu palaces, Sheikh Lotfollah and Imam mosques and Maidan-e-Naghsh-e-Jahan, fly to Tehran by Iran Air, O/N

Day 12: Transfer to airport and departure to your country.

Organizer: Irpedia Members
Availability: March / April / May / October / November
Customizable: Yes

Destinations Covered: Tehran, Yazd, Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad
Number of Days: 12

Learn More
If you would like to learn more about tourist attractions, visit www.Irpedia.com