Iran Tour in a Blink of 8 Days

Feel the weight of history on your shoulders in the remarkable ancient sites of Iran. There is first, the encounter with the Achaemenid Dynasty, the splendour of the Persian Empire. It takes place in the warm and drylands of Centre Iran. Here once stood the beloved capitals of Cyrus the Great and Darius I, in Pasargadae, the first Persian garden in history and mausoleum of Cyrus and Persepolis, the Achaemenid summer capital.

Move forward in time to appreciate the splendours of the Safavids in the wooden palace of Isfahan, Chehel Sotoon. It foreshadows the extreme refinement that can be observed in the museums and in the Golestan Palace of Tehran, as well as inside the gorgeous historical houses of Kashan. Jump into modernity by reaching the top of the Milad Tower, and embracing a 360° view over the capital city at the foot of the imposing Alborz Mountains.

Awe-inspiring mosques and churches

Along with Persepolis, Necropolis, and Pasargadae, this experience unravelled numerous iconic sites of Iran, many of which have been inscribed on the UNESCO's World Heritage List. The famous blue-domed mosques of Nasqu-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, or the fantastic light show of the sun's rays piercing through the windows of Nasir-ol Molk Mosque in Shiraz, are a blast of colours, mosaics, painting, and vaults, designed to leave the visitors in awe.

No matter the beauty of these places, the two cities have plenty of other eye-catching attractions to share with you. After all, Isfahan hasn't been named "Half of The World" for no reason! Cross the beautiful arched bridges straddling the Zayandeh Rud, to walk into the old neighbourhood of Jolfa and get to see "the church of sanity sisters" known as Vank Cathedral nationwide with its unprecedented architecture mixed Persian Islamic designs with western churches. Its delicate blue and golden frescos recall the biblical story of the creation of the world and mankind.

Looking for paradise on the earth

Spirituality, God, love for the divine: Persian poets have dedicated their lives to finding meaning inhuman's destiny. The most famous, Hafez, still gets a visit to his mausoleum in Shiraz from people fascinated with his poems like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was inspired in the 18th century.  The gardens of the city, as well as the remarkable Fin Garden of Kashan, have been carefully conceived as a representation of heaven, the true definition of paradise on earth.

As you venture into the desert of Varzaneh, the fresh watercourses fade away to be replaced by oasis and sand dunes spreading at the horizon. Travel to another wonderland in Yazd city who has escaped from modernization and kept the mystery and charm of the Silk Road with its earthen architecture gulp the heart with sky-touching windcatchers to offer the sensation of being a modern Marco Polo in the centre of Persia.

Encounter the people and Iran's cultural diversity

Travelling to Iran wouldn't be complete without meeting with Iranians. According to all visitors, their kindness and hospitality are the main attributes of the country. By walking into the bazaars, you can feel this welcoming atmosphere, while discovering the finest Iranian craftworks or simply watching life going on under the vaults of caravanserais.

Go out of the city to meet with the Zoroastrians. Climb on top of the Towers of Silence, to measure the influence of this ancient religion upon the Persian culture and come down in Fars province to be guest of the Basseri Nomads, the customs, foods, clothes, and music of a pastoral tribe; one which once stands with Cyrus the Great to constitute the Achaemenid Empire.