Museum Travel Alliance -- Iran: Architecture, Gardens & Design

MUSEUM
TRAVEL
ALLIANCE
Dear Travelers and Friends,
If you have always been intrigued by ancient cultures and great civilizations, then 2019 could be the year for a
unique discovery and experience.
The Museum Travel Alliance is pleased to offer a new Iran tour, "Architecture, Gardens & Design in
Iran" (September 12–22, 2019). Travelers on this exclusive journey will discover the country’s most spectacular
museums, ancient sites, mosques, palaces, and public centers. They will also enjoy Iran’s contemporary culture, with
opportunities to attend a live performance of traditional Persian music, dine at local restaurants, see contemporary art,
meet artists, and shop at lively bazaars.
Begin in Shiraz to admire tombs of mystical Persian poets, elegant architecture, and fine handicrafts. In
Persepolis, wander vast ruins that have remained nearly unchanged since the city was destroyed by Alexander the
Great. Continue to Isfahan, the 17th-century capital of the Safavid Dynasty, to stroll the magnificent square (the
Maidan-e-Naghsh-e-Jahan), and explore a sumptuous palace, a music museum, the city’s Armenian Quarter, and
a historic bazaar known for its handicrafts and kilim rugs. Our journey concludes in the capital of Tehran. Explore
collections of art, artifacts, and jewelry at several of the city’s finest museums, and admire extraordinary tilework at
the UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace complex. There will also be opportunities to see some of Iran’s famous gardens in
Shiraz, Isfahan, and Kashan.
Arrangements Abroad, the tour operator for MTA, has taken travelers to Iran for many years. The local tour
operator has been a trusted partner on all these trips, and we’ll have one of the top guides in the country. I had the
opportunity to travel to Iran in 2017 with my wife Liz. We found the Iranian people to be extremely gracious and
welcoming towards Americans and the sights inspiring—far beyond our expectations. From the haunting caravanserais
along the old trade routes to the splendidly tiled city mosques, the country’s elegant 2,500-year-old heritage exists
alongside a new creative energy.
With the endless array of cultural splendors that awaits, this journey to Iran promises to be a trip of a
lifetime. And you will enjoy traveling in the congenial company of members from a number of museums and cultural
institutions. We hope you will join us.
SPECIAL NOTE ON THE REQUIRED VISA: Due to strict guidelines imposed
for necessary visas to travel to Iran, the deadline for enrollment in this
September program is May 15, 2019. A passport-sized photo is required for
enrollment. Please review the U.S. State Department’s Travel Advisory for
Iran at travel.state.gov. Arrangements Abroad has safely operated a dozen
trips to Iran over the last decade and welcomes your participation.
Sincerely,
Jim Friedlander
President,
Museum Travel Alliance
HIGHLIGHTS
DISCOVER UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from
ancient ruins to medieval mosques to lush gardens.
This includes visits to ten palaces and houses, eight
museums and collections, seven mosques, six gardens,
three ruins, two bazaars, and one vault filled with
gems and jewels.
BROWSE age-old bazaars in Shiraz and Isfahan.
MARVEL at the 2,500-year-old ruins of
Persepolis, once the center of the great Persian
Empire and one of the most important sites of the
Ancient World.
MEET contemporary artists during private gallery
visits, and learn about the creation of beautiful
Persian carpets.