Two week G Adventures tour visiting Tehran, Yazd, Zein-o-din Caravanserai, Kerman, Shiraz, Persepolis, Isfahan, Abyaneh and Kashan.
The Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine, an historical complex located in Mahan, Kerman province. The shrine contains the mausoleum of Shah Nematollah Vali, the renowned Iranian mystic and poet. The Shrine was erected in 1436 with various additions and renovations over the centuries.Traditional training gym in Yazd.Local children that I chatted with at a garden restaurant in Kerman. The people of Iran were incredibly friendly and welcoming.Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, Shiraz. Also known as the Pink Mosque, it was constructed between 1876 and 1888.The morning light shines through the Persian stained glass of the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, Shiraz.Mausoleum of Shah-e Cheragh (Persian term for “King of Light”), Shiraz. The tomb was built during the Seljuk Dynasty in the 12th century with renovations in the 14th century and also repairs due to earthquake damage.The Tomb of Hafez, Musalla Gardens, Shiraz, one of two structures in memory of the celebrated poet Hafez, completed in 1452. Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (550-330 BC). Constructed by Darius the Great and his son Xerxes, grey limestone was the main building material. The city was looted and destroyed following the invasion of Alexander the Great.PersepolisPlenty of tourists at the Chehel Sotoon Palace, Isfahan. These ladies were happy to pose for the camera.Dome of the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque’s, located on the Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Isfahan. The mosque was built during the Safavid Empire between 1603 and 1619.The Shah Mosque, located on the south side of the Naghsh-e Jahan Square, Isfahan, completed in 1629.The Shah Mosque has four minarets and we were lucky enough to climb up one… unofficially of course.High level view of the other minaret. The climb up inside the minaret was quite a journey, dark and narrow, very claustrophobic but lots of fun. Sarah, Glenn & Mark at the top of the minaretMorning view of the historic town of Abyaneh, also known as the Red village. The clay soil of Abyaneh has high levels of iron oxide thus giving the mud brick houses their unique reddish hue.Old man on a donkey in Abyaneh. The town only has a population of around 300 people.Agha Bozorg Mosque in Kashan, built in the late 18th century and opened in 1844.Azadi Tower, Tehran, 45m tall, clad in marble, built in 1971 to mark the 2,500 year celebration of the Persian Empire. Formerly known as the Shahyad Tower, it was renamed following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Dubai stopover
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at Abu Dhabi. The Grand Mosque was constructed between 1994 and 2007.Chandelier inside the Grand MosqueEmirates Palace resort hotel – Abu DhabiDubai camel desert safari with traditional dinner & heritage activities
