Morning is dedicated to recovery from the flight - from noon the city tour begins: Shiraz, the "Garden of Iran", manifests itself in its most beautiful and greenest aspect. Fragrant roses are grown here, and a large number of well-kept gardens and parks are nourished by underground water channels. In Shiraz, the country's most famous poets and philosophers, Hafez and Saadi, rest in spacious and picturesque gardens. Visit the mausoleum of the most famous Persian poet Hafiz, loved by Iranians because he mainly wrote about love. One great admirer was Goethe, who paid homage to the city in "West-östlicher Diwan". A stop at the historic Koran Gate will show you a building located in the north of the city on the road to Isfahan. Karim Khan Zand had two handwritten copies of the Holy Quran stored in a chamber in the upper part of the gate. The custom of passing under the Holy Quran on a journey is said to bring blessings to the traveller and a safe return home. At the top of Mount Chehel Maqam is Gahvare-ye Did, the "Cradle of the View", a square plain domed building from the 10th century that once helped to monitor access to the city. The Masjed-e Nasir ol-Molk, also called the pink mosque, dates from the Kajar dynasty at the end of the 19th century. It is famous for its coloured glass, through which the sun gives the interior impressive, exciting rainbow colours. The special pink tiles give this mosque an unusual, pleasant appearance. Explore the winding alleys and traditional buildings of Shiraz's old town and visit the Naranjestan-e Ghavam pavilion the house of a wealthy merchant with a small orange garden and ceilings decorated in European style. You will see (exterior view) the impressive citadel of Karim Khan Zand, which towers over the historic city centre with its four 14m high round towers. Karim Khan Zand made Shiraz his capital, built mosques, laid out gardens and erected palaces that have survived the ages. He earned an enduring reputation for his modesty, mercy, pragmatism, and good government, unlike most of his rivals. Karim Khan Zand ruled Shiraz until his death in 1779. From there, walk to the beautiful Nazar Garden, where you can visit the Pars Museum. In this ornate garden pavilion with impressive interior decoration, the ruler once received high visitors from distant lands. Afterwards, you will experience the colourful hustle and bustle in the Saray Moshir Karawanserai and in the Vakil Bazaar, which is already an architectural event with its elaborately domed main alley. There are all kinds of stalls where you can discover, admire, and buy typical textiles, carpets, and spices, as well as jewellery, art and handicraft products. Immerse yourself in the lively Persian trading culture and let yourself be enchanted by the scents of the Orient! Above the old bazaar rises the Vakil Mosque (exterior view), whose magnificently designed winter prayer room impresses with its 48 artfully twisted columns and its portal elaborately decorated with floral motifs (breakfast / overnight).

After breakfast, a very early departure, as your first highlight today is Persepolis, one of the most impressive ruined cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 520 BCE, 50 years before the Acropolis of Athens, it was the capital of Cyrus II the Great, whose Achaemenid Empire stretched from Asia Minor and Egypt to the Indus River. A few kilometres further north of Persepolis is Naqsh-e Rostam, with a gallery of four royal rock tombs dating back to kings Darius I, Xerxes I, Artaxerxes I and Darius II. Today's route to Yazd illustrates the dimensions of the country and provides impressive views of the mountains. On the way, you will take a tea break at the famous cypress tree of Abarkuh. The 4500-year-old tree has a trunk circumference of 11.5 m and, according to legend, was planted by the founder of religion Zarathustra. Continue your journey and transfer to the booked hotel for 2 nights (breakfast / overnight).

Yazd is the centre of Zoroastrianism in Iran, who have been based here since the 8th century. Their sanctuary is the fire temple built of light-coloured bricks, whose fire has been burning since the year 47 CE, according to tradition. In the south of Yazd is the former burial place of the Zoroastrians, the Towers of Silence. In these buildings, erected on two bare hills, the Zoroastrians buried their dead so that the deceased could float away into the air with the help of vultures, because according to Zoroastrian belief, burial in the ground contaminates the pure element of earth. Your tour of Yazd begins with a visit to the Amir Chakhmâgh Mosque, famous for its architecturally impressive three-storey façade. Afterwards, you will visit the Friday Mosque of Yazd, one of Iran's most important landmarks, which is also depicted on the front of the old Iranian 200 rial banknote. Built in the 14th century, the mosque is crowned by Iran's tallest double minaret and is decorated from top to bottom with dazzling blue tiles. From there, you will take a walk through the picturesque old town of Yazd. You will explore historic streets and well-preserved townhouses, mosques, old water cisterns, beautiful gardens and of course the bazaar (breakfast / overnight).

Today you continue your journey to Isfahan. On the way, you will visit one of the famous pistachio gardens of Rafsanjan. In Rafsanjan province 50% of the world's pistachios are harvested. of pistachio trees, whose fruits glow red and yellow in the sun, a beautiful sight. Then visit the at least 1800-year-old mud-brick town of Meybod with the oldest mud-brick building in Iran, the citadel from the Sassanid period. Visit the large caravanserai with its traditional craftsmen's workshops and the conical ice house from the Safavid period. Then continue to Isfahan. With a population of around 1.75 million, Isfahan is one of the largest cities in the country. Situated on the Silk Road, it was famous for its wealth of magnificent silk and cotton during the reign of the Umayyads and Abbasids (from the 7th to the 10th century). The Safavids' conquest of the city in 1502 marked the beginning of the city's greatest period of prosperity. The highlight of your trip offers a variety of sights in addition to history and tradition: The numerous bridges over the Zayande River, three of which are particularly splendidly designed, connect the Armenian quarter of Julfa, where numerous churches are located, with the impressive Imam Square. The Imam Square is not only home to Iran's three most beautiful mosques, but also to the magnificent palaces of the Safavid era. The bazaar is one of the largest and most impressive in the country, famous for the variety and quality of its carpets and handicrafts. Upon arrival and during a walk along the riverbank, you will finally see the famous 33-arch bridge Si-o-seh pol, another landmark of the city. Finally, you will drive to the Armenian district of Julfa. There you will visit the Vank Cathedral, which is the historical centre of the Armenian Church in Iran. Completed in 1655 and with a rather plain exterior, it surprises with fine paintings, gilded carvings and a panelling of magnificent tiles. Take another look at the museum located on the grounds, marvel at the supposedly smallest book in the world and read ancient writing on a written hair! Arrive at the booked Hotel for 2 nights (breakfast / overnight).

Today's sightseeing takes you to the magnificent old city of Isfahan. You will start with the oldest buildings in the city, including the Friday Mosque. Built as early as 900 AD, various rulers had the building extended and enlarged, so that it combines a variety of Persian-Islamic architecture. The Chehel Sotun Palace is one of the most beautiful examples of Safavid architecture; Chehel Sotun means "40 columns", because the twenty columns made of cypress wood are impressively reflected in a water basin. The 300-year-old building in the heart of the city of Isfahan is now a museum, a monument that attracts local and international historians, leading architects and tourists. Here the spirit lives in the patterns and paintings, in the interplay of colours and light, and the flowing beauty establishes the structural metropolis of genuine art in this building. A tea break at the "most beautiful hotel in the world", the Abasi Hotel, allows you to walk between doors and walls in the past and present, bringing the beauty of the art of the past to life in its contemporary viewer. Then it's on to Imam Square, the city's main square, over 500 metres long and enclosed by double-storey arcades. An impressive and historically significant building awaits you at every corner. With its magnificent buildings, the Imam Mosque, the Ali Qapu Palace ("High Gate") and the bazaar adjoining it at the northern end, it is one of the most important and best-known sights of the Middle East and is part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. Afterwards free time in the bazaar (breakfast / overnight).

After a final tour of Isfahan, drive north to Tehran, stopping en route for a walk in the "red village". Abyane, one of the oldest villages in Iran. The houses made of red clay, which is typical for this region, are built in a traditional way and are stacked on top of each other. Afterwards you come to Kashan and visit the Fin Garden, which is one of the most famous and beautiful gardens in Iran with its numerous fountains, water basins, watercourses and old trees. In 1852, Amir Kabir, prime minister of the Kajar king Naser ad-Din Shah, was assassinated here, it is said, by an envoy of the king. Since 2011, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with eleven other Persian gardens. Next, you will explore one of the most famous city mansions from the time of the Kajar dynasty. The rich merchant Haji Mehdi Borujerdi had the house now named after him built as a wedding gift for his bride. Afterwards, you will visit a farm where the Mohammadi rose is cultivated. The petals are harvested in mid-May and the famous rose water is partly extracted using traditional methods by distillation in copper kettles. The journey continues to Tehran. The city of over a million inhabitants lies beneath the lofty peaks of the Elburs Mountains, behind which the Caspian Sea spreads out. The mountains are known for their beautiful ski resorts. Tehran is, among other things, the city of museums. Here you can learn all about the rich and ancient culture of Persia. First, take a short walk at the Imam Khomeini Mausoleum near Shahed University in the south of Tehran. Then transfer to the booked hotel for 2 nights (breakfast / overnight).

Today you will visit parts of the 110-hectare Saadabad Palace complex in the north of Tehran with 18 magnificent palaces, a summer residence of the last Shah. Then you will reach Golestan Palace; this Kajar-era masterpiece is Tehran's oldest building and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013. Just a short walk from Imam Khomeini Square in the heart of Tehran, the palace complex comprises several palaces, museums and halls around a carefully manicured garden with pretty pools, fountains and several green areas. Be enchanted by the wonderfully decorated facades with detailed ornaments, magnificent interiors, massive wind towers and golden domes. Then visit the nearby Iranian National Museum. The museum, designed by the French architect Godard with an impressive entrance iwan, contains exhibits from Persia's rich history: from sculptures from Persepolis, Greek mosaics, valuable and unique excavation finds to the remains of a 1700-year-old "salt man". Afterwards (currently closed for renovation; if open: Sat.-Thu. 2-5 p.m., closed on public holidays), visit the Crown Jewellery Museum in the basement of the National Bank. It houses enormous quantities of jewellery and precious stones, including the peacock throne adorned with gold and precious stones and the world's largest uncut diamond, the Darja-ye Nur ("Sea of Light"), as well as the jewelled globe set with 51,363 precious stones and weighing 36.5 kilograms of fine gold. Dinner will be at the hotel. (breakfast / overnight stay).