Splendors of Iran by Arrangements Abroad

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

SP L E N D O R S O F I R A N Fr om N o r t h t o S o ut h

N o v e mb er 1 t o 1 7 , 2 0 1 5 X

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART Dear Members and Friends of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Spectacularly rich in culture and history, Persia—the country’s official name until 1935—was once the greatest empire in the ancient world. We invite you to experience the living traditions of this mysterious land, on a brand-new itinerary that includes the lesser-visited northwestern region. Traveling with us is Martina Rugiadi, Assistant Curator in the Department of Islamic Art at the Metropolitan Museum. Her expertise in the art of medieval Iran will greatly enhance our enjoyment of the many beautiful mosques and palaces we will visit.

TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS X

Eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Tabriz Grand Bazaar; the Zoroastrian fire temple at Takht-i Solayman; Tehran’s Golestan Palace Complex; and the tomb of Cyrus the Great at Pasargadae

Tabriz, a treasure trove of exquisite tilework and gold coins

Estakhr, an ancient city near Persepolis where Dr. Rugiadi has participated in archaeological excavations X

TRAVELING WITH YOU

including the National Museum, Carpet

MARTINA RUGIADI is Assistant Curator in the Department of Islamic Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. She received a doctorate from the University of Naples “L’Orientale” in 2007 and has been the recipient of post-doctorate fellowships from the Gerda Henkel Stiftung and the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Rugiadi has participated in a number of international archaeological projects throughout the Middle East, as well as the UNESCO project for the new inventory of the National Museum of Kabul. In Iran, she worked from 2000 to 2009 in the Masjide Jom-e of Isfahan, cataloguing the pottery excavated there in the 1970s. She is currently field director of the Estakhr Project (of the Sapienza University of Rome). X

T HE M ETROPOLITAN M USEUM

A RT

The exceptional museums of Tehran,

Museum, and National Jewels Museum X

Isfahan, with its splendid Friday Mosque and Maidan-e Naghsh-e Jahan Square

Persepolis, with a full day to explore the ruins of the palace of Darius the Great

The troglodyte village of Kandovan, whose landscape resembles those of Cappadocia

Shiraz, with its enchanting poets’ tombs and lovely gardens

We hope you will join us on this remarkable journey.

1 0 0 0 F IFTH A VENUE

Sincerely,

Emily K. Rafferty President

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SPLENDORS

IRAN

Fro m Nor th to South November 1 to 17, 2015 ________________________ X ________________________

1906, and considered by many as the most progressive city in Iran. Our morning touring begins at the 15thcentury Blue Mosque (Masjid-i Muzaffariyya) and nearby Azerbaijan Museum with its collection of Sassanian gold and Bronze Age pottery. Then drive by the Arg-i Ali Shah citadel (also called Arg-i Tabriz). Pending permission, we hope to also visit the Armenian Church of St. Mary. After lunch, see the Constitution House and Calligraphy Museum before concluding at the Grand Bazaar, one of Iranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

TABRIZ Thursday, November 5

A full-day excursion is planned to Ardbil to visit the magnificent Mausoleum of the Sufi Sheikh Safi al-din Ardabili, begun in the 16th century and enhanced over the years especially by the Safavid royals. The complex includes a long prayer hall, a school, kitchens and cenotaphs; and is renowned for the important collection of Chinese blue and white porcelains donated by the Safavids. Return to Tabriz in the late afternoon.

Rock houses of Kandovan

NEW YORK

TABRIZ

ISTANBUL

ZANJAN

Sunday & Monday, November 1 & 2

Friday, November 6

Depart New York on an overnight flight to Tabriz, via Istanbul. Arrive in Istanbul in the mid-afternoon. Day rooms are arranged at an airport hotel before our latenight flight to Tabriz.

Depart for Zanjan, stopping en route in Maraghe for nearby visits. Then tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Takht-i Solayman. Located high in the mountains at the site of a volcanic-crater lake, this temple was home to one of Zoroastrianismâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most important sacred fires in the Sasanian period, then reoccupied by the Ilkhanid rulers in the 13th century. In the late afternoon, arrive at the Grand Zanjan Hotel for dinner and overnight.

TABRIZ Tuesday, November 3

Arrive early this morning in Tabriz and transfer to the Pars El-Goli Hotel, where rooms are reserved for immediate check-in. After lunch, drive to the troglodyte village of Kandovan whose rock-houses were created in a landscape similar to that of Cappadocia in Turkey. Some houses still in use are more than 800 years old. Return to Tabriz for welcome remarks followed by dinner.

ZANJAN

Depart for Tehran, with a stop in Soltaniyeh near Zanjan to see the important mausoleum of Oljaytu (also known as Gonbad-e-Soltaniyeh), the last Ilkhanid ruler of Iran in the 14th century. Then in Qazvin see the Friday Mosque, also known as Masjid-i Atiq, with typical Qajari pink and yellow tiles in the courtyard; and the 19th-century Imamzadeh Shahzadeh Hossein Shrine. Arrive in Tehran in the late afternoon and check in at the Hotel Espinas.

Wednesday, November 4

Tabriz, with its ancient history, is known in modern times as the cornerstone of the Constitutional Revolution of S PLENDORS

TEHRAN

Saturday, November 7

TABRIZ

I RAN X

TEHRAN

ISFAHAN

Sunday, November 8

Wednesday, November 11

Begin the morning at the National Museum to view the collection of pre-historic and ancient artifacts, including pottery dating to the 6th millennium B.C. Continue to the Abgineh Museum to see the stunning pre-Islamic and Islamic glass and ceramics displayed in an elegant early 20th-century mansion. Following lunch, visit the impressive Carpet Museum and the Reza Abbasi Museum whose galleries include ceramics, important finds in gold and silver, and masterpieces of Persian miniature painting.

Isfahan, the 17th-century capital of the Safavid Dynasty, is referred to as Nasf-e Jahan, or “Half of the World.” See three of the famous eleven bridges of Isfahan, and the Armenian Quarter, including the Cathedral of Vank and nearby Armenian Museum. After lunch, marvel at the Palace of Chehel Sotun, built by Shah Abbas II in the 17th century. Twenty wooden columns reflected in the surface of the garden pool give the palace its name, “The Palace of Forty Columns.” Conclude the day at the 17th-century Hasht Behesht pavilion, a small but intricate building set amongst tree-lined alleys, a reflecting pool, and water rills.

TEHRAN Monday, November 9

Spend the morning touring the Golestan Palace Complex, dating from the 18th to early 20th century. See the Marble Throne Hall and the Hall of Mirrors, used as a coronation room, and stroll the garden to view the ornate tile-covered walls. After lunch, visit the National Jewels Museum, housed in the vaults of the Central Bank of Iran, displaying one of the most dazzling collections of jewels and gems in the world. Conclude the afternoon at the Contemporary Arts Museum, with its fine collection of modern Iranian and Western art.

ISFAHAN Thursday, November 12

Today explore the magnificent Friday Mosque of Isfahan, considered a museum of more than a thousand years of Persian religious architecture. Nearby see the portal of the old Jurjir Mosque (now Masjid-i al-Hakim). In the afternoon, visit the breathtaking square, Maidan-e Naghsh-e Jahan, flanked by the Ali-Qapu Palace with its royal balcony overlooking the maidan, from where the kings watched polo games; and two of the world’s greatest mosques: the Sheikh Lutfollah and the Masjid-i Imam. Conclude at the Qaysarieh Bazaar with time to browse the hundreds of shops displaying the arts and handicrafts for which Isfahan is famous.

ISFAHAN

SHIRAZ

Friday, November 13

Depart this morning for Shiraz, stopping at ancient Pasargadae to explore the ruins of the capital, palaces and tomb of Cyrus the Great. Arrive in Shiraz in the late afternoon and walk through the Qur’an Gate at the entrance to the city before checking into the Homa Hotel.

Shah Mosque, Isfahan

TEHRAN

ISFAHAN

Drive to Isfahan, with a stop in Kashan to see the historic garden of Fin, first planted during the Safavid period and expanded by the Zand and Qajar monarchs. We will also visit Tabatabai House, a 19th-century residence with a beautiful stucco dome and inlaid mirror work, and some of the best examples of existing badgirs (wind-catchers). Following lunch, continue to Natanz to visit the 12thcentury Masjid-i Jame built with a four-ivan courtyard plan. In the late afternoon, arrive at the legendary Abbasi Hotel, our home for three nights. A former caravanserai, the Abbasi was renovated and opened as a hotel in the mid-20th century. X

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Photo by Gloria De Luca

Tuesday, November 10

Nasir-al-Mulk Mosque, Shiraz TO

S OUTH X

SHIRAZ SHIRAZ Saturday, November November 14 14 Saturday,

Spend the the day day in in Shiraz Shiraz touring touring some some of of the the celebrated celebrated Spend gardens of of this this “city “city of of roses roses and and nightingales.” nightingales.” Begin Begin at at gardens the Eram Eram Garden; Garden; then then visit visit the the pink-tiled pink-tiled 19th-century 19th-century the Nasir al-Mulk al-Mulk Mosque Mosque and and the the Qajar-period Qajar-period Narenjestan Narenjestan Nasir Palace. Following Following lunch, lunch, see see the the 18th-century 18th-century citadel, citadel, Arg-e Arg-e Palace. Karim Khan, the elegant Pars Museum, and the Atiq (Old) Karim Khan, the elegant Pars Museum, and the Atiq (Old) Mosque, Masjid-i-Vakil. Masjid-i-Vakil. Conclude Conclude the the day day at at the the lively lively Mosque, Vakil Bazaar Bazaar of of Shiraz. Shiraz. Vakil

located in in beautiful beautiful gardens. gardens. Then Then see see the the Muzey-e-Sang Muzey-e-Sang located (Stone Museum). Museum). The The afternoon afternoon isis at at leisure, leisure, and and aa stop stop (Stone will be be made made at at the the bazaar. bazaar. Gather Gather for for our our farewell farewell dinner. dinner. will Rooms are are reserved reserved until until the the late-night late-night transfer transfer to to the the airairRooms port for for the the flight flight to to Istanbul. Istanbul. port

ISTANBUL XX NEW NEW YORK YORK ISTANBUL Tuesday, November November 17 17 Tuesday,

Arrive in in Istanbul Istanbul in in the the early early morning morning and and connect connect with with the the Arrive X X flight to New York, arriving in the late morning. flight to New York, arriving in the late morning.

SHIRAZ SHIRAZ

PROGRAM RATE RATE PER PER PERSON PERSON $9,995 $9,995 PROGRAM

Sunday, November November 15 15 Sunday,

Persepolis, once once the the center center of of the the Persian Persian Empire Empire and and one one of of Persepolis, the most most important important sites sites of of the the Ancient Ancient World, World, isis the the focus focus the of aa full-day full-day excursion. excursion. Explore Explore the the remains remains of of the the ceremoceremoof nial palaces palaces of of Darius Darius the the Great, Great, Xerxes, Xerxes, and and Artaxerxes. Artaxerxes. nial Continue to to Naghsh-e Naghsh-e Rostam Rostam to to see see the the Kaba-ye Kaba-ye Zartosht Zartosht Continue and the the Royal Royal Tombs; Tombs; and and to to Naghsh-e Naghsh-e Rajab, Rajab, aa nearby nearby and grotto with with Sassanian Sassanian reliefs. reliefs. Then Then visit visit the the late late SasanianSasaniangrotto early Islamic Islamic site site of of site site of of Estakhr, Estakhr, where where Martina Martina Rugiadi Rugiadi early has worked worked in in aa joint joint Iranian/Italian Iranian/Italian archaeological archaeological project project has under the the auspices auspices of of the the Sapienza Sapienza University University and and Sazman-e Sazman-e under Miraz-e Farhangi. Farhangi. Return Return to to Shiraz Shiraz in in the the late late afternoon. afternoon. Miraz-e

SHIRAZ SHIRAZ Monday, November November 16 16 Monday,

The morning morning isis devoted devoted to to two two of of the the most most famous famous Persian Persian The poets, with with visits visits to to the the tombs tombs of of Hafez Hafez and and Sa’di, Sa’di, both both poets,

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT SUPPLEMENT $1,035 $1,035 SINGLE RATE INCLUDES INCLUDES RATE XX

Fifteen nights nights hotel hotel accommodations, accommodations, as as per per itinerary; itinerary; Fifteen day rooms rooms at at an an Istanbul Istanbul Airport Airport hotel hotel day Buffet breakfast breakfast daily, daily, fourteen fourteen lunches lunches and and dinners; dinners; Buffet bottled water water and and coffee coffee // tea tea with with meals meals bottled

Program of of lectures lectures by by Martina Martina Rugiadi Rugiadi Program

Airport // hotel hotel group group transfers transfers Airport

Escorted sightseeing sightseeing and and entrance entrance fees fees Escorted

Gratuities to to guides guides and and drivers drivers Gratuities

Taxes, service, service, and and porterage porterage fees fees for for one one suitcase suitcase Taxes,

NOT INCLUDED INCLUDED IN IN RATE RATE International International airfare; airfare; passport passport and and visa visa NOT fees; transfers transfers for for those those not not on on suggested suggested group group flights; flights; personal personal items items and and fees; expenses; trip trip insurance; insurance;baggage baggagein inexcess excessof ofone onesuitcase; suitcase;any anyother otheritems items expenses; not specifically specifically mentioned mentioned as as included. included. not

TH HEE M MEETTRRO OPPO OLLIIT TA AN N M MUUSSEEUUM M O OFF A ARRTT T Splendors of of Iran Iran Splendors

November 11 to to 17, 17, 2015 2015 November

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For additional additional information, information, please please contact contact Academic Academic Arrangements Arrangements Abroad Abroad For Fax: 212-344-7493 212-344-7493 XX E-mail: E-mail: met@arrangementsabroad.com met@arrangementsabroad.com Telephone: 212-514-8921 212-514-8921 or or 800-221-1944 800-221-1944 XX Fax: Telephone:

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A NOTE AB O U T TRAVE L IN IRAN Iranian people are warm and hospitable towards visitors. They enjoy engaging foreigners in English conversation and are especially curious about life in America. Certain rules of dress and conduct are strictly observed in Iran and all trip participants are expected to adhere to local laws and customs. Women are required to cover their heads with a scarf whenever outside the privacy of their hotel room and to wear loose clothing that covers their arms and legs (down to wrists and ankles). Loose trousers or a long skirt, with a top that reaches mid-thigh, are recommended. Except for shorts, which are discouraged, men may wear the same clothes as when traveling in any western countryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; although we suggest you leave your ties at home! (Ties are rarely seen and never necessary.) Alcohol is forbidden at all times. After a brief period of adjustment to these regulations, western travelers should feel quite comfortable and at ease. X

Tabriz Zanjan

Caspian Sea

Tehran

IRAN Isfahan

Pasargadae Persepolis Shiraz

Persian Gulf

Then see the Muzey-e-Sang on is at leisure, and a stop ther for our farewell dinner. ate-night transfer to the air-

NEW YORK

vember 17

morning and connect with the the late morning. X

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Academic Arrangements Abroad) osit only)

________________________________________

Expiration Date

We confirm that I/we have carefully itions of this Program. I/We agree sfer 150 days prior to departure.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

AIRFARE Academic Arrangements Abroad (AAA) will be pleased to assist with air travel arrangements for this program, including specially negotiated group airfare when available, suggested group flights, or your own individual requests, for a processing fee of $40 per person. Complete details will be provided in your confirmation mailing. PAYMENT SCHEDULE A deposit of $2,000 per person, payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad, of which $350 is non-refundable for administrative fees, is required with the reservation application. Final payment, by check or wire transfer only, must be received 150 days prior to departure. HEALTH All participants must be in good health. This program involves extensive walking over uneven surfaces and climbing stairs at monuments and other locations not handicapped accessible. Any condition that may require assistance or special medical attention must be reported at the time of your reservation. PHOTOGRAPHY Photographs or, in some cases, videotapes of participants of Travel With the Met trips may be used for educational and promotional purposes by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. INSURANCE T RIP C ANCELLATION / E MERGENCY M EDICAL E VACUATION / B AGGAGE / A CCIDENT A ND S ICKNESS I NSURANCE I S S TRONGLY R ECOMMENDED. C ANCELLATION PENALTIES ARE STRICTLY ENFORCED. AAA will send an insurance application upon receipt of deposit, although you may select an alternative insurer of your choice. Please note that as of January 2015, the U.S. Department of State updated the travel warning for Iran. For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.state.gov. CHANGES IN ITINERARY & COSTS The itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) and AAA. All prices quoted are based on prevailing fuel prices, airfares and currency exchange rates in effect at the time of brochure printing and are subject to change without notice. Deviations from the scheduled itinerary are at the expense of the individual. RESPONSIBILITY CLAUSE The participation of the Met is limited to educational sponsorship of the program described in this brochure (The Program). AAA acts only as an agent for the participant with respect to transportation, accommodations and all other services, relating to The Program. AAA, the Met and/or their agents assume no responsibility or liability for any act, error or omission, or for any injury, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of any defect in any aircraft, ship, train, bus or other carrier, or through neglect or default of any subcontractor or other third party, which may be used wholly or in part in the performance of their duty to the participants of The Program. The passage ticket issued by the carrier is the sole contract between the participant and the carrier. 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The Met and AAA reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a participant at any time, or to require any participant to withdraw from The Program at their own expense when such an action is determined by AAA or the Met to be in the best interest of the participant’s health and safety, or the general welfare of the other participants. CANCELLATION POLICY AAA must strictly adhere to its cancellation policy to offset costs incurred prior to the commencement of The Program, which may include but are not limited to: advance payments to land operators; ship charters; communication expenses; development/promotional expenses and the loss of time that might have permitted resale of reserved space. All cancellations must be made in writing to the offices of AAA and are subject to a $350 non-refundable administrative fee. All refunds are limited to amounts actually received by AAA and are the sole responsibility of AAA; the Met shall have no liability for refunds. At the time AAA receives written notification of cancellation, the following cancellation charges will apply: cancellations received between 150 and 91 days prior to departure, 20 percent of the program cost per person; those received between 90 and 61 days before departure, 50 percent of the program cost per person; no refunds will be given for cancellations received within 60 days of departure. No refunds are given for cancellation on or after the day of departure, or for unused portions of the tour, for any reason. Air cancellation charges, if any, will be assessed in accordance with airline regulations. All group fare tickets must be issued no less than 30 days prior to departure. NOTE: Neither AAA nor the Met shall be liable for any airline cancellation penalties incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable ticket. In the case of a cancellation due to shortage of participants, AAA will attempt to notify all participants at least 45 days prior to departure. However, AAA reserves the right to cancel The Program prior to departure for any reason and, in such case, reimbursement of refundable costs of the trip by AAA shall constitute full settlement with the participant. In the unlikely event that a dispute arises between a participant and AAA or the Met, the following conditions will apply: (a) the dispute will be settled by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in New York, NY; (b) the dispute will be governed by New York Law; (c) the maximum amount of recovery to which a participant shall be entitled under any and all circumstances will be the sum of all monies actually received from the participant by AAA. The participant agrees that this is a fair and reasonable limitation on the damages, of any sort whatsoever, that a participant may suffer. Upon payment of the deposit to AAA, the participant agrees to be bound by the above terms and conditions. Copyright © 2015 Arrangements Abroad, Inc.

CST 2059789-40

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Front cover: Head of a King. Sasanian period, ca. 4th century A.D. Iran. Silver, mercury gilding. H. 15 3⁄4 in. (40 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fletcher Fund, 1965 (65.126); Back cover: Bowl with a lute player. Late 12th–early 13th century. Iran. Stonepaste; polychrome in-glaze and overglaze painted and gilded on an opaque monochrome glaze (mina’i). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Henry G. Leberthon Collection, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. A. Wallace Chauncey, 1957 (57.61.16). (top). Golestan Palace tiles, Tehran (bottom).

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SPLENDORS OF IRAN

From North to South

November 1 to 17, 2015