IRAN IN WINTER

Morning/Afternoon: Departure from Italy with a direct/connecting flight.

Evening: Late-night arrival, transfer to the hotel, and check-in.

Morning: Discovery of the vibrant heart of Tehran with a visit to its immense Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest markets in the world, followed by a stroll through the elegant gardens of Golestan Palace. Street-food lunch near Imam Khomeini Square, surrounded by the energy and contrasts of the Iranian capital.

Afternoon: Metro ride to Tajrish, nestled at the foot of the majestic Alborz Mountains. Exploration of its colorful and picturesque bazaar, calmer and more atmospheric than the city center, before continuing by taxi to Darband, famous for its riverside cafés, traditional tea houses, and lively local atmosphere.

Evening: Dinner and evening in Tehran.

Morning: Early departure from Tehran after picking up the rental car, beginning the journey south toward the elegant desert city of Kashan. Arrival before lunch, hotel check-in, and first immersion into the city’s timeless atmosphere with a stroll through its historic bazaar, famous for its lively alleys, spices, carpets, and rosewater shops.

Afternoon: Guided visit to some of Kashan’s architectural treasures, including the magnificent Agha Bozorg Mosque, the historic Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse, and the refined 18th-century merchant houses that make Kashan one of Iran’s most fascinating cities. Later in the day, free time to wander through the bazaar, considered one of the best places in Iran to shop for spices, handicrafts, and traditional rosewater, with the possibility of climbing onto the rooftops to admire the sunset over the desert skyline.

Evening: Dinner and evening in Kashan.

Morning: Departure towards Isfahan, with a stop along the way in the enchanting mountain village of Abyaneh. Nestled in a secluded valley at the foot of the mountains, this ancient red-mud village offers a glimpse into traditional Persian life, with its labyrinthine alleys, centuries-old houses, and historic mosques built from sun-dried clay.

Afternoon: Arrival in Isfahan, hotel check-in, lunch, and first exploration of the city, often described as one of the jewels of the Islamic world. With a history spanning millennia, Isfahan reveals an extraordinary legacy of art, architecture, and culture through its elegant boulevards, monumental squares, and timeless atmosphere.

Evening: Sunset tea on one of the rooftop terraces overlooking Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the magnificent square that forms the vibrant heart of the city, followed by dinner and evening in Isfahan.

Morning: Beginning the day in the magnificent Naqsh-e Jahan Square, one of the largest and most breathtaking squares in the world. Guided walking tour through the artistic and architectural wonders of Isfahan, including the elegant Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, the grand Ali Qapu Palace, and the spectacular Shah Mosque, masterpieces of Safavid architecture and Persian artistry.

Afternoon: Continuation of the exploration of Isfahan with a visit to the historic Armenian quarter of Julfa and its remarkable churches, before returning to the city center by crossing the iconic covered bridges of the Safavid era. Free time to wander through the vibrant Isfahan bazaar, filled with carpets, miniature paintings, spices, and traditional handicrafts.

Evening: Dinner and evening in the traditional Persian restaurants of Isfahan

Morning: Departure for Yazd by private minivan. Along the way, visit Meybod, an ancient city on the edge of the desert dominated by the ruins of Narin Castle.

Afternoon: Continuation of the itinerary, stopping for a photo at the Zoroastrian temple of Chak Chak, perched in a unique position on the walls of a rocky cliff, and the ancient ghost town of the mud city of Kharanaq. Arrival in Yazd, hotel check-in.

Evening: Dinner and evening in the restaurants of Yazd.

Morning: Guided walking tour through the historic old town of Yazd, including the magnificent Jameh Mosque of Yazd, considered one of the finest masterpieces of Persian Azeri architecture. Free time to wander through the labyrinthine alleys of the old city, where dozens of iconic “windcatchers” rise above the skyline, ingenious ancient ventilation towers designed to cool homes naturally in the intense desert heat.

Afternoon: Discovery of the spiritual legacy of Zarathustra and the ancient Zoroastrian traditions that shaped Persian civilization. Excursion outside the city to visit the mysterious Towers of Silence, used for centuries in Zoroastrian funeral rituals. The journey then continues eastward across the desert to the legendary Zein-o-Din Caravanserai, a beautifully restored 16th-century caravanserai transformed into a unique boutique hotel. Time to relax and admire the sunset over the silent desert landscapes.

Evening: Dinner and an evening as true caravanners, sharing chai and fantastic travel stories at Zein-o-din

Morning: Early departure heading east, far from the main tourist routes, following the ancient caravan roads that once connected Persia with Central and South Asia. Late-morning arrival in Shahdad, a remote oasis settlement on the edge of the legendary Dasht-e Lut desert.

Afternoon: Lunch in the oasis before continuing by 4×4 vehicles with local guides deep into the heart of the desert, towards the extraordinary Kaluts, spectacular rock and sand formations sculpted over centuries by powerful winds. Along the way, frequent stops for photography, dune driving, and short treks among the immense canyons, towers, and surreal landscapes of the Lut Desert. Arrival at the desert camp in time to witness an unforgettable sunset over one of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth.

Evening: Dinner and evening wild camping in the Dasht-e Lut.

Morning: Wake up at dawn to admire the sunrise over the surreal landscapes of the Kaluts before returning to Shahdad for breakfast. Departure southward along spectacular mountain roads toward the Persian Gulf, with a stop in Rayen to visit the extraordinary Rayen Castle, the best-preserved mud-brick fortress in Iran, dating back more than a thousand years.

Afternoon: Continuation of the journey through increasingly arid and sun-drenched landscapes toward the Persian Gulf coast. Arrival in the port city of Bandar Abbas and boarding of the speedboat to Hormuz Island, crossing the shimmering waters of the Strait of Hormuz. Arrival on the island, transfer to the guesthouse, and check-in.

Evening: Dinner and evening in the picturesque local spots of Hormuz.

Morning and afternoon: A full day dedicated to discovering the extraordinary natural wonders of Hormuz Island, a surreal multicolored world still largely untouched by international tourism. Guided exploration by tuk-tuk or mountain bike alongside a local guide, uncovering the island’s most spectacular landscapes: the vibrant Saffron Valley, the peaceful Turtle Beach, and the striking Red Beach, where scarlet waters meet shimmering silver-black sands. Short trekking excursion to the mesmerizing Rainbow Cave, whose walls display extraordinary shades ranging from deep crimson to indigo. Continuation toward the western side of the island to explore the colorful Rainbow Valley and admire the remarkable natural salt sculpture known as the Salt Goddess. Sunset over the Persian Gulf, with the possibility of swimming in its warm waters, before returning to the town of Hormuz.

Evening: Dinner and evening in the picturesque local spots of Hormuz.

Morning: Early wake-up for the first speedboat crossing from Hormuz Island back to Bandar Abbas. Breakfast upon arrival and continuation of the road trip toward the southwestern regions of Iran, crossing ever-changing desert and mountain landscapes.

Afternoon: Lunch along the way and arrival in Shiraz in the mid-afternoon. Hotel check-in followed by a visit to the celebrated Tomb of Hafez, the elegant mausoleum dedicated to the greatest poet of Persian literature. Born and raised in Shiraz, Hafez remains a timeless symbol of the city’s artistic and spiritual soul.

Evening: Dinner and evening in the local spots of Shiraz.

Morning: Early wake-up for a final visit to the breathtaking Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, famously known as the “Pink Mosque.” As the first rays of sunlight filter through the stained-glass windows of the winter prayer hall, the interior comes alive in a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of colors, one of the most unforgettable sights in all of Iran. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Tehran and onward international connection to Italy.

Afternoon / Evening: Overnight flight back to Italy, bringing to an end an extraordinary journey through the timeless wonders of Persia, from ancient caravan cities and majestic mosques to remote deserts, nomadic traditions, and the surreal landscapes of Hormuz Island. Arrival on Day 13… and until the next adventure!