Iran welcomes Colombian tourists
A group of twenty-two Colombian tourists arrived in Tehran on a cool and cloudy Friday in the month of January of 2015. Among this great group of tourists there were young and older people and also a variety of careers and characteristics like artist, civil engineer, lawyer, physiotherapist, pianist, executive director, and housewife.
Day 1
Welcome to Iran and explore Tehran
The tourists started their journey through Iran from Tehran the capital. This capital is among the largest and most populated cities in the western Asia. Tehran has the ability of making you experience different feelings during your visit because it is the home to so many historical monuments, traditional buildings, as well as modern and high-tech structures. The visit in Tehran started from historical royal summer home, the Saadabad Palace, Glass and Ceremic Museum, and then in the evening it ended with a 360 degree view of Tehran from 435-meter high Milad tower. Milad tower has become the symbol of the modern Tehran. It is the most significant building in Tehran and the sixth tallest television and telecommunication tower in the world.
Day 2
Experience Tehran through the eyes of a local guide
On the second day in Tehran the visitors discovered Archeology and Jewelry Museum; after that they visited Grand Bazaar which is a historical market and the largest mall in the world. The next stop after lunch was Golestan Palace (The Rose Garden Palace) which is a royal Qajar complex. In the evening they flew to Shiraz.
Day 3&4
Discovering Persian secrets in Shiraz- History, Poetry, and Flowers
Colombians visited Narenjestan, Eram Garden, Tomb of Hafez and Saadi, Nasir al-Mulk mosque, Vakil Bazaar, Persepolis city, and Naqshe Rostam in Shiraz.
En route from Shiraz to Yazd they had a stop at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pasargadae. Pasargadae was once the capital of Persian Empire until the Macedonians, led by Alexander the Great in 330 B.C, conquered it. One would see the Presidential Palace, part of a royal complex known as Tall-e Takht, mostly built in the sixth century during the Cyrus the Great Empire.
Day 5
Yazd, the city of windward (Badgir)
In Yazd they visited the magnificent Jame’ Mosque, Mir-Chakhmagh Complex, Zoroastrian Towers of Silence and the Fire Temple.
In the afternoon they left Yazd for Isfahan.
Day 6
Reaching Half of the World in Beautiful Isfahan
The next place to visit and discover after Yazd was Isfahan, the third biggest city in Iran. The great historical monuments, paintings, and buildings in this city have made it as one of the places recorded in the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Colombian tourists enjoyed their visit of the Royal Square and Imam Square (Naghshe Jahan) one of the largest plazas in the world, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque and Imam Mosque, Ali Qapo and Chehel Soton Palace, and some historical bridges.
Day 7
Discovering Isfahan and Having Fun in Persian Cooking Class
Vank Cathedral also known as the Church of the Saintly Sisters was the next place where the tourists visited on their seventh day of stay in Iran. The Church belongs to Armenian Christians who first came to the area in the early 17th century by the order of Shah Abbas the Great. The first book that was ever printed in Iran is in a library alongside this cathedral.
Cooking Persian Food
In the evening, the tourists had Persian Cuisine class in Isfahan. They learned how to cook Tahchin Morgh (chicken recipe) and Khoresh Aloo Esfenaj (spinach and prunes stew) from scratch.
Day 8
Farewell Dinner
This morning, drive from Isfahan toTehran and at the night they had farewell dinner with Iran Doostan Tours team.
Iran Doostan radio interview
Ms. Amparo Angel de Biermann from Colombia . 70 years old.
“This is the first time that I have visited Iran. I had chosen this itinerary because I had heard a lot about Shiraz and its culture and history. But when I visited some of Iran cities I liked all cities. Local people are kind, thoughtful and they will go out of their way to help you. We had a perfect tourist guide. Our agency in Bogotá told us Iran is a wonderful country, safe to visit and full of beautiful cities and ancient culture. I have never think Iran is dangers, because I have read a lot about Iran. I’m pianist but I love history. When I visited Persepolis I was excited with all its glory. I would love to say thanks to all Iran Doostan team because of their perfect itinerary and tour planning. We really didn’t miss our home we feel like at home. I loved being a tourist in Iran, and I hope more people will be going there soon!”
