IRAN.
26/Mar/2018 to 20/Apr/2018.
26/Mar/2018 to 20/Apr/2018.
Itinerary :
Esfahan - Nai'In - Yazd - Kerman - Kaluds - Mahan - Bam - Meymand - Bavanat - Pasargadae - Persepolis - Shiraz - Firuz Abad - Bishapur - Shiraz - Kashan - Esfahan.
1 € = ~60000 Rial (IRR).
1 US$ = ~48000 Rial.
1 000 000 IRR = ~16.70 € = ~20.80 US$.
Iranian Time = West European Time + 2.5 hours.
1 US$ = ~48000 Rial.
1 000 000 IRR = ~16.70 € = ~20.80 US$.
Iranian Time = West European Time + 2.5 hours.
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| 10 000 Rial banknote, worth 0.23€. |
Monday 26/Mar/2018.
Home to Isfahan journey.
- Turkish Airlines flight TK1366 from Marseille (MRS) to Istanbul (IST), 12:15-16:30, 3h15.
(384€ from MRS to IFN, return, for all 4 flights).
- Transit 4h15.
- Turkish Airlines flight TK892 from Istanbul (IST) to Isfahan (IFN), 22:10-03:05, 3h25.
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| Check-in for the first leg : Marseille to Istanbul. |
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| Free upgrade to Business Class for the first leg, Marseille to Istanbul, a 3h15 flight. |
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| Business-class lunch, this was just the starter. |
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| Economy class seat and lunch however on the second leg, Istanbul-Isfahan, also a 3h15 flight. |
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| Bedroom for the first two nights. |
Tuesday 27/Mar/2018.
Home to Isfahan Journey (continued) & Isfahan.
- Landing at Isfahan's airport 03:05.
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| Discovering my hotel with the morning light. Stayed there for two nights, then changed for Ghasr Monshi hotel. |
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| Welcome to Isfahan ! |
Jameh mosque (Masjed-e Jameh).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jameh_Mosque_of_Isfahan
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| Masjed-e Jameh. |
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| Masjed-e Jameh. |
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| Masjed-e Jameh. |
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| Masjed-e Jameh. |
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| Masjed-e Jameh. |
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| Free Islam information corner. |
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| Donation box. 'Donations will be rendered 700 times as much by Allah'. |
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| Fashion clothes stall. |
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| Bazar, mosque entrance. |
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| Bazar, kitch mirrors shop. Woman are supposed to receive a huge mirror at their wedding. |
Naqsh-e Jahan Imam Square.
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| Naqsh-e Jahan ('Pattern of the World') Square, the second-largest square on earth. |
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| Naqsh-e Jahan Imam Square, Masjed-e Sheikh Lotfollah. |
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| Naqsh-e Jahan Imam Square, Kakh-e Ali Qapu (Ali Quapu Palace). |
Khaju Bridge (Pol-e Khaju).
Built in about 1650, its 110m length has two levels of terraced arcades. In the center, a pavilion was built exclusively for the Shah's pleasure.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khaju_Bridge
Back to Naqsh-e Jahan Imam Square.
Wednesday 28/Mar/2018.
Isfahan (Esfahan).
Said to be the "Most Beautiful Mosque in the World".
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| Masjed-e Sheikh Lotfollah. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Lotfollah_Mosque |
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| Ceiling. |
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| Iranian people like picnicking on city squares, parks, roundabouts, along the highways. |
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| Hotel for the next two nights (third and fourth night at Isfahan). |
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| Hotel room for the next two nights, at basement level -2. |
|---| Ghasr Monshi hotel, Isfahan, 3000000Rial ~50€/n including breakfast (normal rate 75€/n).
Thursday 29/Mar/2018.
Isfahan (Esfahan).
Chehel Sutun garden.
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| Chehel Sutun garden. |
The shaking minarets (a funny tourist trap).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monar_Jonban
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| Monar Jonban, the Shaking Minarets. |
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| Got an ice cream from these so kind Iranian tourists, next we spent the whole afternoon together. |
Armenian Quarter.
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| Kelisa-ye Vank (Holy Savior Cathedral), one of the many Armenian churches. |
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| Kelisa-ye Vank's brightly cloured frescoes. |
|---| Ghasr Monshi hotel, Isfahan, 3000000Rial ~50€/n including breakfast (normal rate 75€/n).
Friday 30/Mar/2018.
Isfahan to Toudeshk journey.
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| Leaving the nice hotel after breakfast. |
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| Along the road for Na'In. |
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| Caravanserai along the road. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caravanserai |
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| Door knockers, left for man, right for woman. |
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| Invited by Toudeshk village people. |
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| Guest house for the next two nights. |
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| Bedroom for the next two nights. |
|---| Tak Taku Guest House, Toudeshk, 30US$/n full board.
Saturday 31/Mar/2018.
Na'in visit (Nahin).
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| Breakfast. |
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| Na'in is famous for its carpets. |
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| Bakery. |
Rigareh historical mill (30m underground).
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| Mosallah mausoleum. |
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| Masjed-e Jame. |
Desert.
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| Sand dunes. |
|---| Tak Taku Guest House, Toudeshk, 30US$/n full board.
Sunday 01/Apr/2018.
Toudeshk to Yazd journey.
Toudeshk to Yazd journey.
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| Bus ride from Toudeshk to Yazd. |
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| View from the hotel rooftop restaurant. |
|---| Orient Hotel, Yazd, 20€/n including breakfast.
|---| Orient Hotel, Yazd, 20€/n including breakfast.
Tuesday 03/Apr/2018.
Zoroastrian Fire temple and the Silence Towers.
|---| Orient Hotel, Yazd.
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| Bogheh-ye Sayyed Roknaddin. |
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| Kharanagh, a fascinating ghost village in the desert. |
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| Chak Chak. |
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| The Zoroastrian Fire Temple of Chak Chak. |
Meybod.
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| Narin mud brick castle remains. |
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| Narin castle gate. |
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| Yakhchal, ice silo. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakhchal |
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| Ceiling of the ice silo. |
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| Yazd's Zoroastrian Fire Temple. |
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| Temple ceiling. |
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| Mountains with the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence (Dakhmeh) on top. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_Silence |
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| View on the mortuery reception buildings (from the mountain top). |
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| This is where the dead bodies were exposed (mountain top). |
Wednesday 04/Apr/2018.
Yazd to Shiraz Journey, Persepolis.
Abarkooh Cypress Tree.
Persepolis.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persepolis
|---| Niayesh Boutique Hotel, Shiraz.
Thursday 05/Apr/2018.
Masjed-e Nasir-al-Molk.
Naranjestan citrus garden.
Yazd to Shiraz Journey, Persepolis.
Abarkooh Cypress Tree.
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| Abarkooh Cypress tree, age: more than 4000 years. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarv-e_Abarkuh |
Persepolis.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persepolis
|---| Niayesh Boutique Hotel, Shiraz.
Thursday 05/Apr/2018.
Masjed-e Nasir-al-Molk.
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| Masjed-e Nasir-al-Molk. |
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| Naranjestan citrus garden. |
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| Naranjestan citrus garden. |
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| Naranjestan-e Qavam pavillion. |
Shah-e Cheragh shrine.
|---| Niayesh Boutique Hotel, Shiraz.
Friday 06/Apr/2018.
Tang-e Chogan.
Bishapur.
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| Tang-e Chogan cave hike. |
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| The giant statue of Shapur I in front of the cave. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shapur_cave |
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| Descend from the cave. |
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| Ardashir Palace. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Ardashir |
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| Qal'eh Dokhtar Castle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qal'eh_Dokhtar |
|---| Niayesh Boutique Hotel, Shiraz.
Saturday 07/Apr/2018.
Shiraz biking and Shiraz to Kerman journey.
Bagh-e Eram.
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| Wedding pictures. |
Afif Abad Garden.
- 21:30 Shiraz to Kerman night bus, Mihan Noor Aria Company, 210000Rials (~3.50€).
|---| Night Bus.
Sunday 08/Apr/2018.
Kerman.
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| Koranic school students. |
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| Koranic school student surrounded by teachers. |
|---| Hotel Akhavan, 45€/n incl breakfast and dinner, Kerman.
Monday 09/Apr/2018.
Bam tour.
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| The underlying qanat, underground water canals. |
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| Bedroom for tonight. |
|---| Desert Camp.
Tuesday 10/Apr/2018 - Anniversary.
Kaluts desert tour.
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| Sunrise over the Dasht-e Lut desert. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasht-e_Lut |
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| Feeling good with sunrise colors and a salty soil. |
Exploring the Kaluts desert by 4WD.
Mahan.
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| Shahzdeh garden, historical persian garden. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shazdeh_Garden |
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| Shah Nematollah Vali mausoleum. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shah_Nematollah_Vali_Shrine |
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| Persian poems and verses of the quran. |
Bakery visit, no birthday pies found.
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| Anniversary cake. |
|---| Hotel Akhavan, 45€/n incl breakfast and dinner, Kerman.
Wednesday 11/Apr/2018.
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| Sanati Museum of Contemporary Art, Rodin's grasping hand sculpture. |
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| Blacksmith in the Bazar. |
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| Vakil tea house, lunch restaurant (ancient traditional bathhouse, founded 1280). |
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| 14:30 bus from Kerman to Kashan. The bus driver will dump me at 2:00 (AM) at the toll boot... |
- 14:30-02:00 bus from Kerman to Kashan, Payaneha Company, 500000Rial (~8.30€).
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| Bedroom for this short night. |
|---| Bus & Kamalmolk Traditional Guesthouse, Kashan, 1300000Rials/n (~21.70€/n) including breakfast.
Thursday 12/Apr/2018.
Historical Houses.
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| Tabatabatei house. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabatabatei_House |
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| Abbasi House. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbasi_House |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Amir_Ahmad_Bathhouse
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| Rooftop of the bathhouse, light domes and chimneys. |
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| Oops, a suggestif fountain. |
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| Coffee shop. |
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| Dinner place Abbasi. |
|---| Kamalmolk Traditional Guesthouse, Kashan, 1650000Rials/n (~27.50€/n) including breakfast.
Friday 13/Apr/2018.
Shahzadeh Ebrahim Mausoleum.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emamzadeh_Ebrahim,_Kashan
Finn Garden.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fin_Garden
Abyaneh.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abyaneh
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| Bedroom for the next night. |
|---| Kamalmolk Traditional Guesthouse, Kashan, 1650000Rials/n (~27.50€/n) including breakfast.
Saturday 14/Apr/2018.
Niyasar.
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| Chahar Taq, a Zoroastrian Fire Temple. |
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| Damask roses are cultivated for rose watering. |
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| Rose water is distilled from the damask roses. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_water |
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| Niyasar waterfall, pictured in interested company. |
Bazar.
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| Hamman-e Khan coffee shop in the bazar. |
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| Eggplant stew dinner. |
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| Midnight stop. |
- 20:30-5:30 Night bus from Kashan to Kermanshah, Bita Company, 430000Rials (~7.20€).
|---| Night Bus & Resalat Hotel, Kermanshah, 1300000Rials/n (22€/n) including breakfast.
Sunday 15/Apr/2018.
Behistun. &
Taq-e Bustan.
Behistun.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behistun_Inscription
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| "Darius receiving chained supplicants" bas-relief,. surrounded by cuneiform inscriptions in three languages. This bas-relief carving from 521BC allowed the deciphering of the cuneiform script. (Picture stolen from the internet). |
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| Hercules from 148 BC. |
Taq-e Bostan.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taq-e_Bostan
|---| Resalat Hotel, Kermanshah, 1300000Rials/n (22€/n) including breakfast.
Monday 16/Apr/2018.
Palangan.
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| Six hours taxi ride for 1000000 Rials, (~16.70€). |
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| Fish farms near Palangan. |
|---| Resalat Hotel, Kermanshah, 1300000Rials/n (22€/n) including breakfast.
Tuesday 17/Apr/2018.
Kermanshah to Hamadan journey.
- Savari (shared taxi) from Kermanshah to Hamadan, 190000Rials (~3.20€).
Hamadan.
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| Iraq-Iran war heroes (victims). |
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| Imam Khomeini square, crossroad of six avenues. |
Esther and Mordechai mausoleum.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_Esther_and_Mordechai
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| The 2500 years old building, housing also a tiny synagogue. |
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| Tombs of biblical queen Esther and Mordechai, supervised by a quaint Jewish rabbi accepting a small donation. |
Ganjnameh.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganjnameh
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| The cuneiform Ganjnameh inscriptions. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganjnameh |
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| Tonight's hotel, located above a delicious ice cream shop. |
Wednesday 18/Apr/2018.
Hamadan to Isfahan journey.
Hamadan (continued)
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| Alaviyan Dome, 12th Century, ... without dome. |
Hegmataneh hill museum (ancient Ecbatana city).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecbatana
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| Moulage of the cuneiform Ganjnameh inscriptions. |
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| 12:30-19:30 bus from Hamadan to Isfahan, a 7h ride. |
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| Room for the next two nights. |
|---| Seven Hostel, Isfahan, 30€/room/n including breakfast.
Thursday 19/Apr/2018.
Isfahan.
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| Coffee shop in the Bazar. |
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| Mosque in the Bazar. |
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| Street decorations. |
With 20000 m2 the biggest mosque in Iran, covering 800 years of islamic design.
Shahrzad Restaurant.
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| Isfahan's famous Shahrzad restaurant. |
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| "Fesenjan", a deliciousc persian dish : chicken cooked in walnut and pomegranate sauce. |
|---| Seven Hostel, Isfahan, 30€/room/n including breakfast.
Friday 20/Apr/2018.
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| Boarding the 4:05 flight from Isfahan to Istanbul. |
- Turkish Airlines flight TK893 from Isfahan (IFN) to Istanbul (IST), 04:05-06:10, 3h35.
- Transit 2h35.
- Turkish Airlines flight TK1335 from Istanbul (IST) to Marseille (MRS), 08h45-11:20, 3h35.
|---| Home.
