Splendors of Iran

8
X SPLENDORS OF I RAN X From North to South X November 1 to 17, 2015 X T HE M ETROPOLITAN M USEUM OF A RT

description

From North to South November 1 to 17, 2015

Transcript of Splendors of Iran

Page 1: Splendors of Iran

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

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

The exceptional museums of Tehran,

including the National Museum, Carpet

Museum, and National Jewels Museum

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.

Sincerely,

Emily K. Rafferty President

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T 1 0 0 0 F I F T H A V E N U E N E W Y O R K , N E W Y O R K 1 0 0 2 8

SP L E N D O R S O F I R A N From North to South

November 1 to 17, 2015

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R TT H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T

1000 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10028

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDACADEMIC

ARRANGEMENTS ABROAD

S P L E N D O R S O F I R A N

From North to South November 1 to 17, 2015

www.metmuseum.org/travel

A NOTE ABOUT TRAVEL 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 country—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.

MARTINA RUGIADI is Assistant Cura-tor in the Department of Islamic Art at The Metro-politan 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 Masjid-e 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).

TRAVELING WITH YOU

Caspian Sea

Persian Gulf

IRAN

Tehran

Isfahan

Shiraz

Zanjan

Persepolis

Pasargadae

Tabriz

Page 2: Splendors of Iran

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

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

The exceptional museums of Tehran,

including the National Museum, Carpet

Museum, and National Jewels Museum

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.

Sincerely,

Emily K. Rafferty President

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T 1 0 0 0 F I F T H A V E N U E N E W Y O R K , N E W Y O R K 1 0 0 2 8

SP L E N D O R S O F I R A N From North to South

November 1 to 17, 2015

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R TT H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T

1000 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10028

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDACADEMIC

ARRANGEMENTS ABROAD

S P L E N D O R S O F I R A N

From North to South November 1 to 17, 2015

www.metmuseum.org/travel

A NOTE ABOUT TRAVEL 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 country—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.

MARTINA RUGIADI is Assistant Cura-tor in the Department of Islamic Art at The Metro-politan 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 Masjid-e 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).

TRAVELING WITH YOU

Caspian Sea

Persian Gulf

IRAN

Tehran

Isfahan

Shiraz

Zanjan

Persepolis

Pasargadae

Tabriz

Page 3: Splendors of Iran

S P L E N D O R S O F I R A N From North to South

November 1 to 17, 2015________________________ ________________________

NEW YORK ISTANBULSunday & Monday, November 1 & 2

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 late-night flight to Tabriz.

TABRIZTuesday, November 3

Arrive early this morning in Tabriz and transfer to the Pars El-Goli Hotel, where rooms are reserved for immedi-ate 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.

TABRIZWednesday, November 4

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

S P L E N D O R S O F I R A N

1906, and considered by many as the most progressive city in Iran. Our morning touring begins at the 15th- century 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 Iran’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

TABRIZThursday, 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 com-plex 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.

TABRIZ ZANJANFriday, November 6

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 Zoroastrianism’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.

ZANJAN TEHRANSaturday, November 7

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.

F R O M N O R T H T O S O U T H

To reserve a place, please return this form along with your deposit of $2,000 per person (of which $350 is non-refundable for administrative fees) payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad, 1040 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10018-3721.

____________________________________________________________________________________Names in Full as on Passports. Please Print.

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________Address

____________________________________________________________________________________City State Zip

____________________________________________________________________________________Telephone (Home) (Business)

____________________________________________________________________________________Fax E-mail

ACCOMMODATIONS I wish to share a room with ___________________________________________________

Double Twin Single (at a supplement of $1,035)

FORM OF PAYMENT Enclosed is my check (payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad) Credit card (may be used for deposit only)

____________________________________________________________________________________Name on Credit Card

____________________________________________________________________________________Credit Card Number

____________________________________________________________________________________3- or 4-Digit Security Code Expiration Date

Each participant must sign below. I/We confirm that I/we have carefully read and agree to the Terms & Conditions of this Program. I/We agree to full payment by check or wire transfer 150 days prior to departure.

____________________________________________________________________________________Signature (Required) Date

____________________________________________________________________________________Signature (Required) Date

For additional information, please contact Academic Arrangements Abroad Telephone: 212-514-8921 or 800-221-1944 Fax: 212-344-7493 E-mail: [email protected] www.metmuseum.org/travel

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T

Splendors of Iran November 1 to 17, 2015R E S E R V A T I O N A P P L I C A T I O N

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 mono-chrome 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).

T E R M S & C O N D I T I O N S

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 TRIP CANCELLATION / EMERGENCY MEDICAL EVACUATION / BAGGAGE / ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. CANCELLATION

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 subcon-tractor 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. Nor will AAA or the Met and/or their agents be responsible for loss, injury, damages or expenses to persons or property, due to illness, weather, strikes, local laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts of nature or other such causes in connection with The Program or any-thing beyond their reasonable control. AAA is not responsible for transportation or other program delays and changes, nor additional expenses or loss of time that may be incurred. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort or well-being of the participants, or for any reason whatsoever, to alter the itinerary at any time, without notice to the participants, such alterations will be made without penalty to AAA or the Met. Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the participants. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the participant at all times. 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; communica-tion 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 notifica-tion 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

ISFAHANWednesday, November 11

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.

ISFAHANThursday, 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 SHIRAZFriday, 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 after-noon and walk through the Qur’an Gate at the entrance to the city before checking into the Homa Hotel.

TEHRANSunday, November 8

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 impres-sive Carpet Museum and the Reza Abbasi Museum whose galleries include ceramics, important finds in gold and silver, and masterpieces of Persian miniature painting.

TEHRANMonday, 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.

TEHRAN ISFAHANTuesday, November 10

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 12th-century 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.

Rock houses of Kandovan

RATE INCLUDES

Fifteen nights hotel accommodations, as per itinerary; day rooms at an Istanbul Airport hotel

Buffet breakfast daily, fourteen lunches and dinners; bottled water and coffee / tea with meals

Program of lectures by Martina Rugiadi

Airport / hotel group transfers

Escorted sightseeing and entrance fees

Gratuities to guides and drivers

Taxes, service, and porterage fees for one suitcase

Ph

oto

by

Glo

ria

De

Lu

ca

PROGRAM RATE PER PERSON $9,995

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $1,035

NOT INCLUDED IN RATE International airfare; passport and visa fees; transfers for those not on suggested group flights; personal items and expenses; trip insurance; baggage in excess of one suitcase; any other items not specifically mentioned as included.

Nasir-al-Mulk Mosque, Shiraz

SHIRAZSaturday, November 14

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

SHIRAZSunday, November 15

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

SHIRAZMonday, November 16

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

Shah Mosque, Isfahan

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

ISTANBUL NEW YORKTuesday, November 17

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

Page 4: Splendors of Iran

S P L E N D O R S O F I R A N From North to South

November 1 to 17, 2015________________________ ________________________

NEW YORK ISTANBULSunday & Monday, November 1 & 2

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 late-night flight to Tabriz.

TABRIZTuesday, November 3

Arrive early this morning in Tabriz and transfer to the Pars El-Goli Hotel, where rooms are reserved for immedi-ate 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.

TABRIZWednesday, November 4

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

S P L E N D O R S O F I R A N

1906, and considered by many as the most progressive city in Iran. Our morning touring begins at the 15th- century 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 Iran’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

TABRIZThursday, 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 com-plex 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.

TABRIZ ZANJANFriday, November 6

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 Zoroastrianism’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.

ZANJAN TEHRANSaturday, November 7

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.

F R O M N O R T H T O S O U T H

To reserve a place, please return this form along with your deposit of $2,000 per person (of which $350 is non-refundable for administrative fees) payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad, 1040 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10018-3721.

____________________________________________________________________________________Names in Full as on Passports. Please Print.

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________Address

____________________________________________________________________________________City State Zip

____________________________________________________________________________________Telephone (Home) (Business)

____________________________________________________________________________________Fax E-mail

ACCOMMODATIONS I wish to share a room with ___________________________________________________

Double Twin Single (at a supplement of $1,035)

FORM OF PAYMENT Enclosed is my check (payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad) Credit card (may be used for deposit only)

____________________________________________________________________________________Name on Credit Card

____________________________________________________________________________________Credit Card Number

____________________________________________________________________________________3- or 4-Digit Security Code Expiration Date

Each participant must sign below. I/We confirm that I/we have carefully read and agree to the Terms & Conditions of this Program. I/We agree to full payment by check or wire transfer 150 days prior to departure.

____________________________________________________________________________________Signature (Required) Date

____________________________________________________________________________________Signature (Required) Date

For additional information, please contact Academic Arrangements Abroad Telephone: 212-514-8921 or 800-221-1944 Fax: 212-344-7493 E-mail: [email protected] www.metmuseum.org/travel

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T

Splendors of Iran November 1 to 17, 2015R E S E R V A T I O N A P P L I C A T I O N

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 mono-chrome 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).

T E R M S & C O N D I T I O N S

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 TRIP CANCELLATION / EMERGENCY MEDICAL EVACUATION / BAGGAGE / ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. CANCELLATION

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 subcon-tractor 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. Nor will AAA or the Met and/or their agents be responsible for loss, injury, damages or expenses to persons or property, due to illness, weather, strikes, local laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts of nature or other such causes in connection with The Program or any-thing beyond their reasonable control. AAA is not responsible for transportation or other program delays and changes, nor additional expenses or loss of time that may be incurred. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort or well-being of the participants, or for any reason whatsoever, to alter the itinerary at any time, without notice to the participants, such alterations will be made without penalty to AAA or the Met. Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the participants. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the participant at all times. 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; communica-tion 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 notifica-tion 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

ISFAHANWednesday, November 11

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.

ISFAHANThursday, 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 SHIRAZFriday, 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 after-noon and walk through the Qur’an Gate at the entrance to the city before checking into the Homa Hotel.

TEHRANSunday, November 8

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 impres-sive Carpet Museum and the Reza Abbasi Museum whose galleries include ceramics, important finds in gold and silver, and masterpieces of Persian miniature painting.

TEHRANMonday, 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.

TEHRAN ISFAHANTuesday, November 10

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 12th-century 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.

Rock houses of Kandovan

RATE INCLUDES

Fifteen nights hotel accommodations, as per itinerary; day rooms at an Istanbul Airport hotel

Buffet breakfast daily, fourteen lunches and dinners; bottled water and coffee / tea with meals

Program of lectures by Martina Rugiadi

Airport / hotel group transfers

Escorted sightseeing and entrance fees

Gratuities to guides and drivers

Taxes, service, and porterage fees for one suitcase

Ph

oto

by

Glo

ria

De

Lu

ca

PROGRAM RATE PER PERSON $9,995

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $1,035

NOT INCLUDED IN RATE International airfare; passport and visa fees; transfers for those not on suggested group flights; personal items and expenses; trip insurance; baggage in excess of one suitcase; any other items not specifically mentioned as included.

Nasir-al-Mulk Mosque, Shiraz

SHIRAZSaturday, November 14

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

SHIRAZSunday, November 15

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

SHIRAZMonday, November 16

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

Shah Mosque, Isfahan

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

ISTANBUL NEW YORKTuesday, November 17

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

Page 5: Splendors of Iran

S P L E N D O R S O F I R A N From North to South

November 1 to 17, 2015________________________ ________________________

NEW YORK ISTANBULSunday & Monday, November 1 & 2

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 late-night flight to Tabriz.

TABRIZTuesday, November 3

Arrive early this morning in Tabriz and transfer to the Pars El-Goli Hotel, where rooms are reserved for immedi-ate 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.

TABRIZWednesday, November 4

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

S P L E N D O R S O F I R A N

1906, and considered by many as the most progressive city in Iran. Our morning touring begins at the 15th- century 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 Iran’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

TABRIZThursday, 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 com-plex 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.

TABRIZ ZANJANFriday, November 6

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 Zoroastrianism’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.

ZANJAN TEHRANSaturday, November 7

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.

F R O M N O R T H T O S O U T H

To reserve a place, please return this form along with your deposit of $2,000 per person (of which $350 is non-refundable for administrative fees) payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad, 1040 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10018-3721.

____________________________________________________________________________________Names in Full as on Passports. Please Print.

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________Address

____________________________________________________________________________________City State Zip

____________________________________________________________________________________Telephone (Home) (Business)

____________________________________________________________________________________Fax E-mail

ACCOMMODATIONS I wish to share a room with ___________________________________________________

Double Twin Single (at a supplement of $1,035)

FORM OF PAYMENT Enclosed is my check (payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad) Credit card (may be used for deposit only)

____________________________________________________________________________________Name on Credit Card

____________________________________________________________________________________Credit Card Number

____________________________________________________________________________________3- or 4-Digit Security Code Expiration Date

Each participant must sign below. I/We confirm that I/we have carefully read and agree to the Terms & Conditions of this Program. I/We agree to full payment by check or wire transfer 150 days prior to departure.

____________________________________________________________________________________Signature (Required) Date

____________________________________________________________________________________Signature (Required) Date

For additional information, please contact Academic Arrangements Abroad Telephone: 212-514-8921 or 800-221-1944 Fax: 212-344-7493 E-mail: [email protected] www.metmuseum.org/travel

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T

Splendors of Iran November 1 to 17, 2015R E S E R V A T I O N A P P L I C A T I O N

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 mono-chrome 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).

T E R M S & C O N D I T I O N S

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 TRIP CANCELLATION / EMERGENCY MEDICAL EVACUATION / BAGGAGE / ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. CANCELLATION

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 subcon-tractor 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. Nor will AAA or the Met and/or their agents be responsible for loss, injury, damages or expenses to persons or property, due to illness, weather, strikes, local laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts of nature or other such causes in connection with The Program or any-thing beyond their reasonable control. AAA is not responsible for transportation or other program delays and changes, nor additional expenses or loss of time that may be incurred. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort or well-being of the participants, or for any reason whatsoever, to alter the itinerary at any time, without notice to the participants, such alterations will be made without penalty to AAA or the Met. Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the participants. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the participant at all times. 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; communica-tion 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 notifica-tion 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

ISFAHANWednesday, November 11

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.

ISFAHANThursday, 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 SHIRAZFriday, 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 after-noon and walk through the Qur’an Gate at the entrance to the city before checking into the Homa Hotel.

TEHRANSunday, November 8

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 impres-sive Carpet Museum and the Reza Abbasi Museum whose galleries include ceramics, important finds in gold and silver, and masterpieces of Persian miniature painting.

TEHRANMonday, 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.

TEHRAN ISFAHANTuesday, November 10

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 12th-century 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.

Rock houses of Kandovan

RATE INCLUDES

Fifteen nights hotel accommodations, as per itinerary; day rooms at an Istanbul Airport hotel

Buffet breakfast daily, fourteen lunches and dinners; bottled water and coffee / tea with meals

Program of lectures by Martina Rugiadi

Airport / hotel group transfers

Escorted sightseeing and entrance fees

Gratuities to guides and drivers

Taxes, service, and porterage fees for one suitcase

Ph

oto

by

Glo

ria

De

Lu

ca

PROGRAM RATE PER PERSON $9,995

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $1,035

NOT INCLUDED IN RATE International airfare; passport and visa fees; transfers for those not on suggested group flights; personal items and expenses; trip insurance; baggage in excess of one suitcase; any other items not specifically mentioned as included.

Nasir-al-Mulk Mosque, Shiraz

SHIRAZSaturday, November 14

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

SHIRAZSunday, November 15

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

SHIRAZMonday, November 16

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

Shah Mosque, Isfahan

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

ISTANBUL NEW YORKTuesday, November 17

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

S P L E N D O R S O F I R A N From North to South

November 1 to 17, 2015________________________ ________________________

NEW YORK ISTANBULSunday & Monday, November 1 & 2

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 late-night flight to Tabriz.

TABRIZTuesday, November 3

Arrive early this morning in Tabriz and transfer to the Pars El-Goli Hotel, where rooms are reserved for immedi-ate 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.

TABRIZWednesday, November 4

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

S P L E N D O R S O F I R A N

1906, and considered by many as the most progressive city in Iran. Our morning touring begins at the 15th- century 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 Iran’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

TABRIZThursday, 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 com-plex 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.

TABRIZ ZANJANFriday, November 6

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 Zoroastrianism’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.

ZANJAN TEHRANSaturday, November 7

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.

F R O M N O R T H T O S O U T H

To reserve a place, please return this form along with your deposit of $2,000 per person (of which $350 is non-refundable for administrative fees) payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad, 1040 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10018-3721.

____________________________________________________________________________________Names in Full as on Passports. Please Print.

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________Address

____________________________________________________________________________________City State Zip

____________________________________________________________________________________Telephone (Home) (Business)

____________________________________________________________________________________Fax E-mail

ACCOMMODATIONS I wish to share a room with ___________________________________________________

Double Twin Single (at a supplement of $1,035)

FORM OF PAYMENT Enclosed is my check (payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad) Credit card (may be used for deposit only)

____________________________________________________________________________________Name on Credit Card

____________________________________________________________________________________Credit Card Number

____________________________________________________________________________________3- or 4-Digit Security Code Expiration Date

Each participant must sign below. I/We confirm that I/we have carefully read and agree to the Terms & Conditions of this Program. I/We agree to full payment by check or wire transfer 150 days prior to departure.

____________________________________________________________________________________Signature (Required) Date

____________________________________________________________________________________Signature (Required) Date

For additional information, please contact Academic Arrangements Abroad Telephone: 212-514-8921 or 800-221-1944 Fax: 212-344-7493 E-mail: [email protected] www.metmuseum.org/travel

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T

Splendors of Iran November 1 to 17, 2015R E S E R V A T I O N A P P L I C A T I O N

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 mono-chrome 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).

T E R M S & C O N D I T I O N S

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 TRIP CANCELLATION / EMERGENCY MEDICAL EVACUATION / BAGGAGE / ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. CANCELLATION

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 subcon-tractor 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. Nor will AAA or the Met and/or their agents be responsible for loss, injury, damages or expenses to persons or property, due to illness, weather, strikes, local laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts of nature or other such causes in connection with The Program or any-thing beyond their reasonable control. AAA is not responsible for transportation or other program delays and changes, nor additional expenses or loss of time that may be incurred. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort or well-being of the participants, or for any reason whatsoever, to alter the itinerary at any time, without notice to the participants, such alterations will be made without penalty to AAA or the Met. Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the participants. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the participant at all times. 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; communica-tion 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 notifica-tion 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

ISFAHANWednesday, November 11

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.

ISFAHANThursday, 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 SHIRAZFriday, 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 after-noon and walk through the Qur’an Gate at the entrance to the city before checking into the Homa Hotel.

TEHRANSunday, November 8

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 impres-sive Carpet Museum and the Reza Abbasi Museum whose galleries include ceramics, important finds in gold and silver, and masterpieces of Persian miniature painting.

TEHRANMonday, 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.

TEHRAN ISFAHANTuesday, November 10

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 12th-century 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.

Rock houses of Kandovan

RATE INCLUDES

Fifteen nights hotel accommodations, as per itinerary; day rooms at an Istanbul Airport hotel

Buffet breakfast daily, fourteen lunches and dinners; bottled water and coffee / tea with meals

Program of lectures by Martina Rugiadi

Airport / hotel group transfers

Escorted sightseeing and entrance fees

Gratuities to guides and drivers

Taxes, service, and porterage fees for one suitcase

Ph

oto

by

Glo

ria

De

Lu

ca

PROGRAM RATE PER PERSON $9,995

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $1,035

NOT INCLUDED IN RATE International airfare; passport and visa fees; transfers for those not on suggested group flights; personal items and expenses; trip insurance; baggage in excess of one suitcase; any other items not specifically mentioned as included.

Nasir-al-Mulk Mosque, Shiraz

SHIRAZSaturday, November 14

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

SHIRAZSunday, November 15

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

SHIRAZMonday, November 16

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

Shah Mosque, Isfahan

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

ISTANBUL NEW YORKTuesday, November 17

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

Page 6: Splendors of Iran

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

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

The exceptional museums of Tehran,

including the National Museum, Carpet

Museum, and National Jewels Museum

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.

Sincerely,

Emily K. Rafferty President

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T 1 0 0 0 F I F T H A V E N U E N E W Y O R K , N E W Y O R K 1 0 0 2 8

SP L E N D O R S O F I R A N From North to South

November 1 to 17, 2015

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R TT H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T

1000 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10028

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDACADEMIC

ARRANGEMENTS ABROAD

S P L E N D O R S O F I R A N

From North to South November 1 to 17, 2015

www.metmuseum.org/travel

A NOTE ABOUT TRAVEL 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 country—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.

MARTINA RUGIADI is Assistant Cura-tor in the Department of Islamic Art at The Metro-politan 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 Masjid-e 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).

TRAVELING WITH YOU

Caspian Sea

Persian Gulf

IRAN

Tehran

Isfahan

Shiraz

Zanjan

Persepolis

Pasargadae

Tabriz

Page 7: Splendors of Iran

S P L E N D O R S O F I R A N From North to South

November 1 to 17, 2015________________________ ________________________

NEW YORK ISTANBULSunday & Monday, November 1 & 2

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 late-night flight to Tabriz.

TABRIZTuesday, November 3

Arrive early this morning in Tabriz and transfer to the Pars El-Goli Hotel, where rooms are reserved for immedi-ate 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.

TABRIZWednesday, November 4

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

S P L E N D O R S O F I R A N

1906, and considered by many as the most progressive city in Iran. Our morning touring begins at the 15th- century 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 Iran’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

TABRIZThursday, 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 com-plex 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.

TABRIZ ZANJANFriday, November 6

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 Zoroastrianism’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.

ZANJAN TEHRANSaturday, November 7

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.

F R O M N O R T H T O S O U T H

To reserve a place, please return this form along with your deposit of $2,000 per person (of which $350 is non-refundable for administrative fees) payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad, 1040 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10018-3721.

____________________________________________________________________________________Names in Full as on Passports. Please Print.

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________Address

____________________________________________________________________________________City State Zip

____________________________________________________________________________________Telephone (Home) (Business)

____________________________________________________________________________________Fax E-mail

ACCOMMODATIONS I wish to share a room with ___________________________________________________

Double Twin Single (at a supplement of $1,035)

FORM OF PAYMENT Enclosed is my check (payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad) Credit card (may be used for deposit only)

____________________________________________________________________________________Name on Credit Card

____________________________________________________________________________________Credit Card Number

____________________________________________________________________________________3- or 4-Digit Security Code Expiration Date

Each participant must sign below. I/We confirm that I/we have carefully read and agree to the Terms & Conditions of this Program. I/We agree to full payment by check or wire transfer 150 days prior to departure.

____________________________________________________________________________________Signature (Required) Date

____________________________________________________________________________________Signature (Required) Date

For additional information, please contact Academic Arrangements Abroad Telephone: 212-514-8921 or 800-221-1944 Fax: 212-344-7493 E-mail: [email protected] www.metmuseum.org/travel

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T

Splendors of Iran November 1 to 17, 2015R E S E R V A T I O N A P P L I C A T I O N

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 mono-chrome 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).

T E R M S & C O N D I T I O N S

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 TRIP CANCELLATION / EMERGENCY MEDICAL EVACUATION / BAGGAGE / ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. CANCELLATION

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 subcon-tractor 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. Nor will AAA or the Met and/or their agents be responsible for loss, injury, damages or expenses to persons or property, due to illness, weather, strikes, local laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts of nature or other such causes in connection with The Program or any-thing beyond their reasonable control. AAA is not responsible for transportation or other program delays and changes, nor additional expenses or loss of time that may be incurred. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort or well-being of the participants, or for any reason whatsoever, to alter the itinerary at any time, without notice to the participants, such alterations will be made without penalty to AAA or the Met. Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the participants. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the participant at all times. 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; communica-tion 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 notifica-tion 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

ISFAHANWednesday, November 11

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.

ISFAHANThursday, 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 SHIRAZFriday, 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 after-noon and walk through the Qur’an Gate at the entrance to the city before checking into the Homa Hotel.

TEHRANSunday, November 8

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 impres-sive Carpet Museum and the Reza Abbasi Museum whose galleries include ceramics, important finds in gold and silver, and masterpieces of Persian miniature painting.

TEHRANMonday, 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.

TEHRAN ISFAHANTuesday, November 10

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 12th-century 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.

Rock houses of Kandovan

RATE INCLUDES

Fifteen nights hotel accommodations, as per itinerary; day rooms at an Istanbul Airport hotel

Buffet breakfast daily, fourteen lunches and dinners; bottled water and coffee / tea with meals

Program of lectures by Martina Rugiadi

Airport / hotel group transfers

Escorted sightseeing and entrance fees

Gratuities to guides and drivers

Taxes, service, and porterage fees for one suitcase

Ph

oto

by

Glo

ria

De

Lu

ca

PROGRAM RATE PER PERSON $9,995

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $1,035

NOT INCLUDED IN RATE International airfare; passport and visa fees; transfers for those not on suggested group flights; personal items and expenses; trip insurance; baggage in excess of one suitcase; any other items not specifically mentioned as included.

Nasir-al-Mulk Mosque, Shiraz

SHIRAZSaturday, November 14

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

SHIRAZSunday, November 15

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

SHIRAZMonday, November 16

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

Shah Mosque, Isfahan

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

ISTANBUL NEW YORKTuesday, November 17

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

Page 8: Splendors of Iran

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

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

The exceptional museums of Tehran,

including the National Museum, Carpet

Museum, and National Jewels Museum

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.

Sincerely,

Emily K. Rafferty President

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T 1 0 0 0 F I F T H A V E N U E N E W Y O R K , N E W Y O R K 1 0 0 2 8

SP L E N D O R S O F I R A N From North to South

November 1 to 17, 2015

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R TT H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T

1000 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10028

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDACADEMIC

ARRANGEMENTS ABROAD

S P L E N D O R S O F I R A N

From North to South November 1 to 17, 2015

www.metmuseum.org/travel

A NOTE ABOUT TRAVEL 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 country—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.

MARTINA RUGIADI is Assistant Cura-tor in the Department of Islamic Art at The Metro-politan 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 Masjid-e 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).

TRAVELING WITH YOU

Caspian Sea

Persian Gulf

IRAN

Tehran

Isfahan

Shiraz

Zanjan

Persepolis

Pasargadae

Tabriz