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Iran added to luxury tour programme
Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours has added trips to Iran for the first time.
Its new 15-day Persia Unveiled itinerary is featured in operator’s new 2020/21 Middle East & Africa collection.
Starting and finishing in the capital, Tehran, the two-week itinerary takes in Persian art, history, food and architecture.
Highlights in the city include the Sa’dabad Palace complex, which contains 18 palaces belonging to the royal families of Qajar and Pahlavi, the chance to see Iran’s Crown Jewels at the National Jewellery Treasury, and an optional caviar tasting experience.
The tour also includes other major historical sites across the centre of Iran, including two days in Shiraz, famed for the ancient Vakil Bazaar, the iconic Pink Mosque and the Eram Gardens.
Guests also visit Yazd, renowned for the brooding Zoroastrian Towers of Silence; and the Silk Road city of Isfahan.
Other new destinations for 2020 include Oman and Israel. The new nine-day Oman Impressions escorted tour begins in the Sultanate’s capital, Muscat, before heading south to the desert region of Wahiba Sands for a taste of Bedouin life; the fabled Green Mountain of Jebel Akhdar and the ancient fort town of Nizwa.
Meanwhile, the eight-day Highlights of Israel itinerary takes in Tel Aviv, the Sea of Galilee and Jerusalem and starts from £4,095 per person on all 2020 departures.
In total, Scenic’s 2020/21 Middle East & Africa collection boasts 15 new itineraries ranging from eight days (Highlights of Israel) to 31 days (Wonders of Africa).
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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