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Brainstorming process

1) Locations :
Travel attractions
- mosque
- Imam mosque
- Sheikh Lotfollah mosque
- Jameh mosque
- palace
- Ali Qapu palace
- Chehelsotoon palace
- museum
- Contemporary art museum
- Isfahan natural history museum
- Isfahan music museum
- bazaar
- Iran bazaars
- square
- Imam square
Restaurants
- Tea house
- Bastani traditional restaurant
- Zagros restaurant
- Shahrzad restaurant
- Sofreh Khaneh Sonnati
- Toranj food complex

Hotel
- Abbasi hotel
2) Historical persons :
- Mohammad Reza Shah
- Ayatollah Khomeini
Historical events :
- Safavid dynasty made Isfahan became a flourished city.
- Isfahan used to be a capital city of the old Persia during Safavid
era
3) Background information about Iran :
- Persia
- second largest country in the Middle East, 18th largest in the
world
- Sassanid dynasty made Iran become one of the leading power in
the world again after the collapsed.
- Safavid dynasty led to the establishment of Shia Islam as the
official religion of Iran.
Political system :
- Islamic republic
- Theoretic + Democracy
4) Cultural fact : - Every woman need to wear head kerchief even
foreigners.
Products :
- dry fruit = pistachio, almonds, dates
- saffron
- sweets = Gaz (sticky candy made from honey dew), Sohan
(saffron brittle toffee)

- trench coat and scarves


- Termeh (handwoven cloth)
- artistic gold and silver jewellery
- gemstones
- carpets
- handicrafts and momentos

Tour itinerary
First day

Bangkok - Isfahan

6.30a.m. Everyone meet at the meeting point at Suvarnabhumi


airport. There will be staffs waiting for you helping you
to check in and proceed to the boarding gate.
9.30a.m. Depart to Dubai Internation Airport
1.15p.m. (Dubai time) Arrive in Dubai. You are free to chill out in
the Flydubai lounge.
6.25p.m. Depart to Isfahan
7.50p.m. (Isfahan time) Arrive at Isfahan International Airport.
At gate 5,you will see local guide waiting for you.
Night

Abbasi hotel

Note! Woman need to wear a head kerchief before go out of the air
plane (our staff in Thailand will give you before checking in.)

Second day
8.30a.m.

Imam mosque - Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque - Imam square


Having breakfast at the hotel.

10.00a.m. Isfahan city tour - Isfahan is an ancient city which is


around 1800 years since Sassanian Empire. Also, it
used to be a capital city of Persia from the year 1587 to
1749 which was in the era of Safavid empire. This city
used to reach the most civilize point in 16th-17th

century which made people called it as haft of the


world and currently it is a world heritage city
registered by UNESCO. The first place that we will go is
Imam mosque. It was built during the Safavid period, it
is an excellent example of Islamic architecture of Iran,
and regarded as one of the masterpieces of Persian
Architecture. It is registered as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Its splendor is mainly due to the beauty
of its seven-colour mosaic tiles and calligraphic
inscriptions.
11.00a.m. Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is a mosque for a king and
member of the royal family to pray. It is known as the
most beautiful interior design especially the dome
which locates in the centre of the hall
12.00a.m. Having lunch at Tea house
2.00p.m.

Imam square also known as Naqsh-e Jahan square is


one of UNESCOs world heritage sites. This square is
surrounded by Safavid style building.

4.00p.m.

Dinner at Bastani traditional restaurant

Third day Aliqapu palace - Contemporary art museum - Chehelsotoon


palace - Isfahan natural history museum

8.30a.m. Breakfast at hotel


10.00a.m. Ali Qapu palace was used as a residential palace. Shah
Abbas the great, ordered to construct the palace on the

site of palace and garden from the Timurid time. Qapu


means the magnificent door.The palace is about 38
meters high, the loftiest and tallest building in the 17th
century and there are 52 rooms.
11.00a.m. Contemporary art museum was built in Safavid
periods. Then, during Qajar dynasty, it was renovated
and redecorated. Today it shows various works of
Isfahan modern artists.
12.00a.m. Lunch at Zagros restaurant
2.00p.m. Chehelsotoon palace was used to be an entertainment
and a reception place for Shah Abbas II.
4.00p.m. Isfahan natural history museum has stucco work and
tile mosaic work which are very attractive quality.
5.00p.m. Dinner at Shahrzad restaurant

Forth day Jameh mosque - Iran bazaars (free time for shopping)
8.30a.m.

Breakfast at hotel

10.00a.m. Jameh mosque is a veritable museum of Islamic


architecture but still used as a busy place of worship.
11.00a.m. Iran bazaars is a maze of lanes, madrasehs, khans
(caravanserais), and timchehs, dome hall or arcaded
centres of a single trade (eg carpet).
5.00p.m. Dinner at Sofreh Khaneh Sonnati

Fifth day free in the morning - Isfahan music museum - Bangkok

8.30a.m.

Breakfast at the hotel

9.30a.m.

Check out from the hotel

10.00a.m. Tour guide will take you to Jahan Nama mall/Azadi


shopping mall/Chahar Bagh Madrasa (choose one)
and you will have free time until lunch time.
12.00a.m. Isfahan music museum
1.00p.m.

Go to Isfahan International Airport

5.00p.m.

Depart from Isfahan

6.10p.m.

Arrive at Dubai International Airport. There is a


lounge provided for you to relax while waiting for the
flight back to Bangkok

10.10p.m. Depart from Dubai


7.30a.m.

Arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport

Script
Day 1
On the bus
New: Shab bekheir everyone! Naam am New.
Seen : Naam am Seen.
Mind : Naam am Mind.
Win : Naam am Win. I am an Iran food expert.
New : We first want to give you guys an official warm welcome to
Isfahan (Shahid Beheshti) International Airport, a place where Qahab-e
Shomali Rural District, in the Central District of Isfahan County, Isfahan
Province, Iran. So right now its currently around eight oclock in the
evening, guessing you guys wanna head to the hotel right now! It takes
around 1 hour to be there. Without further ado, I will take you to the bus
and hand this to Ms. Mind.
Mind : Iran capital city is Tehran. Iran money unit is rial which 1 Thai
baht equals to 982 rials. Farsi is a local language here. Also, we want
you to change the time on your watch because Iran is three hours and a
half later than Thailand.
Seen : Hello everyone! How are you guys? First of all, as you may know
that Iran is Islamic country; so all woman need to wear scarves which
we have provided for you all the time. Now, we are going to Abbasi hotel
which locates in the centre of all tourist attractions and further than that
the interior design of this hotel demonstrates the design of Irans king
too. So, it will give you a sense of luxury that you havent gained from
any place before Now, we have arrived at the hotel. While Im
checking in for you, you can relax at the lobby first Here are room

key cards. So, before you go to your room, let me inform you tomorrow
schedule. Tomorrow you will be provided breakfast at hotel restaurant as
a buffet. The restaurant will be opened from 7 to 9a.m. Then at 8.30a.m.
we will all meet here at the lobby before we go to city tour. Is there any
question or concern? okay so good night everyone see you tomorrow :)

Day 2:
8.30a.m. - Hotel lobby
Seen : So we are all here now. Lets go. Please follow me.
On the bus
Has anyone here known this city before? So, let me introduce this city to
all of you first. Isfahan is also known as a haft of the world! Isfahan
grew considerably from the early 11th through the 18th century, it
flourished particularly during the Safavid dynasty in the 16th century
when it became the capital of the old Persia. So, let me talk about
important people of Isfahan. Do you guys know any important people in
Isfahan? The first one is Mohammad Reza Shah. Iran was ruled as
monarchy for a long time and Mohammad Reza Shah was the last king
of Iran. He maintained a pro-Western foreign policy and fostered
economic development in Iran but corruption in his government, unequal
distribution of oil wealth and political turmoil resulted in his exile to Egypt
followed by the declaration of an Islamic republic in Iran. He died in
1980. After Mohammad Reza Shah had left from Iran, Ayatollah
Khomeini, supreme religious of Shia Islam, became leader of the Islamic
Republic of Iran in 1979, following many years of resistance to Shah
Pahlavi. Ayatollah Khomeini became the supreme religious leader of the

Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, using Islamic teaching or theocratic


republic rule the country. Moreover, he had an
anti mindset toward Western culture.
10a.m. - Imam mosque
Mindko: It was built in 1612 during the reign of Shah Abbas I. He moved
the capital of Savavid dynasty to Isfahan. His goal was to center
political, religious, economic, and cultural activities. The beauty of this
mosque is the 7 colored mosaic tiles and calligraphic inscriptions.
Moreover, this mosque shows Islamic architecture of Iran and also it is a
masterpiece of Persian architecture. So, UNESCO recognized this place
as a world heritage site. Above the portal there is a tile mosaic panel
showing 2 peacocks and a vase of flower. The portal is decorated with
calligraphy. Alireza Abbas I painted alphabets on the portal. Below
Alirezas work, there is another calligraphy created by Mohammad Reza
Imam I. There are 4 grand eivan mosque and 2 storey arcades
surrounding courtyard. According to the belief, the north and south
eiwans are making 45 degrees with Mecca.
11a.m. - Sheikh Lotfollah mosque
Mind : A masterpiece of world's architecture was built during the reign of
Shah Abbas the great. Sheikh Lotfollah was one of Shiite(Shia branch)
prominent, preachers and clergies who came from Jabal Amel in
Lebanon to Isfahan. The Shah Abbas supported him and the Sheikh
took up residence in Isfahan and the sheikh Lotfollah mosque was
named after him. The mosque was used as a Theological school and
also as a royal mosque. It was started to be built in 1602 and it was
completed in 1619. It is said it was used as a private mosque for the
Shah and royal family. It is a small mosque without courtyard and

minarets, but interior and exterior ornamentations are unbelievable for


visitors. The mosque is famous for calligraphies made of tile- mosaic, for
excellent patterns and designs of tile- mosaic which has decorated
major parts of portal, corridor and the main sanctuary. Splendid blue,
yellow and cream colours of tile- mosaics are unique all over the world.
Calligraphy is written in azure blue with white back- ground. The Sheikh
Lotfollah mosque is a philosophical complex. Each part of its decoration
covers certain religious messages, in fact book must be written
regarding facts and message of the ornamentation.
On the bus
Win : Which place do you like more Imam mosque or Sheikh Lotfollah
mosque? I guess all of you might be tired now so I decide to take you to
one of the famous restaurants in Isfahan,tea house.
12a.m. - Tea house
It has a unique style of decoration, with every inch of the walls and
ceiling covered with photographs, paintings, lamps, and other intriguing
knick knacks. Many people called this restaurant cave of wonder.
On the bus
New : How is the food? Is it good? Ok next destination is Imam square
not far from here. Lets go.
2p.m. - Imam square
Seen : Imam square is a square situated at the center of Isfahan city,
Iran. Constructed between 1598 and 1629, it is now an important
historical site, and one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.The square is
depicted on the reverse of the Iranian 20,000 rials banknote.It was Shah
Abbas the Great who made Isfahan his capital and then decreed that
the square should be extended to its present size, and lovely buildings

set around it. The length of this great square, which is actually
rectangular, is 500 meters from north to south, and its width about 150
meters from east to west. It was laid out and beautified in the reign of
Shah Abbas the Great, at the beginning of the seventeenth century.
From that time until sixty years ago the square presented a very different
aspect from the square to day. The whole area of the square within the
limits of the water channels round it was quite level, while to the north
and south stood two goal posts for the game of polo. Those two goal
posts are still in position but replanning with large pool in the center, and
lower beds round has transformed the square and given it a completely
new look. Most of the buildings round are two-storied and the alcoves
simply decorated. You are free to walk around this square and lets meet
here at 4p.m. before we go to restaurant.. Are you hungry now?
Lets have dinner. Here is Bastani traditional restaurant, Iranian
restaurant.
4p.m. - Bastani traditional restaurant
Win : Now, we are at the Bastani traditional restaurant. This restaurant
located in the shadow of the Masjed-e Shah. Its interior features an
internal courtyard with fountain, tiled walls and painted vaulted ceilings
with mirror inlay. I recommend the dishes such as khoresh-e beh
(stewed lamb and quince) and khoresh-e alu(stewed chicken and plum).
It is pretty good and delicious dish.
On the bus
Seen : How is the food? So, tomorrow schedule will be the same.
Breakfast will be provided at hotel restaurant. We will meet at hotel
lobby at 8.30. Good night everyone. Tomorrow we will go to many places
so keep your energy for tomorrow. See ya

Day 3:
8.30a.m. - hotel lobby
Seen : Good morning everyone. Did you guys have a well sleep last
night? This morning we are going to Ali Qapu palace and Contemporary
art museum.
10.00a.m. - Ali Qapu palace
New : The Ali Qapu palace is one of the most well-known palace all over
Iran, which was first built since the year 1597. Shah Abbas the great
ordered to construct this palace in order to serve as a residential palace.
The whole palace consist of four floors each with a veranda, as well as a
garden on the Timurid time. This project was passed on to the next
generation where Shah Abbas the second take it to another step by
creating a music hall (room) on the stop of the palace. So together, this
palace consist of 52 rooms and a total of 38 meters high. Fun fact, Ali
qapu was considered to be the tallest and loftiest building in the 17th
century!... While you adore the beauty of this palace, there are some
serious history to this. In the past, Iranian Empire has such a strong
opposition with the Ottoman Empire, which is the perfect chance for the
European countries who wished to create hostility between the two
empires. Of course, their plans and plots were successful. During the
17th century, Istanbul also has a palace that uses the exact same name.
In Turkish, the word Qapu means the magnificent door. This door, as
you can see, has been decorated beautifully with gold, silver and other
fine arts, all dedicating to the holy shrine of Immam Ali which is located
in Najaf Iraq.

Now let me give you some glimpse description on just some important
parts of this palace. On the fifth floor, if you look out there, there is a
balcony facing to the royal garden. One of the most attractive parts of
the palace is the Verandah, in the third floor. A beautiful panoramic view
of the Imam square, the Seljuk old town and also Isfahan can be seen.
And as I said before, this palace was famous for the music hall, on the
top floor, where there are very ornamented and detailed art pieces
plastered all around.
On the bus
Seen : Next, we will go to contemporary art museum.
11a.m. - Contemporary art museum
Mindko : The Building used for this museum was constructed during
Safavid periods. During Qajar dynasty it was renovated and
redecorated. Today it shows various works of Isfahan modern artists. Ali
Reza Abbasi the prominent artist has worked on glorious miniature
paintings. The main reception hall and all other rooms were decorated
with fabulous plaster work, plaster carving and miniature paintings.
12a.m. - Zagros restaurant
Win : Now, we will take a break and have a lunch at Zagros restaurant. It
is on Soffeh mountain. Excellent view and very delicious food. It has
polite servants, clean bathrooms and an awesome view.
On the bus
Seen : How is the food? The next place that we are heading to is
Chehelsotoon palace.
2p.m. - Chehelsotoon palace
New : Now, seems like you all have been enjoying the wonderful and
beautifully decorated palace of Isfahan. Remember the Ali qapu palace

weve visited recently? If you look from the fifth floor, west side of the
balcony, you can see all the way to this palace right here, the palace of
Chehel Sotoun. This building - now a veritable museum of Persian
painting and ceramics-was a pleasure pavilion used for the king's
entertainments and receptions. built by Shah Abbas II to be used for his
entertainment and receptions. You may wonder where the name came
from...Chechel Satun, meaning forty column. This was influenced from
the 20 wooden column that reinforce the entrance pavilion. It gave of a
reflection in the water fountain making 40 different column altogether.
Now, the reason that this palace stands out and so memorable for
all the visitors that is due to the use of vibrant colours in the interior,
while incorporating events relating to important human figure, such as
several several scenes of battle and audiences held by the Shah with
rulers bordering the eastern portion of the empire. These fluorescent
colours flips all ordinary Islamic designs.
Personally, I am impressed with this piece of art and has got to be
one of my up-there places when talking about Isfahan, the reason is
because when we say palace many would think about the historical
events or stories relating to that specific palace right? The reason that I
like this place is because not only they have the historical parts to it, but
within this beauty lies wonderful meaning and aesthetic compositions to
best underlined the concept of to love and live a joyful life. They chose
to convey these meaningful messages through the paintings on the
ceramic panels where are now in the possession of major museums in
the West. Feel free to walk around with respect, take good pictures and
have a wonderful time with your friends and family at this wonderful

place, The Chehel Sotoun, one of the Irans 17 registered World


Heritage Sites under the name of the Persian Garden.
On the bus
Seen : Who like anything related to nature? The next place would be
your favourite one because it is Isfahan natural history museum.
4p.m. - Isfahan natural history museum
Mindko : The monument which has housed the museum dates back to
15th century. Stucco work and tile mosaic work in this monument are of
very attractive quality. Items shown in this old building do not match with
the structure. For those who are interested in nature, there are
interesting items to be seen.
On the bus
Seen : How is your day today? Which place do you like most so far? We
are at Shahrzad restaurant, a good place for middle eastern and persian
cuisine.

5p.m. - Shahrzad restaurant


Win : Welcome to Shahrzad restaurant. This restaurant is popular for
being one of the few dining places in town that pulls off the Qajar
aesthetic to a high standard. With stained-glass windows and intricate
mirror work, the restaurant is tastefully furnished, light and airy.
Shahrzad has a lively atmosphere and an agreeable selection of
traditional Iranian dishes. Try the delicious joojeh kebab, it is usually
made with skinless and boneless chicken breast.
On the bus

Seen : So, before you go to sleep let me inform you the schedule for
tomorrow trip. We will meet here at 8.30 then we will head to Jameh
mosque and Iran bazaars where you will have free time for shopping.
Good night guys.

Day 4:
8.30a.m. - Hotel lobby
Seen : Hi everyone! You seem enthusiastic today because of shopping
right? Lets go.
10a.m. - Jameh mosque
Mindko : Here is Jameh mosque. The Jameh complex is a veritable
museum of Islamic architecture but still functions as a busy place of
worship. It is the mix of about 800 years of Islamic design, At more than
20,000 square meters, it is also the biggest mosque in Iran. In the centre
of the main courtyard, which is surrounded by four contrasting iwans, is
an ablutions fountain designed to imitate the Kaaba at Mecca; The south
iwan is very elaborate, with Mongol-era stalactite mouldings, some
splendid 15th-century mosaics on the side walls, and two minarets. The
north iwan has a wonderful porch and behind it (entered through a door
next to the iwan) is a prayer hall featuring a forest of pillars. Walk to the
back and you will find the exquisite Tajal-Molk Dome, widely considered
to be the finest brick dome ever built in Persia. While relatively small, it
is said to be mathematically perfect, and has survived dozens of
earthquakes with nary a blemish for more than 900 years. The west
iwan was originally built by the Seljuks but later decorated by the
Safavids and the Room of Sultan Uljeitu. Inside that building is the

winter wall building in 1448 and an exquisite stucco mihrab awash with
dense Quranic inscriptions and floral designs
11a.m. - On the bus + Iran bazaars
Seen : Well, almost four days that all of you are in Isfahan, however, you
havent visited any bazaars here. So, today we decide to bring you here,
Iran bazaars. The oldest parts of the bazaar , are more than a thousand
years old, most of what you see today was built during Shah Abbas
aggressive expansions in the early 1600s. Industries tend to congregate
in certain areas of the bazaar. Trade is busiest in the mornings. For any
of you who is interested to buy souvenirs I suggest you to buy dry fruit
such as pistachio, almonds, dates; saffron; sweets such as Gaz,
Sohaan; trench coat and scarves; Termeh; artistic gold and silver
jewellery; gemstones; carpets; handicrafts and moments. So, after this
you will have time until 4.30p.m. before we have dinner.
On the bus
Seen : Okay so we are all here now. What have you got? Anybody
bought Persian rugs? It is very famous here. After this we will have
dinner at Sofreh Khaneh Sonnati.

5p.m. - Sofreh Khaneh Sonnati


Win : Sofreh Khaneh Sonnati is Translated as traditional eating house,
It is located just along the east side of Imam Square. Thankfully, its
popularity with tourists doesnt diminish the quality of food. The
colourfully tiled walls, arches, and stained glass windows create a
wonderful atmosphere. Enjoy traditional Iranian cuisine here while sitting
on authentic takhts (carpeted and cushioned eating platforms).

On the bus
Seen : Tomorrow is the last day of this trip. So, we will give you free time
in the morning then at 11a.m. we will meet here at the lobby and we will
have lunch before going to Isfahan music museum and heading to
airport. So, see you tomorrow. Oh I forget to suggest you one thing.
Tomorrow in the morning, during your free time, for anyone who
interested shopping, you can go to

Jahan Nama mall or Azadi

shopping mall or Chahar Bagh Madrasa which are near the hotel. If you
have any questions or concerns, please dont hesitate to ask. See you
tomorrow.

Day 5:
On the bus
Seen : Hello how is your day? Where did you guys go? Is anyone go to
the shopping mall that I recommended?
Mind : We are going to have lunch at Toranj food complex which is a
famous local restaurant. Food quality is good plus it has low price with
friendly servants.
Win : I guess you are all full now. Next place would be a must go place
for music lover? Is there any music lover here? This place is Isfahan
music museum.
12a.m. - Isfahan music museum
New:Alrighty guys! All you music addict, I got you covered! Here we are
at the Music Museum of Isfahan, a place of relaxation and incredibly
written music records. Here located in the Jolfa quarter, not so far from
the Imam Square. Introduced and funded by Mehrdad Jeihooni and
Shahriar Shokrani in December 2015 This small place is filled to the rim

with warmth where it is much more than any generic series of


instruments hanging from the wall. Isfahan Music Museum combine
various traditional musical instruments from all over Iran, currently
showcasing right now over 300 instruments. Some list of fun examples
are the kamancheh, thought to be the ancestor of the modern violin and
the tar, supposedly the precursor of the guitar. Moreover, there are many
animal skin drums, ancient nomadic camel bells and powerfully sounded
harp. As you walk around, you can read more about any of these on the
description beside it, sticking on the white crisps walls. How amazing!?
We are not surprised that for this short amount of time it has been open,
it has received very well-known awards like the International Council of
Museums (Icom). I have to say even though you might not be a big fan
of music or musical instruments but you are guaranteed to be absorbed
by the energy of warmth and love.
Oh, and before you go, this museum wants to give you guys a warmest
welcome and huge thank you to you all for coming so theyve been
organizing a live performance which consist of love songs and beautiful
Persian poetry. So come as meet us here at the checkpoint so we can
watch their performances together!
On the bus
Seen : So, you nearly need to go back to Thailand. So, we as tour
guides want to say thank you to you guys for giving us a chance to take
care of you for 5 days. Also, if there is anything we have done wrong or
make you upset, we need to apologize for that. Lastly, we hope to see
you again. Have a safe flight everyone.

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