MIR Corporation Announces 2011 Central Asia Tour Dates

SEATTLE, WA, February 24, 2011 (Press-News.org) The countries of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran are woven together like the burnished threads of a fine Persian carpet. From earliest recorded history, these lands have exchanged rulers, architecture, art and religion. Explore the dazzling bazaars and extravagant desert architecture along the byways of the old Silk Road between Tashkent and Tehran.

This Central Asia tour is part of MIR Corporation's Premier Series tours. With a maximum of 16 travelers, Premier Series tours feature some of MIR's most distinctive tour concepts and including uncommon and educational experiences, including visits to small towns and villages outside the major urban areas and capital cities. While all trips feature comfortable, well-located hotels, Premier Series trips take advantage of five star (or best in class) properties along the way, wherever possible.

To learn more about this Central Asia Tour visit:http://mircorp.com/tour_oflcai.asp
Central Asia Itinerary for 2011: Once Forbidden Lands Central Asia and Iran Tour

Days 1-3: Tashkent, Samarkand
In Uzbekistan's capital, Tashkent, visit the private studio of a sixth-generation ceramicist. Admire Samarkand's UNESCO-listed Registan, radiating majesty through the ages. Converse with your hostess at a convivial meal in her family's Samarkand home.

Days 4-8: Shakhrisabze, Bukhara, Khiva
En route to the Silk Road oasis of Bukhara, visit Shakhrisabze to admire the UNESCO-listed ruins of Tamerlane's massive 14th century portal, covered in blue and gold mosaic tiles. In Bukhara, make your way through a winding labyrinth of mud-brick streets to the covered bazaar in the heart of the Old Town. Explore the World Heritage Site of Khiva's atmospheric Old Town, including the 19th century Tash-Hauli Palace and the Dzhuma Mosque, with its interior forest of carved wooden pillars.

Days 9-11: Tashauz, Ashkabad
Fly to the capital, Ashkabad, and wander the fabulous Tolkuchka Bazaar with its stacks of crimson carpets, strings of camels and corrals of fat-tailed sheep.

Days 12-15: Mashad, Tehran, Shiraz
Cross the border into enigmatic Iran, visiting Mashad, where the Tomb of Imam Reza is one of the most sacred sites of Shi'ite Islam. Tour Tehran's vivid Carpet Museum and spend a day in Shiraz, famed for its poetry, luxuriant gardens and extravagant architecture.

Days 16-18: Persepolis, Isfahan
Explore the fascinating remnants of Persepolis, one of the most important cities of the Ancient World. Admire the luminous bridges of Isfahan and its graceful UNESCO-listed Imam Square.

Days 19-20: Kashan, Qom, Tehran
Stop in Kashan to visit the classical Persian Bagh-e Fin Garden, with its centuries-old cypress trees, and the sacred city of Qom.

Departure dates for the Central Asia tour, are May 2-21, 2011, October 31-November 19, 2011, March 26-April 14, 2012. Pricing for this Central Asia tour is $6695/pp, with a single supplement of $995. For more information on tours to Central Asia visit: http://mircorp.com/tour_oflcai.asp or call MIR Corporation on 800-424-7289.

About MIR Corporation
MIR (from the Russian word meaning both "peace" and "world") specializes in bringing people together to discover more about the world and, consequently, about themselves. MIR Corporation is celebrating 25 years guiding travelers across Russia aboard the Trans-Siberian Railway, along the Silk Road, to St. Petersburg and beyond. MIR's Seattle-based experts design imaginative trips that take travelers far from the familiar and work closely with local affiliates in Western Russia, Siberia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan to carry them out. MIR has twice been named one of National Geographic Adventure's "Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth," and is a preferred operator for museum, alumni and special interest organizations across the country.

Press inquiries should be directed to:
Liz Riley
MIR Corporation
liz (at) mircorp (dot) com
85 South Washington St Suite 210
Seattle, WA 98104
800-424-7289