Pars Museum

Encircled by a gorgeous garden, the Pars Museum appears as an octagonal gem, formed like an edged, ridged hat, which used to be a pavilion to host the prestigious foreign authorities of Karim Khan Zand in Shiraz. Although it houses Iran’s precious historical collection, it is highly valuable in its own right, boasting a unique and elegant architectural design. When you look at the building from the main entrance door, surrounded by a green area, the construction stands as a large hat in the center of the Garden. From within, it is also extremely dazzling with its practical traditional paintings. The Pars Museum by itself is part of a costly treasure that holds the most beloved ancient cultural works in the history of Iran. The history of this stylish construction dates back to the Zand period, when it was designed to host royal guests and representatives of foreign countries. Gradually, it turns into the resort of the kings and the princes.

Pars Museum

Later, this royal building was converted into a museum open to the public. It was once renovated and reopened, welcoming national and international tourists. Pars Museum is at the top of the list for every tourist visiting Shiraz. Surrounded by Shirazi cedar and pine trees, the building shines in the middle of Nazar Garden. Its octagonal construction was incredibly designed and is so sight-catching with azure blue tile works representing the majestic haunting scenes all around the top edge. The building is 1.5 meters from the ground. That is why there are some steps to get in. When you enter, you will see the main central hall and a spectacular dome in the ceiling. There are also several king chambers close to the main hall. If you would like to visit the grave of Karim Khan Zand, you need to visit the eastern chamber first. One of the reasons this building is so attractive to tourists is the appealing paintings that are on the walls. On the ceiling, under the luxurious dome, there are stalactites.

The internal design of the halls and chambers is highly decorative so that every visitor would feel the atmosphere of a luxurious setting. The antique works collected in the Pars Museum are the main attraction for this tourist spot. The pieces are indeed grand in value, ranging from the Achaemenid, Sassanid, and even pre-Islamic era. The precious paintings of Agha Sadegh, the famous painter, are also collected there. The works are categorized into three sections: Islamic, Prehistoric, and historic eras. Within this context, the building is not only for the visual pleasure of the visitors, but also for the cultural and historical research works for those who are interested in the history and art of Iran. The best season for visiting this memorable monument is Spring, which coincides with the blooming Shirazi sour orange blossoms, spreading the mesmerizing aroma that is the individual characteristic of Shiraz.

During the time, Karim Khan was in power and ordered to construct this alluring garden area, it got so popular and the target of attention that it led to the construction of other Zand complex buildings like Karim Khan Citadel, Forum, and the central building that looks like an octagonal hat. This peaceful place turned out to be the host of official rituals. During the Qajar period, Hossein Ali Mirza Farmanfarma, Fathali Shah’s son, who was the governor of Shiraz, ordered the construction of two other buildings on the western side of this garden. These marginal constructions are called “The Mirror” and “The Sun”. Unfortunately, the only building that is left is the central construction, which looks like an octagonal hat.

The unique aqueduct system of the garden is surprisingly connected to the big subterranean of Rokn Abaad in the northwestern side of Shiraz. On the four corners of the garden, you would see four basins and water views, two of which were so big that during the construction of the nearby road, they were destroyed, with their stones removed to the garden of Hafiz Shrine. A historical cylinder stone tablet is on the west side of the garden, which is the main attraction of this place. On this stone, there are three tablets with Pahlavi Naskh script, Nastaaliq Persian calligraphy of the three historical periods of the Seljuks, the Safavid dynasty, and the Qajars.

 Another historical work in this garden is the unique stone piece of the Sun Palace on the east side of the area. Two lion figures are engraved on this stone. Other figures carved on the stones here are the images of the famous Iranian heroes who were presented in the wars against the Ottoman Empire, the first Hero of the Zand period, named Moosa Khamis. Other images represent the legendary figure of The Shahnameh, the greatest Persian secondary epic by Ferdowsi. The artworks that are collected indoors, in the octagonal building, are as follows:  some antique Qurans ascribed to Imam Ali, Imam Hassan, and Imam Sadiq’s handwriting. They were once stored in the Atiq Mosque. A Quran that belonged to Osmas, the second Islamic Caliphate, with his blood drops on it while he was being murdered. About 13 pages of The Mathnawi by Rumi, which Mulla Sadra, the famous philosopher of Shiraz, wrote. Surprisingly, a marriage licence that belongs to a famous minister named Hassan Mostawfi.

Last but not least is the tomb of Karim Khan. In his will, he had asked to be buried in the eastern chamber close to the main hall. The amazing historical event that happened during Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar when he ordered to exhumate Karim Khan so that his bones got transferred to Golestan Palace in Tehran, and he could pass over and kick them in disrespectful, avenging behavior. Fortunately, years after the end of the Qajar dynasty, Karim Khan’s bones were returned to Shiraz and were buried again with full respect. Therefore, the Pars Museum, or the peaceful palace where Karim Khan is sleeping forever, attracts visitors with its historical stories, arts, and the environment that are part of the puzzle of Iran’s rich history.

The Landings Resort & Spa in St. Lucia Puts Focus on Women’s Health and Cancer Recovery

The Landings Resort and Spa is delighted to unveil a new spa programme designed to help women navigate the challenges they face at every stage of life.  This personalised approach customises treatments to address women’s specific life events, including motherhood, menopause, hormonal changes and even ageing, whilst also providing a space for women to reconnect with themselves, offering a sanctuary centred around women and their needs.
This new female-focused spa menu includes the only Oncology Spa Programme in the Caribbean, which launched in late 2024 when the resort became the first spa in the Caribbean and the fourth in the Americas to partner with Ricardo Fisas Natura Bissé Foundation. The goal of both spa programmes is not only to engage spa guests through a hyper-personalised treatment plan, but also to foster emotional connection and promote healing from the inside out.
“We have seen too often that traditional medicine doesn’t always treat the whole person, particularly when it comes to women’s health.  Our spa is about so much more than treatments; it’s about creating a sanctuary where guests feel nurtured, restored, and heard,” says Ana Shierla Sanchez, Spa Manager at The Landings Spa.
“We ensure our guests’ needs are met for their specific areas of concern, and we take the time to find out what will work best for them.  Every treatment begins with a thorough consultation to ensure it is tailored to the guest’s individual needs and wellbeing goals.”
At the heart of any effective spa programme is an expertly trained, nurturing team, and the spa staff at the Landings Resort Spa are among the best in the Caribbean. Therapists undergo specialised Oncology Wellness certification training as part of the resort’s annual professional development programme, equipping the team with the knowledge and skills to safely deliver treatments tailored to the unique needs of oncology guests.  The spa’s treatments offered for this programme include Pre or Post Radiation Comfort Skin Treatment, Soothing Scalp Experience, Restore & Replenish Body Hydration and more. Used effectively across hospitals in Spain for over a decade, all treatments incorporate products from Barcelona-based luxury skincare brand Natura Bissé. Spa therapists are also trained in the use of natural oils and teas to support menstrual cycles, menopause night sweats, as well as postpartum treatment therapy.
The Landings Resort & Spa’s innovative spa treatments and services reflect its unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and the pursuit of the highest standards in luxury hospitality in all areas of the resort.  At The Landings, it isn’t all just about a holiday or one spa treatment; it’s about the overall experience of a luxurious retreat to Saint Lucia, on one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Guests of the resort experience personalised care at the spa and beyond, encouraged to slow down and to embrace often overlooked rest.

Eram Garden

Eram Garden is, without a doubt, the most gorgeous Persian garden in Iran, a blend of classical and modern styles, in the historical and cultural city of Shiraz. It is definitely at the top of every tourist’s list. The fragrant blossoms of sour orange trees and the unique tall cedar trees that are surprisingly called “Shirazi Cedars” are the major reasons why Eram Garden has become a point of attraction both for national and foreign tourists. The mesmerizing wonder of Eram Garden is also manifest in the mystic poems of Hafiz, the outstanding 14th-century sonneteer. This beautiful garden also serves a scientific purpose, as it hosts unique plants suitable for academic research. Within this context, the prestigious University of Shiraz was accepted as the institute in charge of Eram Garden in 1963. Later on, in 2011, UNESCO World Heritage registered Eram Garden in its list as the prototype of the Persian-style garden.

Currently, it is the core of attraction for the interesting tourists from all over the world, not just due to its historical background, but also because of its unique beauty and location situated in the lovely city of Shiraz with its delicate, pleasing weather. Although the pond in front of the building is the classic structure of Persian gardens, its form and positioning are very special. It has bestowed a serene, friendly feeling on the garden, unlike other Persian gardens that offer a majestic and grand sense. The three-level building is towards the south along the extended axis. A famous Shirazi architect, Haji Mohhamad Hassan, who designed thirty-two nice rooms with poem engravings on their walls, planned the form. It is moderate in height and is very close to the front pond with the short palm trees symmetrically in its four corners. The facade of the building is basically made of white stone and white reticulated windows, and the blue and white tile works have created a bright and cheerful scene. Originally, the building belongs to the Qajar period and is considered to be one of its masterpieces because of the alluring artworks used in its architectural style, like paintings, tile works, tori, and lithography, together with exemplary chiseling.

There is an eye-catching atrium with a flat roof exactly in front of the building, with two royal pillars to support it. Following the Qajar era, at the end of the Zand period, the chiefs of the Qashqai tribe of Fars owned the garden. One of the heads, named Mohammad Qoli Khan, actually ordered to construct his impressive house nearly at the beginning of the eighteenth century with the ideal surrounding plant coverage, including Shiraz sour orange, cedar, pine, pomegranate, olive, and persimmon trees. However, the very original form of the garden belongs to the eleventh century, dating back to the Seljuks era. It appeared in the famous standard Persian garden style with its quadripartite form known as “the garden of the king” or “Bagh-e-Shah” in a relatively simple manner with limited embellishments. In its historical course of development, the garden has had different owners during its one hundred fifty years of existence. Once, it was also the property of one of the distinguished families of Shiraz, named the Qavami family.

Exclusively, there are seven rare colorful tiles stylishly used all around the building, which reflect scenes from historical folktales with religious or national and cultural themes. The poles are made of single large blocks of Gandomak marbles with engravings of famous verses of Shirazi poets like Hafiz, Saadi, and Shourideh on them. The spectacular view of the building, the singular fragrance of Shirazi blossoms, the elegant place the garden is located, the academic significance of its botanic value, and the surreal trees that do belong to the culture of Shiraz, are only examples of the attractions that mesmerize the national and international tourists and have made the heavenly garden of Eram to stand as the must-be-seen spot in the list of every tour operator in Iran.  

This calm and gorgeous garden hosts the beauty of more than forty-five plant types, signified and labeled meticulously as a botanical park. There is a specific area where various kinds of fruit trees like Shirazi sour oranges, pomegranates, persimmons, olives, and walnuts are collected. There is another section in this garden that is called the “Rock Garden” where many rare kinds of sub-tropical plants are preserved. The outstanding wonder of Eram Garden is its two hundred-year-old tall cypress trees universally known as “ Sarv-e-Naaz-e Shiraz”. They are unique and the way they are set in ordered rows in and around the garden. Still more amazing is the area where about three hundred types of roses are displayed, which makes every visitor feel a heavenly fragrance, especially during the spring.

Many photographers and Persian dress stylists come and take iconic pictures with the imaginary background of the well-known old cedar tree ( Sarv-e-naaz e Shiraz) that dates back three thousand years.  Other symbolic scenes that highlight Shiraz Eram Garden are the myrtles that appear as the pretty brides of Shiraz Eram Garden. Among the historical events that took place in Shiraz Eram Garden, one can mention the evening party hosted by the British ambassador, Sir Denis Wright, in 1965, at the time of the chancellor of Shiraz University. It also hosted the Asia Institute when Eram Garden was considered to be part of the College of Law. Although both the building and the garden are under the support of Shiraz University as Shiraz Botanic Garden, it is open to the public every day and is safeguarded by Iran’s Organization of Cultural Heritage.

The tourists could pleasantly enjoy walking on the beautiful traditional rubble-stone works of the pavements of Eram Boulevard and remember the golden time of the past Shiraz city. They can easily experience the memorable Shirazi dishes in the nearby restaurants like Shater Abbas, Dehliz, or a bit farther, Haft Khan Complex, which are available either by walking or by taxi. Enjoy the aromatic fragrance of Bahar e Shiraz (Shiraz Blossoms) in Eram Garden.

A New Season of Festivals Arrives in Greater Palm Springs This Autumn

Greater Palm Springs has long been recognised as a destination where culture, creativity and community come together. This autumn, the region will build on its internationally recognised events scene with a vibrant line-up of new and returning experiences celebrating music, culture, design and sport. From the launch of major new electronic music festival Head Trip to the 40th anniversary of Palm Springs Pride, here is what is happening in Greater Palm Springs this autumn:
Head Trip brings a new sound to Greater Palm Springs | 10-11th October
Greater Palm Springs welcomes a brand-new addition to its renowned festival landscape with the desert debut of Head Trip, a next-generation electronic music festival taking place at the iconic Empire Polo Club.
The inaugural event will bring together a powerhouse lineup of global artists, including Calvin Harris, Skrillex, Swedish House Mafia, FISHER and Chris Lake, creating a one-of-a-kind desert festival experience that adds a fresh chapter to the region’s events scene.
Greater Palm Springs Pride celebrates 40 years | 6-8th November
Greater Palm Springs Pride reaches a major milestone in 2026, celebrating its 40th anniversary with the theme “Be Included.”
The celebration marks the culmination of a three-year campaign focused on inclusion, belonging and community – reinforcing the destination’s reputation as one of California’s most welcoming and diverse destinations.
Modernism Week showcases the destination’s iconic design heritage | 15-18th October
Known worldwide for its mid-century modern architecture and design legacy, Greater Palm Springs will again celebrate its creative identity during the October installment of Modernism Week.
The event invites visitors to explore the destination’s architectural treasures through exclusive home tours, architectural experiences, design talks and special events – a must for design lovers.
Día de los Muertos honours heritage and tradition | November
The autumn season also spotlights Greater Palm Springs’ vibrant Hispanic heritage through a series of Día de los Muertos celebrations across the valley.
Highlights include Run with Los Muertos in Old Town Coachella on 7th November, Coachella Valley Days of Los Muertos at Sunnylands, and the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Día de los Muertos Festival. Each event honours the tradition of remembrance through art, music, culture and community, offering visitors an authentic insight into one of the region’s most cherished celebrations.
BOOK: Palm Springs Fly-Drive Package at Westin Mission Hills Resort
Travellers looking to experience autumn in Greater Palm Springs can book a seven-night fly-drive holiday with Bon Voyage.
Staying at The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, guests can enjoy mountain views, championship golf courses, multiple swimming pools and award-winning spa facilities, while travellers have the flexibility to explore Palm Springs’ celebrated mid-century architecture, boutique shopping and acclaimed dining scene.
The package starts from £2,195 per person, based on two adults sharing – including a saving of £150pp
Includes return flights from London Heathrow to Los Angeles, a midsize SUV rental car and seven nights at The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa Based on October 2026 departures.

Carpet Museum

It has been Ages since that Persian Carpet became universally iconic. Aren’t you interested in knowing the reason why it has been so? It is not irrelevant if one ascribes its worldwide fame to the long history that authenticates the quality and origin of the Persian Carpet. The most reliable source that every interested researcher could rely on and find valuable information about Persian carpets is the Iran Carpet Museum in Tehran. The museum hosts a variety of fascinating carpets in different styles and various backgrounds, not only the colors, but also the treads and knotting styles, and the patterns are reflective of distinct stories standing behind each single Persian carpet there.

Carpet Museum

When we refer to the origin of the Persian carpet, its unrivaled value becomes clearer. The art of Carpet weaving in Iran is amazingly older than any art or literature. It dates back five thousand years BC. This is incredible compared to the emergence of drama or epic as the early manifestation of human artistic experience. What is left from the advent of carpet weaving in Iran are, unfortunately, some worn-out chunks belonging to the antique times. In Persian culture, carpets are highly important, as they are the core point of interior design in every Iranians’ house. Depending on personal taste, they appear in various colors, types, and even shapes and sizes.

However, the traditional form of the Persian carpets is rectangular, which reflects connotative symbols that suggest their own hidden, legendary stories. Iranians call this Traditional shape of the carpet “ Farsh” or “ Ghalee”, which normally reflects a garden of beautiful flowers, or mystic curves and motifs. They might even reveal mythological figures, celestial bodies, natural sceneries, and epic scenes from the ancient history of Iran. These images are deeply ingrained in the minds of the Iranian people from childhood. They remember well how the Persian epic figures on their house carpets were their friends they played with, or maybe the enemies they imaginatively challenged.

Carpet Museum

Although there are many Persian carpets stylistically different from each other, such as Kilim, Ghalicheh, Khersak, or Gabbeh, all of them are traditionally called Ghali or carpet. The way they are used completely depends on personal tastes, but they are normally used to cover the floor, hang on the walls, or put on beds or sofas. The artistic and spiritual value of Persian Carpets is so great for Iranians that they do not walk on them with shoes on.  Persian carpets also reflect the diverse cultures of different ethnic groups. The most precious carpets in Iran are those that are woven by hand, not by machines. Surprisingly, the most valuable pieces are those that have any written weaving designs. Often, the women or the men who weave them only use their imaginations.

Although the scope of information about these cultural arts is so vast and unlimited, the reference source on Persian carpets is the Iran Carpet Museum. This museum acts as a treasury that provides the observers with thousands of artistic pieces that include the most luxurious silk carpets of Tabriz, the eye-catching artistic carpets of Isfahan and Kashan, and the carpets imaginatively hand-woven by the nomads of the Qashqai tribes in Fars. As fascinating as the Persian carpet itself, the building of the Carpet Museum of Iran is so marvelous. Looking at the building closely, it appears to be a carpet-weaving tool. The architect who constructed this building was Abdol-Aziz Mirza Farmanfarmaian.

Carpet Museum

Still more surprising, the pillars used in the building were consciously planned so that their shadows on the main walls of the building could reduce the temperature during summer seasons. This beautiful building has two grand halls, both for showing the gallery of beautiful carpets and temporary exhibitions that can showcase items in different seasons. Historically, this museum was opened in 1978. When it was opened for the first time, only a couple of carpets were shown. Gradually, other pieces were added to the museum. The main target of this museum was to improve the culture and art of Iran’s carpet weaving. Because of hosting diverse types of carpets, the museum actually functions as a research center for anthropologists, artists, and those who are interested in the art and culture of Iran.

The good news is that the museum is very well located and is very easily accessible. It is very close to Laleh Park, situated on the North-West side of it. It is on the Kargar and Fatemi junction. It is easily accessible both by car and by the city station. Enqelab Square train station, which is reachable by the yellow line, is the nearest transportation zone to the museum. On the north side of Kargar Street, specific buses take visitors to the museum. The close distance of Laleh Park to the museum makes it possible for the visitors to experience both inside and outside. There is also another interesting museum called The Museum of Contemporary Art, located at Laleh Park itself. The Yellow Line that belongs to Tehran Subway would take the visitors to the Moghadam Museum, the Jewelry Museum, Negarestan Museum, the Palace of Golestan, the Grand Bazaar of Tehran, Iran’s National Museum, Bagh-e-Melli, Library, and Malek Museum. The Glassware and Mosaic Museum, the City Park, and the Palace of Masoudieh are the greatest tourist sites that are very close to the Carpet Museum of Iran. Even the famous Valiasr Street, which is one of the most famous streets in the Middle East, is worth seeing and window-shopping in.  

Valiasr Street does have plenty of nice restaurants, both modern and traditional, where tourists can sit and enjoy. Shandiz, Avani, and Grill are only famous examples. There are many cozy tea-houses and coffee shops that welcome guests as well, both in Valiasr and Kargar streets. Additionally, as the Carpet Museum is located at the core of Tehran, tourists can easily find many pleasant hotels and guesthouses there. They range from grand, luxurious hotels like the 5-star Laleh International Hotel, which is very close to the museum, to other great hotels like Omid, Idea AP Hotel, and Persian Gulf. Try to take the unique opportunity of looking at the gallery of colors, art, and culture in the Iran Carpet Museum.

10 of the best ‘hidden gem’ beaches in Europe revealed

With the summer holiday season in full swing, many people are looking forward to their upcoming holiday, or may be planning a spontaneous trip away. A visit to the beach never goes amiss on a summer holiday, but crowded shores with no space to park your towel can ruin the moment.
This is why global car rental comparison and booking site DiscoverCars.com has put together a list of the top 10 beaches across different European destinations, shining a spotlight on the continent’s hidden paradises.
Praia de Mata, Portugal
In Costa de Caparica, Lisbon, Praia de Mata is a gorgeous, dune-backed sandy beach with free parking and several nearby cafes and restaurants. This beach stretches for miles and is accessible via a dirt road. Being so close to Lisbon, Praia de Mata is a great choice for travellers staying in the capital who are looking for a day trip. Car hire prices for a week in August come to £110.
Possidi Cape, Greece
Possidi Cape beach in Possidi village, Chalkidiki is a beautiful, untouched beach that’s characterised by its crystal-clear waters that surround the white-sand peninsula. Because of its unspoilt landscape, there are no amenities on the beach, but there are small local tavernas nearby that serve fresh seafood. Car hire prices for a week in August come to £159.
Gjipe Beach, Albania
Nestled between the dramatic cliffsides of Gjipe Canyon is Gjipe Beach, a hidden beach along the Albanian Riviera located between Himare and Dhermi. To get down to this pebble beach and explore the turquoise-blue waters, visitors may have to hike down a rocky canyon road, which can take about 30 minutes. Parking is 2.5km away from the beach, and there are no amenities except for a few kiosks available during peak summer season. Car hire prices for a week in August come to £198.
Ramla Bay, Malta
Located on the island of Gozo is Ramla Bay, a red-sand beach with turquoise-blue waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. This beach has basic amenities like toilets and rubbish bins, and there are umbrellas and sunbeds available to rent. Car hire prices come to £49 for a week in August.
Praia do Garajau, Portugal
On the coast of Madeira is a stunning pebble beach that boasts crystal-clear waters and incredible natural scenery. This hidden beach is located near the iconic Christ the King statue, and can be found under Miradouro do Cristo Rei – a breathtaking viewpoint. Visitors can access this beach via a cable car or by walking down a steep path. Car hire prices for a week in August come to £116.
Five more hidden beaches in Europe include:
Cala Banyalbufar, Mallorca, Spain.
Golden Beach, Karpaz Peninsula, Cyprus
Monti Russu, Sardinia, Italy
Beritnica Beach, Pag Island, Croatia
Playa de la Solapa, Fuerteventura, Spain
Aleksandrs Buraks, Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com, comments:
“Going to the beach is one of the most popular and enjoyable activities on a summer holiday, but finding one that isn’t overrun with crowds and litter can sometimes be tricky. With many beautiful beaches to discover, we selected 10 hidden gems across Europe that may fly under the radar. If you do plan on visiting any of the beaches in our list, make sure to leave no trace by clearing up any litter before you leave.
“We found that it can be a little challenging to access some of the beaches, as a few require a bit of a hike to get to. However, the spectacular untouched landscapes and natural scenery make up for the time it can take to reach the shoreline. Whether you’re looking for crystal-clear waters and white sand, or a pebble beach and deep blue waves, our list has it all!”

IBIZA’S SECOND SEASON BEGINS IN SEPTEMBER

As European travel habits continue to evolve, September is emerging as one of the most appealing months to visit Ibiza.
New research from the European Travel Commission suggests travellers are increasingly embracing the shoulder season, with September bookings rising across Europe as visitors look to avoid the heat and crowds of peak summer. At the same time, holidays are becoming shorter, with four- to six-night breaks now the most common trip length across Europe, replacing the longer week or two-week holiday. Ibiza is well placed to benefit from this shift.
While July and August remain the island’s busiest months, September and October offer a noticeably gentler pace without losing the atmosphere that has made Ibiza one of Europe’s most enduring Mediterranean destinations. The sea remains warm enough for swimming, restaurant reservations become easier to secure, beaches feel less crowded, and village life returns to its familiar rhythm. At the same time, internationally renowned DJs continue their residencies, menus begin to reflect the changing seasons, and long lunches naturally stretch into evenings beneath the stars.
Within the space of a long weekend, visitors can move effortlessly between wellness, gastronomy, beaches, countryside and world-class music, experiencing several distinct sides of the island without travelling far. Island Hospitality’s collection of venues reflects that breadth of experience, spanning the shoreline, the marina, the countryside and the island’s music scene.
Slower mornings by the sea
Mikasa Ibiza, the group’s sixteen-room boutique hotel overlooking Marina Botafoch and the UNESCO-listed skyline of Dalt Vila, offers a restful and welcoming home away from home, complete with plant-forward cafe and rooftop yoga sessions. Guests are within walking distance of the marina’s many restaurants and boutiques, the sandy shores of Talamanca Beach and, after dark, some of Ibiza’s best-known clubs, while remaining just far enough away to offer a calmer place to stay.
Nearby, Beachouse Ibiza settles into a different rhythm as the season changes. Mornings begin with yoga on the sand before breakfast gives way to long lunches overlooking the Mediterranean. By September, guests linger later into the afternoon, while cooler evenings make outdoor dining feel even more inviting. Moonlit Dinners continue every Friday and Saturday throughout the season, before the year’s final LUNAR gathering on 26 September brings together Mediterranean dining, music and community beneath the full moon.
Beyond the coastline
Around twenty minutes inland, Santa Gertrudis offers a different perspective on Ibiza. Independent boutiques, galleries and cafés surround the village square, while Finca La Plaza, housed within a centuries-old finca, reflects the changing season through ingredient-led Mediterranean cooking. Menus evolve with the harvest, while charcoal, citrus and locally sourced produce remain at the heart of the kitchen’s approach. As the evenings become cooler, dinner naturally stretches into another course and another bottle of wine beneath the courtyard’s palms and citrus trees.
After dark
While the beaches become quieter, Ibiza’s music calendar continues well into autumn. Chinois maintains its programme of internationally acclaimed artists throughout September and October, including residencies from Defected, Claptone presents Masquerade, La Troya and Bedouin presents SAGA.
For many visitors, Ibiza will always be associated with the height of summer, but those returning to the island are increasingly discovering that September and October offer something different: warm seas, seasonal cooking, cooler evenings and the opportunity to experience more of Ibiza in a shorter stay.
VENUE INFORMATION
BEACHOUSE IBIZA
Beachouse Ibiza, Platja d’en Bossa, 07817 Sant Jordi de ses Salines, Ibiza
beachouseibiza.com | @beachouse_ibiza
FINCA LA PLAZA
Finca La Plaza, Plaça de l’Església 5, 07814 Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera, Ibiza
fincalaplaza.com | @fincalaplaza
MIKASA IBIZA
Mikasa Ibiza, Carrer d’Ibosim 11, 07800 Ibiza
mikasaibiza.com | @mikasaibiza
CHINOIS IBIZA
Chinois Ibiza, Passeig Joan Carles 17, 07800 Ibiza
chinois.com |  @chinoisibiza

Alexander Prison

The unknown is always mesmerizing. The darkness that surrounds Alexander Prison in Yazd has always drawn the attention of visitors. “Ziaiyeh School” or “Iskandar/Alexander Prison” is definitely one of the most historically remarkable tourist spots in Yazd. The very importance partially lies in its uncertain story behind it. Structurally speaking, entering the building is through a very small, narrow door, but when you step into the yard, you will shockingly see the majesty of a construction that is really striking and unique in its own Ilkhanid style. There are many interesting wonders about Ziaiyeh School, but the one that sounds significant is the way its dome is highly similar in shape to the dome of the Twelve Imam Shrine that is situated in its neighborhood.

Alexander Prison was registered in Iran’s National Heritage list in 1967. Many shops selling handicrafts are located there, where the tourists can buy Persian souvenirs and, more importantly, witness the artistic process of their production. Historically speaking, Alexander Prison has been with us for eight centuries, and is still solidly safe like a strong rock in the middle of the desert area of Iran. As inferred by the stories and some sayings, Alexander Prison was built by Alexander the Great when he was invading Rey in the north of Iran, in an area that was called “ Khteh ”, the place that we know as Yazd city presently. Following that time, Yazdgerd I, the king of the Sassanid dynasty, ordered the foundation of a city in that area, which he named “ Yazdan Gerd”.

It is worth mentioning that there is no reliable historical or scientific document authenticating the relationship of Alexander the Great to this monument, but as mentioned earlier, it is only based on the stories and oral folktales of the Yazd people. However, strategically, Yazd city was a very suitable place for the formation and distribution of the Greek military forces, leading to the capture of Media and Great Persia by Alexander the Great. Geographically, the pathway was very important, which made this presupposition very likely. The old road and the station of the traditional mailmen who were passing to Kerman and Khorasan willy-nilly had to pass through Yazd city. So, reasonably speaking, it was not unlikely that an area existed for the adversaries of Alexander the Great in the place that is currently Yazd city.

From oral evidence, we can infer that the relationship to the monument to Alexander makes sense. There are many quotations from Alexander that people from Yazd mention regarding his invasion of Persia. His exile to Yazd city is also referred to by the Yazd citizens. We can even refer to the way people of that period were scared of Alexander and how they deeply hated him. Based on these historical and anthropological signs, we can conclude that the very labeling of Ziaiyeh School as Alexander Prison is not irrelevant. The anthropologist and the researchers of Yazd city during the 9th century AH, figures like the great historians Kateb and Jafari, related the source of the word “ Katheh” to the written evidence of Alexander Prison. Originally, they considered Katheh as the beginning shape of Yazd city, constructed by the direct decree of Alexander.

They considered this monument to be a place that is referred to in literary documents as “ Zulqarnain Prison”. This is exactly what Hafiz, the Persian poet of the fourteenth century, has referred to: “My heart is filled with the horror of Alexander’s Prison/ I pack my bag and leave for Suleiman’s land”. Following the decay of the building, a ditch appeared in one of its sections where an underground prison was found. That is why the likelihood of the presence of Alexander’s Prison became even stronger and more reliable following that discovery. However, when the archeologists reexamined the site, they found that this underground cell might have belonged to a water supply plan. Following that discovery onward, one can find out how genius Persian people were to design underground systems for water supply in a dry land like Yazd. Within this context, the majority of archaeologists do not approve of the likelihood of a prison in that spot.

Anyhow, what matters regarding the very building is the unique structure of Ziaiyeh School or Alexander Prison. Although the form of the building seems very simple, the detailed beauty of its structure reveals the wisdom and unique artistic taste of that epoch. Amazingly, there is nowhere in this building that the architect used any kind of tile work as an embellishment. It simply consists of raw clay. According to the engineering findings, this method was quite intentional in order to make the building quite endurable and long-lasting. The style appears in the Azari architectural form, which is very specific to the style of Architecture after the invasion of the Arabs and the beginning of the Islamic era and the Ilkhanid period in Iran. The experts also call this style “Mongol” or “Iranian/Mongol” school of art. The process for building this monument was bipartite, meaning that the construction had two stages. The first stage dealt with constructing the antique tomb’s dome, which took place during the Mongol invasion of Iran. At that time, it was not in the shape of the building designed for a school.

Following the next 200 years, the second phase of the building continued, which was at the beginning of the eighth century AH, when the grandson of the architect who constructed the building in its first phase, built a school close to the dome area. Now that you have experienced roaming in the historical stories of the so-called Alexander Prison, it is time to get refreshed by the restaurants where fragrances of Persian foods and the local cuisines of Yazd can be tasted, this time with no similarity or not even a small trace to the Greek commander Alexander. It is one hundred percent Iranian. The restaurants are so cozy and worth sitting and enjoying your very Persian meal. Tahmoures Historical Restaurant is, without doubt, the first choice that suits the ancient ambience of the site. Karisma, Fooka, Emarat, Dragon, Marco Polo, Termeh, and Tanoorak are among the best restaurants in the neighborhood of Ziaiyeh School. Koohan, Firoozeh, Hooman, Fahadan, Laleh, and Sharbaaf are the great hotels where you can stay and enjoy the lovely traditional atmosphere of the nearby site.

UNESCO-listed Alamut reflects Iran’s military architecture, enduring cultural legacy

Iran’s “Alamut Castle and Related Fortifications” was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List on Sunday during the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, becoming the country’s 30th tangible cultural heritage property to receive the designation.
In an interview with Miras-e Aria, Labaf-Khaniki said sites admitted to UNESCO’s World Heritage list possess values that extend beyond national boundaries and are considered significant for humanity as a whole.
“Such values must not only have shaped identity in the past, but also continue to inspire people today and represent human civilization for future generations,” he said.
Labaf-Khaniki, one of Iran’s leading archaeologists and a recipient of the country’s “Everlasting Figure” cultural heritage distinction, said Alamut Castle occupies a prominent place in Iranian history because of its association with the Ismailis and its role during periods of political conflict.
Iranian archaeologist Rajab-Ali Labaf-Khaniki in an undated photo
He said the Ismailis, centered at the mountain fortress of Alamut, became an influential political and religious movement whose opposition to ruling powers stemmed from a combination of religious beliefs, political aspirations and what he described as patriotic motivations.
According to Labaf-Khaniki, the castle’s historical importance is also linked to resistance against the Abbasid Caliphate and later the Mongol invasions. He said the Mongol ruler Hulagu Khan entered Iran with two principal objectives: eliminating the Ismaili movement and overthrowing the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad, both of which were ultimately achieved.
Turning to the site’s architecture, Labaf-Khaniki described Alamut as an exceptional example of military and residential design.
“Architecture is the setting for human life,” he said, adding that Alamut should be viewed not only as a political and military stronghold but also as a remarkable architectural achievement.
He said the fortress contains an extensive range of functional spaces, including residential quarters, defensive installations designed to withstand sieges, and elite sections whose scale and structural sophistication rivaled those of royal palaces.
The combination of monumental construction, carefully selected building materials, and refined architectural decoration demonstrates the engineering capabilities of medieval Iranian builders, he said.
Labaf-Khaniki said the site’s architectural, historical, cultural and social significance, together with its lasting influence on human civilization, justified its inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.