A millennium ago, Spain was the center of the Jewish world, a Muslim land where Jews were at the pinnacle of commerce, finance, the arts and diplomacy. Our tour is flavored with memories of that Golden Age of Sephardic Jewry, and you’ll encounter glimpses of that historic presence in Toledo, Granada, Cordoba and Seville. Today, Spain’s small yet flourishing Jewish community lives mostly in Madrid and Barcelona.
But Spain is not only the ancient. It’s a vibrant and ultra-modern European country that has somehow managed to retain the charming aura of a more leisured era. Spain is the art of Goya, El Greco and Velazquez. The land of paella, Jose Carerras, Julio Iglesias and Antonio Banderas. Spain’s capital, Madrid, is imposing and high-tech. Barcelona is a truly grand European city. And Toledo, Granada, Cordoba and Seville are utterly exquisite. You’ll see the vast Spanish landscape too. Visit oh-so British Gibraltar, and visit the Costa del Sol.
You’ll stay in deluxe city hotels, and as your guide, mentor and escort: Jacob Shoshan – one of our most celebrated Tour Managers/Guest Lecturers - to lead you.
HIGHLIGHTS:
· 16 Meals including Buffet Breakfast daily, 1 lunch & 5 dinners · Including Shabbat & Farewell Dinners · Gratuities to local guides & drivers · Briefing on Spanish Jewry · Visit the Prado Museum · Tour ancient Toledo · See the Alhambra · Attend a Flamenco Show · Tour Granada, Cordoba & Seville · Stay in Barcelona, Europe’s “hottest” city
ITINERARY - 12 Days / 10 Nights
THURSDAY, DAY 1- EN ROUTE Evening departure from New York to Spain.
FRIDAY, DAY 2- MADRID
Morning arrival Madrid, Spain's vibrant capital. Meet your Tour Manager and begin! See the Royal Palace, and the elegantly colonnaded Plaza Mayor. Tonight, Shabbat dinner together celebrates your arrival. D
SATURDAY– DAY 3- MADRID
Attend services, if you wish, then our walking tour includes an amazing visit to the world-famous Prado Museum with its wealth of masterpieces. This afternoon, perhaps a siesta - for Madrilenos dine late. B
SUNDAY – DAY 4- MADRID
Morning visit to Beth Yaacov Synagogue for a briefing on Spanish Jewry, then our tour of the city includes the Reina Sofia Museum, Plaza Espana, Plaza Colon and other highlights of this exciting city, then drive to Toledo, once royal capital of Spain. Visit the Grand Toledo Cathedral, Santa Maria la Blanca (formerly the Grand Synagogue), and the El Transito Synagogue. Return to Madrid. B
MONDAY – DAY 5- MADRID-GRANADA
Today's drive takes us south to the Andalusian city of Granada, once the "city of the Jews", site of Samuel haNagid's Talmudic Academy, which attracted students from the Mediterranean, Baghdad and Jerusalem . Visit the intricately ornamented fortress and palace of Alhambra and its gorgeous Generalife Gardens. It was here in 1492 that Ferdinand and Isabella signed the decree expelling the Jews from Spain. Overnight in Granada. B
TUESDAY, DAY 6 - GRANADA-CORDOBA-SEVILLE
Depart to Cordoba, birthplace of Maimonides; visit the Almodovar Gate and the pre-Inquisition Jewish Quarter. See the statue of Maimonides and walk the Calle de los Judios to the ancient synagogue. Visit the gorgeous 8th century mosque, now a cathedral. Continue to Seville for dinner and overnight. BD
WEDNESDAY – DAY 7 - SEVILLE
Visit Seville's enormous cathedral with its Giralda Tower. See the Alcazar, a Moorish Palace and royal residence, and El Barrio de Santa Cruz, once the thriving Jewish Quarter, preserved with great care. Balance of the day at leisure.B
THURSDAY –DAY 8- SEVILLE-GIBTRALTAR-BARCELONA Today, a gorgeous drive through the rugged scenery to the Mediterranean coast to the British Crown Colony of Gibraltar. See the Rock of Gibraltar's legendary Barbary Apes and visit St. Michael's Cave. See the Old Moorish Castle and continue to the ancient Jewish cemetery. (Jews have lived in Gibraltar for at least 300 years). Visit the 200 year-old Nefusot Yehuda "Flamenco" synagogue, before continuing to the Malaga airport for the flight to Barcelona. B
FRIDAY – DAY 9 - BARCELONA
Today's touring includes the Casa Sefardita Jewish Community Center, dual Sephardic-Ashkenazi synagogues, opened in 1954 (Spain's first after the expulsion). Visit Montjuic (Mountain of the Jews) and see Gaudi's expressionist Church of the Holy Family. This evening, Shabbat dinner together. BD
SATURDAY – DAY 10 – BARCELONA
Attend services if you wish, then join your Tour Manager for a walking tour of the Plaza Cataluna, the broad, flower-filled Las Ramblas Avenue, Lo Boqueria Market, the Gothic Quarter and the Call, the Jewish Quarter. Tonight, Dinner and Flamenco Show. BD
SUNDAY – DAY 11 - GERONA
Follow the Mediterranean "costa brava" highway north into the heart of Catalonia and the city of Gerona, a major Jewish center prior to 1492. See the Call, the Old Jewish Quarter, including a rare example of Spain's ancient Jewish architecture, the Isaac El Sec Center, a restored medieval mansion, now a study center on the Sephardic world. Continue to the small town of Besalu, with its Call and ancient mikva., and after a delicious country lunch, continue to Figueras to visit the Salvador Dali Museum before returning to Barcelona in time for our Farwell Dinner capping a magnificent tour. BLD
MONDAY – DAY 12 – BARCELONA
Transfer to the airport for the flight back to the U.S. arriving later the same day. B
This is a sample itinerary – Distribution of sites & leisure time is subject to change. MEAL INCLUSIONS: BUFFET BREAKFAST DAILY, 1 LUNCH & 5 DINNERS
Where You'll Stay
City
Nights
Hotel
Madrid
3
Vincci Soho Real
Granada
1
M.A Nazaries
Seville
2
Hotel Seville Center
Barcelona
4
Barcelona Center
2011 Prices
Depart
Return
Land Only Tour Price
Thursday
Monday
Per Person
Single Room Add
May 5
May 16
$3795
$800
Auy 25*
Sep 5
$3595
$800
*For singles and couples over 45
Tour program does not include Trans-atlantic air. Our suggested flights for the trans-atlantic air is IBERIA, and arrival and departure transfers will be provided based on the Iberia flights. We will be happy to assist you with this air should you need our help.
The local flight between Malaga & Barcelona on Day 8- is included in your tour price. Tour price also includes gratuities to local guides, drivers & porters at airports & hotels and tips to waitpersons for included meals.
Tour price does not include drinks with meals other than wine with Welcome/Shabbat and Farewell Dinners. Tour price does not include traditional end-of-tour gratuity to Tour Manager/Guest Lecturer.
