Our officially licensed private guide will meet you at your hotel to take you on a private history tour of Lisbon to include the Jewish sites. You will be introduced to more Portuguese culture, Lisbon’s Jewish Heritage and the local cuisine with its incredible mix of Mediterranean tradition and exotic influences from all corners of the World. You will head to the emblematic St George’s Castle, where you will be able to take in the impressive views over the sea. Leading down from the castle to the river, you will cross the Alfama, whose tangled street plan is one of Old World color. Next, on to the Baixa-Pombalina area where there were once two important Jewish quarters: the Judiaria Grande and the Judiaria Pequena, created during the reign of Dom Dinis (1279-1325). The Jews of Portugal, throughout history, held social and political ranks with the favor of kings, and conciliatory relations between Muslims and Christians alike. However, these periods were equally marked by inquisitions, forced baptisms and brutal massacres. Lisbon is no different, and at the Praca Dom Pedro, the Court of the Inquisition was held in the Palacio dos Estaus, where the Dona Maria national theater, built in the 19th century, now stands.
A wonderful tasting lunch of specialities such as typical Bacalhau (dried, salted cod), Azeitao cheese, traditional sweets and more, awaits. You will then head to the Belem area of Lisbon where will learn about the Torre de Belem, used as a starting point for many of the voyages of discovery and thus the last sight for sailors, of their homeland. A tasty visit awaits you in Belem, at the Pasteis de Belem factory, where the best custard tarts in the country have been made since 1837!
Tour in a nutshell: Private gourmet & historic tour of Lisbon and Belem to include Jewish Heritage. Tasting lunch with wine. Overnight Lisbon.