Jewish Heritage Tour of Spain & Portugal

This morning your Officially Licensed guide will meet you at your hotel to take you on a complete tour of Barcelona. Starting with a panoramic tour as you head up Montjuic, (Jewish mountain) which has been, throughout its history, the setting of many events. The historic symbol and oldest monument is the Castell de Montjuic (Castle), a 17th-century fortification, now a military museum, from where there are beautiful views of the city. The Jewish cemetery had been on the Montjuic Mountain for at least a millennium and more than 500 gravestones have been found, some of the early tombstones have been relocated to the Castle. Then, together you will beat the queues as you head to the incredible La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s most internationally renowned masterpiece. Onwards to the Gothic Quarter, considered the heart of Barcelona and home to an abundance of tucked away gourmet cafes and shops, where you will visit La Boqueria, Spain’s most important marketplace. At the market you will be able to try the best aperitifs, perhaps a reserve cava (Spanish champagne) and sample some fine produce!

A Jewish community settled in the Gothic Quarter from the 2nd century in the area now called El Call. A medieval synagogue, discovered beneath a 17th century building has been restored and opened to the public. Our guide is a real specialist in this field and will be ready to answer all your questions. Your private cultural tour will be rounded off with a light lunch at one of the best delicatessens in the city. In addition there are English speaking sommeliers on hand to guide you through more than 6000 wines. Your guide will leave you at the finale of your tour when you have settled down to lunch.

Tour in a nutshell: Private guided tour of Jewish Heritage places and Sagrada Familia. Gourmet food tastings including delicatessen lunch. Overnight Barcelona.

Head deeper into Catalonia today, when you visit Girona and Besalu. On arrival, your Officially Licensed tour guide, a true expert on the Jewish Heritage of Spain, will be waiting for you to take you on a fascinating history tour, first to the medieval town of Besalu. Besalu is a magnificent historic-artistic site, renowned for its ancient mikvah and 11th century Roman bridge. You will visit the ruins of the Jewish quarter which dates back to the 9th century and the mikvah ritual bathhouse, dating from the 12th century, which is the only one of its kind discovered in the Iberian Peninsula and one of the few known in Europe. After some local food tastings in Besalu, you will continue your private tour to the romantic city of Girona.

Girona has one of the most well-preserved Jewish quarters in Europe. The Jewish quarter, known as “El Call”, is one of the most interesting and enchanting areas of the town, both in terms of architecture and history. It dates back to the 12th century and was inhabited by the city’s Jewish community until 1492. Recently much of the Call has been restored under the supervision of the Jewish History Museum – which has developed a map of the maze-like streets and hosts small exhibits. You will wind through the narrow streets, eventually encountering Girona Cathedral, which affords great views of the area. Your excellent guide will accompany you to a fantastic Gironin restaurant where you are booked for a delicious 3 course meal with local wine. Innovative takes on traditional recipes and an elegant atmosphere will provide the perfect end to your day.

Tour in a nutshell: Return high-speed train tickets. Private guided tours of medieval Besalu and Girona focussing on Jewish Heritage. Exquisite lunch with wines. Overnight Barcelona.

This morning you are leaving Barcelona behind and heading to Madrid by high speed train, for which you will have tickets in the first class carriage. On arrival in Madrid, you will check in to your 4* boutique hotel, housed in an eighteenth century building which used to be the residence of the Duke of Noblejas and has maintained its frescoes, mirrors and stained glass whilst being equipped with modern comforts. After time to settle into your hotel, perhaps a light lunch and a chance to make the most of the Spanish “siesta”, you will join our excellent bi-lingual Officially Licensed guide for a tour of El Prado, Old Madrid and tapas-hopping. Unfortunately, there are no longer any historical Jewish sites in Madrid and the neighborhoods where Jewish quarters were located, before the Expulsion in 1492, now show no evidence of their Jewish past. Your private guided tour will take you to El Prado museum, which is the biggest art gallery in the world. However, a recent addition to the museum increased the space by 50%, so more paintings will gradually be displayed. Your private guide, additionally qualified in Spanish History and Art, will make sure you don’t miss anything. You are in excellent hands!

Your private tour of Madrid will then take you to the Plaza Oriente to see and learn about the Palace and the Cathedral. You will then walk through the Old town to the Plaza de la Villa, with the town hall, and on to San Miguel market, the hottest gastronomic spot in Madrid where its bars and restaurants make it the place to meet in old Madrid and also visit the iconic Plaza Mayor.

Tour in a nutshell:1st Class high-speed train to Madrid. Private Guided Tour of El Prado and Old Madrid. Overnight in an elegant 4* Hotel in Madrid.

Wonderful Toledo is the destination of your Jewish Heritage Tour today! Your local officially licensed guide will be waiting for you at the train station upon arrival to visit the Cathedral, one of the most outstanding buildings in the city. The construction of this monumental building, with a basilica floor plan and five naves, commenced in 1226, although it was not finished until the 15th century. Remains of the Jewish community are still preserved in the city of Toledo and your guide will lead you to the Synagogues of Santa Maria La Blanca which has five naves with decreasing heights as well as the characteristic geometrical and botanical decoration and horseshoe arches. Meanwhile, in the synagogue of El Transito, built in 1357, you can admire one of the best Mudejar coffered ceilings of all those preserved in Toledo, along with walls richly decorated with geometrical and botanical designs and Hebrew inscriptions. Nowadays, this Jewish place of worship houses the Sephardic Museum, in which an interesting collection of pieces of art and various objects used in Jewish ceremonies are exhibited, detailing medieval Jewish life in Toledo. Your fantastic visit to Toledo, will terminate with a visit to the church of Santo Tome, famous for housing El Greco’s famous picture entitled El Entierro del Conde Orgaz.

Following your busy morning, you will no doubt have worked up a great appetite and your guide will leave you to enjoy a delicious local lunch with wine. Back in Madrid, the rest of the evening is free to do as you wish. We have many suggestions in your Jewish Heritage Tour of Spain & Portugal personal travel journal.

Tour in a nutshell: High-speed return train tickets for Toledo. Private guided tour of Toledo’s Jewish Heritage and an excellent local lunch. Overnight Madrid.

Your Jewish Heritage Tour allows you a free day to wander around Madrid and see all the museums, art galleries and famous parks of this fantastic city! Perhaps you wish to visit the Reina Sofia Museum or the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection in the company of your expert guide, and this can be of course arranged. The Reina Sofia Museum consists of more than 20,000 works from the late 19th century to the present day, including two of the greatest 20th century masters; Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum was amassed by a central European art collector and contains works by artists ranging from El Greco to Picasso, arranged in chronological order. Maybe you wish to return to the Royal Palace, Palacio Real (often referred to as Palacio Oriente after the nearby square of the same name), to view its interesting interior. The palace is used by the King for ceremonial purposes only; he actually lives in the Palacio de la Zarzuela on the outskirts of the city. Or, take a leisurely walk through El Retiro Park, a great place to enjoy the open air as you stroll along the paths, of this once royal garden, passing fountains, statues, the delicate Palacio de Cristal, the boating lake and maybe the odd street entertainer or art exhibition.

You might like to do a little shopping and if your pleasure is designer clothes why not spend some time wandering around some of the finest boutiques in Spain on Calle Serrano? For your last dinner in Madrid consult your Jewish Heritage Tour of Spain & Portugal personal travel journal for our expert recommendations.

Tour in a nutshell: Free day in Madrid. Overnight Madrid.

After breakfast you will be ready for the next part of your Jewish Heritage tour. You have train tickets on the high speed train to Seville! Your boutique 5* hotel is situated in a delightful area, in the picturesque and authentic Barrio de Santa Cruz. Later this afternoon, your Seville guide, additionally qualified in Jewish Heritage of Spain, will be waiting for you in the hotel reception and you will depart for a sightseeing tour, starting in the old Jewish quarter. Once King Ferdinand III conquered the city in 1248, one of the largest Jewish communities in Spain came to Seville, second only to that of Toledo. After the Alhambra Decree of 1492 expelled the Jews from Spain in 1483, the neighborhood went downhill. In the 18th century, Barrio Santa Cruz underwent a major process of urban renewal, including the conversion of a former synagogue into the current Church of Saint Bartholomew. Just outside the neighborhood is the Iglesia de Santa Maria de las Nieves (“Church of Saint Mary of the Snows”), a converted 14th century Mudejar synagogue. Relive the past as your guide recounts bygone days and you discover the history of Susanna Ben Suzon and visit the original wall and the synagogue-church.

You will have worked up an appetite on this fascinating tour so your guide will lead you now to a tantalizingly delicious tapas dinner. Plate after plate of hot and cold food appears on the bar to tempt your palate, so maybe try cold roasted pepper salad or anchovies in vinegar, a hot dish of meatballs in sauce or a slice of potato omelette…..the choice is yours!

Tour in a nutshell:1st class high-speed train tickets to Seville. Private guided tour of Seville. Tapas dinner with wine. Overnight in a beautiful 5* boutique hotel in the heart of Seville.

Former home of many Jewish scholars and poets awaits you today, in Cordoba. Along with our officially licensed tour guide you will explore everything that Cordoba has to delight. Once the biggest city in all of Europe, Cordoba thrived and expanded with its unique blend of cultures. These are beautifully expressed with a visit to Mezquita, the most significant Muslim architectural achievement in the Western world. You will walk the street leading up to the Juderia with its whitewashed houses and colorful courtyards and shops. The narrow medieval streets of the Barrio de la Juderia retain their names to this day and although not Jewish in their current expression, a few signs hint of the Golden Age of Jewish life. In the Calle de los Judios note, for example, the statue of the great court doctor and Torah sage, Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon) and the tiny, gem-like Maimondes Synagogue. As you wander down picturesque and evocative streets in the restored heart of Cordoba, listening to our guide, a real expert on Cordoba Jewish Heritage, who will share with you many fascinating stories and anecdotes, it will not be difficult to imagine the days when Cordoba was one of the most important Jewish communities in Europe.

After such an extensive and fascinating tour you will surely be ready for lunch, and where better than at a local tavern to savour some typical Cordobese tapas? Cordoban taverns are designed as lively venues to enjoy tapas. Following your wonderful day in Cordoba, you will take the train back to Seville and will have the evening to relax and perhaps have dinner in a local restaurant – we have many suggestions.

Tour in a nutshell: High-speed return train tickets for Cordoba. Private guided Jewish Heritage tour of Cordoba. Typical tavern lunch with wines. Overnight Seville.

Today you can enjoy Seville as you wish. Along with the information we have provided you in your Jewish Heritage Tour of Spain & Portugal personal travel journal, your guide will have given you further sightseeing options and foodie hot spots to experience the best of Seville. You might wish to visit the Reales Alcazares, the oldest royal palace in Europe and residence of the Spanish Royal Family when they stay in Seville. Maybe you would like to visit the Plaza De Espana and take a stroll in the Maria Luisa Park which is to the south of the center and for lunch why not continue to enjoy the fabulous Andalusian gastronomy? Why not explore the streets of Barrio Santa Cruz? It is a real joy to amble around its beautiful squares and narrow streets, which form a labyrinth, where it is easy to get lost, but this is part of its charm, because when one is lost, one may discover a convent or a palace or an hotel. The air in the barrio is perfumed by jasmine flowers and the orange trees that one finds there. Many of the palaces have wrought iron gates that allow one to peep into their beautiful patios. The area abounds in small stores and artisan shops, as well as good art galleries.

In the evening prepare yourself to be wowed with a wonderful Gypsy Flamenco Show, where the swirling skirts and tapping heels of the dancers will excite and amaze the senses. You may wish to have a relaxed dinner, perhaps something typically Andalusian before or after the Flamenco Show for which we have several suggestions for a delightful dinner in the Barrio Santa Cruz or elsewhere in Seville.

Tour in a nutshell: Free day in Seville. Gypsy Flamenco show. Overnight Seville.

Your Jewish Heritage Tour leaves behind Spain today and takes you to Portugal! You are heading to the walled city of Evora, but on the way you will make a detour to the beautiful Algarve area to stop and stretch your legs in Faro. Faro Cathedral originates from the 13th/14th centuries and may not look very grand from the outside, but inside is another story with intricate gilded carving, decorated tiles (azulejos) and works of art that are well worth seeing! Medieval Faro had a Jewish quarter that was noted for being the site of the first real experience with printing in Portugal, with the publication of the Pentateuch in Hebrew by Samuel Gacon in 1487. After the expulsion of the Jews in 1496, the decline in the Jewish quarter and the consequent dispersal of its inhabitants were not reversed until the 19th century, when a prosperous community of Jews from Gibraltar and Morocco settled in Faro making a great contribution to the growth of local trade. This community took the initiative of building two synagogues, which later, with the almost complete disappearance of the Jewish population, fell into ruins.

After a delicious local lunch with wines your journey continues to Evora, where you are staying at an elegant 5* spa hotel. It was originally built and funded by one of the kings in Portugal as a place to come to escape Lisbon and have some quiet time. Later this afternoon your hotel provides a fascinating tour for guests to learn of the old convent building, and with their sommelier you can try the nectars from their collection of wines! We recommend you have dinner at your hotel this evening.

Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer. Faro for sightseeing and lunch with wine. Overnight in a renovated convent now a luxury 5* spa hotel in Evora.

This morning our officially licensed guide will meet you at your hotel to take you on a walking tour of the historical center of Evora. The Romans were here, leaving their 1st century Temple behind, but so were the Moors who occupied the narrow streets with quaint small white washed houses. One of the largest Jewish communities existed here up to the 15th century. The Judiaria had two synagogues, a hospital, a Midrash, baths and lively commerce. The Inquisition’s Court in Evora however processed more than 9500 people for Judaism and now, present day, you will see the former Court of the Inquisition still displays the cross with the sword and olive branch. You will visit the enigmatic church of St. Francis with its unique Chapel of the Bones, the Roman Temple and the 12th century cathedral. You will also visit the century old university courtyard. In the 16th century Evora thrived with culture and tradition in its university and you will soon understand why Evora was once the second most important city of Portugal.

After your delicious local lunch of authentic dishes and regional wines you will be transferred to your hotel where you will be able to collect your luggage ready to continue your onward journey. Your private chauffeur will be waiting this afternoon to transfer you to Lisbon where you will check into your genuine Art Deco 4* hotel. Classified as a historic building, this small and unique hotel echoes the glamour of the 1940’s and is located on a quiet street right alongside the cosmopolitan Avenida da Liberdade. For dinner tonight peruse through your Jewish Heritage Tour of Spain & Portugal personal travel journal for our expert recommendations.

Tour in a nutshell: Private guided visit to Evora with authentic local lunch & wines. Chauffeured transfer to Lisbon. Overnight in an Art Deco 4* boutique hotel in the center of Lisbon.

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.

Your Jewish Heritage Tour leaves you free to discover Lisbon on your own. Lisbon is also known as the town of seven hills which are composed of: Castelo, Graca, Monte, Penha de Franca, S.Pedro de Alcantara, Santa Catarina and Estrela. An uphill walk will be tiring but the views over the beautiful bay well worth it! Alternatively, maybe take a ride on one of the famous trams which were originally called Americanos, none of which are more iconic than Tram #28. Starting below the palm-spotted hills of Graça, the journey weaves around the hair-pin alleys of Escolas Gerais, before pulling up to a halt beneath the gorgeous domes of the Estrela Basilica. This neoclassical monument is one of Lisbon’s most eye-catching landmarks and the serene pink and black marble interior contains an elaborate Empire-style tomb of Queen Maria I, who vowed to build it when she gave birth to an heir. It has a huge rococo dome and a façade with twin bell towers decorated with an array of statues of saints and allegorical figures. For fantastic city views, head up to the dome. Across from Estrela Basilica is the beautiful park of Jardim da Estrela, one of the loveliest in the city and a favorite with families. There are exotic plants and trees, a small duck-dotted lake, and an attractive wrought-iron gazebo that serves as an old-fashioned bandstand. The pond-side café is a good place for a well-earned coffee break to rest your feet and watch the people passing by.

Otherwise you may like to head to Belem, a picturesque harbor district west of Lisbon from where ships set sail around the world, and from where many of the 14th century ‘Voyages of Discovery’ departed. Your Jewish Heritage Tour of Spain & Portugal Travel Journal contains a wealth of information about how to spend your day.

Tour in a nutshell: Free day in Lisbon. Overnight Lisbon.

Bid adieu to Lisbon as your private chauffeur drives you in comfort to Porto. On the way you will be stopping off to discover more of the Jewish history and culture of Portugal, in Obidos, Tomar and Coimbra. Obidos is one of the hidden gems of the Portuguese countryside, with lovely architecture and the remains of a Jewish community that settled in the old Almedina. In Rua Nova you can still find some traces of this presence, particularly the ancient Hebrew temple. Tomar is an outstanding town dominated by a 12th-century Templar Castle, as well as having the oldest synagogue in Portugal, built in the 15th century. Today it houses the Abraham Zacuto Portuguese-Jewish Museum, displaying a variety of interesting artefacts from Tomar and around the world. You will have a tour of the Synagogue with the docent who will explain the history and significance of the place. After a delicious lunch of Portuguese cuisine and wine, your journey continues to Coimbra. Coimbra is one of Portugal’s oldest cities and home to one of the world’s first universities and at one time, the city had three Jewish quarters. Coimbra played a major role in the inquisition in Portugal and most of its Jewish heritage was destroyed and many Jews were executed, expelled from the country or forced to convert to Christianity. With an expert local guide, you will undertake a guided walking tour of Coimbra to include both the Old Jewry and New Jewry.

When you arrive in Porto, you will check in to your luxury 5* Wine and Spa hotel. Your hotel has the perfect location in Vila Nova de Gaia in the midst of the famous Port Wine Lodges and descends from a family who entered the Port trade in 1838.

Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer to Porto via Obidos, Tomar and Coimbra. Authentic Portuguese lunch with wine. Local guided walking tours of Coimbra. Overnight in a 5* spa hotel in Porto.

Today you embark on a Cultural tour of Porto, to discover its Jewish heritage with our officially licensed local guide. Porto is a beautiful town with winding streets and the birthplace of Port wine. The Jewish quarter of the city was situated deep in the heart of the village, which, in the 12th century, was located near the Cathedral, and where some Jewish altars still survive in private estates. On some door frames, you will find Christian crosses that Jews used to carve on the stone walls of their houses to know that New-Christians lived there. Porto’s first synagogue stood in what is today known as Rua de Santana and, as the city developed, the Jewish community spread towards the river. You will walk down to Praca da Ribeira, its adjacent streets and the Boavista area, which was the hub of Jewish life in the 17th and 18th centuries.

On your journey you will see the city’s most emblematic monuments; Church Sao Francisco, well worth seeing for its Baroque decorations, as well as Se Cathedral, a Baroque church with ornately painted blue-and-white azulejos tiles, Sao Bento railway station, Clerigos tower and the elaborately decorated Lello bookstore; one of the most visited book-stores in the world. As you are in the home of Port wine, arrangements have been made for you to have a Port wine tasting and a delicious lunch to finalize your tour. After lunch you may like to visit a Port Wine Lodge or take a Rabelo boat trip along the Duero. Otherwise you can simply relax at your hotel’s luxury spa facilities, enjoying the panoramic views of Porto. We have many restaurant recommendations in your Jewish Heritage Tour of Spain & Portugal Travel Journal for a delicious dinner.

Tour in a nutshell: Private guided Jewish heritage tour of Porto. Tasting lunch with wine. Overnight Porto.

Today, after breakfast, you will check out of your Porto hotel and our chauffeur will be waiting to transfer you to the airport for your onward journey.

We are sure that you will thoroughly enjoy this fascinating and awe-inspiring Jewish Heritage Tour of Spain & Portugal! What better way to discover more about your ancestry than in the actual places where historic events occurred?

Please note: If you have more time to spare, we can happily include an extension for you to discover more Portuguese Jewish Heritage in Belmonte, Guarda and Trancoso. Just let us know and we will custom-build your personal itinerary!

Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer to Porto airport.