Jewish Antiquities in the Mediterranean 2007

This wonderful expedition starts in the ‘eternal’ city of Rome, then a short flight to the North African city of Tunis, adjacent to ancient Carthage, founded by the Phoenicians, where Jews have lived for two-and-a-half millennia. You’ll see highlights of this exotic capital, like Casablanca, a blend of “Arabian nights” mystique with French sophistication. You’ll meet members of Tunisia’s remaining Jewish community, and visit their synagogues and institutions. You’ll also visit the site of ancient Carthage, the artists’ haven of Sidi-bou-Said, and medieval Sousse. Next – to the exotic island of Djerba, home of Jews for at least twenty-five centuries, with its two “Jewish” towns, and one of the world’s most impressive and ornate synagogues.

ITINERARY:

SUNDAY, DAY 1- EN ROUTE
Evening departure via Rome to Tunis.

MONDAY, DAY 2- TUNIS
Arrive Tunis, capital of Tunisia, known in antiquity as Cartago, capital of “Ifriquia” which later bestowed its name to the continent, a peaceful country where Jews have lived for two millennia. Tunis is ancient and modern, with exotic old quarters as well as spacious parks and elegant boulevards. Meet your Tour Manager and transfer to your hotel. Late afternoon visit to the Old Medina, with its exquisite mosques and labyrinthine, and bargain-filled souks. Visit the Beth Jacob Synagogue, and tonight, a poignant and fascinating meeting with members of the small Tunisian Jewish community, followed by Welcome Dinner at your hotel. D

TUESDAY, DAY 3- TUNIS
After breakfast, tour the Bardo Museum, containing the treasures of Tunisian history; from pre-historic times to the Punic civilization, the Roman era, Christian times, Muslim civilization and up to the 20th century. Lunch in a local restaurant in the town of La Marsa, an ancient Carthaginian sea-trading post and today’s residence of the local “rich and famous”. Meet some local Jewish personalities; men and women that are integral parts of Tunisian society who have successfully combined their faith with local customs, providing a great insight on current economic and social situations for Jews and non-Jews.
This afternoon, stroll through Sidi Bou Said’s narrow streets. This beautiful hill-top village’s origins dates back to the exodus from Spain, when Moorish and Andalusian settlers came to live. Today, it is better known as the meeting place for Tunisia’s intelligentsia – meet painters, artists or international starts, all mixing together under the mild North African sun and has been recently matched the popularlity of Capri and Portofino. Tonight, dinner in a stylish converted Ottoman palace in the medina accompanied by a harp player and authentic Moorish music. BLD

WEDNESDAY, DAY 4- DOUGGA
Today’s journey takes you to Dougga. Visit this ancient city, the best-preserved roman city in Africa. Listed in 1997 in the UNESCO world heritage list, the ancient town of “Thugga” is built on an elevated site overlooking a fertile plain. The ruins visible today bear impressive witness to the resources of a small Roman town on the edges of the Empire. Visit the theatre, the capital and the Saturn temple. Discover the triumphal arch, open-air sanctuary where sacrifices were made. En route to Dougga, stop in the small town of Testour, a city built by Jews and Muslims who fled Spain’s Inquisition in the late 15th century. The main mosque is decorated with Jewish stars on all four corners. Lunch, then return to Tunis for an evening of leisure. B

THURSDAY, DAY 5- CARTHAGE
Your archeological discovery of Tunisia continues with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site city of Carthage, one of the pillars of western civilization and Tunisian’s capital for many centuries. The Carthaginian merchants were famous as the best traders in the Mediterranean and their wars against the Greeks and the Romans are legendary – one in particular stands out- an 18years war on Italian soil led by the Carthaginian general Hannibal Barca and his marching elephants. Visit the Roman Amphitheater, the Punic Ports and the Acropolium, accompanied by a licensed Archeologist. This afternoon stroll through the port town of La Goulette, a model of tolerance as it has housed all three main religions. Visit the local synagogue. Tonight dinner in a local Jewish restaurant for an excellent opportunity to meet more local Jews while savoring their delicious Sephardic cuisine. BD

FRIDAY, DAY 6- TUNIS-DJERBA
This morning, transfer to the airport for the one hour flight to the island of Djerba. This is the island that Homer cites in the Odyssey as the place where Ulysses landed to have his companions taste the Lotus, the exquisite fruit with the taste of honey that made them forget everything including family and homeland. Visit the Houmt-Souk, Djerba’s main market and the Ghriba, a synagogue that traces its origins back to the 6th century A.D. which contain very old Torah scrolls, making it a most important Jewish temple in North Africa and a place of yearly pilgrimage. Here you will also visit the once totally Jewish villages of Hara Kebira and Hara Sghira, whose vast medieval synagogue is one of the world’s most ornate. Meet with remaining members of the island’s Jewish Community. Shabbat dinner at your hotel. BD

SATURDAY, DAY 7- DJERBA
Shabbat at leisure. Your hotel features one of the best thalassic-therapy (spa, massages using natural Mediterranean sea water) centers in the world. Tonight, dinner at a folk-loric restaurant celebrating your final night in the newly discovered “pearl of the Mediterranean!” BD

SUNDAY, DAY 8- DJERBA-TUNIS-ROME
Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Tunis and connection to Rome. Benvenuti in Italia! Welcome to Italy! Transfer to your hotel. Balance of the afternoon is at leisure to acquaint yourself with the Eternal City. Dinner at your hotel, followed by a ‘digestive’ walk through baroque, illuminated Rome. A perfect setting to see the amazing sites of the Spanish Steps, Fontana di Trevi, Piazza Navona, after the day tourist crowds are gone and bustling Roman life takes back its main squares. BD

MONDAY, DAY 9- ROME
Today’s excursions reviews the major sites of Rome to share some of the city’s past splendor – passing legendary monuments, fountains, palaces, ruins and squares. You will be fascinated by your visit to the monumental Coliseum, famed battleground of the gladiators, and time to explore the excavated Roman Forum and the Arch of Hadrian, with its relief depicting the destruction of the Temple. Balance of the day is at leisure – perhaps a visit to Vatican City’s Basilica of St. Peter, the world’s largest, and the Sistine Chapel, with its immortal ceiling by Michelangelo. B

TUESDAY, DAY 10- ROME
After breakfast, visit the imposing Great Synagogue for a briefing on Italian Jewry; explore old Trastevere, still a Jewish neighborhood and see Michelangelo’s statue of the horned Moses in the Church of St. Peter. Continue with a visit of the fascinating and extraordinary Jewish Catacombs with their caverns of ancient graves. Tonight’s Farewell Dinner caps a fascinating and culturally rich tour to the Mediterranean. BD

WEDNESDAY, DAY 11 EN ROUTE
“Arrivederci!” a nostalgic goodbye, but a promise to return. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the U.S. B

This is a sample itinerary. Distribution of sites & leisure time is subject to change. Meal Conditions: Buffet-style breakfast or Continental – 2 lunches – 7 dinners.

ACCOMMODATION:

CITY.........#NIGHTS.........HOTEL
TUNIS.............4..................HOTEL AFRICA – 5 STAR
DJERBA...........2..................HOTEL SOFITEL – 5 STAR
ROME..............3..................PONTE SISTO – 4 STAR