Grand Tour of Spain 2007

A millennium ago, Spain was the center of the Jewish world, a Moslem 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.

HIGHLIGHTS:
20 MEALS including Buffet Breakfast daily, 1 lunch & 7 dinners with wine 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:

WEDNESDAY, DAY 1- EN ROUTE
Evening departure from New York to Spain.

THURSDAY, DAY 2- MADRID
Mornnig arrival Madrid, Spain’s vibrant capital. Meet your Tour Manager and begin! See the Royal Palace, Retiro Park and the elegantly colonnaded Plaza Mayor. Tonight, Jacob hosts a “Welcome Tapas” dinner and briefing at a nearby restaurant. D

FRIDAY – DAY 3- MADRID
Morning visit to Madrid’s Beth Yaacov Synagogue for a briefing on Spanish Jewry. Tour of the city includes the Reina Sofia Museum, Plaza Espana, Plaza Colon and other highlights of this exciting city. Tonight, Shabbat dinner at your hotel. BD

SATURDAY – DAY 4- MADRID
Today’s walking tour includes a visit to the treasure-filled Prado Museum, with its wealth of masterpieces. This afternoon, perhaps a siesta – for Spaniards dine late. Jacob will make suggestions for dinner. B

SUNDAY – DAY 5- MADRID-TOLEDO-ALMAGRO
Drive to Toledo, once royal capital of Spain. Visit the Grand Toledo Cathedral, Santa Maria la Blanca (formerly the Grand Synagogue), El Greco’s House and the El Transito Synagogue. Continue into the open plains of La Mancha to Almagro. Arrive at your parador hotel, restored to its original grandeur. Keep your swim suit in your carry-on, while your luggage is brought to your room, so you can relax, poolside before dinner. BD

MONDAY, DAY 6- ALMAGRO-GRANADA
Drive to the Andalusian city of Granada to 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. Tonight, dinner and an exciting Flamenco performance. BD

TUESDAY – DAY 7- GRANADA- CORDOBA-SEVILLE
Drive to Cordoba, birthplace of Maimonides; visit the medieval 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. On to delightful Seville for dinner and overnight. BD

WEDNESDAY –DAY 8- 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 9- SEVILLE GIBRALTAR
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 your hotel in Malaga. B

FRIDAY – DAY 10 –MALAGA
Morning visit to the synagogue, for a meeting with members of the Jewish community, followed by a tour of the New Picasso Museum, the only one exploring all stages of his artistic life. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Barcelona; check into your hotel in time for Shabbat dinner together. BD

SATURDAY – DAY 11-BARCELONA
Attend services if you wish, then join Jacob 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 former Jewish Ghetto. Balance of the day at leisure to explore at your own pace. B

SUNDAY – DAY 12 – 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. BL

MONDAY, DAY 13- BARCELONA
Tour of Barcelona, home of the 1992 Olympic Games includes the Casa Sefardita Jewish Community Center and 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. Tonight’s Farewell Dinner caps a magnificent tour. BD

TUESDAY, DAY 14-- BARCELONA
Transfer to the airport for the flight 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 & 7 DINNERS

CITY...............#NIGHTS........HOTEL
Madrid.............3................Villa Real
Almagro...........1................Parador Del Almagro
Granada...........1................Hotel Granada Center
Seville.............2................Hotel Seville Center
Marbella..........1................Molina Lario Hotel
Barcelona........4...............Condes De Barcelona/Barcelona Center