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Jewish Travel Since 1993
Toll-free
877-466-2934. Phone 727-254-4373 |
|
|
Jewish Travel Since 1993
Toll-free
877-466-2934. Phone 727-254-4373 |
Flavors of Andalucia
designed uniquely for
"foodies"
who observe kashrut and shabbat
2008 one departure left, November 6-13, 2008
2009 tour dates
February 19 - 26, March 19-26, May 1-7, Oct 29-Nov 4
Andalucia, Southern Spain, is an eternal wellspring of intense beauty, festive spirit and cultural richness. Nowhere else in the world, other than in our own Jerusalem, do you see the collision of three monumental cultures so clearly and to such dramatic effect. The Muslims, Jews and Christians all contributed to a vital, if ultimately tragic, history.
Andalucia is a land of pretty white villages, fabulous cities and undiscovered National Parks. This area was once the heart of the empire of the Moors, whose influence still pervades Andalucian life at every level, most spectacularly in the old cities of Granada, Cordoba and Seville, which are amongst the most magical in Europe.
You will visit the amazing Palace of the Alhambra in Granada, the awesome Mesquita and the Alcazar in Seville, and the famous Jewish quarter of Cordoba.
However there are other quieter, more rural sides to Andalucia, in the mountains near Ronda, and in the white mountain villages of Mijas and Vejer de la Frontera.
And of course there is the gastronomy. Once again we are delighted to offer an authentic local culinary experience which will include informal participation in preparing many of the dishes you will be able to enjoy. And, once again, all this with the "comfort of Kashrut", and strict shabbat observance.
The tour includes trips of general and Jewish interest:-
the old cities of Andalucia
Seville – capital of Andalucia, immortalized in opera classics such as "The Barber of Seville," "Carmen" and "Don Giovanni." You will see the imposing Cathedral, one of the largest in the world, and the resting place of Spanish Kings and Queens, as well as that of Christopher Columbus. No one knows if his remains are there.
Then there is the Alcazar Palace, still used as a residence for the Spanish Royal Family, the grand Plaza Espana, site of the pavilion of the great 1929 exhibition. Last but not least, we'll visit the Barrio de Santa Cruz - the former Jewish Quarter. Today, it is one of Seville's most charming areas.
Cordoba – the former home of many Jewish scholars and poets: Cordoba. 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 Mesquita, the most significant Muslim architectural achievement in the Western world. This 8th century structure was first a church, then a mosque, and today has a cathedral oddly placed in its center. Walk the street leading up to the Juderia, with its whitewashed houses and colorful courtyards and shops. Though not Jewish in its current expression, a few signs hint of the Golden Age of Jewish life. Note, for example, the tiny, gem-like Synagogue, as well as the statue of the great court doctor and Torah sage, Maimonides.
Granada - once "Granada of the Jews", the site of Shmuel HaNagid's Talmudic Academy; now famous for the incomparably beautiful Moorish Palace of Alhambra, one of the Wonders of the World. In 1492, the decree expelling the Jews from Spain was signed here.
Located on a hilltop with the Sierra Nevada as background, Alhambra's exquisite design and layout have few rivals. Be filled with a sense of mystique as you are guided past its graceful courtyards, splashing fountains and lavish rooms. You will also see its Generalife Gardens.
the coastal highlights
Gibraltar – "the Rock", unique and quaintly British, with its tiny but vibrant Jewish community. Entering Gibraltar, you will feel as though you have landed in the British Empire, with quaint sights such as dapper "bobbies" and typically English red "post" boxes. Begin sightseeing this fascinating, independent little plot of land, and gain an in-depth introduction to Gibraltar as seen from a Jewish perspective. The tour will include the Jewish sights and a visit to the Upper Reserve, home of the famous Gibraltar apes.
Marbella and Puerto Banus - magnets for the jet-set, and a short exposure to the attractions that have made this coast one of the world's most popular vacation destinations
Andalucia's famous mountain white villages
Ronda – built atop the gorge with the river below. Ronda is famed for its beauty, and for its bullfighting ring, said to be the oldest in Spain.
Mijas - a typical Andalucian white village, perched high up with spectacular views of the coast and surrounding heavily wooded mountains. It is a web of narrow cobbled streets and conserves its essentially Arabic mediaeval layout and so has a slightly exotic feel about it that visitors find hard to pin down. Mijas, formerly home to a thriving Jewish community, is today one of Spain’s prettiest "white villages". It is famous also for its donkey taxis, which are to be found all round the central plaza, and throughout the town.
Vejer de la Frontera - Declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1976, and winner of the First National Embellishment Award in 1978, Vejer de la Frontera's most stunning feature is the Arab-Andalusian popular architecture.
The town sits on a hill, a few kilometers away from the coast, and from it the visitor can have a magnificent panoramic view. The walled enclosure and the historic quarter, with its narrow, winding streets and whitewashed houses, are a gorgeous sight. There we must highlight the medieval castle, from the 11th century, the Jewish quarter, and the arch of Segur.
a day in Morocco
Tangier via Tarifa – a glimpse of North Africa, whose influence spread so powerfully across the straits of Gibraltar into Andalucia.
After driving through the main boulevards and the "Place de France", you pass the fashionable residential districts of "Marché aux Boeufs" and "California"; thence along the new mountain road with its magnificent villas and lovely gardens.
The drive continues to the famous lighthouse of CAPE SPARTEL - The Lighthouse on the Northern most point of Africa - where a brief halt is made to admire the magnificent view of the Straits of Gibraltar from the farthest westerly point of the African continent.
A stop for an included Camel Ride - if you are up for it! - and onto the CAVES of HERCULES where for centuries the tribe that owns the caves has been scooping out millstones to grind wheat and olives.
Afterwards, you drive to the Kasbah for lunch.
Lunch will be followed by a visit to the Kasbah with its Sultan's Palace, a magnificent example of Moorish architecture, the Old Treasury and the Museum which contains fine specimens of Moroccan art. Then follows an interesting stroll through the picturesque winding streets and souks of the Medina, to visit the MENDOUBIA GARDENS, the GRAND SOCCO, the PETIT SOCCO, the Jewish Quarter, and the Berber handicraft and spice markets…
You will enjoy:
an opportunity to meet some of the local Jewish people and visit some of Europe’s most ancient and beautiful Synagogues
authentic Andalucian dishes prepared by renowned local chefs
unlimited wine, paellas and Flamenco dancing
magnificent food markets, where we will eat kosher "churros" and drink coffee with the market sellers
cooking with maestro chefs, where you will learn old Spanish Jewish dishes from the days of the Inquisition
accommodation in a brand new 4 star boutique hotel 15 minutes inland from Sotogrande, www.hotelcastellar.es designed in the traditional Spanish style but with most elegant furnishing
Kashrut
A mashgiach tmidi will represent Rabbi Khalili of Torremolinos, who is certified by London Beth Din and Kashrus Commission
Typical itinerary (always subject to change)
Thursday:
13.00 Meet at Malaga Airport (AGP);
recommended flights to book on your own (flight is not included in the price)
from USA: direct Delta flight dep Weds 22.40 JFK, arr 12.20
from Israel: Alitalia via Rome dep TLV Thurs 05.30, arr 12.00
from UK: multiple options
14.00 -15.00 picnic near Marbella
16.00 arrival Ronda: tour of Ronda - in horse and carriage / walking tour of Ronda - Ronda's bull ring and the Museum of Bullfighting / free time to explore the narrow streets, see the gorge and visit the galleries
19.00 dep Ronda for Hotel
20.45 cocktail reception
21.00 dinner
Friday:
08.15 breakfast
09.00 dep bus
10.00 Gibraltar - Gibraltar is one of the few British Colonies left in the world, with a very rich Jewish Heritage and community; we'll climb the rock, meet the Apes, visit the Oldest Jewish cemetery in The Iberian Peninsular with Tombs of 4 Tsadikim, walk down Main Street for some shopping, visit Nefusot Yehudah Synagogue where a speaker from the community will talk to us about the synagogue and community; we'll picnic in the Jewish quarter, taste some local and Portuguese delicacies.
16.00 dep Gibraltar
18.00 candle lighting
19.30 dinner
Shabbat:
09.00 coffee and cake
09.30 davening
walk in grounds
13.00 lunch
rest
17.30 mincha
18.00 seuda III
19.00 maariv and havdala
20.00 Bus to Puerto Banus - for some high level local night life
Sunday
day trip to Moroccan city of Tangier, by ferry from Tarifa
Monday:
08.00 breakfast
08.45 dep hotel
10.15 arr. Vejer
13.00 lunch
15.00 Tarifa
18.00 cooking with the chefs
20.30 dinner
OR visit to a great food and general market in morning and Vejer afternoon
Tuesday:
07.00 breakfast
07.45 dep hotel
10.15 arr Seville
13.30 picnic lunch
14.15 dep Seville
16.30 arr Cordoba
20.00 dinner in Cordoba
entertainment in Cordoba
sleep between Cordoba and Granada
Wednesday:
08.00 breakfast
08.45 bus to Granada
10.30 arr Granada
17.00 dep Granada
19.00 stop en route
21.00 dinner in hotel - flamenco
Thursday:
07.15 dep Hotel
08.45 arr Mijas for breakfast
10.45 dep Mijas
11.30 arr Malaga airport
2008 one departure left, price is 2500 eur, November 6-13, 2008
2009 tour dates
February 19 - 26
(can be combined with a Taste of Tuscany,, Feb 13-19)
March 19 - 26
(can be combined with a Taste of Tuscany, March 13-19)
April 23 – 30
(can be combined with a Taste of Tuscany,, May 1-7)
November 5 - 12
(can be combined with a Taste of Tuscany, Oct 29 – Nov 4)
price: for 7 nights and 7 days
from 2750 euros per person double occupancy
Inquire re: optional extras - deluxe rooms, single occupancy
Naomi's promise:
"From the minute you land, until the minute you take off, you will not need to spend one cent".
(You'll probably spend many cents, but that's because you want to, not because you have to!!)
In addition to these dates, we will be pleased to tailor a week in Andalucia for
your group according to your needs and preferences. Dates for 2009 are now being
accepted:
so if you are planning a family gathering, a club or synagogue trip, a business
promotion, a charity fundraiser, a bar/bat-mitzvah, a wedding or any other
specific group activity, contact us.
Inquire for more info or to book
Toll-free
877-466-2934. Phone 727-254-4373
email:
info@JewishTravelAgency.com
www.JewishTravelAgency.com
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