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Jewish Traveler Resource
Spain Itinerary we've done for Jewish High School
2008
December 22, Monday – arrival in Madrid
You will be welcomed by your professional tour escort, who will accompany you
throughout your travels in Spain.
Check into your hotel, the Hotel El Prado
http://www.pradohotel.com/
Transfer to hotel.
In the afternoon Private touring of historic Madrid and Reina Sofia museum.
Our expert guide will meet you at your hotel and together you will enjoy the
architecture, history and anecdotes of Spain’s capital.
Madrid is one of the world's most vibrant and seductive cities. A city that
takes unabashed pleasure in its past traditions, it is proud to display a wealth
of cultural treasures and architectural glories. Enjoy a walking tour that
includes some of the capital's most impressive sights, such as the Plaza de
Oriente and the historic quarter including the 17th-century Plaza Mayor, a
wonderful Baroque square lined with arcades filled with picturesque cafes.
The Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, houses Picasso’s Guernica, among other
treasures of modern art.
Remainder of the day at
leisure
Tonight you will enjoy dinner at one of the most popular vegetarian restaurants
in the city.
Evening at leisure.
Overnight Madrid.
December 23, Tuesday
A Full Day Excursion to Toledo.
On arrival in Toledo, you will be met by your guide, who will begin the visit…
Although now completely overshadowed by nearby Madrid, it is Toledo and its
narrow, winding streets and steps, stone houses and churches that embodies
Spain’s past. Panoramic View of Toledo In the Middle Ages, Toledo was
built on a “convergence” of Christianity, Islam and Judaism, and contains two of
the few remaining medieval Spanish synagogues. Visit El Tránsito, a 13th century
synagogue and the adjoining Jewish Museum, devoted to the history and legacy of
the Jewish Spain. At the centre of Toledo, you will find the soaring Gothic
cathedral. Its Sacristy contains many paintings by El Greco, Van Dyck and Goya,
plus an impressive collection of medieval garments and textiles. Stop at the
church of Santo Tomé, and marvel El Greco’s famed Burial of the Count of Orgaz,
considered to be El Greco’s finest work. The Museum of El Greco contains an
extensive collection of the former Toledo resident’s paintings – including more
of his most famous ones. Also visit
Santa Maria la Blanca if time permit. Alcazar visit is not possible
unfortunately since it is under renovation.
You might do a bit of strolling or shopping this afternoon. When you are ready,
head back to Madrid.
In the evening you will enjoy a “Tapas” dinner in the old quarter.
It will be a selection of vegetarian dishes.
Overnight Madrid.
December 24, Wednesday
After breakfast, meet your expert guide & private transportation for
a private half day tour of Madrid which
includes Royal Palace and Prado Museum.
The Prado houses masterpieces from all the leading European Schools, and Spanish
painting includes works from the Middle Ages up to the 19th century. Outstanding
among the Renaissance painters is El Greco. Baroque paintings include the work
of masters such as Zurbarán, Murillo, Ribera, Alonso Cano and many others, as
well as the largest collection of work by Velázquez. Goya was one of the most
important painters of the late 18th and early 19th centuries and over 100 of his
works can be seen at the Prado.
Following the visit to Prado Museum, you will visit Palacio Real (Royal Palace).
Here you will find ornate tapestries, frescoes, crystal chandeliers, and an
impressive collection of antique clocks.
When your tour concludes, you will have lunch at leisure. Your escort guide will
recommend places.
Tonight you will enjoy dinner at a Kosher restaurant.
Overnight Madrid
December 25, Thursday
Check out from your hotel and take the high speed train to Cordoba.
Check into the hotel Maimónides.
www.hotelmaimonides.com
Private touring of Cordoba.
While the rest of Europe was languishing during the Dark Ages, southern Spain,
al-Andalus, thrived. Its scholars - Christian, Muslim and Jew - created a
society that became the safeguard of Greek and Roman learning. As capital of el-Andalus
until its fall in 1236, Cordoba was a city of half a million people, with
thousands of mosques and the first street-lighting in Europe. Students and
merchants flocked to Cordoba from all over Europe, Africa and even Asia. Its
libraries boasted hundreds of thousands of volumes, its palaces and baths were
renowned for their opulence and its luxury goods were coveted all over Europe.
Your tour begins at the greatest monument of Cordoba: the Mezquita or Grand
Mosque **, dating from 785. So massive that it contains a Catholic Cathedral
within, it is one of the world’s best-known pieces of religious architecture. A
vast forest of hundreds of delicate marble columns and elegant arches, its
mihrab (the niche which denotes the direction of Mecca) is a dazzling
composition of mosaics sent as a gift by the Emperor of Byzantium. La
Mezquita Continue with your guide down the picturesque and evocative streets
in the restored heart of Cordoba - one of the largest medieval quarters in
Europe. The Jewish community in Cordoba was well established by 840. The tiny
synagogue of Maimonedes, built in 1315 and a national landmark since 1885, is
located on a winding medieval road not far from the statue of Rambam that the
city of Cordoba erected to honour their native son. Although the exterior is
unmarked, its cube-shaped, gem-like interior is one of the most beautiful
synagogue interiors in Europe.
**Please note the Mosque will have a restrictive scheduled due to the Christmas
services) We will try to adapt the visit according to that.
Today you will enjoy a Sephardic dinner in Cordoba
Evening at leisure.
Overnight Cordoba.
December 26, Friday
Check out from your hotel and take the high speed train to Sevilla. Transfer and
check-in into
hotel Petit Palace Santa Ana.
http://www.hotelmarquessantaana.com/
Highlights of Seville tour on arrival with transportation included.
Your guide will meet you at your hotel… step out into arguably Spain’s most
beautiful city
Captivating and beautiful, the capital of Andalucia intoxicates and excites. It
is the city of flamenco, bulls, Carmen and Don Juan; its history and culture
give rise to pride, tradition, passion and joy. Be seduced by its enchanting
neighborhoods, with its twisting narrow streets, stunning patios and squares
lined with orange trees. La Giralda
Your tour includes the enormous cathedral, the third largest, and the largest
Gothic building in the world, featuring the tomb of Christopher Columbus and its
12th-century bell-tower, La Giralda, originally built by the Moors as a minaret.
Visit the ornately decorated Alcazar Palace and its Andalusian gardens.
Originally a Moorish palace, it was re-built and designed by Mudejar craftsmen
for the Christian royalty after the expulsion of the Moors. Once you have
emerged from the Alcazar's gardens, wander through the Barrio de Santa Cruz:
originally the Jewish Quarter and now the prettiest quarter of Sevilla. See the
Murillo Gardens, a typical Sevillan garden full of arcades and foliage. For
other areas and sights, we leave this to the discretion of the expert guide.
Back to hotel later afternoon (before Shabbat)
In the evening you will enjoy a Flamenco Show and dinner (walking distance from
your hotel)
Overnight Seville.
December 27, Saturday
Morning walking tour of Seville .
Afternoon at leisure in Seville.
Overnight Seville.
December 28, Sunday
Today you will continue to Granada.
Check in at the Hotel Santa
Isabel La Real.
Private Tour of the Alhambra
Once within its walls, there are so many delights to revel in…
Enjoy a private tour of the Alhambra, the best preserved example of a Moorish
fortress palace in Europe, and one of the world’s most romantic monuments. With
our expert guide, go beyond the text in your guide book and discover a
fascinating world that was home to the Nasrid sultans, rulers of the last
Spanish Moorish kingdom. With its construction, Moorish architecture and art
reached spectacular levels, yet as our guide will explain, the Alhambra reveals
also much about the life and culture of this lost kingdom. You will visit the
Generalife, the country retreat of Moorish royalty just behind the Alhambra.
Late afternoon Private Tour: “Stroll around the Albayzin neighbourhood”
Early evening… you will meet a long-time resident of Granada who will lead you
on a walk through the old Moorish Quarter, the Albaicín. You will take in a
magnificent view of the Alhambra Palaces as twilight falls, the sun casting its
brilliant hues on this amazing piece of history, with the backdrop of the Sierra
Nevada mountain range. The Albacyin as viewed from the Alhambra From here
you will be taken through the winding cobbled streets of the Albaicín, a truly
fascinating neighborhood which, to this day, preserves many facets of its
Moorish heritage. Your guide will tell you about the past, present and future of
this district as you walk through some of its most characteristic streets and
squares. At the end of the walk you will stop at a couple of typical local bars.
In Granada the tradition is that each drink is accompanied by a small snack, the
tapa. Not only is this is a great introduction into the cuisine, but it will
also give you an insight into local culture, where much of the social life
revolves around tapeando – going out for drinks and tapas.
Dinner at restaurant overlooking the Alhambra.
Overnight Granada.
December 29, Monday
Private transfer to the airport.
Fly back to Madrid and make connections to Israel
Farewell to Spain.
COST OF TRIP PER PERSON: Based on a group of 20 pax (2 pax free sharing double
occupancy)
BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPPANCY 2220 EUROS (at current exchange rate $3460)
BASED ON TRIPLE OCCUPPANCY 2090 EUROS (at current exchange rate $3258)
Includes:
Accommodation based on 4 double rooms and 4 Triple rooms
Madrid: Hotel El Prado (3 nights)
Cordoba: Hotel Maimónides (1 night)
Sevilla: Petit Palace Marqués de Santa Ana (2 nights)
Granada: Hotel Santa isabel (1 nights)
Expert Tour Escort
Accompanying you throughout the trip will be one of Spain’s best tour escorts.
Highly experienced and outstanding guide, he will bring interest, life and good
humour to the trip. All their accommodation and meals are included.
Private Tours (conducted by expert local guides)*
Private tour of Madrid including Royal Palace, Prado, Reina Sofia
Toledo full day tour with emphasis on Jewish heritage
Private tour of Cordoba
Private tour of Sevilla – ½ day with transportation on Dec 26 and walking ½ day
tour on Dec 27.
Private tour of the Alhambra & Generalife
Insiders tour of the Albayzin
All admissions to monuments, historic sights etc included
*Note: Only local qualified guides are permitted to visit monuments with groups.
Transport
Transfer from airport to hotel
Full Day bus and driver for Toledo Excursion
Transportation for Half Day tour of Madrid on December 24
Transfer to restaurant on December 24
Transfer from hotel to Atocha train station
High speed train tickets to Cordoba Tourist Class