Itinerary we’ve done for Jewish school group
Day 1 Monday – arrival in Madrid
You will be welcomed by your professional tour escort, who will accompany you throughout your travels in Spain.
Transfer and Check into your 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.
Day 2. Madrid, Full Day Excursion to Toledo.
On arrival in Toledo, you will be met by your guide.
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 Tome, 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.
Day 3. Madrid
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
Day 4. Check out from your hotel and take the high speed train to Cordoba.
Check into the hotel . 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 honor their native son. Although the exterior is unmarked, its cube-shaped, gem-like interior is one of the most beautiful synagogue interiors in Europe. Subject to opening times and dates. Enjoy a Sephardic dinner in Cordoba Evening at leisure. Overnight Cordoba.
Day 5. Check out from your hotel and take the high speed train to Sevilla.
Transfer and check-in into hotel.
Highlights of Seville tour on arrival with transportation and your guide included.
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. 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 In the evening you will enjoy a Flamenco Show and dinner (walking distance from your hotel)
Overnight Seville.
Day 6, Shabbat. Saturday Morning walking tour of Seville .
Afternoon at leisure in Seville.
Overnight Seville.
Day 7. Today you will continue to Granada.
Check in at the Hotel, 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.