Mediterranean Discovery

Transcription

1 We have provided the following sample itinerary to give you a better feel for the experience. The actual itinerary may vary slightly. A formal itinerary, including a list of confirmed accommodations will be sent to you 4-6 weeks prior to the start of the program. DAY #1 Sunday Take Off! Depart from New York City on a supervised group flight (optional) Spend the night in the sky en route to Europe DAY #2 Monday Hola Espana! Arrive to Barajas Airport in Madrid in the morning Meet local staff and travel through the Andalusian countryside to Cordoba Trace the history of the Spain s Golden Age at the stunning Mezquita and walking along the alleys of Juderia (Jewish Quarter) Explore the Casa de Sefarad Museum and the monument to Maimonides Evening: Enjoy a traditional welcome dinner and Spanish Flamenco show! Overnight: Cordoba Accommodations, Spain DAY #3 Tuesday Alhambra Palace Continue from Cordoba to Granada in the Sierra Nevada highlands Explore the world famous Alhambra Palace Stroll through the Generalife Gardens, the oldest surviving Moorish gardens Take in an exquisite sunset view of Granada from the Mirador de San Nicolás overlook Evening: Sip tea in the Moorish quarter El Albayzín Overnight: Senator Granada Spa Hotel Granada, Spain DAY #4 Wednesday Sierra Nevada Mountains Hike in the snow- capped Sierra Nevada Mountains Ride a cable car to the summit Discover the mysterious Roma Gypsy caves of Sacromonte Cathedral & Capilla Real Visit the tombs of Isabella and Ferdinand Evening: Relax at the exquisite Old Moorish Hammam baths Overnight: Senator Granada Spa Hotel Granada, Spain DAY #5 Thursday Costa Del Sol Depart Alhambra for the southern Spanish coastline Explore the Treasure Cave in Rincón de la Victoria Enjoy beach time in the resort city of Málaga Picasso Museum of Málaga Learn about the life and art of Spain s most famous artist Arrive at the Rock of Gibraltar on the Mediterranean Enter the United Kingdom! DAY #6 Friday Top of the Rock! Ascend the Rock of Gibraltar via the cable car Explore St. Michael s Cave and get close to Gibraltar s famous wild apes

2 Hike up to O Hara s Battery at the Top of the Rock! Follow the Mediterranean Steps path down to Jew s Gate View the African Continent from Point Europa The southernmost tip of Europe Tour of the World War II Tunnels dug into the Rock of Gibraltar Time permitting Kabbalat Shabbat service with local Jewish community of Gibraltar DAY #7 Saturday Shabbat on Gibraltar Shabbat morning program & lunch Discover the fascinating history of Jewish Gibraltar Relaxation time, swimming and sports at Rosia Bay Afternoon walking tour of Gibraltar s Old Town district Evening: British- style fish & chips dinner in Old Town DAY #8 Sunday Seville Re- enter Spain in the morning and travel to Seville The center of Andalusian Spain View the tomb of Christopher Columbus and climb to the Giralda bell tower summit Visit to Seville s bull- fighting ring and learn about Spain s controversial national pastime Tour the Seville Castle and navigate its natural hedge maze Evening: Cruise down the Guadalquivir River through Seville Overnight: AC Sevilla Forum Hotel Seville, Spain DAY #9 Monday Toledo Continue northwards to Toledo Stop for a panoramic view of old Toledo from the Alcazar Fortress Explore Toledo on foot walking along the River Targus Tour of the Synagogue Transito and the Sephardic Museum Overnight: Euro- Stars Hotel Toledo, Spain DAY #10 Tuesday Madrid Arrive to Madrid in the morning Walking tour of the Royal Palace official residence of the King of Spain Experience the unique spirit of Spain in Madrid s central Plaza Espana and Plaza Mayor View Spain s most cherished masterpieces at the Prado Museum of Art Tour of Real Madrid s football stadium Home of Spain s most elite soccer team Depart Madrid on an evening flight and arrive to Italy s Milan Airport Overnight: Milan Hotel near airport DAY #11 Wednesday Stylish Milano Arrive to Italy s Milan Airport Meet our local staff and travel to Largo Maggiore Overnight: Ibis Milano Fierra- Milan, Italy

3 DAY #12 Thursday Venice s Ghetto Origins Wake up, and smell the fresh alpine air before departing for Venice Stop to swoon under the balcony of Juliet s House in Verona Say goodbye to our bus and enter the water- filled streets of the Venice old city Learn about the Venetian history of the word ghetto at the Jewish Museum Wander through the historic Jewish Quarter and navigate Venice via traditional gondolas DAY #13 Friday The Waterways of Venice Set sail for the islands of Murano and Burano Experience a traditional Venetian glass- making factory Travel to Lido Island and enjoy beach time and swimming in the Adriatic Sea Return to the main island of Venice and prepare for Shabbat Attend Kabbalat Shabbat services at the Spanish Synagogue in the Venice Ghetto Learn about the contemporary Jewish community of Venice over a traditional Shabbat dinner DAY #14 Saturday Shabbat in Venice Shabbat morning program and lunch with the Jewish community Venice on foot! Explore Piazza San Marco, including the Basilica and Ducale Palace Evening: Group night out on the town in Venice DAY #15 Sunday Rafting in Slovenia Depart Venice in the morning and set off for the Slovenian backcountry White water rafting down the Soca One of Europe s most beautiful rivers! Travel through the Slovenian mountains to Lake Bled deep in the Slovenian mountains Overnight: Hotel Ribno Bled, Slovenia DAY #16 Monday Adventures in the Backcountry Take a boat ride to tiny Bled Island in the middle of the crystal blue lake Make a wish! Ring the island s legendary wishing bell Visit Ljubljana Slovenia s capital Take in the views from a castle towering over the city Test out your problem solving skills as you decipher codes in the Escape Room Overnight: Hotel Ribno Bled, Slovenia DAY #17 Tuesday The Italian Countryside Cool off navigating underground through the Postojna cave system Cross back into Italy and travel towards Florence via the Tuscan countryside Stop in Bologna Explore the city and visit the Gelato Museum for a tour and tasting! Arrive to the Florence region and check- in to our accommodations

4 Overnight: Grand Hotel Nizza et Suisse Montecatini, Italy DAY #18 Wednesday Florence, Italy Discover the art of making fresh Italian pasta at Pastificio Fabbri Explore Florence the Duomo, Piazza San Lorenzo and the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) Climb to the top of the Campanile Tower for a stunning panoramic view of Florence The Art of Florence View Michelangelo s David Statue at the Galleria dell'accademia Tour the Great Synagogue One of the world s most beautiful synagogues Depart to Montecantini Overnight: Grand Hotel Nizza et Suisse Montecatini, Italy DAY #19 Thursday Pisa, Italy Travel to Pisa - Climb the leaning Tower of Pisa and explore the Square of Miracles Travel south along the coast towards Rome Get oriented to the seven hills of Rome from Palatine Hill Recount the legend of Romulus and Remus the founding story of Rome Channel your inner warrior taking part in a Gladiator for a Day training Check- in to our central Rome accommodations DAY #20 Friday The Ancient Empire of Rome! Walk in the footsteps of the Roman Empire at the Coliseum and the Forum Romanum Explore Vatican City in the heart of Rome St. Peter s Cathedral and the Sistine Chapel Stand beside the massive Arch of Titus and view a depiction of the Temple Menorah that is believed to have been carried off to Rome from the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE Evening: Kabbalat Shabbat services and dinner at the Oratorio di Castro Synagogue DAY #21 Saturday Shabbat in Rome Shabbat programming and lunch Walking tour of Rome s Jewish Quarter The oldest continually settled Jewish community outside Israel Continue exploring Rome on foot stop at the Pantheon Temple and Fontana di Trevi DAY #22 Sunday Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius Guided tour of Pompeii The preserved ancient Roman city Drive up to Mount Vesuvius and peer into volcano s crater Return to Rome in the evening for a final dinner party and group session Overnight: Ostia Antica Park Hotel Rome, Italy DAY #23 Monday Ciao Italy! Depart from on a supervised group flight in the morning (optional)

5 Arrive back to New York City in the afternoon