Private Tour - "The Jewish Heritage of Spain" (9 Days)
Itinerary
Day 1: Full day to visit Madrid
During the tour first day you will discover as much as possible about Spain's beautiful capital which is an important business centre, as well as the headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family. Some of the points of our visit will be the Royal Palace, a vast and elegant palace that is no longer used as a residence but keeps the original furniture and decoration as if kings still lived there, and the Prado Museum , considered one of the most important art galleries in the world. It houses masterpieces by Velazquez, Goya, El Greco and many other artists. In the majestic Plaza Mayor (Main Square) which used to be a marketplace and was the scene of popular events, we'll find under the arcades different shops that sell fabrics, costume jewelry and souvenirs together with outdoor cafes, taverns and bakeries. Other highlights are the Puerta del Sol (Sun Gateway), one of the most popular meeting points for local people and the starting of the old city's shopping area and the Plaza de Cibeles, an important symbol of Madrid, surrounded by some of the city's most important monuments.
Accommodation Suggestion in Madrid (please follow the link for more details):
Hotel Hesperia Madrid (5 stars Deluxe - "Leading Hotels of the World")
Day 2: Departure to Toledo, visit of the city and overnight in Almagro
This morning we'll drive to Toledo, the capital of the region of La Mancha, chosen as the scenery to Cervantes' book "Don Quijote" and one of the most important Jewish centers in the past. During the 14th century Toledo had ten Synanogues in different places of the city. Nowadays only two of these Synagogues are still standing: Santa Maria La Blanca Synagogue and the El Transito Synagogue that we will visit during the morning. Of course we couldn't miss also the Sephardic Museum, one of the most important Jewish Museums in Spain, located inside the El Transito Synagogue. After lunch we will continue the visit of Toledo including some of the local churches where you will admire some of the works of the most famous painter of the city: El Greco. Before the end of the day we will still have time to visit the most incredible gothic Cathedral of Spain. After the visit of Toledo we will continue to Almagro a small city halfway to Granada.
Accommodation in Almagro (please follow the link for more details):
Parador de Almagro (Charming Parador)
Day 3: Departure from Almagro to Granada and visit of the city and the Allambra
On the third day of our itinerary we will go to Granada classified as World Heritage by UNESCO and one of the most spectacular cities of Spain located at the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. This was the last city to be conquered to the Moors by the Catholic Kings Fernando and Isabella in the year of 1492. These were the Kings that in March of that same year signed the infamous expulsion order of all the Jewish population. After the arrival at Granada we'll visit the Allambra Palace, where the architects made an enchanting use of space, light and water that can still be admired in the many rooms linked by courtyards, gardens and fountains. The city's Cathedral, located in the centre of the Muslim area and the Albaicin quarter that is worth a visit as well. By the end of the day, we'll walk up to San Nicolas' belvedere, where the views over the Allambra roofs with the Sierra Nevada backdrop are unforgettable. If you wish to experience something different, there's a curious tradition in Granada, which is a modern version of Arab Baths, trying to reproduce this ancient Moorish habit that you can try yourself.
Accommodation in Granada (please follow the link for more details):
Hotel AC Palacio de Santa Paula (5 stars - AC Selection)
Day 4: Departure from Granada and visit of Cordoba. Arrival at Seville.
Today we will continue along the South of Spain all the way to Córdoba, classified as World Heritage by the UNESCO. We will start by visiting the old Jewish quarter of the city passing by the Synagogue and the surrounding area of the Zouk where the Moorish market used to be located and that still preserves the atmosphere of the Moorish era. It will be in this area of the city that you will still find some of the shops and occupations that were exclusively Jewish like gold and silversmiths. At the end of the day we will go to another incredible city of the South of Spain: Seville where we will stay in the charming Hotel Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza or for the ultimate hotel experience at the Hotel Alfonso XIII, one of the most luxurious hotels in Spain (available as an option).
Accommodation Suggestion in Seville (please follow the link for more details):
Hotel Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza (4 stars Very Charming)
or
Optional Upgrade
Hotel Alfonso XIII (Luxury Collection by Starwood - 5 stars hotel)
Day 5: Full-day to visit Seville
The day will begin with a visit to this city on the banks of the Guadalquivir river that once had a large Jewish population that disappeared after the tragic events of 1391. We should start having a look at the Torre del Oro (Gold Tower) that owes its name to the stone's golden color. One of the most spectacular monuments of the city is the Alcazar, the old palace of the Moorish governor, as well as the Cathedral, with the largest nave in all of Spain and where Colombo's mortal remains are supposed to rest. Both places are worth a visit not only by its beauty but most of all by its importance in the history of Seville and Spain. After lunch break you will have a free afternoon to do some shopping in the narrow winding streets of Barrio de Santa Cruz, where the Jewish population use to live, or to enjoy the traditional tapas and relax at the hotel. At night the city dances to the frenetic rhythm of the Flamenco that you can enjoy (as an option) and admire as the most traditional Spanish music and dance.
Accommodation Suggestion in Seville (please follow the link for more details):
Hotel Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza (4 stars Very Charming)
or
Optional Upgrade
Hotel Alfonso XIII (Luxury Collection by Starwood - 5 stars hotel)
Day 6: Departure to Mérida, visit of Cáceres and overnight in Trujillo
Today we will leave Seville in the morning and head towards one of the most important roman cities of Spain: Mérida with its old Roman theatre dating back to the 1 st century b.C. After the visit to this incredible roman monument we will continue towards Cáceres, World Heritage by the UNESCO. The yellow stone of the old Jewish neighborhood still reminds us the troubled medieval period. Monuments to be seen in during this afternoon in Cáceres will include the Church of Santa Maria, 16th century, the Plaza de Santa Maria and the famous Saint James church, where the Order of Saint James was created. At the end of the day we will continue to Trujillo, a charming small town, only thirty minutes away from Cáceres, where we will finally end our day.
Accommodation Suggestion in Trujillo (please follow the link for more details):
Parador de Trujillo
Day 7: Visit of Hervás and Salamanca and overnight in Ávila
Early in the morning we will continue towards North to the little town of Hervás that was developed by the Jewish population after the expulsion of Spain and were trying to escape to the welcoming Portugal. The narrow streets are surrounded by two or three story houses with the traditional Jewish architecture of this area in adobe brick and chestnut bridge. In Hervás many important Jewish families lived like the Cohen, Rabí Samuel and Bellida la Rica. After the visit to this charming town we will continue towards one of the most famous university cities in Spain: Salamanca where we will arrive just in time for the lunch break. Salamanca will remind you of Jerusalem, specially the old city inside the castle walls, but with a river running close to it. In the past Salamanca had indeed a sizeable Jewish population that included some of the best scholars in the city that many times tried during their lectures to contradict the teachings of the Inquisition. The day will come to its end as we approach Ávila and its Parador.
Accommodation Suggestion in Ávila (please follow the link for more details):
Parador de Avila (Charming Parador)
Day 8: Visit of El Escorial and Valle de los Caídos or Full-day in Madrid
This last day of our itinerary will start in Ávila and head towards Madrid. On this day you will only have to choose if you want to go straight back to Madrid to have some more time there do to some shopping, cultural sightseeing or just relax before returning home, or if you want to stop along the way to visit the El Escorial Monastery and the Valle de los Caídos, just 45km to the north of Madrid. The Monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial was built during the reign of Philip II in 1557 to commemorate the victory over the French army and it is now considered one of the most exquisite constructions of the Spanish architecture. Just a few kilometers away you will find the Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caídos) erected by orders of the dictator Franco to honor those who died during the Spanish Civil War.
Accommodation Suggestion in Madrid (please follow the link for more details):
Hotel Hesperia Madrid (5 stars Deluxe - "Leading Hotels of the World")
Day 9: Hotel check-out and Transfer to the airport included.
Note: As in all our programs, we can customize this itinerary to your wishes, as well as reorganize the number of days to the time you have available.
End of Tour
- Private Tour - "The Jewish Heritage of Portugal" (8 Days)
- Private Tour - "The Jewish Heritage of Portugal & Spain" (14 Days)
Please feel free to contact us for more information or booking:info@toursforyou.pt or using the following form (click again to close)