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JEWISH
HERITAGE TOUR OF SPAIN
Friday
Depart the United States to Barcelona.
Saturday
 BARCELONA
Arrive in the exciting city of Barcelona on the Mediterranean Sea.
On your own, walk along "Las Ramblas," one of the world's most famous
thoroughfares. Stroll past flower stalls, vendors and street performers
to the monument of Christopher Columbus. Marvel at Gaudi's Art Nouveau
architecture. In the evening, drive to Montjuic (Mountain of the
Jews). Visit the Miro Museum with its spectacular rooftop views
of the Catalonian capital. Stop at the Spanish Village, a showcase
of Spanish architecture through the ages. Top the evening at a performance
of the Dancing Fountains.
Overnight at the Avenida Palace Hotel.
Sunday
BARCELONA
Drive north to Girona, the ancient walled city set on the Onyar
River, which was a major Jewish center prior to 1492. The historic
Jewish Quarter, known as the "Call," is a well-preserved testament
to Jewish life in the Middle Ages. Ascend a flight of 17th century
Baroque steps to the city's major architectural treasure, the Gothic
cathedral. A tour of the city also includes the Arab baths, a 12th
century fortified bridge and a 19th century bridge designed by Gustave
Eiffel. On the return to Barcelona, stop at the village of Figueras,
birthplace of the surrealist Salvador Dali, and visit the Dali Museum.
If time permits, stop at Besalu to see the ancient mikvah and beit
midrash. Evening meeting with Rabbi, for Bar/Bat Mitzvah rehearsal.
Overnight at the Avenida Palace Hotel.
Monday
 BARCELONA
Celebrate your Bar/Bat Mitzvah in the newly- excavated synagogue,
hidden for centuries under the basement of a 17th century building
in the Barrio Gothic. Walk through the medieval "Call" and learn
about past and present Jewish life in Barcelona. Visit Antonio Gaudi's
extraordinary Church of the Holy Family (Sagrada Familia), Casa
Mila and Park Guell.
Optional: Celebration dinner at a Catalonian restaurant.
Overnight at the Avenida Palace Hotel.
Tuesday
BARCELONA/GRANADA
Transfer to Barcelona Airport for a short flight to the Andalusian
city of Granada, located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Visit the Alhambra, the "Palace of Paradise" built by Moorish rulers.
View the decree expelling the Jews from Spain, signed on March 31,
1492, in the Hall of the Ambassadors, where Ferdinand and Isabella
also signed the agreement permitting Columbus to sail west to America.
Overnight at the Alhambra Palace.
Wednesday
GRANADA/SEVILLE
Drive to beautiful Seville, the "city of fiestas." Remainder of
day at leisure.
Overnight at the Melia Colon Hotel.
Thursday
SEVILLE
 Visit
the world's largest Gothic cathedral (containing what is believed
to be Christopher Columbus' tomb) with its Giralda Tower, the city's
most prominent monument. Continue to the Alcazar, one of the oldest
royal residences in Europe. It is an astonishing Moorish palace
of vaulted halls, ornate archways, glazed tiles and intricate woodwork.
Explore the Barrio de Santa Cruz, the preserved Jewish Quarter,
and Seville's most picturesque neighborhood, with its wrought iron
balconies and flower-filled courtyards. In the evening, enjoy dinner
and a fiery flamenco show.
Overnight at the Melia Colon Hotel.
Friday
CORDOBA
Depart Seville and travel through the Guadalquivir Valley to Cordoba,
a city steeped in history, with echoes of Roman, Moorish and Jewish
influence. (In the Middle Ages, Cordoba was home to a galaxy of
Hebrew scholars, philosophers and poets, and Jews served in high
positions as ambassadors and advisors.) Visit "La Mezquita," the
most beautiful mosque ever built by the Moors in Spain, now used
as a cathedral. Explore the Juderia, the charming Jewish
Quarter dating from the 10th century. See the statue of Maimonedes,
honoring one of the greatest of Jewish scholars, located near the
synagogue on Calle de los Judios.
Overnight at the Amistad Hotel.
Saturday
 TOLEDO/MADRID
Drive through the "La Mancha" country to Toledo, once
the royal capital of Spain and heart of Jewish learning and literature.
Visit the Grand Toledo Cathedral and two medieval synagogues, Santa
Maria La Blanca (formerly the Grand Synagogue) and the Transito
Synagogue with its Museum of Sephardic culture. Visit the home of
the great painter El Greco, long associated with Toledo, and see
his masterpiece "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz," displayed at
the Church of St. Tome. Drive to Madrid. Optional: Dinner at Casa
Botin the oldest restaurant in Europe and a favorite haunt of Ernest
Hemingway.
Overnight at the Villa Real Hotel.
Sunday
MADRID
Explore Madrid's "Golden Triangle." Visit the Prado Museum (Museo
Del Prado), to view its  immense
collection of famous paintings by Goya, El Greco, and Velasquez,
and the Reina Sofia Museum, which houses Picasso's famous "Guernica."
Visit the city's grand monuments and beautiful plazas, including
the magnificent 18th century Royal Palace (the children will love
the armory!) and the Plaza Mayor. Optional: Attend the bullfights
at Plaza de Toros.
Overnight at the Villa Real Hotel.
Monday
DEPARTURE
Morning transfer to Madrid Airport for your flight home.
Tour
Extensions:
 Beach
Resort
Spend a few days before or after the tour, at a Beach Resort on
the Costa Brava or on the island of Mallorca or Ibiza.
Bilbao
Visit the 15th century old town, with its museums and churches and
the renowned Guggenheim Museum, Frank Gehry's masterpiece. Visit
the pre-historic center at Altamira and the beautiful town of San
Sebastian.
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