Jewish Heritage Tours to Italy
Jewish Tours in Venice, Ferrara, Florence, Pisa, San Gimignano, Sienna, Pitigliano and Rome

Art, food, and sunshine make Italy the Country of Celebration. "La Bella Italia" has it all. We have packed a unique tour that not only includes the legendary sights, but also the living Jewish soul of these places. Let the irresistable charm of Italy wash over you!

Day 01 Tuesday Arrival to Venice
Arrival in Venice airport. Upon arrival, transfer to Venice Island to the Hotel. Time to rest and unwind. In the evening, celebrate with a Welcome Dinner. Hotel Europa & Regina.

Day 02 Wednesday Venice
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy the unique flavor of Venice as you sight-see this legendary city. Begin at Piazza San Marco with a visit to the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs (with artwork by Tintorreto, Veronese and Bosch), and the San Marco Basilica. Continue, via Venice's characteristically narrow streets and alleys, to the Rialto Bridge, which spans across the Grand Canal of Venice Island. Return to Piazza San Marco with time at leisure. Later, depart from the hotel by boat to the Ghetto Vecchio (Europe's first official ghetto). Upon arrival, Lunch will be served. After lunch, visit the Venice Ghetto, including visits to the Synagogues and Museum, before returning to the hotel. Evening at leisure. Hotel Europa & Regina.

Day 03 Thursday Venice
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the magic of Venice. The dreamy charms of this floating city are apparent on every winding street, and water-taxis, called vaporettos, make touring even more spectacular.Hotel Europa & Regina.

Day 04 Friday Venice - Ferrara - Florence
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart your hotel by boat and allow the magic of Venice to unfold as you sail towards the Piazza Roma, where a luxury coach awaits you. Drive south towards the town of Ferrara, where Jewish communities have been active since early medieval times. Later, continue to Florence, entering this glorious city, filled with the finest Renaissance art the world has ever witnessed, in the afternoon. Upon arrival, check-in at the Hotel. Friday night Dinner. Hotel Helvetia & Bristol.

Day 05 Saturday Florence
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure to unwind or join services at the beautiful Florence Synagogue. Later, be inspired by the beauty of Florence as you walk the charming streets and great squares. Your tour will take you to the famous Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Delle Signoria, and includes a visit to the Uffizi Gallery - Italy's most impressive art museum, with its rich collection of drawings, sculptures and paintings by Giotto, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, and many more. Hotel Helvetia & Bristol.

Day 06 Sunday Florence - Pisa - Florence
Breakfast at the hotel. Begin your day with a visit to the Academy of Fine Arts (Accademia), home of Michelangelo's statue of David. Later, continue on a tour of Jewish Florence including the extraordinary Florence Synagogue, whose dome punctuates the skyline of the city. Visit the attached Jewish Museum with its fine collections. After Lunch, choose to spend the afternoon at leisure, or join an excursion to the town associated with Galileo - Pisa. Witness the Leaning Tower, and visit the old Jewish Cemetery. Return to Florence in the afternoon. Hotel Helvetia & Bristol.

Day 07 Monday Florence - Tuscany - Florence
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for a full-day touring the charming countryside of Tuscany, famous for its natural beauty, magnificent wine, and fabulous food. Here is the heart of Italy. Drive towards the hills of Siena for a visit to the picturesque town where Jews settled more than 800 years ago. After a visit to Siena and its fascinating Synagogue, continue along typical Tuscan roads to San Gimignano, known as the "Town of Towers." With its narrow streets and picturesque houses, San Gimignano will leave a lasting impression of the richness of Tuscan and Italian culture. Cap the day with a visit to one of Chianti's famous wineries, including wine tasting and Lunch. Return to Florence. Hotel Helvetia & Bristol.

Day 08 Tuesday Florence - Rome
Breakfast at the hotel. Travel south into hilly Tuscany as you proceed towards Italy's ancient capital: Rome.  En route, visit the remote town of Pitigliano, where Jews settled in the 16th century as anti-Jewish sentiment became stronger in the Papal States. Pitigliano became known as "Little Jerusalem" as the Jewish community grew increasingly prosperous throughout the following centuries. Visit the former Ghetto, Synagogue and Museum, followed by a traditional Tuscan Country Lunch. Afterwards, continue to Rome. Upon arrival to Rome, visit monuments of an ancient world. Enter the impressive Colosseum, with its legacy of horrors and bravery as slaves fought for their lives to the roars of spectators cheering and booing. Continue to the ruins of the Roman Forum, an international center which was filled with great palaces and all the pomp that we relate to names like Caesar, Nero and Cicero. Later, drive into the heart of Rome - and soon find yourself in the romantic setting of the glorious Trevi Fountain, beloved spot for many great films made in "Roma." Check-in at the centrally located and luxurious Hotel. Later this evening, meet for a special treat: Rome by night. During this magical tour, you will sense the magical atmosphere of illuminated squares, fountains, monuments and a city bestowed with Renaissance and Baroque palaces. Grand Hotel de La Minerve .

Day 09 Wednesday Rome
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, visit the Vatican area, including Piazza San Pietro (St. Peter's Square), which can hold nearly half a million people, and the lavishly gilded St. Peter's Basilica. Tour the Vatican Museum with its priceless art collections, from the Sistine Chapel (featuring splendid ceilings and vaults by the multi-faceted Michelangelo), to Greco-Roman Antiquities, the Raphael Rooms, and a collection of modern religious art.  Later, be introduced to Jewish Rome, where Jewish life can be traced back to the Second Century. Next, visit the Great Synagogue in Rome and its Jewish Museum. Continue for a walking tour in the stylish Trastevere area, where the Roman Jewish Ghetto used to be. Lunch is served during the tour. Remainder of day at leisure. Grand Hotel de La Minerve.

Day 10 Thursday Rome
Breakfast at the hotel. A full day at leisure to enjoy the lively streets of Rome, blending with the crowds at the fabled Spanish Steps - only a short walk from the hotel. Sample the fashion district with its world-famous stores, or visit further sights in Rome, where every street may yield surprises. Tonight, celebrate with a Farewell Dinner. Grand Hotel de La Minerve.

Day 11 Friday Departure from Rome
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport. Arriverderci, Italia.