Italy

Jewish Heritage Tours in Northern Italy

A Journey of History, Beauty, and Resilience

Join the unique and captivating journey through Northern Italy, where history, culture, and Jewish heritage intertwine against the backdrop of stunning landscapes. From the sophisticated streets of Turin to the enchanting canals of Venice, this trip offers a deep dive into the rich Jewish presence that has shaped the region for centuries. In addition, it includes the Dolomites, home to the Alpine Sports of the Winter Olympics of February 2026. Along the way, visit historic synagogues, museums, and ghettos, each telling a story of resilience, faith, and cultural preservation. This 10-day itinerary promises a unique blend of exploration, reflection, and connection to the past, as you discover the enduring legacy of Jewish life in one of Europe’s most beautiful corners.

Day 1 Wednesday Arrival in Turin

Welcome to Italy! Upon arrival at Turin Airport, transfer to the heart of Turin, capital of the elegant Piedmont region. Often called “the Paris of Northern Italy” for its grand boulevards, refined architecture, and wealth of cultural treasures, Turin is also renowned for innovation—from the original Fiat factory (Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino) to hosting the 2006 Winter Olympics. Less well-known, yet profoundly significant, is Turin’s Jewish history, which stretches back to the 15th century. The city has long been home to Jewish scholars, artisans, and merchants, playing a key role in preserving Jewish traditions in Northern Italy through times of both acceptance and adversity. Check in to the elegant Grand Hotel Sitea. The remainder of the day is free to rest or stroll Turin’s welcoming piazzas and arcaded streets.

Day 2 Thursday Turin

Begin with a walk through the area of the former Jewish ghetto, where the community lived for centuries. Visit the Jewish Community Center and its Great Synagogue, crowned with distinctive Moorish-style towers. Damaged during WWII, the synagogue has been lovingly restored and remains the beating heart of Jewish Turin. Step inside the smaller synagogue used for most services, and explore the intimate Jewish Museum, which preserves precious artifacts and chronicles Jewish life in Turin and the wider Piedmont region. In the afternoon, pay your respects at the grave of Primo Levi, Auschwitz survivor and author whose works remain a moral compass for Holocaust remembrance. Continue to the Mole Antonelliana, originally conceived as a synagogue but never completed for that purpose; today, it is Turin’s most iconic landmark, its soaring spire visible across the city. Conclude with a guided walk through the historic center, where grand squares and portico-lined streets recall Turin’s days as the capital of the Savoy kingdom. Evening at leisure. Grand Hotel Sitea.

Day 3 Friday Turin – Asti – Casale Monferrato – Turin

Journey into the gentle hills and vineyards of Piedmont, once home to small but vibrant Jewish communities. In Asti, visit the synagogue that preserved the unique Appam rite—an ancient tradition found in only a handful of congregations worldwide. Continue to Casale Monferrato to see its 16th-century synagogue, glowing with gold leaf and intricate woodcarving. The adjacent Jewish Museum houses ritual objects, community records, and an exceptional collection of Judaica, telling the story of rural Jewish life in the Piedmont region. Return to Turin in the afternoon. Grand Hotel Sitea.

Day 4 Saturday Turin

Shabbat Shalom! The day is at leisure, with the option to join Shabbat services at the Great Synagogue or enjoy a restful morning. You also have the opportunity to visit some of Turin’s exceptional museums, including the Egyptian Museum, the National Automobile Museum, and the Royal Palace. Or make it to Monte di Cappucini (hill) for the best view of the city with the Alps as the backdrop. Grand Hotel Sitea.

Day 5 Sunday Turin – Verona – Padua – Mestre

Depart Turin for Verona, the city of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Stop to see Juliet’s legendary balcony before continuing to Padua, a major Jewish center since the 12th century. During the Middle Ages, Padua became a hub of Talmudic study, attracting scholars and rabbis from across Europe. Remarkably, the University of Padua was the only university in Europe to admit Jewish students to the study of medicine, producing generations of Jewish physicians. Visit the Padua Ghetto, the Jewish Heritage Museum, and the historic synagogue before continuing to Mestre. Check in to the charming villa. Dinner. Villa Barbarich.

Day 6 Monday Mestre – Dolomite Mountains – Mestre

Today, set out on a full-day excursion to the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site of awe-inspiring peaks and valleys—and host of the 2026 Winter Olympics in February. Drive up the mountains to Cortina d’Ampezzo, the “Queen of the Dolomites,” the alpine town used for many of the winter sports activities. Continue to Lake Misurina, whose water reflects the jagged mountain peaks when the weather is right. Continue via Lake Auronzo, framed by forests and alpine meadows to the villa. While remote, these landscapes remind us that Jewish travelers, merchants, and refugees once passed through even the most unexpected corners of Italy. Return to Villa Barbarich in the late afternoon. Dinner. Villa Barbarich

Day 7 Tuesday Mestre – Ferrara – Mestre

In the morning, travel to Ferrara, a Renaissance jewel shaped by the patronage of the Este family. The Jewish ghetto, established in 1624, remains one of the best preserved in all of Italy. Visit the Museum of Italian Judaism and the Shoah, tracing Jewish life in Italy from the Roman era to today, highlighting both eras of flourishing culture and moments of persecution. Return to Mestre for an evening at leisure. Dinner. Villa Barbarich.

Day 8 Wednesday Mestre – Venice

After breakfast, transfer to Venice. Now, travel by boat to Venice’s Cannaregio district, home to the Ghetto Vecchio. Established in 1516, it was the first enclosed Jewish quarter in the world—giving birth to the very word “ghetto.” Locked in at night, the community nevertheless built a rich spiritual and cultural life. Explore synagogues representing Ashkenazi, Italian, and Sephardi traditions, each with its distinctive architecture and heritage. Check in to the elegant Radisson Collection Palazzo Nani, located next to the ghetto. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to absorb the unique atmosphere of this historic neighborhood and its shops. Radisson Palazzo Nani Hotel.

Day 9 Thursday Venice

This morning, join a walking tour to some of Venice’s most famous landmarks: the bustling Rialto Bridge, the splendid Piazza San Marco, the golden mosaics of the Basilica di San Marco, and the Gothic masterpiece of the Doge’s Palace. Cross the Bridge of Sighs, from which prisoners took their last glimpse of Venice. The afternoon is free for your own discoveries, perhaps a gondola ride through quiet canals or a boat trip to Murano to witness centuries-old glassmaking traditions. Dinner. Radisson Palazzo Nani Hotel.

Day 10 Friday Venice – Home Flights

Transfer by boat to Venice Airport for your return flight to the USA, carrying with you memories of Northern Italy’s stunning landscapes, timeless cities, and the enduring spirit of its Jewish communities.