Spain

Jewish Tours to Spain: The Legacy of Sepharad

Our Spain Jewish tour “España” is an exquisite symphony of experience, with a vital connection to world history and enduring Jewish heritage. This timeless land of explorers vibrates with the colorful passions of swirling flamenco and guitars; you will find its deep beauty unforgettable.

From this exotic land emerged great sages and the Kabbalists of the “Golden Age,” as well as the traditions of Sephardic Judaism, with its fascinating Eastern flavor. Enjoy the blend of Moorish, European and Jewish influences as we travel through the land of Cortez and Ponce de León. Spain is a delight for the senses and for the soul!

Current available tours to Spain and Portugal:

Explore Our 7 day Jewish tour to Portugal

Explore Our 10 day Jewish tour to Portugal

Explore Our 12 day tour to Portugal and Spain

Day 1 Monday Arrival in Madrid

Welcome to Spain. Upon arrival to Madrid International Airport, you are welcomed to its capital, Madrid. Here, the history of a people blends with the world of power, glamour and enterprise, thus making Madrid uniquely textured. During your tour this morning,  first visit the impressive Royal Palace before being introduced to two of Europe’s grandest squares: Plaza Mayor, with arts, crafts and chic boutiques under its arcades, as well as the Spanish version of Times Square – Puerta del Sol. Later, enjoy an introduction to Madrid Jewish community and a visit to the Beth Yaacov Synagogue. Check into your hotel in the heart of Madrid’s most popular area and enjoy time to rest and refresh. Dinner. Emperador hotel. (D)

Day 2 Tuesday Madrid – Toledo – Madrid

This day is devoted to Toledo. With its naturally fortified location, Toledo was once the true center of Spain, and is also widely considered a “pearl” because of its subtle beauty. Additionally, Toledo was once the center for Jewish Spain, with a rich, creative heritage; you will feel this atmosphere as you stroll the narrow alleys in its historic section. See El Greco’s house, formerly the palace of the prominent Samuel Halevy (treasurer of King Pedro I, and architect of the El Transito Synagogue). Continue to Sinagoga de Santa Maria La Blanca, later converted to a church, and Sinagoga del Transito, today the Sephardic Museum. Lunch is served during the tour. Later, return to Madrid and enjoy time at leisure to visit the impressive Prado Museum, with its priceless collections of Spanish art, or browse Madrid on your own. Emperador hotel. (B/D)

Day 3 Wednesday Madrid – Avila – Segovia – Madrid

Breakfast, Begin a full day excursion to Avila and Segovia. First, tour Avila, including the imposing city walls and the former Jewish areas (Juderias). Lunch is served. In Segovia, you will sense history as you visit the historic part of the town as well as the Aqueduct and the Jewish Quarter. Although only few traces remain to tell the story of a glorious past, Segovia stills stands as a remarkable monument to its history. Return to Madrid in the afternoon. Emperador hotel. (B/L)

Day 4 Thursday Madrid – Cordoba

This morning, travel southward to Cordoba, former home of many Jewish scholars and poets. Once the biggest city in all of Europe, Cordoba thrived and expanded with its unique blend of cultures. These are beautifully expressed with a visit to Mezquita, the most significant Muslim architectural achievement in the Western world. This 8th century structure was first a church, later a mosque, and now has a cathedral placed in its center. A tapas Lunch is served during the tour. Next, walk the street leading up to the Juderia, with its whitewashed houses and colorful courtyards and shops. Although not Jewish in its current expression, a few signs still hint of the Golden Age. Note, for example, the tiny, gem-like Synagogue, not to mention the statue of the great court doctor and Torah sage, Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon). NH Amistad hotel. (B/L)

Day 5 Friday Cordoba – Seville – Cordoba

Today, a short drive takes you to nearby Seville, immortalized in opera classics such as “The Barber of Seville” and “Don Giovanni,” not to mention the great“Carmen.”Upon arrival, begin a tour of this classic city, including the imposing Cathedral, said to be one of the largest in the world. Here, find the resting place of Spanish Kings and Queens, as well as the markedly impressive sepulcher of Christopher Columbus – but are his remains actually there? Continue past the Alcazar Palace, still used as a residence for the Spanish Royal Family, to the grand Plaza Espana, site of the pavilion of the great 1929 exhibition. Last but not least, visit the Barrio de Santa Cruz – the former Jewish Quarter. Today, it is one of Seville’s most charming areas. Return to Cordoba in the afternoon. Dinner. NH Amistad hotel. (B/D)

Day 6 Saturday Cordoba

Breakfast. Choose to rest and explore Cordoba on your own, or join a tour into the nearby Andalusian countryside. In Baena, visit the Olive Oil Museum, then pay respects to Jose Luis Santaelle, recognized as “Righteous among the Nations”because of his heroic assistance to the Jewish people of Berlin. Later, visit Lucena, formerly known as “The Pearl of Sepharad.” Enjoy a walking tour of this picturesque town. In the late afternoon, return to Cordoba. NH Amistad hotel. (B)

Day 7 Sunday Cordoba – Granada – Barcelona

This morning, depart for Granada. Upon arrival, visit one of the Wonders of the World, the Moorish Palace of Alhambra and the Generalife. Located on a hilltop with the Sierra Nevada mountains behind it, Alhambra’s exquisite design and layout have few rivals. Be filled with a sense of mystique as you are guided past graceful courtyards, splashing fountains and lavish rooms. In the afternoon, check-in for the flight to Barcelona. Transfer to the hotel in Barcelona. Avenida Palace hotel. (B)

Day 8 Monday Barcelona

Begin sightseeing in the most exciting city Spain can offer – Barcelona, capital of the Catalonian province. First, a visit to one of Spain’s landmarks: the incomplete architectural masterpiece of Antonio Gaudi, known as the Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family). Next, continue on a walking tour through the centuries-old streets and alleys of the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. Your tour will include an introduction to this former Jewish area. Next, visit the oldest Synagogue in Barcelona, which has recently been restored. Remainder of the day at leisure. Avenida Palace hotel. (B)

Day 9 Tuesday Barcelona – Girona – Besalu – Barcelona

Today, visit historic towns in the hilly areas of Catalonia. Girona stands not only as a charming example of Spain’s quaint early-Medieval ambience, but also as a reminder of the days when Jewish traditions bloomed. In fact, Girona was once a link between the first Kabbalists of Provence and the poets and writers of Cordoba and Toledo. Jewish settlers came here at the end of the 9th century, growing and prospering until the Spanish Inquisition in 1492 – that is, for a span of 600 years! The “Call” (Jewish Quarter) in particular, evokes this Jewish culture, indisputably a major aspect of the Golden Age of Spain. The spirit of our ancestors, you will clearly sense, has never vanished. Visit the Archeological and Jewish Museums during your tour. Lunch. Later, continue to Besalu to see the remains of the pre-Inquisition Mikveh. Return to Barcelona in the afternoon. Dinner. Avenida Palace hotel. (B/L/D)

Day 10 Wednesday Barcelona – Home flight to the USA

Time for an early breakfast. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for the home flights, or continue on a post-tour extension beyond the Jewish Spain experience. Adios. (B)