Come and inspire yourself in this diverse and culturally colourful adventure! A true and magical experience of the Adriatic sea, with a unique touch of Aya & Isaac.
KOSHER
UNFORGETTABLE KOSHER SUMMER TOUR IN CROATIA,
LAND AND PRIVATE YACHT
13 days: July 21st - August 2nd, 2021
DAY 1
WEDNESDAY JULY 21ST
Arriving Zagreb
Arriving in Zagreb, Check in hotel and getting to know downtown Zagreb.
DAY 2
THURSDAY JULY 22ND
Slovenia
Today we will cross the border to Slovenia, (if US citizens are allowed) another country in Europe, famous for its, Lakes, Castels, hiking trails and beautiful nature. We will pay a visit to the magical lake Bled, Bled Castle and the Stalactites Postojna caves. We will return to Zagreb by late afternoon.
DAY 3
FRIDAY JULY 23RD
Trakošćan castle, Varaždin
Trakošćan is a beautiful, almost surreal, fairy tale place and one of the most romantic places you have ever seen. It has a and a lake, the history of which spans almost 800 years. Trakošćan often changed owners until Count Drašković turned it into one of the most beautiful castles in the 19th century. Afterwards we visit the unforgettable baroque city of Varaždin. Once the capital of Croatia and home to the oldest Jewish community in Croatia, Varaždin is considered one of the hidden gems of Europe for all the right reasons. Early evening arrival to Zagreb.
DAY 4
SATURDAY JULY 24TH
Zagreb
Morning shacrit, afternoon walking tour of Zagreb upper town and Jewish tour. Zagreb, the capital of Croatia with a 1000 years of history, with very friendly people and beautiful parks, will surprise you with it’s rich and fascinating Jewish history.
Take a walk through ages, starting in the 11th century foundation of Zagreb, over to the 14th century and the first arrival of Jews to Zagreb, through the golden years of the late 19th and early 20th century, when Zagreb developed rapidly, with the Jewish community reaching its peak – just before almost completely perishing in the Shoah.
DAY 5
SUNDAY JULY 25th
Plitvice lakes then driving to Split, and boarding on our private Kosher Yacht.
A trip to Plitvice lakes National park is usually one of the highlights on anyone’s visit to Croatia. 16 lakes, numerous waterfalls (how many will you count?), a pleasant walk along the lakes in the lush European forest. The drive back to Split will take us through some of the most beautiful landscapes and cleanest rivers of Croatia.On the way we will stop at the village of Rastoke, another Croatian hidden gem, with houses and watermills built above the rushing waters of two small karst rivers.
DAY 6
MONDAY July 26th
Tour of Split, Omiš – canyon/zipline
Discover the amazing history of Split, a city that grew within a Roman Emperor’s palace, and its Jewish community, hidden inside its walls.
We visit all the important sights that are both stunning and have a historic and cultural significance for the development of the city and the Community. In fact, the general tour of Split cannot go without mentioning the role that the Jewish Community has played in the cultural and economical development of the city. The tour includes the visit to the 1700-year-old Roman Palace.
It is the home of most of the city sights like the Basements, beautiful Roman squares and statues, The Bell Tower, Jupiter’s temple, the former Jewish ghetto, the synagogue, the City Museum and many more. Throughout the Palace there are plenty of details that could keep you occupied for hours. Within a few minutes walking distance of the Palace there are a few Renaissance squares, the City Promenade and some interesting markets.
A bit further is the Old Jewish Cemetery, up on the Marjan hill, from where you can view the whole city. It takes about 10-15 minutes to reach it.
Afternoon visit to Omis, small town and port at the mouth of the Cetina River in the littoral of Poljica, 26 km southeast of Split. In the 13th and 14th century Omiš was home to many famous pirates (Omiški gusari), who used their fast boats Sagittae (The Arrow) to attack trade ships at the mouth of the River. Once they succeeded in their attacks they would quickly return up the Cetina river, where the trade ships and their escorts could not follow them.The adrenalin infused ZIPLINE polygon is located in the canyon of the River Cetina, 3 km from Omiš. It consists of eight (8) steel cables across which participants, sitting in a belt, descend down the canyon. The total length of the cables is 2,100 m, the longest of which is 700 m and is 150m above ground level.
DAY 7
TUESDAY JULY 27TH
Brač Island
Our stop today will be the Island of Brač, and the picturesque town of Bol. Brac will certainly welcome us with an unforgettable smile and a huge sunny embrace. Brac tops many lists. It is the biggest island in Dalmatia, while also having the highest island point in the Adriatic. In addition, the archeological excavations date the earliest settlements to the 12th millenium BCE, some of the oldest human habitations in Croatia. The Greeks, Illyrians, and Romans all left their visible imprint on this marvel. Its precious white stone made it world-famous as it was used in building Diocletian’s Palace in Split, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, and the White House in Washington. During WWII, as the island fell into the hands of the Italian fascists, Croatian Jews were imprisoned in several detention camps located in Milna and Postire (luckily, due to a less severe treatment, many have survived). We will honor their suffering with a minute of silence.
The tiny port of Bol, is best known for the ‘’Zlatni Rat/Golden Cape,’’ one of the most stunning beaches in the world and a meeting ground for windsurfers from all over the world. It boasts harborside bars, restaurants, gift shops, and a bubbling atmosphere. Here, we will bring on the excitement with a Quad Safari, an unforgettable dusty ride through the island’s interior
DAY 8
WEDNESDAY JULY 28TH
Hvar
The sun always shines in Hvar, the sunniest island in the Adriatic and we will bask in its rays from the moment of arrival. Hvar’s location at the center of the Adriatic sailing routes has long made this island an important base for commanding trade up and down the Adriatic, across to Italy and throughout the wider Mediterranean. It has been inhabited since prehistoric times, originally by Neolithic people whose distinctive pottery gave rise to the term Hvar culture, and later by the Illyrians. The ancient Greeks founded the colony of Pharos in 384 BC on the site of today’s Stari Grad, making it one of Adriatic cruises from Dubrovnik to Hvar. They were also responsible for setting out the agricultural field divisions of the Stari Grad Plain, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In medieval times, Hvar (city) rose to importance within the Venetian Empire as a major naval base. Prosperity brought culture and the arts, with one of the first public theatres in Europe, nobles’ palaces, and many fine communal buildings, making Hvar the perfect setting for a magical walking tour. The most beautiful modernist villas built in the 1930s (many by Jewish architects) are found in the Križni Rat street and we will make a brief stop at Villa Ladany, designed by famous Croatian Jewish architect and WWII veteran, Stjepan Gomboš
DAY 9
THURSDAY JULY 29TH
Korčula
Korcula is one of the most unique islands on the Adriatic. Covered with extensive pine forests, crickets gather for their seasonal chirping symphony, which can be heard from miles away. Legend has it that the island was founded by Trojan hero Antenor in the 12th century BCE, while historians established that Greek colonists from Corcyra (Corfu) formed a colony on the island in the 6th century BCE, naming it “Black Corfu” after their homeland and the dense pinewoods on the island. Since then, many empires ruled the island and the Korčula Town Museum preserves magnificent artifacts from each layer of its rich history. The town of Korčula itself is the best preserved port town on Croatian Adriatic (unlike many cities it was never bombed or devastated by earthquakes). It is also known as the birthplace of Marco Polo, but its importance stretches back centuries. Due to its good fortune, it is considered among the finest examples of intact Venetian renaissance architecture on the Croatian side of Adriatic. During our walking tour here, we will discover hidden gems which will surely dazzle you for days to come! Korčula also preserves some of the most unique traditions in the area, like the Moreška sword dance (originating from the town of Blato). Along the city walls there is an evening promenade packed with alluring bars, restaurants, and gift shops that make the starry skies above jealous of the terrestrial joie de vivre. Like Hvar and Brac, Korcula was also the location where many Jews were interned by Italian fascist forces, escaping the Nazi Death Camps. Among them was no other than Bosnian born, American-Jewish guitarist, composer, and singer-songwriter Jagoda Flory. We will hear how she describes the two years that she and her family spent on the island. Overnight in Korčula
DAY 10
FRIDAY JULY 30th
Mljet, arrival to Dubrovnik
We arrive at Mljet just in time for a panoramic view of the northwestern part of the island, one of eight National Parks in Croatia, celebrated for its two inland lakes and miles of cycling and strolling trails of exceptional, untamed beauty. Greco-Roman geographers like Apollonius of Rhodes and Pliny the Elder called it Melite (‘honey’). This is the same “Melita” on which Saint Paul was probably shipwrecked, this view being first expounded in the 10th century, by Eastern Roman Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus. The legend, however, traces island’s story much earlier, to Odysseus himself who allegedly met the nymph, Calypso, in a large and beautiful grotto (known for centuries as ‘The Odysseus cave’) where she nursed him back to health. No visit to the island should miss an entrance into this mythical portal of ancient legend. We will explore the pristine nature of the Mljet National Park by bikes or canoes (the choice is yours)
DAY 11
SATURDAY JULY 31st
Shabbat: Dubrovnik
Today you have a whole day to enjoy this magical town. After breakfast we will take out our sandals for an unforgettable walking tour through Dubrovnik’s Old City, especially its Jewish part. Jewish merchants from Albania are mentioned in the local archives as early as 1368. After the Spanish expulsion in 1492, Dubrovnik became an important transit center for refugees travelling to Balkan cities under Turkish rule. Jews were allowed to settle in Dubrovnik and were given customs privileges to encourage transit trade. Jews dealt mainly in textiles, silk, wool, leather, and spices. They were allowed to live inside the walls in 1538, but in 1546 a ghetto was established in a small street (still called the Jewish street) enclosed by walls, and the gate was locked at night. Our visit to the Jewish museum, located in the second oldest Sephardic synagogue in Europe will be an opportunity to truly travel back in time. The well-preserved Jewish cemetery, on our way, contains 200 gravestones, including that of Rabbi Jacob Pardo, who died there in 1819. Embracing the sunset on our walking tour continuing through Stradun, we will encircle the millennia long story of Ragusa and its Jews. Seen from the vantage point of the famous city Walls, Dubrovnik will appear as if covered with a golden, sunset dew… a magical prelude to the effervescent life it gains once the sun comes down.
DAY 12
SUNDAY AUGUST 1st
Dubrovnik
Day to enjoy Dubrovnik, sea shore and shopping.
DAY 13
MONDAY AUGUST 2nd
Departure
Transfer to Dubrovnik airport
PRICE: $7900
Per person Based on shared room in the lower deck.
Rooms with Balconies $8550 Per person Based on shared room. Upgrade in Hotels is possible with extra cost.
- Minimum of 18 people.
- Single Supplement: $3500
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
- All accommodation costs: 5* Luxury Hotels, Luxury Yacht
- 5*Le Premier – Boutique Hotel – Zagreb, Dubrovnik President Valamar Collection Hotel
- Mashgiach Temidi
- Kosher Breakfasts, light lunches and full evening meals, wine included
- All land transport costs
- Private Luxury Yacht
- Entrance fee to the monuments specified in the itinerary and all activities
- Local English-speaking guides
- Aya Massias as tour Leader
COSTS NOT INCLUDED:
- International flights
- Travel & Health Insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips for local service providers. $350 will be collected on arrival