Explore the Jewish heritage, Rich history and the Culture of Spain and Portugal
KOSHER
Spain & Portugal Deluxe Kosher Tour
11 Days - June 5th - June 15th, 2023
DAY 1
Monday, June 5th
BARCELONA
Overnight: Barcelona 5 ★ Hotel
We will start with a panoramic tour of Barcelona, taking in all the important buildings and monuments; you will be overwhelmed by the architecture and beauty of this Northern Spanish city. We will visit Montjuic, and Mirador where we will have one of the best eye views over Barcelona, as well as a visit to the famous Park Guell, designed by the famous Gaudi. A walking tour of the old Jewish quarter will follow, where we will learn about the Jewish History of Barcelona. You will get to see the house of the great scholar Rabbi Shlomo ibn Aderet (Rashba), as well as the ancient synagogue of Barcelona, the oldest in Europe. The day will be filled with historical and Jewish sites, a real magical and educational tour. Our Kosher dinner will be in a local Kosher Restaurant.
DAY 2
Tuesday, June 6th
GIRONA, BESALU & FIGUERES
Overnight: Barcelona 5 ★ Hotel
After breakfast we will have a 1 hour drive, towards the north of Barcelona and start by visiting the village of Figueres where we will discover the fascinating and imaginative world of the famous artist Salvador Dalí. The Theatre – Museum Dalí is the largest eponymous structure of its kind in the world. We will continue with a tour of the medieval town of Besalú, including a visit to the old Mikveh dating back to the 15th century. We will then visit the romantic city of Girona with its old Jewish Quarter. The Jewish History Museum in Girona contains the most accurate information about medieval Jewish communities in Spain. If time permits you will have some free time to enjoy this unique city before we will make our way back to Barcelona. Dinner in a Kosher Local Restaurant.
DAY 3
Wednesday, June 7th
BARCELONA – MADRID
Overnight: Madrid 5 ★ Hotel
This morning we will give you some free time to enjoy the streets of Barcelona before we will make our way to catch the FAST TRAIN to Madrid.
We will arrive in the late afternoon at our Madrid Hotel.
Dinner in a Kosher Local Restaurant.
DAY 4
Thursday, June 8th
MADRID
Overnight: Madrid 5 ★ Hotel
Today we will enjoy a guided tour of the Capital city of Spain, we will have a guided tour of the Prado museum, visit the Retiro Park and a walking tour of the old city of Madrid, and its historical treasures.We will then continue to the gardens of the Royal Palace, Plaza de España, with its majestic monument of Cervantes, Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, then Neptune and Cibeles fountains, the major avenues of La Gran Via, Castellana and the Retiro Baroque park, that are so enjoyable to stroll. We will provide a couple of hours of free time where you can choose to spend it however you like; from shopping in the main streets to sitting in a traditional Spanish coffee place. Dinner at the local Kosher Restaurant
DAY 5
Friday, June 9th
TOLEDO
Overnight: Madrid 5 ★ Hotel
After our wonderful breakfast, we will drive 45 minutes to the magical city of Toledo – “Jerusalem of the West”, one of the main centres of Sephardic Jewry in the Middle Ages and described as an open-air museum of Spanish history. Our guided walking tour will concentrate on sightseeing around the old Juderia. See El-Greco’s house which used to be the home of Don Shmuel Halevy Abulafia (14th century), the king’s Pedro el-Cruel wealthy treasurer. We will also visit the two ancient synagogues, today a museum: El-Transito and Shmuel Halevy’s Mudejar synagogue (1356) considered to be the best-preserved Jewish monument of the pre-Inquisition period.
Preparation for Kabbalat Shabat in the local Synagogue. Dinner will follow.
DAY 6
Shabbat, June 10th
MADRID
Overnight: Madrid 5 ★ Hotel
Today we will enjoy a relaxing day, the morning will begin with a light (chalavi) breakfast and then Shachris in the local Synagogue followed by Kiddush and lunch.
Afternoon we will have a nice walk and visit the Retiro Park.
Motzei Shabbat – Flamenco show
DAY 7
Sunday, June 11th
AVILA, BELMONTE
Overnight: Belmonte 4 ★ Hotel Belmonte
We will begin our journey to Portugal with a stop in the magical town of Ávila (1.5 hr drive), known for its majestic medieval wall that surrounds the town. We will visit the remains of the Jewish cemetery that was discovered only a few years ago. And then we will make our way to Belmonte/Portugal (3 hr). In this mountain village situated in the north of Portugal, we will find the last remaining community of conversos, also known as Belmonte Jews. They have been secretly practising their faith for over five hundred years, until their discovery in 1917. During the tour, we will get to meet some of the members of the Jewish community, the president and visit the synagogue, as well as the Jewish Museum.
Dinner at our Hotel.
DAY 8
Monday, June 12th
THE DOURO VALLEY AND PORTO
Overnight: Porto 5 ★ Hotel
Today we will make our way to Porto, we will drive along the Douro River where you will see the most magnificent views of Portugal.
Arriving in Porto early afternoon for a guided Jewish tour of Porto. We will explore this beautiful City, its Jewish Quarter, and the main monuments of the City. Check in to our hotel before dinner in a local Kosher restaurant.
DAY 9
Tuesday, June 13th
PORTO, OBIDOS AND LISBON
Overnight: Lisbon 5 ★ Hotel
This morning we will visit the museum of the “Kaduri Synagogue” – and the Jewish community centre of Porto before embarking to Obidos, a beautiful little mediaeval walled city where we will have time to walk on the walls and explore the city before continuing to Lisbon.
Arriving in Lisbon at about 15:00 will give us some time to enjoy the city.
A Tuk Tuk car tour of the city before arriving at our Hotel.
Dinner at our Hotel
DAY 10
Wednesday, June 14th
SINTRA AND LISBON
Overnight: Lisbon 5 ★ Hotel
After breakfast a short drive will bring us to the town of Sintra, a beautiful and Romantic town. You will explore the city centre and visit the amazing Palacio de la Pena.
Then we will make our way to Cascais, we will visit the city centre of the fishing village and enjoy this luxurious cosmopolitan port village.
Before returning to our hotel we will visit the Belem district with its famous monuments.
Dinner in our hotel.
DAY 11
Thursday, June 15th
TIME TO SAY OUR GOODBYES !!
After breakfast, we will provide transfers to the airport according to the times of your flights.
Price: $6,950.00 pp
Single Supplement $2050
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
- All accommodation costs as stated or alike
- Kosher with Hashgacha Mekomit, with a SHOMER when needed
- Breakfasts, light lunches, and full evening meals with wines
- Fast train between Barcelona and Madrid
- All land transport costs including group airport transfers
- Entrance fee to the monuments that are in the itinerary
- Professional English-speaking local guides
- 5-Star Deluxe Hotels (apart from Belmonte)
OTHERS COSTS:
- International flights are excluded in the price
- Travel & Health Insurance
- Personal expenses are not included in the itinerary
- Tips for local service providers $180
- Shows and evening entertainment not included in the itinerary
- Miscellaneous expenses such as departure fees, visas, security etc
All clients should be aware that while all efforts are made to avoid any problems before, during or after your trip, Yaya Food and Travel carries no insurance for your health or luggage. While using the services only of registered suppliers, we recommend that you purchase fully comprehensive travel insurance, to include cancellation, as Yaya Food and Travel, cannot be held liable for any mishaps during your stay.