Explore the Jewish heritage of central & southern Spain

Madrid

Tag 1: Welcome to Spain!

Today upon arrival into Madrid–Barajas Airport, you will be picked up by your driver and transferred in luxurious comfort to your hotel in the heart of the city center. Check in and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. 

Located in the heart of Madrid, your hotel is ideally positioned for exploring the quarter of Las Letras, with its vibrant collection of restaurants and boutiques. Take a moment to tour The Art Walk, an area linking the city’s most enriching museums - Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza. Parliament, the Royal Palace and the Opera House are all within walking distance, too.

Madrid

Tag 2: Explore Habsburg-era Madrid

This morning, after you've enjoyed a delectable breakfast at your hotel, your guide will be waiting for you in the lobby to take you on a private guided tour of Madrid.

The four-hour tour will focus on the legacy of the royal Habsburg family where you will visit the Royal Palace and the nearby Almudena Cathedral from the outside, among other stately sights.

Take a break for lunch - your guide will gladly recommend a restaurant for you to enjoy at leisure on your own account. Then, meet your guide again to continue your tour of Madrid with a visit to the Prado Museum, home to one of the world’s finest collections of European art.

Madrid - Toledo - Madrid

Tag 3: Embark on a day trip to Toledo

Today you'll take an excursion to the ancient city of Toledo, which lies approximately one hour by car south of Madrid. Upon your arrival, your guide in Toledo will take you on a private tour of the city, which will include admission to the cathedral, a church and two synagogues.

Your guide will then happily recommend a restaurant for you to enjoy lunch at leisure before you head back to Madrid by private transfer. On your return to the capital, feel free to spend the rest of your evening exploring at your own pace.

Madrid - Seville

Tag 4: Discover Seville's Jewish heritage

The next stop on your trip through Spain wil be beautiful Seville. You will be picked up from your hotel in Madrid for a private transfer to the main train station. There, you'll take a high-speed train to Seville, a journey of up to three hours.

Upon your arrival in Seville, a private transfer will take you to your five-star hotel, before lunch at an establishment of your choosing.

In the afternoon, embark on a tour of Seville's Jewish heritage, during which you'll discover a city that was home to one of the most important Jewish communities in the Middle Ages. Your expert guide will take you on a walking tour to the ancient Aljama, known today as Barrio de Santa Cruz, where a distinctive way of life is preserved in its fascinating labyrinth of passageways and peaceful squares. Also included in the tour are visits to the Judería de Sevilla and the Casa de Pilatos.

Seville

Tag 5: Monumental architecture & flamenco dancing

Today's exciting tour of monumental Seville will see you visiting the Royal Alcázar, the seat of power throughout the ages, which displays an extraordinary juxtaposition of artistic traditions in its collection of palaces, dwellings and gardens.

You'll also visit the Cathedral of Seville - the largest Gothic building ever constructed. It was built in the 15th century on the site of the ancient great mosque, which partially preserves its Orange Tree Courtyard and the astonishing Giralda, once the lofty Almohad minaret.

This evening, enjoy a traditional flamenco show and dinner before settling down back at your hotel for the night.

Seville - Córdoba

Tag 6: Explore historically-rich Córdoba

You'll be picked up this morning from your hotel for a private transfer to Córdoba, where upon arrival you'll check into your five-star accommodation.

In the afternoon, discover Córdoba's Sephardic heritage. During this private tour, your expert guide will show you the major monuments of this historical city: the Mezquita and its neighboring Juderia, once home to a dynamic Jewish community.

Some of the highlights of the tour include: the Great Mosque, one of the largest in the world, constructed during the Umayyad rule; the Juderia - the old Jewish quarter, which perpetuates its distinctive character; and the House of Sepharad, a museum dedicated to Sephardic culture and history.

Córdoba - Lucena - Granada

Tag 7: Get to know Lucena, the Pearl of Sepharad

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel in Córdoba for a private transfer to Granada. En route, stop in Lucena to enjoy a private guided tour of this historic city. 

The city of Lucena experienced a time of splendor in the Middle Ages, when it became the main Jewish town of the al-Andalus. Lucena (Eli Ossana in Hebrew) earned the title Pearl of Sepharad for being almost completely Jewish.

The tour begins with a tasting of Sephardic pastry upon arrival. You will visit the Jewish Cemetery before continuing on to the Jewish room of the archaeological museum in the Castillo del Moral. Later, continue to Granada, where you will check into your hotel to rest for the evening.

Granada

Tag 8: Tour the magnificent Alhambra

This morning's private tour captures the essence of Granada's Jewish past, and includes a visit to the Alhambra. Your guide is an expert in Jewish heritage, and will show you around the citadel of the Alhambra - a complex of majestic palaces.

After almost two hours of touring the palaces, you will head into the center of Granada to uncover more of its Jewish history (booking a transfer is recommended in order to reach the city center from the Alhambra).

Granada - Ubeda - Granada

Tag 9: Visit two Renaissance gems

On your final full day in Spain, you will set out to discover two gems of the Renaissance: Úbeda and Baeza. These historic cities in the north of Andalusia received extensive patronage from the highest Spanish aristocracy in the early 16th century, bequeathing a splendid artistic and architectural legacy. You will visit both, each named as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, during today's full-day tour.

In Úbeda, discover magnificent architecture concentrated around the Vázquez de Molina Square, where you will observe the Sacred Chapel of the Savior and the Collegiate of Saint Mary, as well as two palaces, the Dean Ortega and the Palace of the Chains. Later you'll continue to the city of Baeza, situated amidst a vast landscape of olive groves, and featuring gold-hued buildings lining quiet streets.

Granada

Tag 10: Goodbye, Spain!

Your journey is unfortunately coming to an end! At the appointed time, you will be picked up at your hotel for a private transfer to Granada Airport, where you will catch your onward flight.