Tour description
Jewish Heritage of Portugal, Spain & France
This fascinating private tour will have you visiting Jewish heritage sights in Portugal, Spain and France. Starting from vibrant Lisbon, you will head to Evora, where one of the largest Jewish communities existed up to the 15th century. In Spain you will uncover the history of the Jewish communities of Seville and Cordoba, before your journey takes you to Toledo, Barcelona, Girona and Besalu, all of which have compelling ancient Jewish quarters. Once in France, you will pass through Narbonne and Toulouse before reaching Bordeaux; in each city the Jewish community has left its imprint. This 18 day tour takes you to 3 countries, discovering the thread which weaves together Jewish heritage in the Iberian region. Travel in comfort with our refined chauffeurs and high speed trains. On your Jewish Heritage tour of Portugal, Spain & France, you will also encounter excellent regional food and wine. Discover the stories today…
DAY 1 LISBON
On arrival at Lisbon airport to begin your vacation, our private chauffeur will be waiting to transfer you in a luxury vehicle to your hotel. You will check into your genuine Art Deco 4* boutique hotel in the heart of Lisbon which echoes the glamour of the 1940’s. Classified as a historical building, this small and unique hotel is located on a quiet street alongside the cosmopolitan Avenida da Liberdade. You will most likely be tired after your journey hence a short siesta is suggested before you start to get acquainted with this fabulous city of Portugal.
If San Francisco had a sister, it would be Lisbon. Both cities have twin bridges and famously foggy weather. Both are situated on the best natural harbors on the west coast of their respective continents. Both have bright yellow trams from the 1930´s rattling up and down steep hills past characteristic buildings. And both have survived horrific earthquakes. In 1755, an estimated 9.0 earthquake leveled two-thirds of Lisbon. Within a month, a new city was designed, and downtown Lisbon was rebuilt on a progressive grid plan, with broad boulevards and square squares. Today, Lisbon is a charming mix of old and new and still feels like Europe’s gateway to the world. In your Jewish Heritage Tour personal travel journal you will find an array of recommended restaurants. Start your tour of Portugal with a taste of some local Portuguese cuisine this evening!
Tour in a nutshell: Private chauffeured transfer from Lisbon airport. Overnight in a genuine Art Deco 4* boutique hotel in the heart of Lisbon.
DAY 2 LISBON
Today your officially licensed guide will meet you at your hotel and you will leave for a private history tour of Lisbon to include the Jewish sites. You will start at emblematic St George’s Castle, renamed after conquering the Moors, where you will be able to take in the impressive views over the sea. Leading down from the castle to the river, you will cross the Alfama, Lisbon’s salty sailors’ quarter. Its tangled street plan is one of the few parts of Lisbon to survive the big quake, making the Alfama a cobbled playground of color. Next, on to the Baixa-Pombalina area where there were once two important Jewish quarters: the Judiaria Grande and the Judiaria Pequena, created during the reign of Dom Dinis (1279-1325). The Jews of Portugal, throughout history, held social and political ranks with the favor of kings, and conciliatory relations between Muslims and Christians alike. However, these periods were equally marked by inquisitions, forced baptisms and brutal massacres. Lisbon is no different, and at the Praca Dom Pedro, the Court of the Inquisition was held in the Palacio dos Estaus, where the Dona Maria national theater, built in the 19th century, now stands.
A wonderful tasting lunch of specialities such as typical Bacalhau (dried, salted cod), Azeitao cheese, traditional sweets and more, awaits. You will then head to the Belem area of Lisbon where many Portuguese explorers embarked on their voyages of discovery. You will learn about the Torre de Belem, used as a starting point for many of the voyages of discovery and thus the last sight for sailors, of their homeland. A tasty visit awaits you in Belem, at the Pasteis de Belem factory, where the best custard tarts in the country have been made since 1837!
Tour in a nutshell: Private gourmet & historic tour of Lisbon and Belem to include Jewish Heritage. Overnight Lisbon.
DAY 3 LISBON
Today your Jewish Heritage Tour leaves you free to discover Lisbon on your own. Lisbon is also known as the town of seven hills which are composed of: Castelo, Graca, Monte, Penha de Franca, S.Pedro de Alcantara, Santa Catarina and Estrela. An uphill walk will be tiring but the views over the beautiful bay well worth it! Alternatively, maybe take a ride on one of the famous trams which were originally called Americanos, none of which are more iconic than Tram #28. Starting below the palm-spotted hills of Graça, the journey weaves around the hair-pin alleys of Escolas Gerais, before pulling up to a halt beneath the gorgeous domes of the Estrela Basilica. This neoclassical monument is one of Lisbon’s most eye-catching landmarks and the serene pink and black marble interior contains an elaborate Empire-style tomb of Queen Maria I, who vowed to build it when she gave birth to an heir. It has a huge rococo dome and a façade with twin bell towers decorated with an array of statues of saints and allegorical figures. For fantastic city views, head up to the dome. Across from Estrela Basilica is the beautiful park of Jardim da Estrela, one of the loveliest in the city and a favorite with families. There are exotic plants and trees, a small duck-dotted lake, and an attractive wrought-iron gazebo that serves as an old-fashioned bandstand. The pond-side café is a good place for a well-earned coffee break to rest your feet and watch the people passing by.
Otherwise you may like to head to Belem, a picturesque harbor district west of Lisbon from where ships set sail around the world, and from where many of the 14th century ‘Voyages of Discovery’ departed. Your Jewish Heritage Tour of Portugal, Spain & France Travel Journal contains a wealth of information about how to spend your day.
Tour in a nutshell: Free day in Lisbon. Overnight Lisbon.
DAY 4 EVORA
Our private chauffeur will be waiting to transfer you to the Portuguese wine region of Alentejo, a vast, sun-drenched area covering around a third of Portugal. Only five per cent of the land is planted with vines and between towns you can drive for miles passing cork and olive groves, vines, crops and grazing livestock. You are heading to the walled city of Evora with a proud, rich and imposing past. The Romans were here, leaving their 1st century Temple behind, but so were the Moors who occupied the narrow streets with quaint small white washed houses. On arrival, you will meet with your private guide for a walking tour of Evora. You will visit the enigmatic church of St. Francis and its chilling Chapel of Bones. It was here in Evora, that one of the largest Jewish communities existed up to the 15th century. The Judiaria had two synagogues, a hospital, a Midrash, baths and lively commerce. The Inquisition’s Court in Evora however processed more than 9500 people for Judaism and today, you will see the former Court of the Inquisition still displays the cross with the sword and olive branch. In between sight-seeing you will also enjoy some local food and wine tastings. In the 16th century Evora thrived with culture and tradition and you will soon understand why Evora was once the second most important city of Portugal.
You will be staying tonight on the outskirts of Evora, in a renovated convent, turned into a 5* luxury hotel. It was originally built and funded by one of the kings in Portugal as a place to come to escape Lisbon and have some quiet time. The hotel provides a fascinating tour, for its guests at 5pm, where you can hear stories of the past.
Tour in a nutshell: Private guided visit to Evora with local tastings. Overnight in a luxury 5* hotel in Evora.
DAY 5 SEVILLE
Your Jewish Heritage Tour crosses from Portugal into Spain today, when our private chauffeur transfers you to Seville. Your boutique 5* hotel is situated in a delightful area, in the picturesque and authentic Barrio de Santa Cruz. Later this afternoon, your Seville guide, additionally qualified in Jewish Heritage of Spain, will be waiting for you in the hotel reception and you will depart for a sightseeing tour, starting in the old Jewish quarter. Once King Ferdinand III of Castile conquered the city from Muslim rule in 1248, one of the largest Jewish communities in Spain came to Seville, second only to that of Toledo. After the Alhambra Decree of 1492 expelled the Jews from Spain in 1483, the neighborhood went downhill. In the 18th century, Barrio Santa Cruz underwent a major process of urban renewal, including the conversion of a former synagogue into the current Church of Saint Bartholomew. Just outside the neighborhood is the Iglesia de Santa Maria de las Nieves (“Church of Saint Mary of the Snows”), a converted 14th century Mudejar synagogue. Relive the past as your guide recounts bygone days and you discover the history of Susanna Ben Suzon and visit the original wall and the synagogue-church.
You will have worked up an appetite on this fascinating tour so your guide will lead you now to a tantalizingly delicious tapas dinner. Seville boasts more than 4,000 tapas bars – roughly 1 for every 200 locals! Plate after plate of hot and cold food appears on the bar to tempt your palate, so maybe try cold roasted pepper salad or anchovies in vinegar, a hot dish of meatballs in sauce or a slice of potato omelette…..the choice is yours!
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer to Seville. Private guided tour of Seville’s Jewish Heritage. Lunch of tapas-hopping with drinks. Overnight in a 5* boutique hotel in the heart of Seville.
DAY 6 SEVILLE
Today you can enjoy Seville as you wish. Along with the information we have provided you in your Jewish Heritage Tour personal travel journal, your guide will have given you further sightseeing options and foodie hot spots to experience the best of Seville. You might wish to visit the Reales Alcazares, the oldest royal palace in Europe and residence of the Spanish Royal Family when they stay in Seville. Maybe you would like to visit the Plaza De Espana and take a stroll in the Maria Luisa Park which is to the south of the center and for lunch why not continue to enjoy the fabulous Andalusian gastronomy? Why not explore the streets of Barrio Santa Cruz? It is a real joy to amble around its beautiful squares and narrow streets, which form a labyrinth, where it is easy to get lost, but this is part of its charm, because when one is lost, one may discover a convent or a palace or an hotel. The air in the barrio is perfumed by jasmine flowers and the orange trees that one finds there. Many of the palaces have wrought iron gates that allow one to peep into their beautiful patios. The area abounds in small stores and artisan shops, as well as good art galleries.
In the evening prepare yourself to be wowed with a wonderful Gypsy Flamenco Show, where the swirling skirts and tapping heels of the dancers will excite and amaze the senses. You may wish to have a relaxed dinner, perhaps something typically Andalusian before or after the Flamenco Show for which we have several suggestions for a delightful dinner in the Barrio Santa Cruz or elsewhere in Seville.
Tour in a nutshell: Free day in Seville. Gypsy Flamenco show. Overnight Seville.
DAY 7 CORDOBA
Cordoba, the former home of many Jewish scholars and poets awaits you today. Along with our officially licensed tour guide you will explore everything that Cordoba has to delight. 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. You will walk the street leading up to the Juderia with its whitewashed houses and colorful courtyards and shops. Jews formed a part of the cultural mix of Cordoba from as early as the 2nd Century until their expulsion from Spain in 1492. The narrow medieval streets of the Barrio de la Juderia retain their names to this day and although not Jewish in their current expression, a few signs hint of the Golden Age of Jewish life. In the Calle de los Judios note, for example, the statue of the great court doctor and Torah sage, Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon) and the tiny, gem-like Maimondes Synagogue. As you wander down picturesque and evocative streets in the restored heart of Cordoba, listening to our guide, a real expert on Cordoba Jewish Heritage, who will share with you many fascinating stories and anecdotes, it will not be difficult to imagine the days when Cordoba was one of the most important Jewish communities in Europe.
After an extensive and fascinating tour you will surely be ready for lunch, and where better than at a local tavern to savour some typical Cordobese tapas? Cordoban taverns are designed as lively venues to enjoy tapas. Following your wonderful day in Cordoba, you will take the train back to Seville and have the evening to relax and perhaps dine in a local restaurant – we have many suggestion in your Jewish Heritage Tour personal travel journal.
Tour in a nutshell: High-speed return train tickets for Cordoba. Private guided Jewish Heritage tour of Cordoba. Typical tavern lunch with wines. Overnight Seville.
DAY 8 MADRID
Say adios to Andalusia this morning, because you are taking the train to Madrid. On arrival in Madrid, you will check in to your 4* boutique hotel, housed in an eighteenth century building which used to be the residence of the Duke of Noblejas and has maintained its frescoes, mirrors and stained glass whilst being equipped with modern comforts. After time to settle into your hotel, perhaps a light lunch and a chance to make the most of the Spanish “siesta”, you will join our excellent bi-lingual Officially Licensed guide for a tour of El Prado, Old Madrid and Tapas hopping. Unfortunately, there are no longer any historical Jewish sites in Madrid and the neighborhoods where Jewish quarters were located, before the Expulsion in 1492, now show no evidence of their Jewish past. Your private guided tour will take you to El Prado museum, which is the biggest art gallery in the world. However, a recent addition to the museum increased the space by 50%, so more paintings will gradually be displayed. Your private guide, additionally qualified in Spanish History and Art, will make sure you don’t miss anything. You are in excellent hands!
Your private tour of Madrid will then take you to the Plaza Oriente to see and learn about the Palace and the Cathedral. You will then walk through the Old town to the Plaza de la Villa, with the town hall, and on to San Miguel market, the hottest gastronomic spot in Madrid where its bars and restaurants make it the place to meet in old Madrid. On your journey this afternoon/evening you will enjoy some fantastic bites to eat, and a beverage or two, as you sample the best variety of wine and tapas the city has on offer!
Tour in a nutshell: 1st Class high-speed train to Madrid. Private guided tour of El Prado and Old Madrid with gourmet tapas-hopping. Overnight in an elegant 4* hotel in Madrid.
DAY 9 TOLEDO
Wonderful Toledo is your destination today! Your local officially licensed guide, additionally qualified in Jewish Heritage of Toledo, will be waiting for you at the train station upon arrival to visit the Cathedral, which is one of the most outstanding buildings in the city and is considered to be one of the high points of Gothic art. The construction of this monumental building, with a basilica floor plan and five naves, commenced in 1226, although it was not finished until the 15th century. Remains of the Jewish community are still preserved in the city of Toledo and your guide will lead you to the Synagogues of Santa Maria La Blanca which has five naves with decreasing heights as well as the characteristic geometrical and botanical decoration and horseshoe arches. Meanwhile, in the synagogue of El Transito, built in 1357, you can admire one of the best Mudejar coffered ceilings of all those preserved in Toledo, along with walls richly decorated with geometrical and botanical designs and Hebrew inscriptions. Nowadays, this Jewish place of worship houses the Sephardic Museum, in which an interesting collection of pieces of art and various objects used in Jewish ceremonies are exhibited, detailing medieval Jewish life in Toledo. Your fantastic visit to Toledo, will terminate with a visit to the church of Santo Tome, famous for housing El Greco’s famous picture entitled El Entierro del Conde Orgaz.
Following your busy morning, you will no doubt have worked up a great appetite and your guide will leave you to enjoy a delicious local lunch with wine. Back in Madrid, the rest of the evening is free to do as you wish. We have many suggestions in your Jewish Heritage Tour personal travel journal,
Tour in a nutshell: High-speed return train tickets for Toledo. Private guided tour of Toledo’s Jewish Heritage and an excellent local lunch. Overnight Madrid.
DAY 10 MADRID
Your Jewish Heritage Tour allows you a free day to wander around Madrid and see all the museums, art galleries and famous parks of this fantastic city! Perhaps you wish to visit the Reina Sofia Museum or the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection in the company of your expert guide, and this can be of course arranged. The Reina Sofia Museum consists of more than 20,000 works from the late 19th century to the present day, including two of the greatest 20th century masters; Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum was amassed by a central European art collector and contains works by artists ranging from El Greco to Picasso, arranged in chronological order. Maybe you wish to return to the Royal Palace, Palacio Real (often referred to as Palacio Oriente after the nearby square of the same name), to view its interesting interior. The palace is used by the King for ceremonial purposes only; he actually lives in the Palacio de la Zarzuela on the outskirts of the city. Or, take a leisurely walk through El Retiro Park, a great place to enjoy the open air as you stroll along the paths, of this once royal garden, passing fountains, statues, the delicate Palacio de Cristal, the boating lake and maybe the odd street entertainer or art exhibition.
You might like to do a little shopping and if your pleasure is designer clothes why not spend some time wandering around some of the finest boutiques in Spain on Calle Serrano? For your last dinner in Madrid consult your Jewish Heritage Tour personal travel journal for our expert recommendations.
Tour in a nutshell: Free day in Madrid. Overnight Madrid.
DAY 11 BARCELONA
From Madrid to Barcelona today, with the high-speed train. This afternoon you will meet with our Officially Licensed tour guide, qualified in the Jewish Heritage of Spain. You will head up Montjuic Mountain, (Jewish mountain) which has been, throughout history, the setting of many events. The Jewish cemetery has been on Montjuic Mountain for at least a millennium and more than 500 gravestones have been found. In 1995, a Holocaust Memorial was erected in the cemetery on a plot donated by the city. The memorial is composed of simple stone monuments and pedestals with the names of all the concentration camps that were liberated.
Returning to the city, you will visit incredible La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s masterpiece. Gaudi died in 1926 and since then different architects have continued the work from his original plans, but it remains unfinished. Returning to the Gothic Quarter, you will visit La Boqueria, Spain’s most important and world-famous marketplace. Here you will be able to sample some fine gourmet products. A Jewish community settled in the Barri Gotic from the 2nd century onwards and a medieval synagogue was recently discovered beneath a 17th century building at the corner of Sant Domenec and Marlet – now restored and open to the public. Our guide is a real specialist in this field and will be ready to answer all your questions. Your private Barcelona tour will be rounded off with an excellent tasting dinner, in the heart of the Born district. Here at the hands of one of the most acclaimed chefs in Barcelona, you will enjoy a great selection of modern Spanish tapas in an elegant and fashionable setting.
Tour in a nutshell: 1st class high-speed train tickets to Barcelona. Private guided tour of Jewish Heritage and Sagrada Familia with gourmet food tastings. Local tapas dinner with wines. Overnight in a luxury 4* hotel in Barcelona.
DAY 12 BARCELONA
Today on your Jewish Heritage Tour can be as full as you please. You will have received many suggestions from your private tour guide yesterday for further sightseeing areas, as well as what is contained in your personal travel journal. Maybe you wish to see some more of Gaudi’s fantastic architecture? Parc Guell, a work by Antoni Gaudi, is located in uptown Barcelona and is one of the most beautiful icons of the city. Here you can enjoy a peaceful stroll surrounded by nature and modernist works. On the Passeig de Gracia, in the city center, you can see other famous works of Gaudi, including his famous Casa Batllo and la Pedrera. Throughout the work of Gaudi, you will see much of his architectural inspiration came from his experiences in nature.
Alternatively, you may like to join a small group cooking class, where you will first meet with the chef to learn about the local produce, then head to the market to buy the ingredients required. Back at the cooking school you will prepare lunch together, which you will then be able to enjoy with local wines. We will be delighted to include this fantastic cooking class in Barcelona in your quotation on request. If learning about local wine interests you more, we could arrange for you to join a sommelier for an exclusive tasting of some top Spanish wines from the best Spanish wine regions. Maybe you would like to do your own thing today and take advantage of the great shopping, or stroll along the beachfront of Barceloneta? We have many suggestions for restaurants which will suit your mood of the moment, whether you are looking for an informal dinner or a Michelin Starred experience.
Tour in a nutshell: Free day in Barcelona. Optional cooking class / exclusive wine tasting in Barcelona. Overnight Barcelona.
DAY 13 GIRONA
A quiet day of discovery awaits when our private chauffeur drives you to the medieval town of Besalu, where you will meet your Officially Licensed Guide for the day. This true expert on the Jewish Heritage of Spain will lead you on a private tour around this wonderful village, as well as the town of Girona. Besalu is a magnificent historic-artistic site, renowned for its ancient mikvah and 11th century Roman bridge. You will visit the ruins of the Jewish quarter which dates back to the 9th century and the mikvah ritual bathhouse, dating from the 12th century, which is the only one of its kind discovered in the Iberian Peninsula and one of the few known in Europe. After some local food tastings in Besalu, you will continue your private tour to the romantic city of Girona.
Girona has one of the most well-preserved Jewish quarters in Europe. The Jewish quarter, known as “El Call”, is one of the most interesting and enchanting areas of the town, both in terms of architecture and history. It dates back to the 12th century and was inhabited by the city’s Jewish community until 1492. Recently much of the Call has been restored under the supervision of the Jewish History Museum – which has developed a map of the maze-like streets and hosts small exhibits. You will wind through the narrow streets, eventually encountering Girona Cathedral, which affords great views of the area. Your excellent guide will accompany you to a fantastic Gironin restaurant where you are booked for a delicious 3 course meal with local wine. Innovative takes on traditional recipes and an elegant atmosphere will provide the perfect end to your day.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfers. Private guided tours of medieval Besalu and Girona based on Jewish Heritage. Exquisite lunch with wines. Overnight in a 4* hotel in the heart of Girona’s old town.
DAY 14 NARBONNE
Your Jewish Heritage Tour takes you to France this morning, travelling in comfort on a first class basis to Narbonne. After settling into your hotel, your Officially Licensed guide will meet you to take you on a private guided tour of Narbonne, with a focus on Jewish history. Narbonne is a town rich in Jewish Heritage. Many rabbis and interpreters of the Torah and the Talmud once lived in this region, including the famous scholar and composer of Jewish literature, Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac (1040 to 1105), known as RASHI. In the 11th and 12th centuries Narbonne was the centre of an important Jewish exegetical school, aiding the growth and development of the Zarphatic and Shuadit languages. The Kabbalah was rediscovered and developed here and Narbonne has been frequently mentioned in Talmudic works in connection with its scholars. Abraham ibn Daud of Toledo also gave them an importance comparable to the exilarchs of Babylon.
You will step back in time on your private tour of Narbonne to also explore the history of ancient Rome. Meandering through Narbonne’s pretty squares and winding streets, gain insight into 2,000 years of Roman heritage. Stroll along the canal to Narbonne’s historic heart and learn of the waterways’ influence on the city during Roman times. Discover the Via Domitia, an ancient Roman road, and admire famous landmarks including the Archbishops Palace, the Basilica of St Paul-Serge and Narbonne Cathedral.The cathedral is a magnificent jewel of Gothic architecture and still owns a beautiful retable from the 14th century.
Tour in a nutshell: 1st class train tickets to Narbonne. Private guide tour of Narbonne. Overnight in an all-suites hotel of Narbonne.
DAY 15 TOULOUSE
This morning you will arrive in Toulouse, known as La Ville Rose (Pink City) of France and wonderfully located at the confluence of the Canal du Midi and the River Garonne. Your romantic 4* hotel, which is located in a historic building in the heart of the city, is perfectly placed for exploring the Pink City. Toulouse is an absolute must for everyone wanting to explore France – the cosmopolitan and enthusiastic Ville Rose joyously mixes heritage and lifestyle, great cultural events, chic boutiques and very typically French cafes on many of its beautiful squares. Centuries ago Toulouse had a thriving Jewish community, and today, thanks to the immigration of Jews from North Africa; Toulouse once again has a vibrant Jewish community, the third largest in France.
This afternoon why not take a walk through the charming small streets of the old town of Toulouse where you will arrive at Place Saint-Sernin, home of the beautiful Saint-Sernin Basilica – a church full of designs and architectural touches. You may like to take a walk in the park … Jardin des Plantes is the oldest public park in Toulouse, created at the time of the French Revolution. This botanical garden is home to nearly one hundred species of deciduous trees and conifers! A truly lovely spot to admire… Toulouse’s emblem is the delicate violet, Parme de Toulouse, so expect to find many variations such as perfume, violet tea, bubble bath, soap and crystallized violet candies. A nice souvenir for the folks back home maybe? This evening we have various recommendations for dinner, and you might like to try a Toulouse specialty such as the typical “cassoulet” (meat and bean stew).
Tour in a nutshell: First class train tickets to Toulouse. Overnight in a 4* hotel in the heart of Toulouse.
DAY 16 BORDEAUX
Bordeaux is your next destination on your Jewish Heritage Tour. After arriving by train, you will check into your beautiful 18th century 4* hotel, ideally located in the heart of the city. This afternoon our guide will be waiting to take you on a private tour of Bordeaux, focusing on Jewish history. It is thought that Jews settled in Bordeaux shortly after the destruction of the Second Temple, and that a considerable number settled there in the sixth and seventh centuries, because of the commercial advantages of the city. When the Jews were banished from Spain (1492) and Portugal (1497), the Jewish population of Bordeaux increased, as Jews fled to the cities of southern France. You will hear of Bordeaux being home to a prominent medieval Jewish community and today the city has three historic Jewish cemeteries. Explore the nineteenth-century Jewry and visit the memorial dedicated to the Bordeaux Jews who died in the Holocaust. The Synagogue, in spite of restricted space and a narrow access road, is one of the most monumental and largest in France.
Your tour of Bordeaux will also take you to the Place de la Comedie, which sits atop the ancient Roman forum. Admire the beautiful Grand Theatre, built in the late 1700s and now a venue for opera and events. Over the next few hours, take in all the sights including the striking Place de la Bourse, the impressive Grosse Cloche, and the ethereal 11th century Cathedrale Saint-Andre.
Tour in a nutshell: 1st class train to Bordeaux. Private guided tour of Jewish heritage and history of Bordeaux. Overnight in a 4* hotel in the centre of Bordeaux.
DAY 17 BORDEAUX
Your Jewish Heritage Tour of Portugal, Spain & France offers you a free day to discover more of Bordeaux on your own. Bordeaux is both a city and a large region in Southwest France bordering the Atlantic Ocean. The sweeping Garonne River divides the city into the left and right Banks and the panoramic view of Bordeaux from the river is breathtaking and elegant. This UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 350 classified historic buildings is also part of the route of Santiago de Compostela and a centre dedicated to the celebration of spectacular wines and food. If you are interested in discovering one of the best food markets in France, visit Marché des Capucins, which deservedly carries the title “The belly of Bordeaux”. It’s a big market, abundant with colorful stands of fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese and all the delicacies of the Southwest of France. However, it differs from many other French markets in that it’s a place for much more than just buying groceries. People go there for their morning coffee, for lunch or the sacred combination of wine, oysters, and friends meeting on the weekend! There are so many restaurants and stands at the Bordeaux market that it can be a bit overwhelming, so the best idea is to take your time and scope out what’s on offer before settling on a few stalls to try. If oysters are your thing, make sure to visit the stall of Chez Jean-Mi, one of Bordeaux’s go-to places for fresh oysters. On weekends, many locals rush here to meet their friends over a plate of oysters and a glass of white wine.
If wine piques your interest more than food, maybe you would like a day out to visit some iconic Bordeaux wineries? We will be delighted to include a private chauffeur and some prestigious winery visits for you!
Tour in a nutshell: Free day in Bordeaux. Overnight Bordeaux.
DAY 18 DEPARTURE
Today, after breakfast, you will check out of your Bordeaux hotel and our chauffeur will be waiting to transfer you to Bordeaux airport for your onward journey.
We are sure that this tour of Portugal, Spain & France will deepen your connection to your heritage. You will also be inspired by the wonderful people and beautiful landscapes you encounter!
Tour in a nutshell: Private chauffeured transfer to Bordeaux airport.
Tour quotation
Jewish Heritage of Portugal, Spain & France Quote Request
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Tour in a Nutshell
Portugal & SW France: Lisbon, Evora, Narbonne, Toulouse & Bordeaux
Spain: Seville, Cordoba, Madrid, Barcelona, Toledo, Girona & Besalu
Private guides additionally qualified in Jewish history and heritage
Travel in comfort: Chauffeured tours & first class trains
18 days/17 nights, boutique 4* and 5* hand selected hotels
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