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Spain: 17-21 September 2008
| WED |
| 17 |
| SEP |
FRIENDS OF THE LONDON JEWISH CULTURAL CENTRE
JEWISH SPAIN
THREE CITIES - THREE PEOPLES
Seville - Granada - Cordoba
17 - 21 September 2008
Exploring Jewish Spain is a deeply intense experience during which the origins of a long gone past emerge and connect the visitor with a vibrant and colourful heritage. The history of the Jews in Spain reveals a contrast between peaceful and prosperous periods and times of great persecution and suffering.
The Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492.
Over the centuries, Jewish communities in Spain ("Sephardic Jews") developed a culture of their own, practised their religion and lived their social life in close contact with other communities. They left their mark in many places on the Iberian Peninsula with several Spanish cities having Juderias (Jewish Quarters). We shall be visiting some of the better preserved Juderias; in Seville and, on our day outings, in Granada and Cordoba.
You will also observe the contributions and influences of other cultures to the mosaic which make up Spain.
You will find the provisional itinerary below.
DAY ONE | Wednesday 17 September
10.55am Depart London Heathrow on Iberia flight IB 3163 to Madrid then connect on Flight IB 112 arriving Seville at 4.50pm (about one and a half hour lay over at Madrid )
Coach transfer to the Hotel Las Casas de la Juderia, the very image of authentic Andalusian architecture situate at Callejon de Dos Hermanas 7, Plaza de Sta.Maria la Blanca, Seville Tel: + 954415150
Once checked into our hotel, there will be a short walking tour to give a sense of the old Jewish area in Seville.
Early evening: Meet for a drink and chat and get to know your fellow travellers.
Evening: At leisure. You may want to have dinner at one of the several quaint restaurants in the area featuring Flamenco Dancing (more restaurant details to follow)
DAY TWO | Thursday 18 September
An early start after buffet breakfast at our Hotel.
8.00am: We board a coach to beautiful Granada, the great Moorish and Jewish centre of the arts and learning (about 250kms south east of Seville, about 3 hours with refreshment stop en route) Our tour leader, Angela Gluck, will give us some interesting historical and present-day facts of Spain as we travel along. Enjoy the Spanish scenery too.
Upon arrival, we visit the magnificent Alhambra, the palace of paradise, the "apex of Moorish design extravagance" which has historic significance for Jews. Then on to the Generalife Gardens, summer home to both Caliphs and Kings.
We will visit areas where Jewish poets, philosophers, scientists and statesmen made significant contributions during the Jewish Golden Age of Spain.
Lunch break
The tour will continue with a visit to the former medieval part of the city and the Palace (now a museum) developed by King Charles V.
This is followed by the "Albaicin", the former Jewish and Gypsy Quarter, especially the overlook el Mirador de San Nicolas, with spectacular views of the Alhambra and Sierra Nevadas.
We will stop at the Moroccan shops and tea houses along the Calderias, two streets running parallel to the Plaza Nueva.
The Cathedral and Capilla Real are just a minute away from the Albaicin. The Capilla Real is the final resting place of kings and Queen Isabel and houses Isabel's impressive art collection.
Evening: At leisure in Granada for you to enjoy dinner in a restaurant of your choice (suggestions to follow) though we will want to return to Seville not too late.
After dinner the coach head back to our hotel in Seville.
DAY THREE | Friday 19 September
Breakfast at hotel.
8.45am: After breakfast, depart by coach for a full day's tour of historical Cordoba (about 130km which should take about one and a half hours, with a rest stop)
Upon arrival, you will find the rich legacy left by Roman, Moorish and Jewish communities of a former Golden Age.
The tour starts with a visit to the magnificent "La Mezquita". This impressive former mosque houses over 425 alabaster marble arches.
Then on to the Ancient Synagogue at Calle de los Judios, built in 1315 and declared a national monument in 1985. Nearby, you will see a sculpture honouring Moses Ben Maimonides which stands in the Plaza de Tiberiades and the Plaza of Judah Levi.
We will also visit a small Jewish museum, the Casa de Sefarad - Casa de la Memoria, which contains items from local pre-expulsion Jewish homes and also an exhibition on Sephardic tradition. There is also an area dedicated to Sephardic (Ladino) music.
After lunch, we will head back to Seville in good time to prepare for Shabbat (Shabbat starts at 8.07pm)
Evening: Optional attendance at a Friday evening service at the Synagogue situated about 15-20 minutes walk from our hotel.
Dinner: Please join in a group Shabbat Dinner (price included) at a venue to be confirmed.
DAY FOUR | Saturday 20 September
A chance to lie in a bit later. Breakfast at hotel. No official programme on Shabbat. Optional Shul attendance.
The rest of the day, an opportunity for you to explore Seville at your own pace.
Optional: After lunch at 2.30pm, join up with Angela Gluck for an interesting walking tour, strolling through the narrow lanes of whitewashed homes and realise that the Sephardim lived a full, comfortable life and that some members of the Jewish community were the advisors to the vizier.
Evening: At leisure. You may want to enjoy a dinner and Flamenco performance in the old gypsy "Triana" Quarter. More details on restaurant choices to follow.
DAY FIVE | Sunday 21 September
Vacate room and store luggage downstairs or on coach.
Check out and please settle all extras at reception.
Breakfast at hotel.
9.00am: After breakfast, the rest of the morning will be spent in and around the Seville area. There are four main sites (apart from the Juderia itself) relevant to the theme of the tour: The famous architecturally/historically significant Cathedral and it Geraldo (tower) from which there is a stunning view of the area.
The El Alcazar with its gardens and Almohad walls.
The Jewish Cemetery - what remains of it.
The Church of Santa Maria La Blanca which once was a synagogue.
Lunch break
2.30pm Coach to airport
5.35pm Depart Seville on Iberia Flight IB 125 to Madrid.
Connect with Flight IB 3178 departing Madrid at 7.55pm
9.15pm arrive London Heathrow
JEWISH SPAIN
THREE CITIES - THREE PEOPLES
Seville - Granada - Cordoba
17 - 21 September 2008
Exploring Jewish Spain is a deeply intense experience during which the origins of a long gone past emerge and connect the visitor with a vibrant and colourful heritage. The history of the Jews in Spain reveals a contrast between peaceful and prosperous periods and times of great persecution and suffering.
The Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492.
Over the centuries, Jewish communities in Spain ("Sephardic Jews") developed a culture of their own, practised their religion and lived their social life in close contact with other communities. They left their mark in many places on the Iberian Peninsula with several Spanish cities having Juderias (Jewish Quarters). We shall be visiting some of the better preserved Juderias; in Seville and, on our day outings, in Granada and Cordoba.
You will also observe the contributions and influences of other cultures to the mosaic which make up Spain.
You will find the provisional itinerary below.
DAY ONE | Wednesday 17 September
10.55am Depart London Heathrow on Iberia flight IB 3163 to Madrid then connect on Flight IB 112 arriving Seville at 4.50pm (about one and a half hour lay over at Madrid )
Coach transfer to the Hotel Las Casas de la Juderia, the very image of authentic Andalusian architecture situate at Callejon de Dos Hermanas 7, Plaza de Sta.Maria la Blanca, Seville Tel: + 954415150
Once checked into our hotel, there will be a short walking tour to give a sense of the old Jewish area in Seville.
Early evening: Meet for a drink and chat and get to know your fellow travellers.
Evening: At leisure. You may want to have dinner at one of the several quaint restaurants in the area featuring Flamenco Dancing (more restaurant details to follow)
DAY TWO | Thursday 18 September
An early start after buffet breakfast at our Hotel.
8.00am: We board a coach to beautiful Granada, the great Moorish and Jewish centre of the arts and learning (about 250kms south east of Seville, about 3 hours with refreshment stop en route) Our tour leader, Angela Gluck, will give us some interesting historical and present-day facts of Spain as we travel along. Enjoy the Spanish scenery too.
Upon arrival, we visit the magnificent Alhambra, the palace of paradise, the "apex of Moorish design extravagance" which has historic significance for Jews. Then on to the Generalife Gardens, summer home to both Caliphs and Kings.
We will visit areas where Jewish poets, philosophers, scientists and statesmen made significant contributions during the Jewish Golden Age of Spain.
Lunch break
The tour will continue with a visit to the former medieval part of the city and the Palace (now a museum) developed by King Charles V.
This is followed by the "Albaicin", the former Jewish and Gypsy Quarter, especially the overlook el Mirador de San Nicolas, with spectacular views of the Alhambra and Sierra Nevadas.
We will stop at the Moroccan shops and tea houses along the Calderias, two streets running parallel to the Plaza Nueva.
The Cathedral and Capilla Real are just a minute away from the Albaicin. The Capilla Real is the final resting place of kings and Queen Isabel and houses Isabel's impressive art collection.
Evening: At leisure in Granada for you to enjoy dinner in a restaurant of your choice (suggestions to follow) though we will want to return to Seville not too late.
After dinner the coach head back to our hotel in Seville.
DAY THREE | Friday 19 September
Breakfast at hotel.
8.45am: After breakfast, depart by coach for a full day's tour of historical Cordoba (about 130km which should take about one and a half hours, with a rest stop)
Upon arrival, you will find the rich legacy left by Roman, Moorish and Jewish communities of a former Golden Age.
The tour starts with a visit to the magnificent "La Mezquita". This impressive former mosque houses over 425 alabaster marble arches.
Then on to the Ancient Synagogue at Calle de los Judios, built in 1315 and declared a national monument in 1985. Nearby, you will see a sculpture honouring Moses Ben Maimonides which stands in the Plaza de Tiberiades and the Plaza of Judah Levi.
We will also visit a small Jewish museum, the Casa de Sefarad - Casa de la Memoria, which contains items from local pre-expulsion Jewish homes and also an exhibition on Sephardic tradition. There is also an area dedicated to Sephardic (Ladino) music.
After lunch, we will head back to Seville in good time to prepare for Shabbat (Shabbat starts at 8.07pm)
Evening: Optional attendance at a Friday evening service at the Synagogue situated about 15-20 minutes walk from our hotel.
Dinner: Please join in a group Shabbat Dinner (price included) at a venue to be confirmed.
DAY FOUR | Saturday 20 September
A chance to lie in a bit later. Breakfast at hotel. No official programme on Shabbat. Optional Shul attendance.
The rest of the day, an opportunity for you to explore Seville at your own pace.
Optional: After lunch at 2.30pm, join up with Angela Gluck for an interesting walking tour, strolling through the narrow lanes of whitewashed homes and realise that the Sephardim lived a full, comfortable life and that some members of the Jewish community were the advisors to the vizier.
Evening: At leisure. You may want to enjoy a dinner and Flamenco performance in the old gypsy "Triana" Quarter. More details on restaurant choices to follow.
DAY FIVE | Sunday 21 September
Vacate room and store luggage downstairs or on coach.
Check out and please settle all extras at reception.
Breakfast at hotel.
9.00am: After breakfast, the rest of the morning will be spent in and around the Seville area. There are four main sites (apart from the Juderia itself) relevant to the theme of the tour: The famous architecturally/historically significant Cathedral and it Geraldo (tower) from which there is a stunning view of the area.
The El Alcazar with its gardens and Almohad walls.
The Jewish Cemetery - what remains of it.
The Church of Santa Maria La Blanca which once was a synagogue.
Lunch break
2.30pm Coach to airport
5.35pm Depart Seville on Iberia Flight IB 125 to Madrid.
Connect with Flight IB 3178 departing Madrid at 7.55pm
9.15pm arrive London Heathrow