Day 1: Sunday, July 6, 2008 (Summer)

Meet at Newark-Liberty International Airport on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. sharp for the 8:30 p.m., Continental Airways Flight 62V overnight, direct flight to Madrid arriving in Madrid- Barajas airport at approximately 9:55 a.m.

Day 2: Monday, July 7

After clearing customs, our Madrid Tour Director, Carlos, will welcome us and, time permiting, we will immediately head straight for the Central Synagogue for Shacharit and Kriat Hatorah. After davening and a quick breakfast in the synagogue dining room, we will enjoy a morning tour of the Royal Palace, one of the most beautiful palaces in the entire country! We will then check in to our Toledo hotel, rest for a while, wash up and then travel farther north for a wonderful afternoon tour in historical Segovia, the home of the Inquisition.

We will first have a delicious picnic lunch in its main square. Our visit will include a walk through this quaint city, once home to a large Jewish population; visit the Museum devoted to Abraham Senor, the equivalent of "Chief Rabbi" of Spain during the Inquisition Period; visit the famous Al-Khazar, view (from the outside) the Church of Corpus Christi, one of the oldest standing synagogues in Spain (perhaps late 12th Century!); and be amazed by one of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world: the water aqueduct. Upon our return, some more bus touring of Madrid, Mincha & Ma’ariv, a well-deserved dinner and a good night’s sleep.

OVERNIGHT:   Toledo

Day 3: Tuesday, July 8

Late wake-up call, then Shacharis at 8:30 a.m. Delicious hot “Spanish” omelettes, and off to an intensive tour of this remarkable city, including a fascinating tour of the old Jewish Quarter: Calle de la Juderia Viejo and Calle de la Juderia Nueva. Of the many important synagogues that Toledo once posessed, only two still exist (the oldest in Europe!): the Santa la Blanca is inspired by Almohad art and design while the 14th century El-Transito Synagogue is a simple building but with very much history. Shop in a major factory outlet in Toledo for the best deals in Majorca pearls and Damascene jewelry in the entire Spain! We return to the hotel to refresh and some snacks.

The second half of our day begins with a one-hour scenic ride due east to Madrid for our exploration of the world famous Prado Museum. We will then do an early evening panoramic tour of this beautiful, modern city, explore the Old Jewish Quarter and the elegantly colonnaded Plaza Major (the main site for the Inquisition's execution of Marranos as late as 1692!) and visits to Puerto del Sol, Plaza de Espana and Alcala Archia. Mincha before sunset (Feb. 19: 6:19 pm) and Ma'ariv in the Central Synagogue, followed by a private visit with the Chief Rabbi of Madrid, Rabbi Moshe Bendahan shlita.

OVERNIGHT:   Toledo

Day 4: Wednesday, July 9

Shacharis at 8 a.m. We depart at 9:30 a.m. for the for the four-and-a-half hour ride through the heart of Spain, observing the largest agrarian region in Europe (vineyards and olive groves). Pass once again through Toledo (the “Jerusalem of Spain”) and the La Mancha region, following the path taken by Don Quixote de la Mancha (from the classic work by Cervantes), stop for lunch in Ciudad Real and on to Cordoba.

Begin your tour with the old Jewish Quarter, the birthplace of Maimonides, and home also to R'Abraham Ibn Ezra, R'Yehudah Ha'levi and the sainted R’Shmuel Ha’Nagid and many more great Rabbis. Stroll through the narrow streets of this quaint old quarter as we peek into the patios where dozens of potted plants and the most colorful, scented flowers engulf us with their sweet aroma. Visit and daven Mincha in the second oldest (still standing) synagogue in Spain (and in Europe, for that matter!), the Tiberias Plaza (the famous Rambam statue), Gate of Almodovar, (optionally) explore the largest Cathedral/Mosque in Europe with its red and white striped arches.

We will then cross the Guadilquivir River via the Roman bridge which connects the Alcazar Calahorra to the Mosque and enjoy a panoramic view of Còrdoba by night as we continue on the two-hour ride to Granada, the Rimon D’Sfarad. We will attempt to pass through Lucena, the "unknown" home of some of the greatest Rishonim during the "Golden Years": R’Yitzchak Al’fasi and R’YosephIbn Mi’gash (the two teachers of the Rambam!) and one of the earliest Jewish settlements in Spain!

Late dinner and a well-deserved shluf after a very trying day.   

OVERNIGHT:   Granada

Day 5: Thursday, July 10

Late morning rise, Shacharis. A wonderful, full day of touring is ahead of us.

Granada is the home to one of the most beautiful Moorish sites in Spain, the 11th-14th Grand Alahambra Palace which houses the Salon de Embajadores, (Hall of Embassadors) a stunning throne room built in the 14th century, the famous courtyard with the 12-lion water fountain and the Generalife Garden. Walk through its other absolutely magnificent halls and gardens. Also visit some of the winding streets of the Jewish Quarter and the present day Arab Quarter. Enjoy a magnificent tour of the snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada.

OVERNIGHT:   Granada

Day 6: Friday, July 11

Rise early for a scenic one-and-a-half hour ride through the most popular beach area in Spain, the Costa de Sol, to the bustling port city of Malaga. Short tour of Marbella, the most popular resort town in Spain, and proceed one hour farther southward to Gibraltar. Check in to the hotel and immediately begin a two-hour intensive tour of The Rock. See also Gibraltar’s main attraction, St. Michael Caves where hundreds of Barbary apes roam freely at the top of the Rock. Afterwards, a short stop to pray at the old Jewish cemetery; Excellent duty-free, London-style shopping.

Shabbat preparation (sundown is at 6:40 p.m.). Kabbalat Shabbat at the Sha'ar Shomayim Synagogue. Seudat Shabbat (1): Welcoming remarks: Rabbi Ronnie Chasid, Chief Rabbi of Gibraltar; Dvar Torah: Rabbi Dr. Nosson Dovid Rabinowich.

Overnight:  Gibraltar

Day 7: Shabbat Kodesh, July 12

Late wake-up call for the 9:45 a.m., davening at the Nefutzot Yehudah Synagogue whereRabbi Dr. Nosson Dovid Rabinowichwill deliver the Drosha; Kiddusha Rabba, Parsha Class, Seudat Shabbat (2); Welcoming remarks: Mr. Solomon Levy, former President of the Jewish Community of Gibraltar. Well-deserved rest, Guided Walking Tour of Gibraltar’s main streets with Rabbi Rabinowich. Mincha at the Avudraham Synagogue, Seuda (3) of Shabbos; Guest Speaker: Rabbi Yoki Roberts, the Principal of the Jewish Boys High School of Gibraltar. Grand Melave Malka with local singers and musicians.

Then observe Gibraltar's week-end night-life (checkout the world-famous casino near the Rock Hotel!) or just simply enjoy the breathtaking view of North Africa, the Atlantic and Mediterranean Oceans and the Straits of Gibraltar! Optional: Motzoai Shabbos: 1 hour 15 min. ride to beautiful Marbella in Costa de Sol, the most famous tourist /resort city on the Mediterranean coast.

Overnight:  Gibraltar

Day 8: Sunday, July 13

Early morning rise for the two-hour ride to the quaint and charming “Old Spanish-Style” town of Ronda (visit the oldest bull ring in Spain), be awed and amazed by its natural gorges (you've never seen anything like this!) and enjoy a picnic lunch and short rest in the heart of Ronda.

Re-board the bus for another one-and-a-half hour ride to Seville, the capital of Andalusia, the autonomous region of Southern Spain. Your four-hour afternoon tour includes the beautiful Alcazar Palace (if open), the Jewish Quarter known today as Santa Cruz, the history-rich Calle Susanna, and, time permitting, the Columbus Archives. Be brave and walk up the second-highest minaret in the world! (King Ferdinand III did it by horse!). Optional: A leisurely boat cruise of beautiful Seville along the Guadalquivir River.

Check in to our beautiful hotel and enjoy a well-deserved dinner, our farewell banquet and all the wonderful speeches. Discover the night life of this beautiful city, once the home to the Ritva and Abravanel family among others. Enjoy a good night’s rest for the long day ahead of us!

Overnight:  Seville

Day 9: Monday, July 14

Early rise for IBERIA Flight 1123Y at 9:20 a.m. to Barcelona, the Mediterranean metropolis, par excellence. We will board our bus for the short but pleasant one-and-a-half hour ride, first to visit Gerona, the home of the rebirth of Medieval Jewish Mysticism and birthplace of the illustrious Nachmanides and  Rabbeinu Yonah. Enjoy a lecture at the Nachmanides Institute and explore a possible 10th century Mikveh! On to Barcelona to its quarters of unrivaled beauty including the Gothic Quarter, Las Ramblas and the modernist Paseo de Gracia. Time permitting, we will examine some of the oldest Jewish tombstones in Europe — special treat of Jewish Heritage Tours, off the beaten tourist path! Time permitting, we will visit Besalu, home of the oldest mikvah (ritual bath), only 30 minutes north of Gerona. And of course, we will not miss the old Jewish Quarter.

We enjoy a delicious and festive banquet, with plenty of speeches and thank-yous. The rest of the evening is a great opportunity to further explore Barcelona’s fascinating nightlife on your own!

Overnight:  Barcelona

Day 10: Tuesday, July 15

Late morning rise for an 8:00 a.m. Shacharis at the hotel, followed by our last warm and delicious breakfast of Spanish omelettes. Free time for some last minute shopping before boarding our bus at 10:45 a.m. for our final panoramic tour of this gorgeous city on our way to catch our 1 p.m. Continental Flight #143V direct to Newark arriving in Liberty International Airport at 4:15 p.m.

All Prayers and Shiurim are voluntary!

Extensions to Israel possible,
before and after trip

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Rabbi Dr. Nosson Dovid Rabinowich: Rav and Scholar-in-Residence,is a noted historian and Talmid Chacham, author of nine critically-acclaimed books on topics varying from Jewish history to Geonic literature to Chassidus.

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