Join Belsize Square Synagogue journey led by Rabbi Dr Stuart Altshuler to ESPANA
Visiting – Madrid – Toledo – Granada – Cordoba & Seville between Sunday 30th March to Friday 4th April 2014

Sefarad actually means Spain - In 711 the forces of Islam crossed into Spain and conquered the whole Iberian peninsula. It ushered in one of the greatest periods of Jewish Diaspora history, known as the golden age until the inquisition, which changed our history forever. This deep Sephardic Jewish heritage of Spain is still firmly implanted in our national psyche that mixes both glory, betrayal, peace, prosperity and pain. It is a rich history that goes back 1,500 years in Spain, from this exotic land emerged great sages and Kabbalistic mystics epitomized by key figures like Maimonides, Ibn Ezra and Yehuda Halevi, in which they worked and and lived harmoniously with Muslims and Christians.

Vivtor Hugo once wrote : Alhambra Alhambra palace which a genii have adorned like a dream flowing with harmonies

Join us as we travel to the heart of the medieval Jewish experience and visit the main sites connected to the rich and illustrious sites of the beautiful cities of Madrid Toledo Cordoba Seville & Granada. You will understand why this area of Spain has become the most visited area by tourists in the world today, a land that vibrates with the colorful passions of swirling flamenco and guitars; you will find its deep beauty unforgettable. Enjoy a blend of Moorish, European and Jewish influences as we travel in luxury through the legendary land of Cortes and Ponce de Leon. A delight for the senses and for the soul !

INDEED Granada was the last province in Spain which both the Moors and Jews were admonished in 1492 and legend says Moorish Chieftain Boabdil on leaving his beloved Alhambra Palace turned in retreat for one last look and wept to be admonished by his mother with the infamous words: ‘do not weep like a woman for what you could not defend like a man’

ALHAMBRA DECREE……………………………………

PROGRAMME
Programme is subject to possible modifications

30. MARCH 2014 (Sun) MADRID / Arrival
10:40 Arrival in Madrid with EASYJET recommended Luton 7.10 depart lands 10.40 [£59 as of 20/11/13]
Meet with the guide and coach at airport [those arriving early in Madrid will be picked up from Hotel]
LUNCH (will be in Toledo)
VISIT TOLEDO (2,5 hrs): Jewish Quarter, Synagogues Santa María La Blanca and El Tránsito plus main sites of the town with expert guide and Historian Moises Hassan who will be with the group throughout.
Free time in Madrid on return from Toledo with suggested options which our guide will explain on returning on coach from Toledo
RESTAURANT-DINNER (Always fish and vegetable options) at a time agreed
Overnight in Madrid at the Hotel Ganivet 3*

31. MARCH 2014 (Mon) MADRID – TOLEDO – LA MANCHA: Don Quijote – GRANADA
Breakfast – then check out of hotel by 9am
Tour of Madrid then departing the city with sandwich lunch and fruit to be eaten on coach travelling south
Continue to southern Spain with stops (without guide) in places related with the story of Don Quijote de la Mancha, such as Alcazar de San Juan, Campo de Criptana and el Toboso
RESTAURANT-DINNER (Always fish and vegetable options)
Overnight x 2 in Granada at the Hotel Macia Gran Via 3*

01. APRIL 2014 (Tue) GRANADA
Breakfast – VISIT GRANADA (2,5 hrs): Alhambra and Generalife all morning famous for being the jewel of Moorish Spain and also the most visited site in the whole Iberian peninsula
Free lunch period with late afternoon tour at 4pm covering former Jewish quarter [Granada once called the City of the Jews] of Realejo and its new Jewish museum.
Dinner in local restaurant for the group
Overnight in Granada at the Hotel Macia Gran Via 3*

02. APRIL 2014 (Wed) GRANADA - CÓRDOBA
Breakfast
Travel to Córdoba and on the way visiting LUCENA once an exclusively Jewish town to see its museum and its excavated Jewish cemetery
Group Lunch in Cordoba then VISIT CÓRDOBA (2,5 hrs): Jewish Quarter, Synagogue plus Mosque and other impressive sites of this city
Free evening meal Cordoba
Overnight in Córdoba at the Hotel Selu 3*

03. APRIL 2014 (Thu) CÓRDOBA – SEVILLA
Breakfast
Travel to Sevilla – Jewish walking Tour with guide of Seville Barrio Santa Cruz (Jewish Quarter
Free Lunch SEVILLA then free afternoon with suggested options
Evening dinner RESTAURANT-LUNCH with Flamenco show thereafter
Overnight in Sevilla at the Hotel Tryp Macarena 4*

04. APRIL 2014 (Fri) SEVILLA / Departure
Breakfast
08:00 Transfer to the Airport Sevilla
Departure at 10:45 from Seville with EASYJET [£50 as of 20/11/13] flight back to Gatwick that lands at 11.50am.

COST
Sharing a double or twin room will be £795 per person – single supplement £195 so we encourage sharing of twin rooms
There will also be a £75 per person supplement for non Belsize Square members wishing to join this trip.
This cost covers all internal costs in Spain including Bed and breakfast most meals all transport costs in Spain, guide throughout plus all museum fees on tour except where stated
IT DOES NOT INCLUDE – Air fares – 1 evening meal when free time will be given and 2 lunches when free time will also be given to the group
OPTIONS FOR EXTENTIONS to the Hotels in both Madrid [Hotel Ganivet £72 double - £62 single] to those arriving early or wishing to prolong their trip in Seville [Hotel Tryp Macarena £98 double £90 single] for any extra nights at the conclusion – Indeed a small minyan takes place in Seville Friday and Shabbat morning to those who wish to attend, as well as the option of attending Madrid Synagogue a day prior to organised trip. Hotel details will be available soon with cost of extra nights B & B

A deposit of £200 is required per person to book a place on trip [refunded if trip is cancelled] which will only proceed once 20 reservations with deposits received. Booking forms are supplied by e-mailing Marcel. Do not book your flights till trip confirmed.

You can also download the required booking form on bottom left hand margin of our website www.jewishheritagetours.co.uk