Viva España! KESHER’S highly acclaimed, in depth exploration of Spain. History comes alive in this fascinating journey through Spain. This exciting grand tour of Spain takes in fabulous visits and excursions. Discover the deep Spanish tradition, its sunny beaches, rich galleries of art, grandiose Moorish castles and the magnificent Jewish past of the Sephardic heritage echoing everywhere. Visits to Barcelona and Northern Cataluña, Seville, Granada and Cordoba, Toledo and Madrid are all included. A special extension of the program is a two nights’ delightful stay in Gibraltar. And still you’ll get all the time in the world to relax shop, sightsee or just wander where your fancy takes you.

Day 1: Sunday New York
Evening departure for Barcelona, the vibrant Capital City of Cataluñia.

Day 2: Monday Barcelona
Land in Barcelona and meet your tour escort. Without losing time, we start our tour with an orientation sightseeing of this amazing city. You’ll love Barcelona. On the way from the airport we see the sights of Montjuic (Mountain of the Jews) – especially the Olympic Stadium situated high above the city, with the harbor below. From this vantage point we gain a special perspective of the great Catalonian capital. We continue with a panoramic motor coach tour of Antonio Gaudi’s buildings and monuments as Casa Batllo and La Pedrera on the fancy Paseo de Gracia, and the still unfinished (started 1882) cathedral of the Holy Family – Sagrada Familia. We stop in Plaza Cataluña – the pulsing heart of the city for a walking tour of Barri Gotic, the medieval quarter of the city. We see the impressive Gothic Cathedral, the Royal square, the place of the famous Jewish-Christian dispute of 1263, and more the “Carrer dell Call” (< Hebrew Kahal)– the old Jewish quarter. We finish our tour on the renowned “Rambla” – a mile long lively pedestrian promenade, lined with trees, cafes and shops. Balance of the day at leisure.
Overnight Barcelona.

Day 3: Tuesday Barcelona , Girona – Besalu
Early departure for a full day tour of Northern Cataluña. First, we visit Girona, the cradle of the Jewish Kabbalah. In the heart of the old Jewish quarter we visit the home of Ramban – Rabbi Moshe ben Rahman (1194-1270), the great Kabbalist which houses the Jewish Museum. Rua da Força, the main (narrow) street of the “call” still preserves some of the traces of the ancient Jewish community. Continue to Besalu, a monumental example of the Catalan Middle Ages. Cobbled streets and façades are the most distinguishable feature of the city centre. Recently, the vestiges of a Sephardic quarter that used to exist in this town during the Middle Ages have been uncovered. We will visit the remains of the ancient Mikvah.
We return to Barcelona to visit The Picasso Museum in town. Barcelona is a key reference for understanding the formative years of Pablo Ruiz Picasso (1881 – 1973). The genius of the young artist is revealed through the more than 3,800 works that make up the permanent collection. The museum has arranged Picasso's paintings in chronological order from his early days to his final works. In this we get a fascinating insight into the development of Picasso’s thinking over time.
In the Evening you may join an optional night tour of illuminated Barcelona, including a visit of the Ethnographic Museum of Pueblo Español - the Spanish Village on Montjuic.
Overnight Barcelona.

Day 4: Wednesday Barcelona, Seville
A morning flight takes us to the passionate city capital of Andalusia - Seville, home of flamenco music and dance. The sightseeing of Seville takes us to see the beautiful gardens of the Maria Luisa Park, site of the 1929 Spanish-American Exhibition, where we can admire Becquer’s Monument – one of the most impressive romantic statuary complexes in Europe and the nearby grandiose Plaza de España. The panoramic motor coach tour shows us the 12th century Torre del Oro - Gold Tower on the Guadalquivir river, the dominating Giralda tower, and the fine Baroque building which is now the University but used to be the tobacco factory where Carmen worked. Then stroll through the narrow lanes of the charming Santa Cruz quarter, the former “Juderia” – the Jewish quarter, as did Figaro, the barber or Don Juan. Visit the Mudejar Alcazar and its gardens built by king Peter the Cruel in the 14th century, inspired by Alhambra. Then there’s time to relax or further explore the city.
In the evening you have the opportunity to go on an optional night boat ride on the Guadalquivir River, or enjoy a flamenco show.
Overnight Seville .

Day 5: Thursday Cordoba
Early departure for a full day excursion to Cordoba. Stop on the way for a view of Carmona an ancient stronghold built on a ridge overlooking the central plain of Andalusia, from the Sierra Morena to the peak of San Cristobal. Cordoba, the birthplace of Rambam (Maimonides) – Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon. Here we visit the medieval old “Juderia” and its’ Mudejar Synagogue which survived. It is a tradition to take a picture with Rambam’s statue in the tiny Tiberiada square. Next, we tour the magnificent 8th century La Mezquita - the Mosque of the Caliphs, famous for its 850 pillars of porphyry, marble, and jasper. We finish our tour on Callejon de las Flores – “the alley of flowers” a nice little close decorated with lots of flowers. Here we may visit the last living workshop of artistic processing of leather, a Cordobese Moorish specialty. Late afternoon, return to Seville.
Overnight Seville.

Day 6: Friday Gibraltar
Today we turn towards the sea, away from the mountains,. We drive along the “autopista” and in way we pass the sherry-producing town of Jerez (=sherrez > sherry) de la Frontera.
At noon we’ll be in the legendary Gibraltar "Jabal Tariq" - "Mount of Tarik" in Gibraltar, it is, its impressive stature, towering isolated above the surrounding countryside, that causes the greatest impact. It is a narrow peninsula linked to the end of the Iberian Peninsula by a narrow sandy isthmus. Gibraltar has been in British hands since 1704. Soon after the British occupation, Sephardic Jews coming from Italy, North Africa and later from England settled there. Until today there is an active local Jewish community with a number of Synagogues and a Glatt Kosher restaurant. Both famous and enigmatic, Gibraltar contains some of the most extensive Military Fortifications in Europe, spanning over 1200 years of Moorish, Spanish and British history. We visit the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, including the intriguing St Michael’s Cave, as well as the famous Barbary semi-wild Gibraltar apes in The Apes' Den, the focal point for all visitors to The Rock of Gibraltar. Weather permitting, you can get a glimpse the African continent beyond the Strait.
Evening services will be followed by Shabbat dinner.
Overnight Gibraltar

Day 7: Shabbat Gibraltar
Morning services at the Synagogue. After lunch enjoy a walking tour of the main street of Gibraltar City.
Overnight Gibraltar

Day 8: Sunday Granada
Leaving Gibraltar, we drive along the scenic beachfront road of the lively sun-kissed Costa del Sol. We cross the lavish resort of Marbella and its elegant marina – Puerto Banus to the history-steeped Granada, named “Garnata al-Yahud” (Granada of the Jews) by the Arabs during their conquest of Spain. Granada was also the last Moorish stronghold in Spain; it was conquered by the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II & Isabella I of Castile in 1492. We will visit its main attraction: Alhambra, the mighty yet graceful Citadel and Palace planned by the 13th and 14th centuries Moorish Rulers of Granada. A fantasy of “Lace in Stone” surrounded by Arabesque gardens and fountains, it affords superb view of the Old quarter – Albaicin and Sacromonte, a hill occupied by Gypsy cave dwellers. Walking across the Court of the Myrtles we will stop at the “Hall of the Ambassadors’’ in Comares Tower, where the Edict of Expulsion was issued on 31 March 1492. Also amble through the magnificent terraced Generalife water Gardens, with its shadowy cypresses, oleander, pavilions and cool fountains - The Royal Summer Residence. A panoramic sightseeing of downtown Granada follows, including the old Moorish silk bazaar – Alcaiceria. In its narrow streets you might imagine that you've stepped into an exotic land. To end the tour we stop in front of the statue of Yehuda ibn Tibbon (1120-1190) the forerunner of the Arabic-Hebrew translation movement.
If you are in the mood to hear and see fiery gypsy flamenco, in-situ, in one of the Gypsy dwelling caves you may take part in an optional night tour of the old Moorish quarter with a breathtaking view of illuminated Alhambra and a Gypsy flamenco show.
Overnight Granada

Day 9: Monday Toledo
Early morning departure for Toledo – “Jerusalem of the West”, one of the main centers of Sephardic Jewry in the Middle Ages. We drive along the Guadalquivir Valley and north across the plains of La Mancha, the land of Cervantes’s fearless knight Don Quixote. We stop by the picturesque Venta del Quijote just to take a look at the famous courtyard where Don Quixote is supposed to have been dubbed a knight. Another stop will be at Consuegra where Don Quixote jousted with windmills. Still today they spike the hill, giving us a spectacular view of the 12th century castle and of the town. Late in the afternoon arrival in Toledo, the historic capital of Castilla.
Overnight Toledo.

Day 10: Tuesday Toledo, Madrid
The only way to see this great town – an incomparable open-air museum of Spanish history - is on foot. We concentrate our sightseeing around the old Juderia. See El-Greco’s house which used to be the home of Don Shmuel Halevy Abulafia (14th century)., the king's Pedro el-Cruel wealthy treasurer. We will also visit both ancient synagogues, today museums: El-Transito, Shmuel Halevy’s Mudejar synagogue (1356)- considered to be the best preserved Jewish monument of the pre-Inquisition period, and Santa Maria la Blanca, Ibn Shoshan’s synagogue. Close to the Jewish quarters we can see El-Greco’s best known painting “The Burial of the Count of Orgaz”.
Then, on to Madrid, Spain’s majestic capital since 1561. A strikingly modern city. A late afternoon sightseeing acquaints us with the city’s highlights including the historic treasures of the Royal Palace that is truly one of the most beautiful Palaces in Europe, its great squares – Plaza España, with its monument to Cervantes, Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, the Neptun and Cibeles fountains, the major avenues of Gran Via, Castellana and the Retiro Baroque park, so enjoyable to stroll. We finish at Beth Jacov Synagogue and the Jewish Community Center. In the evening(optional) you can experience the beautifully illuminated fountains and luminous buildings of Madrid as this city of grace and color lights up the night.
Overnight Madrid

Day 11: Wednesday Segovia ,Madrid
Drive north to see the historic Romanesque town of Segovia, the city where Isabella was proclaimed queen in the soaring Alcazar, the Castle that so typifies Spain. See the stupendous Roman Aqueduct, dating back to the time of Emperor Trajan, and uptown, between the cathedral and the walls, Calle de la Juderia Vieja, and Calle de la Juderia Nueva. If possible we will visit the former old Mudejar synagogue (13th century) inside the Corpus Christi Hospital. On the way back to Madrid we will visit the tremendous king Phillip II’s Monastery-Palace – El-Escorial, burial place of Spanish kings and queens. The great finale of our Spanish tour will be a visit at the fabulous Prado Museum, housing one of the richest art collections In the world’ including masterpieces by Goya, Velasquez, Rubens and Bosch .
Overnight Madrid

Day 12: Thursday Madrid, New York
Transfer to the Airport for your flight home.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

• Round trip air fare from New York and Internal flight as per itinerary.
• First Class Hotels.
• Kosher Meals daily. (For details see General Conditions).
• Transportation by air conditioned coaches.
• Sightseeing, transfers and entrance fees as per Itinerary.
• Experienced English speaking Tour Escort.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

• Airport and security tax.
• Travel Insurance (For details see General Conditions).
• Gratuities to local service providers and Tour Escort.
• Optional tours as per Itinerary.
• Individual transfers.
• Any item not mentioned under “included in price”.