Colosseum at night, Rome, Italy photo by lightmatter — Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
Reserve a place now on this extraordinary trip.
Among all the countries of Europe, Italy stands unparalleled for sheer beauty. The sensual pleasures — the gorgeous landscapes, the smell of bouganvillea flowers, the taste of perfectly creamy gelato — are matched only by the rich history of the region, from the temples and forums of Ancient Rome, to the palazzos and churches of the Renaissance.
Begin in Rome, seat of one of the greatest empires of all time. Go next to Venice, whose romantic mystery haunts the soul of all who visit it. Finish in Tuscany, where rolling hills and lush greenery create an atmosphere of serenity and tranquility.
Deluxe Kosher Tours has put together the ideal tour: a tour that not only highlights the unmissable sights of the region, but also pays particular attention to the Jewish traditions of Italy: a history that spans millennia of cultural and historical contributions.
Monday, August 16, 2010 In Transit
Pack and prepare — today is your flight to Rome.
Read Phyllis Zimbler Miller’s blog post “It Took Me 36 Years to See Jewish Rome Properly.”
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 Rome
Beginning in the afternoon, Deluxe Kosher Tours’ first day of sightseeing begins at the Pantheon. The best-preserved Roman building in the area, the Pantheon is one of the most beautiful and unique structures in the world, with a domed ceiling featuring the “oculus:” an “eye” to the blue skies above. Next, you will be shown the Palatine Hill, where nearly all of the colorful characters of Ancient Rome lived and worked. See the Forum — the center of all aspects of Roman life — the Arch of Constantine and marvel at the architectural brilliance of the Colosseum. You will also see the Arch of Titus, built to commemorate the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, and whose pathway was barred to Jews for centuries. Spend your evening wandering the narrow cobblestoned streets around Piazza Navona: a magnificent Baroque circular piazza featuring statues and churches created by such luminaries as Bernini and Boromini. Spend the night at the luxurious Ponte Sisto, or a hotel of similar quality.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010 Rome
Today, Deluxe Kosher Tours will give you an opportunity to explore Rome’s ancient Jewish ghetto, located near the Via Portico d’Ottavia. Here, you can spend time in the Tempio Israelitico and the Jewish Museum. Spend the afternoon with a different religion as Deluxe Kosher Tours takes you on a tour of the Sistine Chapel, where some of the most powerful stories in Judaism are depicted by the genius of Michaelangelo, including creation, Adam and Eve, and the flood
Thursday, August 19, 2010 Rome-Venice
Today, travel by air to Venice. When you arrive in the afternoon, you will take a tour on foot of the area around Venice’s center: the celebrated St. Mark’s Square. Take a look at St. Mark’s Basilica, built in 830 CE, an example of the fusion Italian-Byzantine style for which Venice — a center of trading and cross-cultural activity — was once celebrated. Nearby is the Duke’s Palace, a masterpiece of pink and white marble, where the doges of Venice ruled this vibrant city. The Grand Council Chambers of the Palace house Tintoretto’s “Paradise,” and if you look up, you can see Veronese’s famous “Apotheosis of Venice” painted on the ceiling. Accommodation will be at the Hotel Principe, or a hotel of similar standard.
Read about “The Ghetto Nuova.”
Friday, August 20, 2010 Venice
Jewish Venice is the name of the game today. The first ghetto in the world — where Jews were locked in from dusk to dawn — is still standing here, and the Jewish community there has survived to see a more enlightened Venice. You will be given a chance to see the synagogues still standing — testaments to the grandeur and strength of the community and its faith. In the afternoon, take some leisure time to wander the bridges and streets, handicraft shops and antique stores, that give Venice so much of its charm, or take a boat to see glassblowing in Burano and Murano, two islands that maintain their traditions of immaculate craftsmanship. As the sun sets, do not forget to take a seat in one of the many gondolas lining the canals to see the romance of Venice’s waters by moonlight.
Read Yael K. Miller’s blog post “Navigating Venice on Shabbat”
Shabbat, August 21, 2010 Venice
Share Shabbat with your neighbors in the Venetian Jewish community.
Sunday, August 22, 2010 Venice-Florence
In the morning, Deluxe Kosher Tours will drive you to Florence in time to spend the afternoon wandering the city. Visit some of Florence’s most celebrated landmarks, including one of the loveliest squares in Europe — Piazza della Signoria — and the colorful Ponte Vecchio, where beauty meets history. Spend the night at the Hotel Palazzo Ognissanti, or a similarly beautiful hotel.
Read Stuart Katz’s blog post “Pisa, Italy: More Than Just the Tower”
Monday, August 23, 2010 Pisa-San Gimignano-Florence
This morning, you will leave Florence for an excursion through the rolling hills of Tuscany. Take a stop in San Gimignano, a tiny Medieval town that still retains all the magic of its history. After a walk through its streets and a survey of its palaces, towers, and other sites of significance, drive on to Pisa: once the capital of a great Renaissance republic, a seat of art, learning, and culture. Famous for the leaning tower — visible even from outside the city limits — Pisa hosts a variety of notable examples of Romanesque architecture. After a visit to the tower, return to Florence for another evening in that enchanted city.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010 Florence
Today, wander the bank of the Arno for gorgeous river-views, before seeing more of Florence’s cultural heritage. Marvel at the Medici Palace, which housed those famous patrons of the arts from 1460 to 1540, and the Galleria dell’Academia, where you can see Michelangelo’s depiction of King David. Spend time in the celebrated Uffizi, reportedly home of the best collection of early modern painting in the world. Before nightfall, Deluxe Kosher Tours will bring you to the Florence synagogue — one of Europe’s finest — and the nearby Jewish Museum for a look at the Jewish role in Florentine culture.
Read Stuart’s blog post about “The Historic Fountains of Siena, Italy”
Wednesday, August 25, 2010 Siena
On your final day in Italy, Deluxe Kosher Tours will drive you to the pastoral center of Tuscany — Siena — noted for its Gothic architecture and idyllic beauty. You will be provided with an opportunity to see the splendid Piazza del Campo in the city’s centre, the Museo dell’Opera del Duamo, and the Duomo: one of Europe’s most striking and gorgeous examples of Gothic architecture. You will also spend time in the Pinacoteco — the painting gallery — to see paintings from the Sienese school. Before you leave for Florence in the afternoon, you will be taken to the town hall to see the frescoes of a variety of pre-Renaissance artists, including Simone Martini and Lorenzetti.
Thursday, August 26, 2010 In transit
Deluxe Kosher Tours will escort you to the airport for your flight home.
COST PER PERSON
$6,995 based on double occupancy (two to a room)
Includes air fare from: New York
LAND ONLY (no air fare included) – $5,995
ADDITIONAL COSTS
• Visa fees for non-US citizens (if applicable)
• Snacks or items of a personal nature
• Single Supplement – $1,595
HOTELS
2 nights in Hotel La Griffe
5 nights in Hotel Palazzo Ricasoli
2 nights in Hotel Saturnia
ITINERARY & HOTELS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
RATES MAY BE ADJUSTED IF THERE’S A FLUCTUATION IN CURRENCY OF MORE THAN 4% FROM JANUARY 1, 2010
RATES MAY BE ADJUSTED IN THE EVENT OF AN INCREASE IN AIRLINE FUEL CHARGES
Reserve a place now on this extraordinary trip.
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