A Jewish Heritage Journey through Italy - March 2009

Departure date: either March 16th or March 21st

Day 1: Arrive in Rome
Welcome to the Eternal City! You won't have to worry about a thing as you come off your plane. We will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the center of Rome. You can then rest up before joining your fellow travelers for a welcome talk and dinner.
Sleep in Rome

Day 2: Rome
Start the day with a visit to the ghetto where Roman Jews have been residing for 22 centuries! This is the only Jewish ghetto located in the same place since the Diaspora. Explore Rome's Jewish Museum, the magnificent Synagogue and the Ghetto itself. Taste the famous Pizza Giudia and learn a few words of Judaico Romanesco in the ghetto's Kosher Bakery. Visit the famous Arch of Titus, built to commemorate the victories that led the Romans to the conquest of Jerusalem and destruction of the Temple. In the afternoon you will visit the ruins of Ostia Antica, the port of the ancient Romans where a ---- century synagogue was discovered in 1961. Sleep in Rome

Day 3: Pitigliano and Sovana
This morning you will tour the great Tuscan city of Pitigliano. Inhabited for thousands of years, Pitigliano was once a sacred area of the pre-Roman Etruscans. After the Jewish expulsion from the Papal States (around 1579), the noble Orsini family gave Jewish immigrants the opportunity to establish themselves in the area. Homes and businesses were excavated into the friable sandstone called Tufa. In just a few years Pitigliano's Jewish community, residing mostly in the Jewish ghetto, comprised 10% of the total local population. During a walking tour you will visit these homes and then sample ÒsfrattiÓ -- a tasty pastry made with honey and nuts, at the kosher bakery. Next, you will hit the road towards Sovana, a small village that was once connected to Pitigliano by a network of Tufa canyons excavated approximately 2,500 years ago by the Etruscans. Today they are called Òvie caveÓ -- hollow streets. A walk through the countryside and down into the vie cave to the Etruscan necropolis is an unforgettable experience. Tonight you will return to Pitigliano for a special torch festival called the ÒTorciata di San Giuseppe. Sleep in Sovana

Day 4: Pisa
This morning you will depart for Pisa. After checking in at your hotel you will have time to explore the famed Piazza dei Miracoli, the Leaning tower of Pisa and the Pisa Cathedral which was decorated also by Jewish and Old Testament themes. Learn about the people responsible for the construction of these architectural masterpieces and the significance of the symbols they used. Tonight you will dine at a typical local trattoria. Sleep in Pisa

Day 5: Pisa and Turin
After a relaxed morning, you will depart for the northern region of Piedmont and its capital city Turin. Somehow lesser known among foreigners, Turin is a beautiful and important city that was once the capital of the Savoy Kingdom and the first capital of unified Italy in the 1800's. Turin recently attracted the international spotlight thanks to the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. After a walking tour of the city center you can sample delicious hand-made chocolates and meander through a few of the world's finest coffee and pastry shops. Sleep in Turin

Day 6: Turin and Casale Monferrato
A specialized art historian will introduce you to the history of Piedmont's Jewish communities and take you on an exploration of the beautiful Synagogue of nearby Casale Monferrato. In the afternoon you will have the chance to visit the Egyptian Museum of Turin, arguably the best Egyptian Museum outside of Cairo. Visitors are always surprised to find such an amazing Egyptian collection in Northern Italy. Tonight you will eat a few of the most refined dishes of Northern Italy. Sleep in Turin

Day 7: Ferrara
This morning you will reach the famed Renaissance city of Ferrara, a perfectly preserved historical centre and UNESCO World Heritage site. One of the most famous family dynasties in Italy, the Este's, made Ferrara their home and they spent a fortune building the Castello Estense here. After a visit to this amazing building, you will learn about the multifaceted Jewish past of the city, with a carefully crafted itinerary that will take you not just to the synagogue and Jewish quarters, but also to the cemetery Ð a tour truly full of atmosphere. Sleep in Ferrara

Day 8: Ferrara and Bologna
This morning you will explore the famed city of Bologna, home of the western world's oldest university. The city, inhabited 3,000 years ago, was once the 5th biggest in Europe after Paris, Florence, Venice and Cordoba. The medieval towers of Garisenda and Asinelli remain the symbol of the city and the charming "portici" (covered hallways) will take you back in time. Also, you will visit a portion of the former Jewish ghetto, and you will learn about the local food and specialties.
Sleep in Ferrara

Day 9: Trieste
Today the scenery will change drastically as you head towards Italy's extreme northeast and the beautiful city of Trieste, located right along the Slovenian border. An Adriatic harbour town that belonged in different eras to the Romans, Venetians and the Austrian Empire, Trieste has an intriguing past. Trieste didn't became part of modern Italy until 1920. During a visit to the romantic seaside castle of Miramare, you will hear about the tragic love story of Maximilian of Habsburg and his wife Charlotte. Next, you will visit the beautiful 19th century Jewish buildings of the city, and learn about the key role the Jewish community played in the years before and after World War II. Sleep in Trieste

Day 10: Venice
This morning you will be transferred to Venice for the final leg of your trip. After checking into your centrally located hotel, you can explore a city filled with hidden treasures. No matter how many times you've been to Venice, you will always discover a different angle and new treasure. Tonight you will enjoy an unforgettable Vivaldi concert. Sleep in Venice

Day 11: Venice
Today you will learn about the rich past of Jewish Venice. A specialized guide and historian will introduce you to the most important synagogues, share with you the history of Jewish Venice and take you through the Jewish Museum. The afternoon will be yours to explore the city on your own before joining your fellow travellers for a farewell feast.

Day 12: Venice
Your trip will end after breakfast. You can then plan to depart for the USA or indulge in a trip extension for more time in Venice or another exciting location.

Download Itinerary (MS Word)