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Sunset over Florence
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Venice |
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Tower of Pisa |
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Arch of Titus
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Coliseum |
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Pitigliano |
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San Gimignano |
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Tentative Itinerary - subject to change
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Day 1
Monday July 9 Departure
Departure on your flight to Rome.
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Day 2 Tuesday July 10 Arrival to Rome
Arrival in Rome airport. In the afternoon, sightseeing in the stylish Trastevere, formerly the Ghetto area of Rome . The Tour will include the Jewish Museum and the Great Synagogue. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. Hotel Lunetta.
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Day 3 Wednesday July 11 Rome
Breakfast. This morning begin with a visit to the Colosseum, with its legacy of horrors and bravery as slaves fought for their lives to the roars of spectators cheering and booing. At this site, Dr. Shapiro will speak about ancient Jewish history in Rome , the oldest Jewish city in the Diaspora. Continue to the ruins of the Roman Forum, an international center which was filled with great palaces and all the pomp that we relate to names like Caesar, Nero and Cicero. See the Arch of Titus, which commemorates the destruction of Jerusalem and contains an image of the Menorah which was taken from Jerusalem to Rome . We will learn why the Menorah looks the way it does (in contrast to how it is portrayed in rabbinic literature) and what perhaps happened to the Menorah after reaching Rome . Later, drive to the Spanish steps and soon find yourself in the romantic setting of the glorious Trevi Fountain, beloved spot for many great films made in "Roma."
After lunch, enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore Rome on your own or join in an optional tour of the Vatican museums.
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Day 4 Thursday July 12 Rome- Pitigliano -
San Gimignano
- Florence
Breakfast. Depart Rome this morning and drive towards the hills of Umbria and Tuscany . En route, visit the remote town of Pitigliano , where Jews settled in the 16th century as anti-Jewish sentiment became stronger in the Papal States . Pitigliano became known as "Little Jerusalem" as the Jewish community grew increasingly prosperous throughout the following centuries. Visit the former Ghetto, Synagogue and Museum. Lunch boxes are provided this day. Continue along typical Tuscan roads to San Gimignano, known as the "Town of Towers ." With its narrow streets and picturesque houses, San Gimignano will leave a lasting impression of the richness of the traditional Tuscan and Italian culture. Later, continue to Florence and upon arrival stop on the hillside Piazza Michelangelo for an amazing panoramic view of the city below. Even the dome of the Synagogue is visible. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Regency Hotel
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Day 5 Friday July 13 Florence
Breakfast. Begin your walking tour of Florence with a visit to the Academy of Fine Arts (Accademia), home of Michelangelo's statue of David. Later, continue to the extraordinary Synagogue whose dome punctuates the skyline of the city. Visit the attached Jewish Museum with its fine collections. After lunch, continue on the walking tour and be inspired by the beauty of Florence as you walk the charming streets and great squares. Your tour will take you to pass the famous Duomo, via Piazza Delle Signoria to Ponte Vecchio. Return to the hotel in the afternoon. Celebrate Shabbat in Florence . Attend services followed by Shabbat Dinner.
Regency Hotel
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Day 6 Shabbat July 14 Florence
Breakfast. Attend services this morning. After lunch choose to relax or join a short walk to Piazza Delle Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery. Later, Seudah Shlishit is served.
Regency Hotel
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Day 7
Sunday July 15 Florence - Pisa - Sienna - Florence
Breakfast. Begin your day with a visit to visit to at Piazza Michelangelo for an amazing panoramic view of the city below. Even the dome of the Synagogue is visible. Next, drive through the Chianti District and arrive in Pisa , the town associated with Galileo and of course the leaning tower. Today traces of the Jewish past are seen at the cemetery and the Pisa synagogue. Unlike most other Italian towns, Pisa never had a Ghetto, but its Jewish population lived in different areas of the city. After a stop at the leaning tower, proceed to the historically important city Jewish city of Livorno where we will have lunch. From there we head to the hills of Siena for a visit to the picturesque town where Jews settled more than 800 years ago. After a visit to Siena and its fascinating Synagogue return to Florence in the late afternoon.
Regency Hotel
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Day 8
Monday July 16 Florence - Ferrara - Venice
Breakfast. Depart Florence and drive north towards Venice . En route Stop in the seaside town of Ferrara , where Jewish communities have been active since early medieval times. Tour the city including a visit to the Jewish Museum. We will learn about Rabbi Isaac Lampronte, who was a rabbi in Ferrara as well as a doctor. He authored the Pahad Yitzhak, the first Talmudic Encyclopedia. We will also hear about The Garden of Finzi-Continis, which was set in Ferrara. Lunch boxes are provided this day. In the afternoon proceed to Venice . Upon arrival to the floating city, transfer to a small boat and transfer in this romantic way to the luxury Dei Dogi hotel. The hotel is housed in a former prestigious palace in the lagoon of Venice . The hotel has a peaceful secret garden and it is located only a brief walk from the Ghetto. Dei Dogi Hotel.
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Day 9
Tuesday July 17 Venice
Breakfast. Today, enjoy the unique flavor of Venice as we sight-see this legendary city. Begin with a Tour of the Ghetto Vecchio ( Europe 's first official Ghetto). The tour will include the synagogues and the Jewish Museum. After lunch, continue by boat to the Venice Lido for an exclusive visit to the cemetery that has been in use for more than 600 years. Throughout the day we will learn about the many fascinating figures who lived in Venice and made it a center of Torah scholarship. Return to the hotel by the late afternoon. Dinner in a local restaurant. Dei Dogi Hotel.
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Day 10 Wednesday July 18 Venice
Breakfast.
Proceed on a tour to the area of Piazza San Marco with a visit to the Doge's Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs (with artwork by Tintorreto, Veronese and Bosch).
Continue, via Venice 's characteristically narrow streets and alleys, to the Rialto Bridge , which spans across the Grand Canal of Venice Island. Lunch boxes are provided this day. Return to Piazza San Marco and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to browse this unique town of bridges and canals. Choose to return to the hotel by the Vaporetta or browse your way back through the narrow streets. In the evening, farewell dinner in the Ghetto. Dei Dogi Hotel.
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Day 11
Thursday July 19 Venice - USA/Canada
Breakfast. Transfer by boat to the airport for your flights back to America or Canada .
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Flyer | Itinerary | Registration US | Registration Canadian |
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