During the time of the Inquisition, the Jews living in Spain were forced to convert to Catholicism. Many of the Jewish families who converted kept passing on some of the traditional Jewish rituals. They are called Conversos. The other option was to flee. Many of those who opted to flee went to Istanbul and from there continued to the Holy Land. This tour visits the old Jewish neighborhoods and Madrid and Toledo and then continues to Israel.
Depart from the US. Arrival to Madrid is the next day.
Arrive at the Madrid International Airport. Welcome by a Faith & Heritage Tours representative who will assist with arrival formalities. Bus tour of the city and overview including stops at: - Puerta de Alcal (Alcal Gate), a monument in the Plaza de la Independencia, (Independence Square). - Plaza Colon, known for its unique statues celebrating the voyages of Columbus. View the magnificent fountains of Poseidon and Cibeles. Dinner and overnight, Madrid
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for a walking tour of the Old City. The history of Madrid's Jewry is much like the history of Jews elsewhere in Spain, consisting of periods of great development layered between periods of severe persecution. View the Moorish Walls that were part of the 9th century Arab fortress and the palaces that were built in the 16th and 17th centuries. Continue to the Plaza Mayor and bear witness to the many auto de-fe's (acts of faith) that took place. Lunch on your own. Afternoon visit to one of the world's most renowned art museums, the Prado or meeting in Tres Cantos, just north of Madrid, with a family-oriented ministry (subject to availability). Dinner and overnight, Madrid
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Toledo which remains much as it was in the 16th century. Tour the city, including the market; the Jewish Quarter; the Samuel Halevi Abulafia Synagogue, which was turned into the La Sinagoga del Tránsito Church (Synagogue of the Dormition Church); the Sephardic Museum and the Santa Maria La Blanca Church (formerly the Grand Synagogue). Visit the Grand Toledo Cathedral and view the painter El Greco's famous masterpiece, The Burial of Count Orgaz. Lunch on your own and free time in Toledo. Return to Madrid. Farewell dinner and flamenco show in Madrid Dinner and overnight, Madrid
Breakfast at the hotel, check out and head to the airport for your flight to Israel, arriving the same day. Arrival to the airport where you’ll be met by your tour guide. Head to Mount Scopus and the Mount of Olives, overlooking the Valley of Josafat. Arrival to the hotel in Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight, Jerusalem
Travel through the Judean Desert to Masada, the ancient fortress in the desert. Ascend by cable car or by foot to stop and visit the archaeological remains of this last stronghold of the Jews in their struggle against Rome. Visit Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and then enjoy floating in the Dead Sea, the lowest place on Earth. Return to Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight, Jerusalem
We start the day by visiting the City of David, the Hezekiah’s Tunnel and Gihon spring. Continue to Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Walk along the Avenue of the Righteous, which honors Christians who helped save Jews during the Second World War, and afterwards visit the children’s memorial. Continue on to the Israel Museum to see the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed, and a model of Jerusalem which is a faithful replica of the city at the time of the Second Temple. Dinner and overnight, Jerusalem
Communion in the Garden Tomb and visit to the Tomb of Golgotha, site of the crucifixion. We enter the Old City of Jerusalem via the Lion’s Gate. Walking tour through the Christian Quarter including the Via Dolorosa, to Mount Calvary. We continue towards the Damascus Gate, the Temple area and the Western Wall. View of the Upper Room and the Tomb of King David. In the afternoon, travel to Bethlehem, passing Rachel's Tomb, the Church of the Nativity and view of Shepherds' Field. Return to Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight, Jerusalem
Departure from Jerusalem with a view to Jericho, believed to be one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, and a view of the Mount of Temptation. Travel through the Jordan Valley to Beit Shean. Continue to Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee where you’ll enjoy a leisurely boat ride. We’ll then visit Capernaum, the fishing town where Jesus called seven of his disciples. The site includes St. Peter's house and the Old Synagogue. Proceed to Tabgha and the Church of the Multiplication, where Jesus fed the multitudes; then continue to the Mount of Beatitudes. Take part in an optional Baptism ceremony in the Jordan River at Qasr El Yehud. Dinner and overnight, Tiberias
Depart for the Golan Heights. Visit the Banias Nature Reserve with a beautiful flowing stream which is one of the sources of the Jordan River. Next we head to Safed, city of the Kabbalah. Visit ancient synagogues and artists' colony. Continue via Cana of the Galilee to Nazareth to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, St. Joseph's carpentry and the Fountain of the Virgin. Dinner and overnight, Tiberias
Drive to the city of Acre to visit the ancient fortress of the Crusaders. Enjoy a tour of Haifa including the Bahai Temple and the Persian gardens. Visit Muhraka where Elias overcame the Priests of Baal. Visit Megiddo and the Valley of Armageddon. Quick visit of Caesarea, from where Paul sailed to spread The Word. Arrive to Tel Aviv. Farewell dinner at the hotel. Dinner and overnight, Tel Aviv
Transfer to the airport. Arrival to the US is the same day.
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