Gil Tours Travel, Inc 1511 Walnut St. 2nd floor

Philadelphia PA 19102www.giltravel.com

Susan Engoltz215-568-6655 x253

1-800-223-3855 x253susane@giltravel.com

Exploring Jewish Spain with Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern

August 3-14, 2015

SPAINAfter the Muslim conquest and during the Christian Reconquest, Jews lived in Spain from 713 through 1492--and later as conversos through the 17th century, for almost a millennium. This trip will explore fascinating episodes of Jewish interaction with Muslims and Christians that shaped Judaic hybrid cultural, religious, and artistic experiences. Combining brief lectures and interactive text studies, this tour will explore the Golden Age of Jewish literature in Spain, including poetry of ibn Gebirol, Dunash ben Labrat, and Yehuda Halevi; prose of Yehuda al-Harizi; rational philosophy of Maimonides and psychological insights of Nahmanides. The participants will also discuss patterns of Jewish interaction with Muslim and Christian cultures, medieval violence, mass conversion of the Jews and the sub-culture of the conversos, the story behind juderias (Jewish quarters) and the expulsion of the Jews, ups and downs of the Inquisition-- and the legacy of the Spanish (Sefradic) Jewry.Conversations, lectures and discussions will be thematically linked to the specific localities and will provide a broader context and a deeper understanding of the the spirit of the sites.

The Crown Family Professor of Jewish Studies at Northwestern University where he teaches Early Modern and Modern Jewish History. He is a prize-winning author of six books who lectured on Jewish Sephardic experience in Jerusalem, Moscow, Lviv, Krakow, Boston, and Chicago. Currently he is working on a documentary history of Jews in

early modern world.

YOHANAN PETROVSKY-SHTERN, SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE (or rather ON-THE-WHEELS)

Land Only* Rates Per Person Double

OccupancySingle

Supplement$3998 $865

*including flight from Seville to Barcelona

Exploring Jewish Spain with Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern

August 3 – 14, 2015

MONDAY AUG 3

Madrid

Welcome to Spain

This afternoon a walking tour of Madrid will take the visitors though the city

center and the Recoletos area. Beginning at Puerta del Sol, we will walk past

the Monastery of Descalzas Reales, the San Fernando Fine Arts Academy, the

Spanish Congress, Lope de Vega house, Echegaray Street, Santa Ana

Square, Plaza Cibeles, Puerta de Alcalá, Recoletos Boulevard, El Retiro Park.

Welcome dinner.

O/N Madrid (B, D)

TUESDAY AUG 4

Palacio Real

Madrid Museums and Palace

Visit to Royal Palace and the Museo del Prado.

See the impressive Royal Palace (Palacio Real) as well as two of Europe's

grandest squares: Plaza Mayor, with arts, crafts and chic boutiques under its

arcades, and the Spanish version of Times Square - Puerta del Sol.

Continue on to one of the most famous art museums in the world: el Prado

with its priceless collections of Spanish art by Velazquez, Goya, Zurbarán and

El Greco.

O/N Madrid (B)

WEDNESDAY AUG 5

El Transito Synagogue Photo by Selbymay / Commons

Toledo

Full day exploring Toledo.

This day is devoted to Toledo, perched high on a hill by the Tagus River. With

its naturally fortified location, Toledo was once the true center of Spain, and is

widely considered a "pearl" for its subtle beauty. This city was also the center

for Jewish Spain, with a rich, creative heritage. You will feel this atmosphere

as you stroll through the narrow alleys of its historic section. See El Greco's

house, formerly the palace of the prominent Samuel Halevy (the Jewish

treasurer of King Pedro I, and architect of the El Tránsito synagogue).

Continue to Santa Maria La Blanca synagogue, later converted to a church,

and to the El Transito synagogue, which today houses the Sephardic

Museum. Enjoy dinner tonight in our beautiful parador.

O/N Toledo (B, D)

THURSDAY AUG 6

Jaén Aerial

Photo by Juan Fernandez / flickr

Jewish communities in Andalusia and to Granada

Úbeda and Jaén. To Granada

Heading southbound from Madrid, we will stop en route at Úbeda to see its

fascinating synagogue del Agua (Water). In 2007 a builder was about to

demolish an old house to build up some apartments for sale. While looking at

the old stones and rooms in the building he thought the entire structure

looked special and very unique. The old building in Úbeda kept one of the

better secrets of Spain….a hidden synagogue housing 7 wells with free

flowing water and a ritual bath in the basement. Ironically the building next

door to what now we know was a synagogue was the house of the head of

the Inquisition of Úbeda for centuries.

Later on, we will discover the Jewish Quarter in nearby Jaén. The importance

of Jaén’s Judería (Jewish Quarter) is highlighted by the presence of Hasday

ibn Shaprut, counsellor to the Caliphs of Cordova, promoter of Hispano-

Hebrew poetry, and a 10th century forerunner of the so-called “Golden Age

of Spanish Jews”.

O/N Granada (B)

FRIDAY AUG 7

Cordoba Jewish Quarter

Photo by Elliot Brown / flickr

La Alhambra

Photo by Javier Carro / Commons

Shabbat Shalom Cordoba

Visit the Jewish Museum. PM: Alhambra & Generalife, Granada.

Surrounding by mountains, Granada is easily one of the most spectacular

cities in Spain and Europe.

The Jewish Museum, which is called “The Palace of the Forgotten,” opened in

2013 and is housed inside the Santa Ines palace located in Albaicin — a

neighborhood in the city’s old center where many Jews used to live before

1492, when they were forced to convert to Christianity or flee.

The museum contains Judaica artifacts, archeological findings such as

ceramic utensils, furniture, artworks and other valuables recovered from

Jewish homes. The museum features the restoration of a mikvah ritual bath

from before the 15th century, which is among the few well-preserved mikvehs

from that period ever excavated in Spain.

Next is La Alhambra: home to Arab Sultans and designated a World Heritage

site by UNESCO, Granada’s massive Moorish castle was built over many

centuries. It consists of gardens, fortifications and sumptuous palaces. Its

splendor comes from the idea of recreating Heaven on Earth. The Alhambra

complex is designed in the Mudejar style which is characteristic of Western

elements reinterpreted into Islamic forms.

End the day in Cordoba.

O/N Cordoba (B)

SATURDAY AUG 8

Cordoba Mezquita

Interior of Mezquita

Photos by Nicolas Vollmer / flickr

Walking the Juderia of Cordoba

Visit Cordoba

Considered the most populous city in the World during the 10th Century as

well as the intellectual center of Europe, Córdoba was the former home of

many Jewish scholars and poets.

Córdoba thrived and expanded with its unique blend of cultures. These are

beautifully expressed with a visit to Mosque (mezquita), the most significant

Muslim architectural achievement in the Western world. This 8th century

structure was first a church, then a mosque, and today has a cathedral oddly

placed in its center.

Walk the street leading up to the Juderia, with its whitewashed houses and

colorful courtyards and shops. Though not Jewish in its current expression, a

few signs hint of the Golden Age of Jewish life. Note, for example, the tiny,

gem-like Synagogue, as well as the statue of the great court doctor and

Torah sage, Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon).

O/N Córdoba (B)

SUNDAY AUG 9

Seville Square

Seville and Flamenco

Transfer to Seville

Visit Seville´s Alcázar & Cathedral. Walking tour of Seville and tour the

imposing Cathedral, one of the largest in the world. Here, find the resting

place of Spanish Kings and Queens, as well as the impressive sepulcher of

Christopher Columbus.

Continue past the Alcazar Palace, still used as a residence for the Spanish

Royal Family, to the grand Plaza España, site of the pavilion of the great 1929

exhibition. Last but not least, visit the Barrio de Santa Cruz - the former Jewish

Quarter. We will also enjoy a traditional dinner and show of Flamenco

dancing at its birthplace: Andalusia

O/N Seville (B,D)

MONDAY AUG 10

Barcelona

This morning we will fly to Barcelona.

Enjoy a panoramic tour of Barcelona including Mountjuic Mountain & the

Olympic Port.

Afternoon tapas tasting tour on Las Ramblas, one of the most popular and

beloved streets in Spain.

O/N Barcelona (B, L)

TUESDAY AUG 11

Sagrada Familia

Photo by Andrew E. Larsen / flickr

Jewish Barcelona and Gaudi

Today tour through the centuries-old streets and alleys of the Gothic Quarter

of Barcelona. You tour will include an introduction to this former Jewish area.

Visit one of Spain's landmarks: the architectural masterwork of Antonio Gaudi,

known as the Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family). This cathedral is imaginatively

(some say eccentrically) conceived as a looming, magnificent sand castle.

Park Güell was commissioned by Eusebi Güell who wanted to create a stylish

park for Barcelona aristocracy. The park contains amazing stone structures,

stunning tiling and fascinating buildings. Gaudi´s dragon fountain at the

entrance to the park is iconic.

Gaudí was strongly influenced by natural shapes and used them in his work.

At the top of Güell park is a terraced area where you get a wonderful view of

the park and of Barcelona City.

O/N Barcelona (B)

WEDNESDAY AUG 12

Besalú old Mikveh

Photo by Arie Darzi / Commons

Girona and Besalu

Tour Girona Medieval town & Besalú old Mikveh.

Visit Girona, a charming example of Spain's quaint early-Medieval ambience,

and a reminder of the time when Jewish traditions bloomed. Girona was

once a link between the first Kabbalists of Provence and the poets and

writers of Córdoba and Toledo, also major Kabbalah Centers. Jewish settlers

came to Girona at the end of the 9th century, growing and prospering until

the Spanish Inquisition forced them into exile in 1492 - a span of 500 years.

Enjoy a visit to the Jewish Museum, and stroll through the "Call" (Jewish

Quarter), which still evokes this precious Jewish culture, an important part of

the Golden Age of Spain, together with the Great synagogue (Sinagoga

Major), one of the oldest in Europe, which has recently been restored.

Afterwards we will stop at Besalú town to admire its spectacular 11th century

fortified stone-bridge and the best and oldest preserved Mikveh in the Iberic

Peninsula.

Tonight enjoy a Farewell dinner together.

O/N Barcelona (B, D)

THURSDAY AUG 13

At leisure in Barcelona

Day at Leisure in Barcelona

O/N Barcelona (B)

FRIDAY AUG 14

Departure day

Departure to US or extension to Bilbao

Meals included as indicated:

B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner

***Note: All Itineraries are subject to change

Hotel List

4-star hotels ****, subject to availability

Innside Suecia, Madrid

Marqués de Casa Riera, 4,

28014 Madrid

Spain

Tel: (34) 912 000 570

http://www.melia.com/en/hotels/spai

n/madrid/innside-madrid-

suecia/index.html

Parador, Toledo

Cerro Del Emperador, s/n,

45002 Toledo

Spain

Tel: (34) 925 221 850

http://www.parador.es/en/paradores/

parador-de-toledo

NH Victoria, Granada

Puerta Real, 3,

18005 Granada

Spain

Tel: (34) 958 536 216

http://www.nh-hotels.com/hotel/nh-

collection-granada-victoria

Las Casas de la Judería, Córdoba

Calle Tomás Conde, 10

14004 Córdoba

Spain

Tel: (34) 957 202 095

http://www.lascasasdelajuderiadecor

doba.com/

Zenit Sevilla, Seville

Pagés del Corro, 90,

41010 Seville

Spain

Tel: (34) 954 347 434

http://sevilla.zenithoteles.com/

Avenida Palace, Barcelona

Gran Vía de les Corts Catalanes, 605,

08007 Barcelona

Spain

Tel: (34) 933 019 600

http://www.avenidapalace.com/en/

Exploring Jewish Spain with Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern – August 3-15, 2015 PLEASE PRINT IN BLOCK LETTERS.

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS

PAYMENTS: All reservations forms must be accompanied by a deposit of $1000 per person. Full payment is due by June 1, 2015. Checks for the entire package should be made payable to Gil Tours Travel. Gil Travel accepts Visa, American Express, Mastercard and Discover.

LAND ARRANGEMENTS: Sightseeing is included as per itinerary provided. Package is based on double occupancy sharing a twin-bedded room with private facilities including all taxes and service charges. Double rooms must be booked for two (2) persons. Gil Travel does not arrange sharing. Single rooms are available at an additional cost. Gil Travel reserved the right to substitute hotels according to availability with adjustment where necessary.

AIR ARRANGEMENTS: Packages are based on departure from specified gateway cities. Fares from other cities are available on request. Airfares are based on lowest available fares subject to change and fare restrictions. Deviations from the itinerary specified may result in a higher air fare.

TRANSFERS: Transfers are seat-in-coach basis unless otherwise specified.

NOT INCLUDED: Meals not specified in itinerary, all gratuities, airport taxes, optional tours, charges for passports, visas, vaccinations and inoculations, laundry, liquor, excess baggage charges, accident and baggage insurance, telephone or cable charges, private non-group transfer, items of a personal nature, and any items not specifically listed as included.

INSURANCE: Insurance is not included in any tour package. Insurance for

baggage, trip cancellation or medical emergency is available. INSURANCE

IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED AND CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE

AT WWW.GILTRAVEL.COM/INSURANCE.HTML

VISA & HEALTH: A valid passport is required for all participants. There is no Visa requirement for citizens of the USA for travel to Israel. Other nationals should contact the appropriate consulate for regulations. Please call a Gil Travel Consultant for Visa requirements for other destinations. Gil Travel will not process visa applications. No inoculations are required at press time for travel to Israel, but please check with local public health authorities for up to date information.

BAGGAGE: Baggage is limited to 1 piece of luggage per person on the tour, the total dimensions not to exceed 106 inches, and piece may not be larger than 62 inches or exceed 50 lb. One piece of carry-on luggage is allowed, the total combined dimensions not to exceed 45 inches. All excess baggage charges will be collected at the airport. Baggage is at “own risk” throughout the tour. Gil Travel is not responsible for lost or damaged baggage. Baggage insurance is recommended.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

Cancellations must be received in writing.

Cancellations received up to March 25, 2015– forfeit $10% of tour price per person

March 25 –June 3- forfeit 25% of tour price per person

June 3, 2015 to departure – no refund

Travel insurance is very highly recommended.

RESPONSIBILITY: Gil Travel is acting solely as an intermediary agent for the travel suppliers providing means of transportation, hotel and/or all other related travel services being purchased (the “Third Party Providers”). Gil Travel therefore, shall not be liable or responsible for any injury, illness, loss or damage to any person or property or additional expense involved with travel resulting from acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays, quarantine, strikes, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, diseases, mechanical difficulties, failure of any means of transportation to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transportation or hotel services or any other matter or event over which Gil Travel has no control; or (ii) for any state of quality, hygiene, political. Stability, cuisine, sanitation facilities, cleanliness, telecommunications facilities, methods of conducting business, emergency medical evacuation, treatment or medical services existing at any travel destination. By embarking upon his/her travel, the passenger voluntarily assumes all risks involved with such travel, whether expected or unexpected. The issuance and acceptance of any exchange orders or tickets shall constitute consent by the purchaser and/or passenger to the foregoing conditions. All exchange orders and tickets are also subject to such additional terms and conditions as the Third Party Providers may impose. Finally, Gil Travel shall not be liable for any funds received from the purchaser and/or passenger and paid over to any third Party Provider which subsequently becomes insolvent or files any bankruptcy or similar proceedings or fails to deliver services. SPECIAL NOTE: Delays, cancellations and overbooking by participating Third Party Providers may occur on air flights, cruises and land reservations. While Gil Travel will do its utmost to avoid these inconveniences, it shall not be liable or responsible for the acts or omissions of such Third Party Providers. Gil Travel reserves the right (i) to cancel any tour, substitute hotels and make such alterations in tour itineraries as may be necessary or desirable for the convenience of the parties and the proper carrying out of the tour(s); and (ii) to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of any tour. All additional cost, if necessary, shall be the passenger’s responsibility. In addition, Gil Travel may cancel any tour prior to departure. In such a case, a full refund of all payments will constitute full settlement with the passenger and/or purchaser of the tour. All disputes arising under, in connection with, or incident to this agreement shall be litigated, if at all, in and before a court located in the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, and in the courts of no other city, state or country. Retention of tickets, reservations or bookings by the purchaser and/or passenger after issuance shall constitute consent to the above terms, as well as an agreement on his/her part to convey the contents hereto to his/her travel companions or group members.

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