In the footsteps of Portugal`s Secret Jews
6-day tour departing from Lisbon
The Jewish presence in Iberia has existed long before Portugal itself became a country. The contribution of Portuguese Jews to the arts, philosophy, commerce and sciences helped create the rich cultural heritage of this nation.
Our unique tour focuses on places of Jewish interest, as well as the fascinating people who continue to contribute to Portuguese society. These descendants of the Inquisition, often referred to as Marranos, are now known as the B’nai Anusim (Children of Oppression). Forced to convert during those awful days, many secretly, and over the centuries, retained their precious Jewish practices, as well as pride in their true heritage.
Timeless landscape, well preserved heritage, hotels with character and a rare, inimitable Jewish experience will be the highlights of this tour.
Lisbon, a fascinating city full of contrasts and different surroundings in between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean, will be the first visit of our tour.
Not far from Lisbon, on our second day, we will visit a unique place. Many Jewish refugees were saved during World War II by the Council Aristides de Sousa Mendes. At the documentary Museum Espaço do Exílio, in Estoril, we may have the chance of meeting one of his grandsons. Our next halting-place will be the village of Sintra, a World Heritage Site for its rich artistic value and its landscape.
Évora, a millennial city which has its artistic heritage classified by UNESCO, will be our halting-place for the third day. In Évora several homes still bear signs of mezuzot, one of which has been identified as a synagogue. We will walk through the village in search of these and other vestiges that have lasted for centuries. Afterwards we will drive through the Alentejo plains to São Mamede ridge, discovering a landscape crystallized in time, where millennial vestiges from different civilizations persist. We will spend the night in Marvão, a geranium-filled walled village, perched on a high rocky peak from where one can almost touch the sky and which served as a defence fortification for people lost in time.
On our fourth day, walking through the narrow cobbled alleys at Castelo de Vide, we will travel back to the 15th century when both cultures, Jewish and Christian, coexisted side by side. Later we will visit Ammaia, the excavations of a Roman village, where the oldest Iberian Jewish vestige was found, a 2nd century stone from a ring, bearing symbols of Succot. At the end of the day, in Belmonte we will finally meet this unique community as we welcome Shabbat together at Bet Eliahu Synagogue. A diner gathering will follow where we have the opportunity of interacting with memebrs of this unique people.
On the fifth day we will explore this fascinating village.Cut in the granite, it has kept its medieval atmosphere with with a 13th century castle and a romanesque-gothic church.
Prices
- 6-day tour departing from Lisbon
- Price per person from €1.254
- Minimum Group size of 8 people
- Single Supp € 373
- Next Tour Date 21-26 September
The Tour includes
- 6 nights; 3 at Lisboa Plaza 4* & 3 at Historic Hotels 4*
- Breakfast daily, 1 lunch & 3 dinners (water, wine and coffe included)
- Private transportation
- 5 special visits by local guides
- All entrance fees
- Kosher wine tasting
The Tour does NOT include
- Air travel tickets
- Beverages not included in the meals
- Meals not shown in the price panel for each tour
- Items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls, laundry, etc)
- Gratuities to guides and drivers
- Personal travel insurance
- Visa cost where applicable
Highlights
Discover the charm of an Algarve away from the crowds – and be enchanted by the colours of nature and the echoes of an ancient past with our Mediterranean story.
Lisbon – a stunning city of light, of hills, of vivid history and a dazzling river. Our Around Lisbon Around Lisbon tour is the way to discover the unique character of this beautiful city and its rich hinterland…
