If you’re looking for both an exciting and educational tour, then we’ve got excellent news for you – Gil’s Senior Tour to Spain is not only entertaining and enjoyable, but it also offers a unique insight into the architecture, art, culture and cuisine of Spain, as well as an insight into the life of Spain’s Jewish communities.
On this ten-night trip, you will visit the historical sites, great architectural wonders, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, renowned museums, synagogues, Jewish Quarters, cathedrals, mosques and so much more. To top it all off, you’ll get to eat the tastiest meals in local restaurants. The experienced guides will make sure to make this already fantastic trip – unforgettable.
In case that this particular tour is not available at the moment when you wish to take it – worry not, as Gil will swiftly and happily make a tailored tour just for you, which can include the sites we describe here.
Madrid
Welcome to the magnificent Spain and the beautiful Madrid – a place like no other in the world, where you are guaranteed a pleasant and tranquil time. Do not worry about reaching your splendid hotel, as transfer to your accommodation is organized and waiting for you to land. The fun starts right away. As soon as you freshen up, you’ll go on a relaxing introductory bus tour to take a look at the famous Madrid.
For the rest of your time in the city, you’ll visit a number of must-see places, including the celebrated ‘Golden Triangle’ of art museums: Museo del Prado is the main Spanish national art museum and home to the Spanish art of the past 500 years, especially Goya, El Greco and Velázquez; Reina Sofia houses beautiful modern art from the past century, including Picasso and Salvador Dali; and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza houses art from medieval times to the present day.
Toledo and Granada
Another exciting day in Spain! In the lovely Toledo, you’ll visit the Jewish Quarter where the Jewish community lived in the Middle Ages, co-existing for centuries with Muslims and Christians, which is how the city got its nickname ‘the city of three cultures’. Your next stop is San Juan de Dios Street where Samuel Ha-Levi lived, as well as the 14th-cenutry El Tránsito Synagogue that he founded, which is today home to the Sephardic Museum. Finally, you’ll visit the beautiful Synagogue of Santa María la Blanc and the Famous El Greco Paintings in the celebrated 13th-century Cathedral of Toledo.
Afterwards, you’ll witness one of Spain’s most impressive sights – that of the windmills in the region of La Mancha. After stopping in Jaén and visiting Juderia, one of the most important Jewish towns in the late Middle Ages and the Old Jewish Quarter, you will visit Granada, its wonderful Fine Arts Museum, as well as the fascinating Albayzin neighborhood, which is a World Heritage Site.
Cordoba and Seville
From Granada, you’ll proceed to Cordoba to see one of the most stunning and exceptional buildings in the world – the Mosque of Cordoba. After that, you’ll see the gorgeous Alhambra, the most beautiful collection of Moorish gardens and the impressive 14th-century Palace. You’ll also wander through the Jewish Quarter of Córdoba and visit the Casa de Sefarad, home to Judeo-Spanish culture, history, and traditions.
This inspiring trip is not over yet. You’ll also go to the lovely Seville, where you’ll visit the magnificent must-sees: the Alcazar Palace, the Cathedral de Seville, Santa Cruz neighborhood, and the Old Jewish Quarter with its narrow passageways framed with orange trees, handcrafts and ceramics.
Barcelona
Time for another jewel in Spain’s crown. You’ll start with a panoramic tour of Barcelona including Mountjuic, a prominent hill overlooking Barcelona Harbor, followed by a visit to the 60-metres-tall Columbus Monument at the lower end of La Rambla, completed in 1888. Your next stop is the Sagrada Familia Basilica, a large unfinished Roman Catholic Church designed in the late 1800’s, the completion of which is expected by 2026. Proceed to Park Guell, which is a public park system composed of gardens and brilliant architecture created by renowned architect Antoni Gaudi. The park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, for some world-celebrated art, you’ll visit the Picasso Museum, which houses one of the most extensive collections of Picasso’s artworks with over 4,000 works.
This is not all Barcelona has to offer. Far from it. You will enjoy a nice walking tour of the Gothic Quarter which is a wonderful example of an old city, featuring a variety of architectural styles, historic streets, old palaces, and churches dating from the Middle ages. The Gothic Quarter was also once the home of a sizeable Jewish community. You’ll also find here the Joan Miro Foundation – a museum of modern art honoring the famous artist Joan Miro, as well as the iconic Barcelona Pavilion – the German Pavilion designed for the 1929 International Exposition. Finally, you will have a Shabbat dinner with a local Jewish Community.
