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From $7,995
OVERVIEW
In collaboration with Jewish Heritage Travel we are excited to offer this tour of Spain.
This multi-city tour invites you to travel back to a time when Jewish culture thrived in Spain. Stroll through the medieval streets of Segovia, the walled city of Ávila, and ancient Toledo, Spain’s Jerusalem, as you learn about their rich Jewish history and legacies of scholarship. Meet Jewish community members in Madrid for exchange and conversation. Witness magnificent works of art and awe-inspiring architecture at museums, historical sites, and ancient castles and palaces. Discover Andalusia, the center of Jewish life during the early Middle Ages, with visits to magnificent World Heritage Sites in Granada, Cordoba, and Seville, as well as synagogues and other places of special interest.
While evidence of Jewish presence in Iberia dates back to at least the 2nd-century, it is the 10th to the 12th centuries that are regarded as the “Hebrew Golden Age” in Spain, when religious, cultural, and economic life flourished. During this period of Muslim rule, Jews, Christians, and Muslims lived side by side through long periods of relatively peaceful co-existence. In fact, until 1492 and the decree that changed history — expulsion, conversion, or death — Spain was home to one of the largest Jewish populations in Europe. By the end of World War II, there were fewer than 1,000 Jews in Spain. Only in 1968, when a new synagogue was opened in Madrid, did the government officially repeal the 1492 expulsion edict. Today, there are somewhere between 15,000 to 50,000 Jews living in Spain.
During our travels, we stay in three deluxe hotels, ensuring a maximum of comfort and style, including the magnificent 5-star Hotel Alhambra Palace with its spectacular Moorish architecture. You will also experience enlightening lectures and insights throughout the trip by accompanying scholar Raymond P. Scheindlin, a specialist in the encounter of Hebrew and Arabic cultures in Spain.
Departures
Duration
Highlights
Notes
Activity Level
Tailor Made
Itinerary
Program Cost: $7,995* includes:
10 nights’ accommodations at deluxe hotels
Full breakfast daily; three lunches; four dinners
All group transportation via deluxe air-conditioned coach
1st class train fare from Madrid to Granada
All lectures, guided tours, museums and site entrance fees
*Per-person, double occupancy; single supplement: $2,495. Fees not included: gratuities: $195. Museum membership for nonmembers.
Travel Note: Please plan to arrive in Madrid, Spain, on Monday November 3, 2025, and depart from Seville, Spain, on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
All of our scholars are outstanding experts in their fields and play an active role in helping us design our journeys as well as accompanying us as we travel.
Raymond P. Scheindlin, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of Medieval Hebrew Literature at the Jewish Theological Seminary and a former Guggenheim Fellow. Dr. Scheindlin’s main field of research is the encounter of Hebrew and Arabic cultures in Spain, especially as embodied in the poetry of the two traditions. His books on medieval Hebrew poetry — Wine, Women, and Death: Medieval Hebrew Poems on the Good Life, dealing with secular poetry; and The Gazelle: Medieval Hebrew Poems on God, Israel, and the Soul — reflect both the academic and the literary aspects of his career. He is the author of a widely-used textbook, A Short History of the Jewish People, and co-editor of The Literature of Al-Andalus and The Song of the Distant Dove: Judah Halevi’s Pilgrimage. His most recent book is Vulture in a Cage: Poems by Solomon Ibn Gabirol.
Ariel Goldsteinwas born in Uruguay, studied Latin American history in Montevideo and tourism at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. CEO of Tiyul-Jewish Journeys, he has led more than 50 tours throughout Israel, Europe, Persian Gulf, Latin America, China, India, Africa, and the US. Ariel speaks Spanish, English, Hebrew, and Portuguese and is the author of From Moses to Moisesville (2024).
Independent arrivals and transfer from the airport to the hotel, the Radisson Prado Madrid. Meet in the lobby at 3:00pm for the start of our trip.
We begin with a grand Neoclassical tour of Madrid including the Gran Via, Cibeles Square, and Puerta de Alcalá. We continue to modern Madrid, visiting Columbus Square, the Castellana and the financial district. We conclude our afternoon walking tour at Plaza Mayor, a pure example of the Spanish Baroque style, and Puerta del Sol, the heart of the city.
We return to the hotel for welcome remarks by our scholar and our tour leader and share a welcome dinner together at the hotel.
Meals included: dinner
Accommodations: Radisson Prado Madrid
After breakfast at the hotel, we take a day trip to Toledo, “Spain’s Jerusalem,” where more than 500 years ago, Jewish life, religion and culture flourished. Here, we visit the market, the Jewish quarter, the Samuel Halevi Abulafia Synagogue (which was later turned into the La Sinagoga del Tránsito Church), the Sephardic Museum, opened in 1971 and devoted to the Jewish cultural heritage in Spain, and the Santa Maria La Blanca Church. While in Toledo, we will see El Greco’s famous masterpiece, The Burial of Count Orgaz.
Upon our return to Madrid, we enjoy a lecture by our scholar at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodations: Radisson Prado Madrid
This morning, we travel to Segovia, most famous for its impressive Roman aqueduct, and an important stop along the Sephardic Way, “Caminos de Sefarad.”
Between the 13th and 14th centuries, Segovia had a large Jewish population of noble and more modest families. We explore many sites in the city, including the Corpus Christi church, which was once the main synagogue in Segovia; the Didactic Center of the Jewish quarter, opened in 2004 and located in the former home of rabbi and accountant Abraham Señor; the San Andres Gate of the medieval walls of Segovia, from where magnificent views of the Jewish cemetery can be seen; and the Museum of Segovia, with its archaeological, ethnological and artistic treasures.
We then continue to the ancient walled city of nearby Ávila, where Moses de León authored the Book of Splendor (the Zohar), the last part of the Jewish Kabbalistic mystic trilogy (along with the Bible and Talmud). Today, Ávila houses a Museum of Mysticism and a garden in tribute to de León. We tour the magnificent medieval city walls and walk through the winding streets of the former Jewish areas (Juderías).
We return to Madrid for a free evening on your own to rest or further explore Spain’s vibrant capitol.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodations: Radisson Prado Madrid
This morning features a visit to the world-famous El Prado Museum, which contains one of the world’s finest collections of Spanish, Italian, and Flemish paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries. We then visit the Reina Sofia Museum, which houses Picassos’s famed Guernica, among other great masterpieces.
Enjoy a free afternoon on your own.
In the evening, we visit Madrid’s Beth El congregation, started in 1991, and meet with Jewish community leaders.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodations: Radisson Prado Madrid
After breakfast at the hotel, our scholar provides an enlightening lecture, followed by a tour at the Plaza España, site of a monument to Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes, with statues of his renowned characters Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
In the afternoon, we travel by train to Granada in the Andalusian region in the south of Spain. After check-in at the Hotel Alhambra Palace, we celebrate a Kabbalat Shabbat together in a private meeting room at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Alhambra Palace
Enjoy a free morning in the enchanting city of Granada. Jewish presence in Granada dates back to at least the year 135. From 912 onwards, the Jewish population flourished and grew. Despite an anti-Jewish pogrom in 1066 that took the lives of 4,000 Jews, it is estimated that by 1494 the jewish population in Granada was around 20,000, although few traces remain.
In the afternoon, we walk to the World Heritage Site of Albaicín, the Old Moorish neighborhood, which largely retains its medieval street plan, and discover its cozy narrow streets and charming whitewashed houses, full of local color, historic sites, and ancient architecture. During the early Islamic period, from the 8th to 10th centuries, the area of the Albaicin was occupied by a primarily Jewish population.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel Alhambra Palace
After breakfast, we visit the Alhambra, originally the Moorish palaces of the last Muslim emirs of the Nasrid dynasty in Spain. A World Heritage Site, the Alhambra is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture and one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world, with exquisite tilework, courtyards, fountains, and gardens. In January 1492, the forces of the Catholic monarchs, King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile seized power and initially took up residence at the Alhambra for a time. It was here that the monarchs signed the Alhambra Decree, ordering the expulsion from Spain of all Jews who refused to convert to Catholicism. It was also at the Alhambra that Christopher Columbus presented his plans for an expedition across the Atlantic.
We then drive to Córdoba, where we take a guided tour of the city, once one of the world’s most renowned centers of Islamic and Jewish culture and scholarship, where, at one point, all the three major Western religions lived in relative harmony.
We visit the well-preserved Jewish Quarter, located in Córdoba’s historic center, including the Plaza Tiberias, Yehuda Halevi Square, named after a Spanish Jewish doctor, poet and philosopher, and a statue of the rabbi and philosopher Maimonides, born in Córdoba in 1138. We also visit the small Moorish-style building known as the Maimonides Synagogue, no longer functioning as a house of worship, but the only surviving synagogue in Córdoba. We also stop at the famous Cathedral-Mosque of Córdoba, with its 1,000 colored columns.
Afterwards, we continue on to the city of Seville and check in to the Hotel Casas de la Judería, where we stay the next three nights. Enjoy dinner and a free evening on your own.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodations: Hotel Casas de la Judería
This morning, we visit the historic Alcazar Palace, formerly the site of the Islamic-era citadel of Seville. We continue through the charming Santa Cruz neighborhood, formerly Seville’s Jewish Quarter, once known as the Judería, and explore its maze of winding alleyways, whitewashed facades, public squares, and remnants of the Jewish culture that thrived here, once the largest in Spain.
In the afternoon, we make our way to the Great Cathedral, a World Heritage Site and burial place of Christopher Columbus, with its famous bell tower, “La Giralda,” once a minaret for the Great Mosque of Seville.
After dinner on your own, our evening includes a lecture by our scholar, presented at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel Casas de la Judería
Our morning begins with visits to Seville’s Plaza España and the beautiful gardens of Maria Luisa Park. We then meet the extremely knowledgeable guide Moises Hassan, a Spaniard of Sephardic heritage, to learn about Jewish life in Seville today.
The afternoon is free to rest or explore on your own.
This evening features a flamenco show, to enjoy the unique art form developed by the gitano subculture of Andalusia, with a percussive dance style and emotionally expressive vocals.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Casas de la Judería
Today, we travel to Utrera, 18 miles from Seville, to see the remains of a synagogue only discovered in 2021, one of a handful of confirmed sites of medieval synagogues known in Spain. We also walk the charming Judería neighborhood. We then go to the picturesque nearby town of Los Molares and visit its majestic medieval castle and fortifications, dating back to the beginning of the 14th century.
Upon our return to Seville, we conclude our trip with a farewell dinner together in a local restaurant.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Casas de la Judería
Transfer on your own to Seville’s international airport for return flights to the US.
Meals included: breakfast
*Please Note: Daily schedule may be modified, subject to weather or unanticipated changes.
Payment Reserve your space with a nonrefundable deposit of $1,000 per person. Final balance is due 120 days prior to departure.
Membership Participation on these tours is a benefit for active members of JHT museum partners. During the registration process, you will be asked about your membership status with your affiliated museum. If you are not a current member, you will have a chance to activate your membership.
Participation Tour sizes are limited to 28 participants unless otherwise noted. Trips entail considerable walking including over uneven terrain. Participants need to be in good health, be able to keep up with the group, be able to experience group and cultural differences with grace. Please let us know if you have any physical conditions that may require special attention while on tour.
Cancellations All cancellations must be received by Gil Travel in writing. Cancellations received 120 days or more prior to departure: full refund less nonrefundable deposits, per person; 119–90 days prior to departure: 50% refund per person after nonrefundable deposits. 89–0 days before departure: no refund.
Trip Cancellation Insurance Gil Travel Travel strongly urges all participants to purchase travel insurance for coverage of losses necessitated by having to cancel due to illness or accident. For your convenience, we are providing a link to RoamRight, which many past participants have used. When purchasing insurance, please consider the plans carefully to familiarize yourself with what is covered. In this context, do take note that most insurance companies generally will waive exclusion for preexisting conditions only if your application is received by them within 14 days from the date of your program registration. If you have a preexisting medical condition and are interested in taking trip insurance, you should do so either with Roamright or through your own insurance agent within 14 days of registration.
Changes All rights are reserved by Gil Travel and Jewish Heritage Travel to make scholar substitutions and/or to modify the itinerary (including hotels) as needed. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate the program as planned; however, should unforeseen world events and conditions require the itinerary to be altered, Jewish Heritage Travel reserves the right to do so for the safety and best interest of the group. Any extra expenses incurred in this situation are the responsibility of the participant.
Disclaimer of Responsibility By registering for this program, participant specifically waives any and all claims of action against Gil Travel or the Museum of Jewish Heritage and the Jewish Heritage Travel office and their respective staffs for damages, loss, injury, accident, or death incurred by any person in connection with this tour. Gil Travel, The Museum of Jewish Heritage and the Jewish Heritage Travel office and their respective staffs assume no responsibility or liability in connection with the service of any train, vessel, carriage, aircraft, or other conveyance that may be used wholly or in part in the performance of their duty to the passengers. Neither will Gil Travel, the Museum of Jewish Heritage or the Jewish Heritage Travel office or their staffs be responsible for any injury, death, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity through neglect or default of any company or person engaged in carrying out the purposes for which tickets, vouchers, or coupons are issued. No responsibility is accepted for losses or expenses due to sickness, viruses, weather, strikes, wars, and other causes. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for any reason whatsoever to alter the itinerary or arrangements, including hotels or scholars, such alterations may be made without penalty. All rights reserved to require any participant to withdraw from the tour at his/her own expense when such an action is determined by the tour staff to be in the best interest of the participant’s health and safety and that of the group in general. Prices subject to change. Cost in effect at time of registration will be honored.
Are Kosher meals available?
While we do not offer Kosher food, we offer fish and/or vegetarian options at every meal included in the trip.
How many people will be on the trip?
On average about 24 people.
What is the age group?
55+
What is the makeup of the participants?
A good mix of singles and couples.
How fit do I need to be? How much walking is there?
You should be able to walk about two miles in a day, though not all at once. Please see the itinerary of the trip(s) you are interested in to get a sense of the schedule for each day. When there is free time, some choose to stay active, others to rest.
If you prefer more activity, many of the hotels we stay in have pools and fitness facilities, and some of our trips do offer the opportunity for more physical activity.
Are the trips accessible for people with canes, walkers, or wheelchairs?
People who use a cane to aid their walking have found our trips accessible. You still need to be able to walk about two miles in a day, though not all at once. Unfortunately, accessibility can be limited in the places we travel, making it too difficult for people in wheelchairs or walkers to participate in our trips.
Is the trip Shabbat Observant?
We normally have a Shabbat dinner together be it at a hotel or restaurant and sometimes at a synagogue. We do not have programming on Saturday other than perhaps a meeting with the scholar. In some destinations we offer walking tours on Saturday. You can refer to the itinerary of your chosen trip for specifics.
When does the program actually begin?
The Itinerary and Program Details section of the trip you are interested in will indicate when to plan to arrive and depart, as well as when the program begins and ends. Every trip includes a welcome session to get oriented and meet each other, the guides, and scholars and a farewell event to celebrate, reflect, and say good-bye to our fellow travelers.
Are airport transfers included?
Airport transfers are not included. Taxis, and often other transportation options, are available from all airports.
Are meals included?
The Itinerary of the trip you are interested in will indicate which meals are included on each day. For meals on your own, suggestions are available from the concierge at the hotels we are staying in. We encourage you to explore the diversity of local and international cuisines in the places we visit.
Are the trips only for Jewish people?
While the majority of our travelers are Jewish, our trips are for anyone interested in exploring the Jewish heritage of the destinations we take you to.
I’d like to explore my genealogy at one of the places you are going to. Is that possible?
Our trips are not designed for genealogical research. If you want to undertake genealogical work, it is necessary to do this on your own and would be best to plan for an extra few days before or after one of our trips.
How much free time will I have?
Please see the itinerary of the trip(s) you are interested in for information on when free time is scheduled for exploring on your own, resting in your room, engaging in conversation with new friends, etc.
Is there Wi-Fi everywhere?
While WiFi is available in most of the world, there are regions or locations where it is not as accessible. Most of the hotels we stay at offer free WiFi.
Accommodation
Housed in an elegant 20th-century building in the city center that was once the private residence of a Spanish noble family, the beautifully redesigned Radisson Blu Hotel, Madrid Prado, combines its grand history with modern touches, including Prado-inspired contemporary artwork. The hotel offers stylish rooms with luxurious bathrooms and an array of amenities, as well as an onsite restaurant and an Asian spa.
Located in Seville’s old Jewish Quarter, the Hotel Casas de la Judería invites guests into the classic elegance of the traditional architecture and decor of Seville. The hotel occupies what was once 27 individual homes, connected by passageways and Andalusan-style patios, with fountains, statues, columns, and period pieces throughout. Each room is unique, all with antique furniture, wood floors, and French windows and providing modern amenities. The hotel boasts a rooftop pool as well as a spa inspired by baths of ancient Rome.
Since 1910, the magnificent 5-star Hotel Alhambra Palace has provided elite European hospitality within the magical surroundings of traditional Moorish architecture, including intricate tilework, archways, and ornately carved walls and ceilings. Renowned for the panoramic views of Granada from its terrace, the hotel features bright and spacious rooms with large bathrooms and modern amenities, all steps away from the Alhambra.
*Star rating standards vary from country to country.
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