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From $7,450
OVERVIEW
In collaboration with Jewish Heritage Travel we are excited to offer this tour of Trieste & Croatia.
Experience the historic Italian city of Trieste, where East and West meet. Uniquely situated at the northern end of the Adriatic Sea, Trieste is a multicultural gateway to Europe where Judaism dates back to at least the 13th century, and a rich and influential Jewish community had a profound impact on economic, cultural, and intellectual life during the nineteenth century and the first decades of the twentieth century. Trieste is rich in history, art, and restaurants that feature a variety of cuisines, evocative of its multicultural history and composition.
Tour the coast of Croatia, where Jews of Sephardic and Ashkenazi origins have lived since Roman times. Discover the cities of Zagreb, where Jewish communities can be traced back to the 14th century; Split and its 16th century synagogue — still in use today; and Dubrovnik, once home to a significant population of Jews and conversos expelled from Spain and Portugal.
During this richly designed trip, you are invited to stay in iconic hotels, experience stunning views of the Adriatic Sea, and explore the vibrant cities along its coast. Throughout our trip, Professor Raymond Scheindlin provides historical and contemporary context through presentations and discussions.
Departures
Duration
Highlights
Notes
Activity Level
Tailor Made
Itinerary
Program Cost: $7,450* includes:
Eleven nights’ accommodations at deluxe hotels
Full breakfast daily; two lunches; five dinners
Entrance fees to all museums and sites on itinerary
All group transportation via deluxe air-conditioned coach
Group air travel from Zagreb to Split
*Per-person, double occupancy; single supplement: $2,450. Fees not included: gratuities: $195. Museum membership for nonmembers.
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.
Lucy Rapoport, trip leader, has guided and accompanied many previous Jewish heritage tours, all to great acclaim. Born and schooled in England before moving to Italy as a young adult, Lucy is fluent in Italian, German, French, and Spanish and has been a tour manager for over twenty years. Specializing in Europe, she has accompanied previous Jewish groups to such places as Lithuania, Krakow, Prague, Berlin, Croatia, Spain, Romania, Serbia, France, northern and southern Italy, and Sicily. With Lucy’s attention to detail, knowledge of history, and considerable expertise in guiding groups, participants will be well served on this trip.
Arrive in Trieste and check in to the deluxe Savoia Excelsior Palace Hotel on Trieste’s historic seafront. Rest and relax from the journey.
In the late afternoon, we’ll take an orientation walking tour of the vicinity, with its outdoor cafés and shops in the city center.
Our evening features a welcome dinner and opening talk by our tour scholar, Dr. Ray Scheindlin.
Meals Included: dinner
Accommodations: Savoia Excelsior Hotel
Become acquainted with the cosmopolitan city of Trieste, with visits to the San Giusto Cathedral, the Teatro Romano (ancient Roman theater), and the “Great Synagogue,” opened in 1912 and considered one of the most impressive synagogues of Europe. During the course of the morning, we will also make a stop at the Carlo and Vera Wagner Museum before breaking for lunch on your own.
Our afternoon features a short drive out of the city for a tour of Miramare Palace, the 19th century home of Austrian archduke Maximilian.
We’ll then enjoy a second presentation by Dr. Scheindlin, followed by dinner on your own.
Meals Included: breakfast
Accommodations: Savoia Excelsior Palace Hotel
This morning we visit the important Risiera di San Sabba Museum — a rice-husking factory that was converted to a Nazi detention camp used for the detainment and killing of political prisoners and as a transit camp for Jews, most of whom were then deported to Auschwitz.
The afternoon and evening are free for visiting sites of personal interest, and/or relaxing and enjoying Trieste.
Meals Included: breakfast
Accommodations: Savoia Excelsior Palace Hotel
Depart Trieste for Zagreb, Croatia, via Slovenia. En-route, we journey through Slovenia’s lush countryside, stopping in its thriving capital, Ljubljana, once home to a small Jewish community dating back to around the 12th century. Enjoy lunch on your own followed by a walking tour of the Old Town.
From Ljubljana, we continue to Zagreb, check in to our hotel, the elegant Regent Esplanade, and have dinner together.
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodations: Regent Esplanade
Our morning features a tour of Zagreb’s Mirogoj Cemetery, considered one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe, and housing around 1500 Jewish graves. The Jewish presence in Zagreb probably dates back to the 10th century or earlier, but following the expulsion of 1526, Jews were not able to return until two centuries later. Most of the Croatian Jewish population was eliminated during World War II.
We return to the city center for a tour of the “Upper Town,” dating back to the 11th century, including a visit to the Zagreb City Museum, which houses three surviving artifacts — a wash-basin and two memorial tablets — from the Zagreb Synagogue, demolished in 1942.
There will be time for lunch on your own, followed by an afternoon walking tour of the “Lower Town,” known for its eclectic architecture and featuring broad avenues, garden squares, and parks.
Shabbat dinner is included at our hotel this evening.
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodations: Regent Esplanade
The morning is free to rest, explore Zagreb on your own, and/or attend services.
The afternoon offers an optional private guided tour of the Museum of Arts and Crafts, with its own collection of Judaica.
In the evening, we have a presentation by Dr. Scheindlin, followed by dinner on your own.
Meals Included: breakfast
Accommodations: Regent Esplanade
Depart Zagreb for a short flight to the coastal town of Split, originally a Greek colony, where the Roman Emperor Diocletian had a palace built in 305 CE. Upon arrival, we have lunch and take a guided tour of the ancient coastal town of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From Trogir, we continue to Split and check into the five-star Hotel Park. Rest and relax before dinner at our hotel.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Park
We depart our hotel for a walking tour of Split city center, including St. Domnius Cathedral (said to be the one of the oldest cathedrals in the world), the Palace of Diocletian, and the ancient Split Synagogue. Dating back to the beginning of the 16th century and one of the oldest Sephardic synagogues in use today, the synagogue is situated at the entrance to the former ghetto on a small street called Židovski Prolaz (Jewish Lane), within the walls of the northwestern part of Diocletian’s Palace.
Enjoy lunch on your own.
The afternoon is free to explore Split on your own or take an optional visit to Krka National Park, one of 8 of Croatia’s National Parks, located around an hour’s drive away. The park is one of the country’s most beautiful natural attractions.
Enjoy a presentation by Dr. Scheindlin in the evening, followed by dinner on your own.
Meals Included: breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel Park
Today, we depart Split for Dubrovnik, described by Byron as “the Pearl of the Adriatic.” En route to Dubrovnik, we enjoy a spectacular drive along the Dalmatian Coast, including a stop for lunch in Ston, known for its restored 15th-century town walls, traditional saltworks, and seafood.
We arrive in Dubrovnik and check in to the deluxe, five-star Imperial Hilton hotel, located at the entrance to the Old Town and close to the ancient city walls, followed by an orientation walk.
The evening is free to enjoy dinner on your own.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodations: Imperial Hilton
We begin our day with a visit to the ornate Baroque-style Dubrovnik Synagogue, built in 1408, the oldest Sephardic synagogue in use in the world and the second-oldest synagogue in Europe. Located in what was formerly the city’s Jewish ghetto, its main floor functions as a place of worship for the High Holy Days and special occasions for the small local Jewish community. The synagogue is also home to a museum with centuries-old artifacts and ritual items from the city’s Jewish history, including a collection of Torah scrolls from Spanish Jewish migrants, a collection of menorahs, and numerous handicrafts, books, posters, photographs, and documents.
Later, we continue to explore the famous sites of Dubrovnik with visits to the Rector’s Palace, the 16th-century Sponza Palace; the Franciscan Monastery, originally constructed in 1317; and the Baroque-style Church of St. Blaise. In the middle of the day, lunch will be on your own on the historic Stradun, a limestone-paved pedestrian street running through the Old Town.
Enjoy dinner on your own.
Meals Included: breakfast
Accommodations: Imperial Hilton
This morning features a presentation by Dr Scheindlin and closing remarks, followed by private guided tours of the Ethnographic Museum and the Maritime Museum. For those who wish, there is an opportunity to walk the city walls and take in breathtaking views of Dubrovnik and the Adriatic.
The afternoon is free to rest or explore Dubrovnik on your own.
We close with a festive farewell dinner at our hotel.
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodations: Imperial Hilton
Individual early-morning departures for Dubrovnik Airport for return flights.
Meals Included: breakfast
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.
What Museum Memberships Qualify?
Museum of Jewish Heritage New York: $54
Holocaust Museum LA: $100
Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center – Nassau County: $54
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History: $54
*Membership # will need to be provided upon registration
Accommodation
The Savoia Excelsior Palace stands proudly on Trieste’s historic seafront just a few leisurely steps from the city center. The rooms have been recently restyled with a blend of classic elegance and contemporary details, with breathtaking views of the beautiful panorama of the Gulf of Trieste. From the Concierge to the 24-hour room service, from the Wi-Fi to the tranquil library, all the hotel’s amenities are selected and personalized to offer you an exceptional stay in unparalleled comfort.
Opened in 1925 as a refuge for passengers from the Orient Express, the stylish Esplanade Zagreb Hotel is an architectural gem. Located within easy reach of key attractions, the city’s most iconic hotel combines art deco glamor with every contemporary convenience. From imaginative interior decoration to the sumptuous marble bathrooms, each of the thoughtfully-designed and spacious rooms offers a high level of comfort in the heart of Croatia’s vibrant capital.
Claiming a prime position on the shores of the Adriatic, the Hotel Park offers extraordinary views and easy access to the remarkable historic Old Town. This completely renovated hotel offers superb standards and a unique and stylish atmosphere. The combination of premium materials, colors, and art deco style create a refined sense of luxury and relaxing effects with a touch of the Mediterranean past.
The spectacular setting overlooking both the Adriatic and the ancient Old Town, combined with flawless service, mark the five-star Hotel Imperial Hilton Dubrovnik as a landmark hotel. Housed in a historic building dating back to 1897, and built to take full advantage of west-facing views of the red-roofed glorious Old Town and the Adriatic, the location could not be improved upon. It is a very short walk to both the Pile Gate (the entrance to the Old Town), and the Lovrijenac Fort.
*Star rating standards vary from country to country.
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