An ancient discovery, a deep dive into millenary Italian Jewish traditions. Tracing the roots of the first pilgrims while going over the routes they followed from Southern Italy, where they first landed with ancient Greek settlers, up north until Venice, where the first Ghetto in history was established.
From the “heel” of the Italian Peninsula, Apulia Region, to the wonders of Naples and Pompeii, the Eternal City of Rome, Florence, the cradle of Renaissance, the jewish museum of Ferrara, the ancient traces in Padova and the mesmerizing, marvelous, Venice. A chronological revelation of the Judaic presence in Italy.
LOCATION INCLUDED IN THE TOUR
Lecce, Santa Maria al Bagno, Trani, Naples, Pompeii, Rome, Florence, Ferrara, Padua, Venice
Arrival by plane to Rome and then flight to Brindisi. Bus to reach hotel in Lecce. Overnight in Lecce in 4* grand hotel Tiziano or similar.
First learning stage: APULIA - the Greek origins. In this very place, together with Sicily, landed the first Greek settlers, finding in this new land former populations that quickly assimilated the Greek advanced culture. The flow of Greek population led to the arrival of the first Jewish pilgrims, coming from the Eastern Mediterranean.
With a full day of guided visit of Lecce and Santa Maria del Bagno we will step into the Jewish Museum and the Museum of Remembrance, getting to meet the managers of the museums that will reveal the millenary Jewish presence in the city of Lecce and the survivals of the area during the terrible Holocaust. Overnight in Lecce.
Transfer by bus to Trani. The local Jewish community will open for us the ancient synagogue displaying the area of the ghetto. Final transfer to Naples. Night in hotel in Naples at 4* UnaHotels or similar.
Second learning stage: NAPLES – From Samnites to Roman outskirts. Capital of Campania region, inhabited by Samnites and Greek merchant cities on the coast, until the arrival of the ancient Romans that fought against local populations until the 1st century BC. We will visit Jewish Naples and then transfer by bus to Pompeii to find the Jewish traces in the ancient Roman city where a renowned Hebrew community lived together with the Romans. Night in Naples.
Free day in Naples (possibility to enjoy an experience with the local community, on demand). Overnight in Naples.
Third learning stage: ROME – Titus and the Empire. Capital of the great Roman Empire, in its maximum expansion the city hosted up to 1 million people, many of which coming from Eastern Mediterranean as merchants or slaves. In Medieval times, although an official ghetto wasn’t yet established, Jewish Romans held much power through their careers as bankers and traders.
Transfer by private bus to Rome. Afternoon visit of the Vatican Museums with a Jewish interpretation of the Sistine Chapel. Night in Rome at 4* Donna Camilla VOI Hotel or similar.
Visit of the Jewish Ghetto with morning prayer. Afternoon walk with the visit of the center of the city. Overnight stay in Rome.
Full day in the Roman Jewish Archive to study the ancient books in the library. Night in Rome.
Visit of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum with the Arch of Titus celebrating the destruction of the Temple. Transfer to Florence. Night in Florence at 3* Hotel Arizona or similar.
Fourth learning stage: FLORENCE – Symbolism in Renaissance art and the power of bankers. The city of Renaissance par excellence. There is a strong Jewish influence in the artistic production of these times and the local ghetto testifies a strong Judaic presence in the city.
Visit of Florence Jewish Ghetto. Afternoon visit of Michelangelo’s David. Night in Florence
Free day at leisure in Florence (with possible experience with local community, on demand). Night in Florence.
Visit of Uffizi Gallery. Transfer to Ferrara. Visit of Ferrara’s Ghetto and Museum, one of the most important in Italy. Night in Ferrara at 4* Mercure Hotel or similar.
Transfer to Padova and visit of the Jewish monuments such as the German synagogue. Transfer to Venice. Night in Venice at 3* Ca Dogaressa or similar.
Fifth learning stage: VENICE – The first ghetto and the coexistence with the Doge’s Law.
Morning prayer at the synagogue. Half day visit of Venice. Afternoon at leisure. Night in Venice.
Full day visit of Jewish Venice, with the ghetto created in 1516, the synagogues and the museum. Night in Venice
Flight from Venice to Rome, and then flight to the U.S. End of services.
Tariff per person, starting from:
| Departure | Double |
|---|---|
| From 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 | € 2,800 |
The tariff includes
The tariff does not include
Duration: 11 days / 10 nights
from € 2,390 - Excluding flights
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
from € 2,800
Duration: 17 days / 16 nights
from € 5,590
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Milan never had a stable Jewish community mostly because for many centuries Jews were banned from the city until about the end of the XVIII century, when the first significative afflux of Jews from other parts of Italy and Europe took place. This continued until today, making Milano the 2nd largest Italian Jewish Community after […]
Premio Turismo responsabile Italiano 2011 
