The Jewish Heritage on the Iberian Peninsula goes back to the first century, still during the Roman Empire. Portuguese historians believe that the first Jewish people arrived in Portugal after the destruction of the second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE, during the I century and probably even before during the era of the Phoenicians. After the Romans, the land was attacked and ruled by the Germanic tribes, the Barbarians. In 711, Sefard (from Hebrew, meaning both today´s Spain and Portugal) was taken over by the Moors in 711.
They were Muslims from northern Africa, they were tolerant towards other religions, and the era was called the Golden Age, everyone lived together and flourished. After the so-called Reconquista, Sefarad was slowly gained by the Christians, between the X and the XII century. When the Kingdom of Portugal was established in the XI century, during the rule of the first Portuguese King, Afonso Henriques, Jews were given influential and important positions at the royal court. Continuing, up to the XV century Jewish presence was of a big relevance in Portugal.
Everything changed when the Spanish Queen and King issued the Edict of Expulsion. Thousands of Jews fled to Portugal, believing there they would be safe. Unfortunately, it only lasted 4 years, when the Portuguese king Manuel I signed an equal Edict of Expulsion in 1496. This was followed by the establishment of the Inquisition. From this moment the society is divided into “Old Christians” and “New Christians” (those forcefully converted and the following generations (also called in Hebrew: Bnei Annusim).
It was an amazing phenomenon when Jews were not allowed to practice anymore, but they did, however secretly in hiding. During the Tour you will learn a lot more about the Crypto-Jews, how kept Jewish religion and customs, passed only orally, as nothing written in Hebrew was allowed anymore. We will visit places, such as Belmonte, where Judaism was completely “underground” until the XX century.
They will visit some of the oldest synagogues (and secret Synagogues). We invite you to explore the Sefardic history and heritage, but the issue of Ashkenazi Jews coming to Portugal and creating their Communities will be one of our subjects as well.
Discover Portugal, its people, its history, and the culture, on a relaxed kosher tour, tailored to your needs and your pace, while tasting our gastronomy and learning about the Jewish roots outside the touristy areas
At Kosher Travelers, we’re passionate about travel. Like you, we believe in opening yourself up to new experiences and breathtaking vistas that will forever expand who you are and how you see the world.
Discover… That’s why we put so much care into giving our customers not just a vacation but a life-changing experience. On a Kosher Travelers tour, you can be confident that every detail will be taken care of, from A to Z. No worries, no stress – just sheer delight and the freedom to fully enjoy every moment.
Enrich… We know what’s important to you. You want not just memorable, but meaningful. A pampering, deluxe, full-sensory experience that also has depth and spirituality. That’s why we bring the Jewish dimension to our tours, wherever in the world they are and provide the highest level of kashrut and all the amenities required for the kosher traveler.
Connect… Most importantly, when you travel with Kosher Tours, you travel with family. We take pride in creating a family dynamic among our group members. Lifelong friendships have been formed on our tours!
Come experience for yourself the magic of a Kosher Travelers Tour!
Discover. Enrich. Connect. And give yourself the gift of a lifetime.
This Safari tour is available in a 7-night / 8-day package. This is not a group tour, and therefore you can conveniently reserve a private tour at a time that is ideal for you and your family/small group. Prices are based on a minimum of 2 travelers to guarantee departure.
Tours will start on a Monday at Kilimanjaro International Airport and end the following Monday at the Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Nof Ginosar hotel, is set on the shores of the breathtaking Lake Kineret with stunning views of the magnificent Golan Heights. The Hotel offers features spacious green landscapes, which create a picturesque backdrop to the nearby seashore and private beach. The varied activities, recreational options for all ages, and the attentive Kosher Travelers hospitality promise you the serene and joyful Chag you’re looking for.
On a Kosher Travelers Pesach Program, you can be confident that every detail will be taken care of, from A to Z. No worries, no stress – just sheer delight and the freedom to fully enjoy every moment. We’re passionate about hosting and creating the perfect Chag experience. We take pride in creating a family dynamic among our Pesach guests, and delight in the many lifelong friendships that have been formed on our programs.
Delight in an inspirational and fun Pesach that’s perfect for the whole family, right on the shores of Lake Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee) at the Nof Ginosar Hotel. Discover the inviting atmosphere of this bright resort nestled in a charming kibbutz. Boasting a private beach steps away from the guest rooms, choose your type of fun in the sun: a boat ride, lounging by the pool with its spectacular views of the Golan Heights, or cooling off with a dip in the lake. Indulge in the hotel’s delicious cuisine, and explore nearby picturesque villages. On Chol Hamoed you can visit the mystical cities of Tzfat and Tiberias, Mt. Meiron, Aqua Kef, Hamat Gader hot springs, numerous archeological sites, and more- all just a short drive away!
Come experience for yourself the magic of a Kosher Travelers Program!
Discover. Enrich. Connect. And give yourself the gift of a lifetime.
Join us for an unforgettable stay at Dubai’s luxurious 5-star Jumeirah Creekside Hotel. The hotel is located in the heart of Dubai, giving you easy access to numerous famous sites. Indulge in fine kosher delicacies, along with traditional Jewish cuisine, prepared by our in-house, gourmet chef. Enjoy a delicious breakfast and dinner in the hotel dining room, and refreshments throughout the day in the lounge.
Day 1. Tuesday September 17 – Lisbon
Arrival in Lisbon. Transfer to the hotel and Check in.
Welcome to Portugal at Shaare Tikva Synagogue including visit.
Lunch at the Synagogue or lunch boxes
Check in at the hotel.
Evening walking tour of old Lisbon: Explore the Jewish footprints of the city in the Alfama neighborhood, the Barrio Alto or the memorial of the massacre of 1506, while you discover the history of Lisbon and the most emblematic sites of the city.
Dinner at the hotel. Night in Lisbon
Day 2. Wednesday, September 18 – Sintra, Cascais, Lisbon
Breakfast at the hotel.
Half day trip to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril
Sintra is a charming town, full of well preserved medieval buildings, wonderfull gardens and great palaces. We will visit the most beautiful Royal Palace. There are proofs, that a Jewish Quarter existed in Sintra in the XII century, but the presence of the Jewsh there dates much earlier. A synagogue is mentioned in a document from 1407 as well as a Rabbi. In 1480 the Rabbi was Salomao ben Crespo. A name of a street still exists today: Beco da Judiaria, Judiaria meaning a Jewish Quarter. The Jews who lived there were: tailors, shoemakers, merchants and doctors as well as iron smelters. Sintra, is a picturesque Portuguese town 45 minutes from Lisbon. The variety of fascinating historic medieval buildings, including the best preserved medieval Royal Palace in Portugal, turned Sintra in a must-do day trip from Lisbon. Enjoy a guided visit and walking tour in the fairy tales streets of Sintra and its small Jewish quarter.
Continue to Cascais, exclusive coastal resort for Royal and aristocracy holydays and scenario for European intellectuals and spy games during WW2.
Lunch at Chabad House in Cascais and free time to explore the town
Return to Lisbon by 4 pm. Free afternoon in Lisbon.
Dinner at the hotel.
Fado Show. Night in Lisbon
Day 3. Thursday, September 19 – Tomar, Belmonte
Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
Daytrip to the central region of Portugal to explore the Jewish Legacy and its rebirth in Portugal.
Bus transfer to Tomar (2h30).
Tomar is one of Portugal’s historical jewels and was the last Templar town built and in the Xll century. The city grew even more just after the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 with the arrival of artisan and merchant refugees. The Jewish minority invigorated the city with new trades and techniques. Tomar has the best-preserved medieval Synagogue in Portugal. It houses the small Abraão Zacuto Jewish Museum, with interesting pieces related to the history of the Jews in Portugal.
Lunch in Tomar. Continue to Belmonte (2h15).
Belmonte is the last community of peninsular origin, dating from the 13th century and hidden for centuries, where about 200 Crypto-Jews survive. It is one of the only crypto-Jewish communities that has been recognized without the need to convert to Judaism in the 20th century. Today it has a synagogue, its own Rabbi, and its own cemetery. A living witness of the Iberian Jewish history.
Visit to Belmonte Synagogue and Jewish Museum, meeting with the President of the Jewish Community.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 4. Friday, September 20 – Guarda, Vilar Formoso, Porto
Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
Bus transfer to Guarda (45mins).
Short guided visit to the Jewish quarter of Guarda, one of the most genuine corners of the medieval city. The Jewish community in Guarda was for a long period one of the country’s most important Jewish communities, and also one of the oldest. In the old Jewish Quarter, inhabited by Jews, and later by New Christians, there are still marks of crosses in the doors that were a symbol of the Christianization of the houses, but they are also the testimonies of the “mezuzot” that every Jew had in his house.
Continue to Vilar Formoso – the Peace Frontier (30 mins), to visit the museum that honors the story of Aristides de Sousa Mendes and the refugees of 1940. Sousa Mendes was a Portuguese diplomat who save the life of many Jews by giving them visas against the policy of the Portuguese government. Recognized as Righteous Among the Nations the historian Yehuda Bauer characterized his heroism as “perhaps the largest rescue action by a single individual during the Holocaust.”
Lunch boxes in Vilar Formoso. Arrival in Porto and check in at the hotel.
Kabalat Shabbat in Porto Synagogue. Shabbat dinner. Night in Porto
Day 5. Shabbat, September 21 – Porto
Breakfast at the hotel.
Shacharit in Porto Synagogue, free morning
Shabbat Lunch
2h30 walking tour of the sounds of Porto: a tour around the hotel and the synagogue, and a unique opportunity to experience Porto in a new way, focusing on your senses. From architectural wonders to tranquil gardens, each location will reveal a new facet of Porto’s musical identity, so that the sounds of Porto will resonate in your memory forever.
Micha service and Havdala. Dinner at the hotel
Free night in Porto
Day 6. Sunday, September 22 – Porto
Breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing and walking tour of historical Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. Visit to the Clérigos Tower, the Lello Library, São Bento Station, the Ribeira of the Douro and the Bridge Luis I, the Rua das Flores, the wine cellars of Porto, while you learn about the history and culture of the city.
Lunch.
Free afternoon for shopping and explore the city on your own.
Porto kosher wine tasting in a Porto Cellar and dinner. Night in Porto
Day 7. Monday, September 23 – Coimbra, Lisbon
Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
Bus transfer to Coimbra (1h45). Guided walk in the city and the visit to the 12th Century University of Coimbra, one of the oldest in Europe, including the Palace of Schools (Baroque Library, St. Michael’s Chapel and the Royal Palace) and the Chemistry Lab (which belongs to the Science Museum).
Lunch boxes in Coimbra.
Continue with the bus to Lisbon (2h30)
2-hour Sunset guided Cruise in the Tagus river to see wonderful landscapes of the historical city center, passing by such sights as: the Commerce Square, São Jorge Castle, Alfama, National Pantheon, Santa Apolónia Station, Cacilhas, Christ the King, 25th of April Bridge, Tower of Belem and Discoveries Monument
Check in at the hotel. Farewell dinner. Night in Lisbon
Day 8. Tuesday, September 24 Lisbon
Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
Transfer to the airport
What’s not included?
Kosher Travelers is committed to providing all meals of the highest quality and under strict kosher supervision. We choose the hotels based on the hotel’s willingness and ability to accommodate our kashrut needs and/or the proximity to kosher restaurants if available.
In countries where such supervision is not available, we have a cook/mashgiach travel with us to supervise kashrut and prepare our meals.
The common denominator of our clients is Shomer Shabbat and kashrut. There are no religious level criteria to join our tours, cruises or hotel programs and we won’t ask you any questions about your religious observance.
We attract a diverse group of Jewish, English-speaking guests from across the globe, and encourage an accepting atmosphere among our group members.
At Kosher Travelers, we’re passionate about travel. Like you, we believe in opening yourself up to new experiences and breathtaking vistas that will forever expand who you are and how you see the world.
Discover… That’s why we put so much care into giving our customers not just a vacation but a life-changing experience. On a Kosher Travelers tour, you can be confident that every detail will be taken care of, from A to Z. No worries, no stress – just sheer delight and the freedom to fully enjoy every moment.
Enrich… We know what’s important to you. You want not just memorable, but meaningful. A pampering, deluxe, full-sensory experience that also has depth and spirituality. That’s why we bring the Jewish dimension to our tours, wherever in the world they are and provide the highest level of kashrut and all the amenities required for the kosher traveler.
Connect… Most importantly, when you travel with Kosher Tours, you travel with family. We take pride in creating a family dynamic among our group members. Lifelong friendships have been formed on our tours!
Come experience for yourself the magic of a Kosher Travelers Tour to Fascinating Japan!
Discover. Enrich. Connect. And give yourself the gift of a lifetime.
Recreation options for the entire family! Including outdoor sports facilities, a game room, a fully-equipped playroom, and a full entertainment program!
Delight your palate with delicious, healthy meals in the dining room and afternoon refreshments.
Dedicated day camp counselors and fun activities will keep your children entertained and happy all Pesach long!
The tour is perfect for couples, Singles fathers/sons, and good friends willing to share on a twin basis. The entire tour will be in English
We have planned an exciting, tantalizing, and uplifting program that will surpass your gastronomic expectations and introduce you to some of Israel’s finest wines.
We are looking forward to hosting you on these series of Ultimate Israel Food & Wine Tour. We’re thrilled that you will be joining us! Together with our resident wine expert and strategic affairs guide, David M. Weinberg, we will be with you every step of the way
The tour is perfect for couples, fathers/sons, and good mates willing to share on a twin basis.
Soak in Scotland's majestic scenery, ancient castles, and incredible vistas.
Experience a grand whisky tour that only Scotland can offer-with all your kosher meals provided.
Experience Iceland to the max without having to worry about your next meal. Our own mashgiach/cook will prepare fresh Kosher meals for us!
Be blown away by the breathtaking glaciers, natural wonders, and sci-fi movie-worthy vistas.
Love a good hike? A leisurely stroll in nature? This tour is for you! Experience nature's wonders up close.
The largest park in Italy awaits you for a day of unbridled fun. Combine a visit to beautiful Sirmione, a romantic and very characteristic resort on the shores of Lake Garda.
An adventure park on the edge of the Castelvecchio forest, with trails for children and adults, ropes and bridges, up to 60 meters high, for exciting adventures at all ages.
Dunes, stunning parabolic curves, and full-speed rides on 2-seater slides. An exciting track in contact with nature and the forests of this area.
Just 45 minutes from our hotel, you will have the opportunity to practice this adventurous sport safely on Avisio River, along Val di Fiemme. Kayaking, canyoning and tubing are also possible.
Located just 10 minutes from our hotel, Val San Nicolò is famous for attracting hikers and offering suitable attractions for children and adults, with varying degrees of difficulty.
This card allows you to use all cableways and chair-lifts in Val di Fassa: from Marmolada to Pordoi, Sella, Sassolungo, Catinaccio, Costabella, Lusia and Monzoni.
Only in Japan, you’ll find ancient customs and craftsmanship woven together with cutting-edge modern technology.
Be blown away by the breathtaking vistas, natural wonders, and sci-fi movie-worthy cityscapes.
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On-site recreational options for all ages, relaxing outdoor sitting areas, and sports courts.
A huge variety of adventurous Chol Hamoed day trip options close by!
Delight your palate with delicious, healthy meals in the dining room, and afternoon refreshments.
Hear Havana’s dramatic history and captivating story from our knowledgable tour guides.
Indulge in authentic Kosher Cuban cocktails and delicious cuisine prepared on-site!
Let Havana's undeniable energy take you over and revel in the change of pace and artistic flair of this intoxicating country.
Jet off to Brazil & Argentina and discover fascinating history, dramatic scenery, panoramic cities, Jewish communities, stunning sunsets, and much more…
Mr. Weinberg is an inspirational educator who combines strategic and political insight with learned Jewish perspectives. He is a diplomatic, defense, political, and Jewish world columnist for The Jerusalem Post and Israel Hayom newspapers, a prominent lecturer on public affairs, and an accredited expert on Israeli and kosher wines.
He studied international relations and history at the University of Toronto and Bar-Ilan University; Jewish law and thought at Yeshivat Hakotel under Rabbi Chaim Yeshayahu Hadari, and at Yeshivat Har Etzion under Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein; and oenology at the London-based International Wine & Spirit Education Trust, the world’s leading institute for qualifying sommeliers.
Since moving to Israel in 1990, he has served in several public positions. Among other, he was senior advisor to then-Deputy Prime Minister Natan Sharansky and founding coordinator of the Global Forum against Anti-Semitism in the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. He is married to Bonnie with six children and five grandchildren. His op-ed columns over the past 25 years are archived at davidmweinberg.com
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