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YOUR journey
J² crafts journeys of inspiration, education, and Jewish connections to Israel and worldwide. We are guided by a simple but powerful concept: No two trips are the same; each experience should be personal, meaningful, and backed by superb service. Travel is not just about the places you visit, but the connections you make along the way.
Active 
Art & Culture 
Food Tasting Tour 
Heritage 
UNESCO Heritage Sites
THE EXPERT
Program Itinerary
DAY 1
ON OUR WAY
Wed. Feb 12, 2025
- Depart the US.
Overnight: Flight
DAY 2
WELCOME TO SPAIN
Thu. Feb 13, 2025
- 10:15 a.m. Arrive at Madrid International Airport on flight IB 326 from John F. Kennedy International Airport.
- Meet your J² Expert Educator, who will accompany you on this journey of education and inspiration.
- On our way from the airport, stop at the Garden of the Three Cultures, symbolizing the long history in Spain of the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim civilizations.
- Check into the hotel.
- Enjoy the beauty of Madrid with a panoramic walking tour of the city, including stops at:
- Plaza Mayor, site of multiple "acts of faith"- the infamous "auto-da-fé" of the Spanish Inquisition.
- The San Miguel Market, where we will sample some of its famous tapas dishes.
- Puerta Del Sol, the center of the city.
- Proceed to Plaza de España, which features a monument to Spanish novelist, poet, and playwright Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the author of the immortal Don Quixote. Orientation dialogue with your Expert Educator, including an overview of your journey.
- Follow the footsteps of the Jewish community of Madrid, from the 9th-century old Judería to the 14th-century new Juderia. Along the way, we will also visit important monuments of Spanish history:
- Stop at Plaza de Oriente, which used to be the Old Juderia cemetery.
- Pass by the Royal Palace.
- Visit Catedral de la Almudena.
- Welcome dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Madrid
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3
TOLEDO - HERITAGE, CONTACT, AND CONQUEST
Fri. Feb 14, 2025
- Depart for Toledo, which remains much as it was in the 16th century, and begin with a panoramic tour of the city.
- Tour through the Jewish Quarter, including the Samuel Halevi Abulafia Synagogue. Following the Christian conquest of Spain, the synagogue was turned into a church known as Nuestra Señora del Tránisito, the Sephardic Museum, and the Santa Maria La Blanca Church (formerly the Grand Synagogue).
- Visit the Church of Santo Tomé which was constructed on the site of an 11th-century mosque. Among the many art treasures, the church houses El Greco's famous painting "The Burial of Count Orgaz."
- Take in the impressive 13th-century Toledo Cathedral. The Church is a mosaic of architectural styles. Its vestry hall is one of Spain's most impressive art galleries of old masters, with works by Velázquez, Goya and – of course – El Greco.
- Return to Madrid.
- Shabbat service at a local synagogue. After services we will join their communal Shabbat dinner and mingle with local youth.
Overnight: Madrid
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4
ZARAGOSA & ITS HOLY SITES
Sat. Feb 15, 2025
- Depart Madrid by train for a day trip to Zaragoza, a crucial destination for Catholic pilgrims.
- Pass by Aljafería Palace, a fortified medieval palace originally built as a Muslim palace, reflecting Zaragoza's Islamic heritage. Today, it houses the Aragonese Parliament.
- Discover the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar: this iconic basilica is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is one of Spain's most important pilgrimage sites. It features stunning Baroque architecture and frescoes by Francisco Goya.
- Roman Ruins of Zaragoza: Zaragoza was an important Roman city known as Caesaraugusta, and you can explore its Roman heritage through sites like the Roman Theatre, Roman Forum, Roman Baths, and River Port.
- Visit La Seo Cathedral: Also known as the Cathedral of the Savior, this building combines Romanesque, Gothic, Mudéjar, and Baroque styles. Its unique architecture and remarkable tapestry museum make it a must-visit site.
- Cross Puente de Piedra, a historic stone bridge over the Ebro River.
- Transfer to Zaragoza's train station.
- Return to Madrid by train.
- Ben Kodesh Lechol: Havdalah. Take time to mark together the ending of Shabbat and the beginning of the new week.
- Reflection session at the hotel. Where have we been? What do we think?
- Dinner at the restaurant.
- Evening Mass at the Catholic Church.
Overnight: Madrid
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5
CORDOBA - KNOWN AS "THE GOOD CITY"
Sun. Feb 16, 2025
- Check out of the hotel.
- Travel by AVE (high-speed) train to Cordoba, the capital of the Moorish Kingdom of al-Andalus.
- Drop bags at the hotel.
- Continue to the Jewish Quarter, including Plaza Tiberias and the Yehuda Halevi Square. Proceed to the Statue of Maimonides – one of the most important philosophical figures in Jewish history – and the Maimonides Synagogue.
- Special program and ladino concert at Casa de Sefarad, dedicated to the history of the Sephardic Jews in Cordoba and Spain prior to the Inquisition and the expulsion of 1492.
- Visit Cordoba’s famous Cathedral-Mosque with its 1,000 colored columns.
- Check into the hotel, followed by dinner.
Overnight: Cordoba
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6
ON SPANISH ROADS - CORDOBA TO GRANADA
Mon. Feb 17, 2025
- Check out of the hotel and drive to Granada, the last stronghold of the Moors before it fell to Isabella and Ferdinand in 1492.
- Explore Christianity and Islam with your Expert Educator, delving into the shared influences, historical competition, and instances of collaboration between these two religions.
- Stop for a visit to the “Jewish Necropolis” of Lucena, the largest Jewish burial ground in the Iberian Peninsula.
- The Granada Royal Chapel is a mausoleum built in the early 16th century, housing the tombs of Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II and Isabella I.
- Visit the Plaza Isabel La Catolica Y Cristobal Colon. The fountain square is dedicated to Queen Isabel and the explorer known in the English-speaking world as Christopher Columbus. Discuss the legacy of Spanish exploration, conquest, and empire building in the Western Hemisphere.
- Intro walking tour of Granada including the Cathedral de Granada, constructed on the site of the central city mosque following the Christian conquest of Muslim Grenada.
- Check into the hotel, followed by dinner.
Overnight: Granada
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7
GRANADA OF THE JEWS THROUGH 1492
Tue. Feb 18, 2025
- The Kaleidoscope That is Spain: Tour the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens. The palace exhibits Spain’s most significant and well-known Islamic architecture, together with 16th-century and later Christian building and garden interventions. The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Visit the Albaicin, an old Moorish neighborhood, with cozy narrow streets and charming white houses full of local color (now a UNESCO World Heritage site).
- Jewish History in the Shadows: Guided visit to the Realejo, the former Jewish Quarter and the site of the original town bearing the name 'Garnata al-Yahud'. Explore the meandering streets and traditional neighborhood, which have no tangible remains of the Jewish community, but a wealth of stories.
- Reflection session at the hotel, followed by dinner.
Overnight: Granada
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8
THE GLORY OF SEVILLE
Wed. Feb 19, 2025
- Check out of the hotel and drive to Seville.
- Visit Plaza de España, built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929.
- Snapping and Stepping: Participate in a flamenco workshop to learn the basics of this typical Andalusian art form.
- Cruise the Guadalquivir River with spectacular views of the iconic Torre del Oro, the majestic Triana Bridge, and other treasures that you can only discover from the river view.
- Check into the hotel, followed by dinner.
Overnight: Seville
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9
JEWISH SEVILLE
Thu. Feb 20, 2025
- Check out of the hotel.
- Pass by the Alcazar Palace, the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe.
- Continue to the Great Cathedral and La Giralda, whose bell tower became the city's symbol.
- Explore the Santa Cruz neighborhood, formerly Seville's Jewish Quarter, once known as La Juderia.
- Stop at the parking lot where behind parking space #63 is a 'hidden' memorial marking the medieval Jewish graves discovered on site in 1992. The graves are the only tangible site of what was once a magnificent medieval Jewish community.
- Afternoon AVE (high-speed) train to Madrid.
- Check into the hotel followed by dinner.
Overnight: Madrid
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10
LIFE IN MADRID
Fri. Feb 21, 2025
- Visit the Beth Yaacov Synagogue and the Museum of the Jewish Community of Madrid. This was the first synagogue built in Madrid since the Spanish Inquisition. Take a journey through the contemporary history of the presence of Jewish life in Madrid, from its beginnings to the present day, through photographs, images and graphic elements, and ritual objects.
- Visit the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, home to the famous Real Madrid football team.
- Let your taste buds loose on a food tour of Madrid's best tapas.
- Meet Spanish teens at a local high school.
- Shabbat service at a local synagogue. After services we will join their communal Shabbat dinner and mingle with local youths.
Overnight: Madrid
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11
SEGOVIA - SITES OF MEMORY AND WORSHIP
Sat. Feb 22, 2025
- Jews and Spain, One and the Same: Depart for Segovia, a microcosm of the story of Jews in Iberia, from Roman times until the Expulsion.
- Visit El Escorial, a historical residence of the King of Spain. It is one of the Spanish royal sites and functions as a monastery, royal palace, museum, and school; the site has been recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site.
- Enjoy the charm of Segovia with a scenic ride through its historic landmarks, including:
- The magnificent Segovia Aqueduct, constructed in the 1st century AD by Roman engineers.
- A breathtaking view of the Alcázar of Segovia, a royal palace and fortress that once housed the Castilian monarchs.
- The Walls of Segovia, which encircle the historic quarter and feature three iconic gates: San Cebrián, Santiago, and San Andrés, the gateway to the Jewish quarter.
- Stroll through Segovia's Jewish Quarter, a labyrinth of narrow streets that preserve the rich heritage and cultural history of the Jewish community, once a vital part of the city.
- Visit Segovia's Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and of Saint Fructus, Europe’s newest Gothic cathedral, is an architectural masterpiece and a significant center of Catholic devotion in Spain.
- Return to Madrid.
- Evening Mass at a local Catholic Church.
- Ben Kodesh Lechol: Havdalah. Take time to mark together the ending of Shabbat and the beginning of the new week.
- Farewell dinner at a restaurant.
- Final thoughts and feelings: Last reflection session.
Overnight: Madrid
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
Sun. Feb 23, 2025
- Check out of the hotel.
- Depart from Madrid International Airport on flight IB 211 from Madrid to John F. Kennedy International Airport, 12:30 p.m.
Meals: Breakfast
RATES & LODGING
Protect yourself from fraud by being cautious and vigilant when it comes to online theft. It is crucial to note that J² adventures will never send an email requesting you to transfer funds to a new account or to redirect a payment. We will never alter our account number or issue additional payment requests without first personally speaking to you and properly identifying ourselves. If you feel uncertain about any communication (scammers often impersonate legitimate companies via e-mail or by calling), halt and contact us directly through our toll-free number listed on our website to discuss any necessary payments. Refrain from responding to suspicious emails or clicking on links or attachments unless you are completely certain of their legitimacy. By following these guidelines and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of fraud.
participants
25+
Cost p/p in multiple occupancy rooms
$3,992
Cost p/p in single room
$4,782
* or similar hotels Registration closed
Madrid: Porcel Ganivet
- Nights: 3
- Hotel Website
Cordoba: Hotel Selu
- Nights: 1
- Hotel Website
Granada: Hotel Sabica
- Nights: 2
- Hotel Website
Seville: Don Paco
- Nights: 1
- Hotel Website
Madrid: Porcel Ganivet
- Nights: 3
- Hotel Website
What to expect
- 10 nights' accommodations.
- 10 days of touring with a J² Expert Educator and local guides, in an air-conditioned bus.
- 1 Group arrival transfer at the airport.
- 1 Group departure transfer at the airport.
- 1 Group train ticket from Madrid to Cordoba.
- 1 Group train ticket from Seville to Madrid.
- Daily breakfast, 1 lunch & 10 dinners.
- The J² adventures App available on the App Store & on Google Play (active 7 days before your departure and throughout your trip).
- All site entrance fees & program fees as per your final program.
- Credit card fees.
- Flights to & from Spain.
- Gratuities are excluded. For groups of 20+ participants traveling to Spain: We recommend the following guidelines for tipping (amounts are in US dollars): J² Expert Educator: $12 | Local Guides: $10 | Drivers: $5. Amounts are per day per person.
- Evening transportation except for Friday nights.
- Water on the bus.
- Porterage at the hotels.
- COVID related expenses, including tests.
- Amendments to the program: In the event that any sites, programs or meals etc. are added to the program, an additional fee may be required.
- Personal extras: Items of personal nature such as laundry, wines, mineral water, beverages, coffee, tea, food other than the table d’hotel menu, passport and visa fees, insurance, and foreign port taxes, unless otherwise specified.
- US and foreign airport taxes, Q fuel surcharge and border taxes when applicable.
- Please review our terms & conditions (T&C’s) or request that we send you our full T&C’s. Until you do that, here is the small print, and other stuff you may want to know:
- Validity | All prices quoted are based on exchange rates as of the proposal date and are subject to change without notice. Rates are per person and are based on shared twin room occupancy.
- How to Make a Reservation | The quickest way to make a reservation is to register online or contact us by email. We accept VISA, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards. A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is required in order to complete the registration process.
- For any assistance with this registration process or other trip-related queries, please email Customer Care: [email protected].
- Payments | The balance of your payment is due 90 days before your trip begins, or as specified in your invoice. You will receive an email reminder 2 weeks before this date. Various payment options are available as follows:
- Credit card | We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Please check with your credit card provider regarding international processing fees. We are unable to process payments of over $1,000 over the phone. Please submit payment online via a credit card or by wiring funds via your bank.
- Domestic bank wire transfer | Payment should be wired in the same currency that is listed on your invoice. Please add the name of your group or invoice number as a reference and forward a copy of the transfer receipt by email. The bank transfer should clearly state the beneficiary’s name on the wire transfer.
- J² Adventures reserves the right to automatically cancel your reservation on that date and it may be subject to reconfirmation should the final payment not be received.
- Cancelation Policy | All cancelations need to be made in writing. The cancelation fee depends on the date when we receive written notification of your request to cancel your booking. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable.
- Cancelation fees | Cancelations made 90 or more days prior to departure incur the loss of the deposit. Cancelations made 89 to 46 days prior to departure incur the loss of 50% of the full trip cost. Cancelations made 45 days or less prior to the departure incur the loss of 100% of the full trip cost.
- Cancelation fees may also include: Hotel or supplier cancelation fees. J² Adventures reserves the right to adjust its terms of payment, including cancelation policies and initial deposits.
- Protect yourself from fraud by being cautious and vigilant when it comes to online theft. It is crucial to note that J² adventures will never send an email requesting you to transfer funds to a new account or to redirect a payment. We will never alter our account number or issue additional payment requests without first personally speaking to you and properly identifying ourselves. If you feel uncertain about any communication (scammers often impersonate legitimate companies via e-mail or by calling), halt and contact us directly through our toll-free number listed on our website to discuss any necessary payments. Refrain from responding to suspicious emails or clicking on links or attachments unless you are completely certain of their legitimacy. By following these guidelines and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of fraud.
- Please click here to view our full terms (T&C’s). These T&C’s apply to all reservations created within J2 Adventures.
DISCOVER NEW WORLDS.
JOURNEYS.
A family vacation to Israel. An adventure of a lifetime traveling with friends to Morocco. A trip to Poland or Portugal with your community. What do these trips have in common? No matter where you go, you will come back with a fresh perspective and appreciation of the place you visited as well as a heightened awareness of your identity as part of the global Jewish community.
Stuff.
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