ART, CULTURE & CUISINE: Portugal and Israel

Activities:

• Arrive at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto - Arrival at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto where you will be greeted by Puzzle International and Wild Douro.

• Transportation to Porto - Check-in at Vila Foz Hotel & SPA This hotel offers us a top-class location, care, and personalized service.

• Meet your guide in the lobby

• Explore the city of Porto - Nestled at the estuary of the enchanting Douro River, Porto proudly showcases a remarkable architectural legacy. As both the capital of the north and the second-largest city in Portugal, it has bravely weathered external challenges and the presence of foreign invaders, earning its illustrious moniker. Let's meander through the quaint avenues adorned with traditional granite residences and captivating landmarks. Our expedition will guide us to the age-old city center, where history gracefully unfolds at every corner. Unveil the intriguing Jewish quarters and fully immerse yourself in the city's opulent cultural tapestry.

• Time permitting- House of Filigree - The Museum proposes an immersive journey through the universe and history of the art of Portuguese filigree in a permanent exhibition entitled "Portuguese Filigree. From Technical Expertise to Elegant Usage ". With a collection of the most emblematic types of pieces dating from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, as well as a set of various tools used in their production.

• Lunch at Mind the Glass Bistro - With more than 600 wines, Mind The Glass is a popular a wine bistro bar. Enjoy a lunch of local food and wine.

• Guided visit to Kadoorie Mekor Haim Synagogue - The Kadoorie Synagogue is located in Porto, It is a remarkable architectural masterpiece and holds the distinction of being the largest synagogue on the Iberian Peninsula and one of the largest in Europe. Its construction, initiated in 1929, faced financial challenges, but in 1933, the project received a significant boost with generous donations from Laura Kadoorie's sons, honoring their mother's Portuguese Jewish heritage. The synagogue serves as the headquarters and vibrant center of the Israeli Community of Porto, founded in 1923 by Captain Artur Barros Basto, a champion of preserving the Jewish religion for the descendants of forced converts during the Inquisition. This extraordinary house of worship stands as a testament to the resilience of the community and is a cherished symbol of cultural and religious identity.

• Jewish Museum of Porto - The Jewish Museum in Porto is a significant cultural institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history and heritage of the Jewish community in the city. Through its exhibits and collections, it tells the story of the Jewish presence in Porto, highlighting their contributions and struggles over the centuries. This museum serves as a vital reminder of the importance of cultural diversity and the need to remember and learn from the past to build a more inclusive future.

• Return to the hotel and relax before dinner

• Dinner and Show at Casa da Musica - To conclude our artistic day, we'll have dinner at Porto's Casa da Música and then attend a concert at Sala Suggia. Casa da Música is a modern architectural gem that combines music, design, and cuisine, offering a unique experience for art and culture lovers. Its renowned concert halls host world-class artists, promising an unforgettable evening of music that transports you to new emotional realms

• Vila Foz Hotel and Spa

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Quinta da Pacheca- Harvest Day - Embark on an immersive Full Day of Harvest experience that blends vineyard charm, culinary delights, and wine exploration for a rich cultural immersion:
  -Start with traditional Portuguese snacks and vineyard essentials like a straw hat, scarf, scissors, and bucket. Then, join the grape-cutting tradition amid scenic vineyards.
  -Enjoy a Typical Harvest Lunch with daily-changing menus, fresh fruits, and wines.
  -Take a Wine Tasting and Guided Tour at Quinta da Pacheca to learn about winemaking. Participate in the Portuguese tradition of grape stomping known as "Lagarada," concluding with a Port wine tasting.

• Boat ride on the Douro River - Sail along the Douro River. Embark on a private river tour along the Douro, where we will have the choice to either immerse ourselves in nature, relishing the tranquility, and savoring the sounds of birds, or opt for an exhilarating party atmosphere. The boat is exclusively reserved for our group, ensuring an unforgettable experience tailored to our preferences.

• Return to Porto and have time to rest before dinner

• Dinner at Marta's House - Home hospitality-Marta and her family will graciously open their home to host a heartwarming dinner featuring homemade delicacies meticulously prepared by her husband, Ricardo. The ambiance of this evening will undoubtedly resonate, crafting a truly exceptional and cherished moment.

• Vila Foz Hotel and Spa

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel - Check out and depart the hotel

• Drive to Aveiro

• Tour Aveiro - Discover Aveiro, Portugal's 'Venice,' with its unique charm, rich history, and scenic beauty. We will explore the iconic Ria de Aveiro's canals on colorful Moliceiro boats, reminiscent of Venice's gondolas. Immerse yourself in local culture at the lively Mercado do Peixe and admire Aveiro's elegant Art Nouveau buildings at Arte Nova.

• Visit the Museu Vista Alegre - In Ilhavo, we'll visit the Vista Alegre Museum, a tribute to the company founded by José Ferreira Pinto Basto. This museum showcases nearly 200 years of the factory's history, its evolving collections, and its strong connection to the people of Ílhavo. However, the museum is just one facet of José Basto's visionary legacy. He created a city where workers not only worked but also lived, learned, and played, establishing an empire that even today grants baccalaureate degrees to royal families.

• Lunch at Costa Nova - Costa Nova, a fisherman village, full of beautiful houses. Costa Nova is the closest beach, Costa Nova is very pretty with its beachside strip of cafes, kitsch gift shops, and picturesque candy-striped cottages. This village is also well known for the codfish. We will try it here.

• Continue to Coimbra - Coimbra, the central hub of Portugal, is a city steeped in history and adorned with a vibrant heritage, embraced by the flowing waters of the Mondego River. Throughout the ages, a diverse array of peoples, including Celts, Romans, and Visigoths, have traversed its streets, leaving an indelible imprint on the city's fabric. Our journey will lead us to the Jewish Museum in Coimbra, situated within a square that once bore witness to the operations of the Inquisition, offering insight into the Jewish legacy at the heart of Portugal's central region. We will also have time to stroll through Coimbra and visit its main attractions.

• Head to Lisbon - Check into your hotel

• Dinner at Vinho Fado - Experience Portugal's traditional Fado music at Lisbon's Sr. Vinho Fado restaurant. Enjoy a cozy, elegant atmosphere and savor authentic Portuguese cuisine. Delight in local flavors while listening to soulful Fado melodies performed by talented artists.

• The One Palacio da Anunciada

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Lisbon City Tour - Our expedition begins in the heart of the city with a tour focusing on the history of Sephardic Jews. The tour winds through charming neighborhoods, revealing ancient passageways, plazas, and the remarkable Shaare Tikva Synagogue. Inside, its architecture reflects the enduring spirit of the community. Exploring further, we delve into the Alfama district, where traces of Jewish presence remain. Narrow alleys and tucked corners evoke the challenges of history. Vestiges of homes, businesses, and gathering spots stand as testaments to resilience.

• Visit the Lisbon Jewish Museum - The Lisbon Jewish Museum enriches our understanding through artifacts and exhibits, vividly portraying the community's narrative. Our journey unveils the Monument to the Victims of the Inquisition, a solemn tribute to Lisbon's Jewish community and their strength in the face of adversity.

• Lunch at a local restaurant

• Farewell to Portugal gathering - We will meet in the hotel before dinner to engage in a discussion reflecting on our voyage and to bid our formal farewells.

• Farewell dinner at Eleven - For our final dinner, we've selected the Michelin-starred Restaurant Eleven in Lisbon. Known for its stunning views overlooking the city and the Tagus River, this elegant establishment, led by Chef Joachim Koerper, offers a sophisticated menu blending contemporary Portuguese and Mediterranean cuisine. Each dish combines high-quality ingredients with innovative techniques and artistic presentation. The attentive staff ensures a memorable dining experience, whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying Lisbon's culinary and cultural charm.

• The One Palacio da Anunciada

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel - Check out of the hotel

• Tuk Tuks around Lisbon - Tuk Tuks, those distinctive three-wheeled vehicles, have become an iconic and enjoyable way to navigate the picturesque alleys and hilly terrain of Lisbon, offering you a unique and memorable sightseeing experience in the heart of Portugal's vibrant capital.

• Lunch in a local restaurant

• Transfer to the airport for flight to Israel

• 23:30 VIP Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport - Your VIP agent will be waiting to greet you at the sleeve of the plane. After assisting with arrival procedures and collecting your baggage, you will be taken to meet your driver.

• Drive north and check into the hotel

• Mitzpe Hayamim Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Leisurely morning

• Visit the stunning site of Um el Kanatir and enjoy a pre-Shabbat musical program - The fascinating story of Ein Keshatot is intertwined with the basalt stones and the ancient melodies which come together in a unique musical experience in a magical atmosphere. Enjoy a guided tour that will be accompanied by stories, songs, melodies, and a meeting with a unique musician which will culminate in Kabbalat Shabbat in the ancient synagogue.

• Lunch and wine tasting at Kanatir Winery - Kanatir Winery is located deep within the rocky plateau of the Golan Heights, in a place where nature, beautiful landscapes, wildlife, and people all blend in perfectly. The grapes grown in the vineyards reflect the very special taste of the Golan Heights – mountain climate, cold winds, rough volcanic basalt fields with a rich dose of people, culture, colors and rich aromas. The winery is named Kanatir (arches) after the site of Um el Kanatir.

• Return to the hotel to freshen up for Shabbat

• Shabbat Dinner at the hotel

• Mitzpe Hayamim Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Options:

• -Agamon HaHula - Bikes & Golfcarts - The Hula Valley is part of the northern Syrian African Rift Valley which stretches as far south as Mozambique in Africa. Each migration season, over 500 million birds travel through the Hula Lake. This wetland paradise is the perfect stopover for small waterbirds, cormorants, herons, pelicans, raptors, storks, and cranes.

• -Walking tour of Rosh Pina - The earliest major wave of immigration, the First Aliya, created small agricultural colonies along the coastal plain. Rosh Pina, established in 1882 on deserted rocky land, was the first settlement in the Galilee. Walk along the historical main stoned paved street, explore the local artist's studios, and hear about the story of this place.

• -Hike in the area of Mount Meron

• Time to relax and enjoy the hotel's facilities - Take advantage of the spa for treatments, the pool, and the beautiful grounds of the hotel.

• Havdalah

• Dinner at the beautiful home of Chef Gadi Elias, a holistic culinary and cultural experience of Galilee cooking.

• Mitzpe Hayamim Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel - Check out of the hotel

• Depart for Haifa

• Haifa Arts Experiences - Each participant will visit one of the following museums, one outdoor arts experience, and have time for lunch in one of the markets. You will also have time for shopping in the galleries and markets.

• -Wadi Nisnas - Wadi Nisnas is a mixed neighborhood that captures the nature and atmosphere of the city of Haifa, full of narrow streets, picturesque stone houses. The market is the place to go for some of the local flavors: taste pastries, spiced tea, the best falafel in Israel, and strong Turkish coffee, along with aromas that will have your mouth watering.

• -Shuk Talpiyot - Shuk Talpiyot is a public market in the Wadi Saleeb area, housed in a historic building. The market offers farm-to-table produce, spices, fresh baked goods and also street-food stalls and restaurants.

• -Beit-Hagefen Art Gallery - Beit HaGefen is an Arab-Jewish Community Center which strives to establish a broad platform between and beyond the walls of the gallery. With an exhibition space, The Third Space – a place for education and art, and The Museum Without Walls – a platform for research and production of artworks in the public space. The museum sits on the intersection of three neighborhoods – the German Colony, Hadar, and Wadi Nisnas.

• -Pyramida Center for Contemporart Art - The Pyramida Center is a contemporary art center located in Wadi Saleeb and serves as a meeting ground for Israeli artists and their international peers. The center combines studios with a gallery and has as one of its goals to serve as a bridge between the art community and the general public.

• -Rova Hamadregot - Walk (down) the stairs pathway that creates the illusion of a secret passageway through the city and connects the Carmel Heights to the lower city. Pass by Haifa’s main landmarks and see the neighborhoods change and you descend.

• -Haifa Graffiti Tour - Graffiti has been part of the rejuvenation of Haifa’s Downtown and many other parts of the city. During the Walls Festival, graffiti artists from Israel and around the world painted full buildings and their influence spread throughout the city. What makes Haifa’s street art scene different? Find out!

• -Haifa Museum of Art - The Haifa Museum of Art, established in 1951, is in a historic building built in the 1930s in Wadi Nisnas. The museum is Israel’s third largest art museum and focuses on Israeli and international contemporary art.

• Druze cooking workshop and home hospitality - Together with your hosts in their private home, prepare stuffed grape leaves and enjoy a Druze dinner. Learn about Druze culture and history from your hosts and from the food you eat.

• Drive to Tel Aviv - Check into the hotel

• Isrotel Royal Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Begin the day at the Design Museum Holon with a meeting with Head Curator Maya Dvash and tour of the museum - Design Museum Holon is the first museum in Israel dedicated to Design. The building of the museum was planned and designed by Israeli architect and industrial designer Ron Arad in cooperation with Bruno Asa.

• Lunch and program with Minneapolis' Partnership in Rehovot

• Return to Tel Aviv

• Tishrey Bar Cocktail Workshop - Drink down a story of Israel! Travel the different regions of the country through the drinks. Through local spirits, quality Israeli produce, cultural design, and Israeli innovation, meet the staff of an Israeli cocktail 'start-up' and see how they translate this into amazing cocktails. Cocktails are mixed with Israeli alcohol, fruit in season, and wrapped into the Israeli story. You’ll have a chance to learn to mix the drinks as well.

• Dinner on your own

• Isrotel Royal Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Jerusalem will include some of the following:

• -Tower of David Museum - Visit the newly renovated and stunning Tower of David Museum which has pioneered the use of new and interactive digital technologies, games and apps that add a new dimension to understanding the site itself and Jerusalem as a whole.

• -Continue to The Four Sephardic Synagogues - Four medieval synagogues share a complex inside the Old City’s Jewish Quarter: the oldest, Elijah the Prophet synagogue, built in the 16th century; the Gothic-Spanish style Yohanan ben Zakai synagogue where Israel’s Sephardi chief rabbi is affirmed; the tiny Emtsai synagogue, built in between them; and the large Istanbuli synagogue, built to serve the community of Turkish Jews.

• -Explore Portugese High Holy Day music Sephardic Music at Beit Avi Chai or Mizrachi music revival at Feel Beit - Feel Beit is a cultural home for creating art, expanding perspectives, and imagining new ways forward for Jerusalem. "We are a group of Israelis and Palestinians who create art and music to bridge divides in Jerusalem. Everything we present is rooted in love for the diverse people of this place. We are driven by the conviction that when all else breaks down, art and music must break through." Mekudeshet is an award-winning, cultural organization that creates original art and music to reimagine Jerusalem from being a center of conflict into a laboratory for connections between people of all kinds.

• -Meet the community of Sha’are Ratzon, the only Spanish & Portuguese congregation in Jerusalem. - The congregation was founded in the year 5740 (1980) by the sons and daughters of congregations of London, Manchester, Amsterdam, New York, Philadelphia, Surinam and others. ​ In addition to holding services in the S&P tradition, we aspire to preserve and disseminate the unique traditions of the Spanish & Portuguese Jews. Meet members of the synagogue and hear about the history and culture of Portugeuse Jews in Israel.

• Tel Aviv will include some of the following:

• -Visit to a JAFI site supported by the Federation with a workshop

• -Time for shopping and exploring

• -Optional evening performance experience

• Dinner on your own in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv - Jerusalem bus to return to Tel Aviv after dinner.

• Isrotel Royal Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Special program at ANU Museum of the Jewish People - You’re invited to join a fascinating journey that portrays the story of the Jewish people through the generations and up to the present time. In June 2021, after ten years of planning and construction, this museum, the largest Jewish museum in the world, opened its doors. It represents all parts of the Jewish people and highlights the creative works and cultural riches of a variety of communities throughout different periods of history. This story is about all of us and each and every one of us is part of it.

• The Rosh HaShanah Seder with Foodish - Jewish cuisine, like the Jewish people, is a colorful mosaic comprised of countless varying flavors and techniques. FOODISH, the culinary arm of the ANU Museum, tells the shared stories of the role food plays in Judaism and Israel. We'll focus on Rosh HaShanah foods and, in particular, the origins and recipes of the Rosh HaShanah Seder. You'll leave with the tools you need to integrate this into your own Rosh HaShanah dinner.

• Free time in Tel Aviv

• Final dinner at Ewa Safi - Ewa Safi features Moroccan Soul Food

• Transfer to the airport