Jewish Heritage In Italy

MISHKAN OR

Led by Cantor Sarah Sager and Rabbi Josh Caruso

April 28-May 8, 2025

Day 1- Monday, April 28 – DEPARTURE FOR ITALY - Departure to Milan, Italy to begin our adventure in one of the most charming countries: landscapes that will take your breath away, rich history, beautiful art, delicious food and rich Jewish heritage. Italy's beauty is unparalleled.

Day 2 –Tuesday, April 29 – MILAN - Arrival in Milan Malpensa airport and meet Nir and your staff. Departure to Milan City for a panoramic city tour. Milan is the business hub of Italy and the fashion capital. It is home to some of the most famous Italian fashion houses including Giorgio Armani, Prada, Dolce and Gabbana Versace. Beneath this surface energy lays an old city with a deep history that extends back through renaissance, medieval and Roman times. Check into the hotel and enjoy a welcome Dinner. Overnight in Milan.
Dinner & overnight: Hotel Type TOCQ or similar

Day 3 –Wednesday, April 30 - MILANO – our day will start at the Wall of the Dolls, an art installation designated to raise awareness of violence against women. We will then visit the Duomo (including entrance to the cathedral interior), we will visit Brera district, wander past fashionable stores and diverse architecture. We will learn about the history of the Sforza Castle, a medieval marvel dating back to the 15th century. Proceed to Binario 21 - The Shoah Memorial of Milan, located deep within the city’s Central Station. In the years 1943–1945, in this place, thousands of Jews and political opponents were loaded onto livestock cars, which were then lifted to the track level above and joined together into trains headed for death camps or concentration camps, both abroad and on Italian soil.
In the early afternoon, visit Modern Milan districts, the contemporary botanical gardens, see the space that houses over 100 plant species and enjoy the calming atmosphere. Next, explore the iconic Bosco Verticale buildings and study the architecture.
Evening: Opera show at La Scala
overnight: Hotel Type TOCQ or similar

Day 4 –Thursday, May 1 – CREMONA-VERONA - Morning departure to Cremona, Capital of music from the Violin Museum to the Auditorium and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. We will visit the violin museum that takes visitors through Cremona five-century history of violin making, the great masters and their violins. We will also visit a violin-making workshops. In the workshop we will learn how the masters make their instruments and you can discover all the details of the entire process.

In the early after we will proceed to Verona, the city of love and UNESCO heritage. It is famous throughout the world as the birthplace of Romeo and Juliet, but it also has much to offer. We will start our tour in Piazza Bra where we can admire the ancient walls of the Verona Arena, then we walk through Corso Porta Nuova, the shopping street of Verona, will take us to the discovery of Piazza Erbe. Visit the synagogue of Verona and meet local representative from the Jewish community. Proceed to Venice for overnight.
overnight: Hotel Carnival Palace – Venice Collection or similar

Day 5 –Friday, May 2 – VENICE - Full day dedicated to visits of Venice. For many, the most beautiful city in the world. In the morning we will visit the Jewish Quarter - Europe's first Ghetto. We will visit the Jewish museum, one of the most important Jewish museums in Italy in terms of the richness and quality of its collections. We will then proceed to Venice visit St. Mark's square. On the square are the Museo Correr, the Archaeological Museum, Torre dell'Orologio and the St. Mark's Basilica and the adjacent Dodge's Palace.

We will also see the famous bridges of Venice. The Ponte dei Sospiri - the Bridge of Sighs - was built in the 17th century. The purpose of this bridge was to connect the Doge's Palace with the new prison that was built on the other side of the canal. About halfway along the Grand Canal is the famous Rialto Bridge. This covered pedestrian bridge has many shops where you can buy your souvenirs. Back to hotel in late afternoon. Shabbat dinner & overnight: Hotel Carnival Palace – Venice Collection or similar

Day 6 – Shabbat, May 3 – FERRARA-BOLOGNA-MONTECATINI – Morning departure to Ferrara. Visit the MEIS - National Museum of Italian Judaism and the Shoah. The permanent exhibition of the MEIS, which is periodically integrated and renewed, tells the story and experience of the Jews in Italy from the first evidence in ancient Rome, the exhibition leads to the Renaissance and the cultural blossoming of Italy.

Proceed to Bologna - a city with many souls, in which history, modernity, tradition, culture and food and wine have coexisted for centuries. The statue of Neptune, known as the Giant, surrounded by some of the most significant buildings in Bologna: The Palazzo di Re Enzo and the Gothic wing of the Palazzo Comunale. Nearby is the famous Piazza Maggiore, the true heart of the city and the nerve center of social life.

We will then by ably to enjoy an ice-cream workshop where we will learn how to make a fruit sorbet, following a recipe, and produce it in the laboratory. At the end of the activity, comparative tasting of the gelato produced. (The activity is subject to 2025 schedule which wasn't yet published). Proceed to Montecatini. Dinner on own. Overnight: hotel Belvedere Palace or similar

Day 7 –Sunday, May 4 – FLORENCE - Full day dedicated to Florence the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Walking through the streets of the old Center of the city we will see beautiful historical buildings, palaces, museums, churches and gardens. We will admire the Baptistery, the Duomo-Cathedral, Dante's home, Bargello Palace and Piazza della Signoria. The sight of Palazzo Vecchio, a remarkable example of civil architecture - an open air museum with various masterpieces including the copy of Michelangelo's David. We will then continue to Uffizi Gallery for a guided visit of the museum.

In the afternoon we will walk to the Arno River, we will walk towards Ponte Vecchio and its gold jewelry shops and we will see part of the other side of the river.

Our tour will end with a visit of the Jewish museum and synagogue with its superb collection of artistic Jewish ceremonial items and offering breathtaking views of the synagogue itself and the roofs of Florence. Back to hotel in Montecatini for overnight.