Tour operates with a Minimum of 4 passengers
DAY 1 - Sunday
FLIGHT TO ITALY
Overnight flight to an exciting trip to Rome for a Bar Mitzvah celebration! Rome is a city rich in history, culture, and stunning architecture. While Rome is not traditionally known for its large Jewish community compared to some other cities, it does have a Jewish quarter, known as the Roman Ghetto, with several synagogues and kosher restaurants. Meals on board your flight.
DAY 2 - Monday
BENVENUTI A TUTTI! WELCOME TO BELLA ROMA!
On arrival at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino airport you will be warmly greeted by your English-speaking tour representative who will escort you to your hotel. Check-in begins at 2PM. Depending on your arrival time, you may have some time to familiarize yourself with some of its highlights. This evening we invite you to a welcome dinner at one of the local Kosher restaurants. Overnight in Rome. (Meal: Dinner)
DAY 3 - Tuesday
ROME
After a sumptuous buffet breakfast visit the Vatican Museums, one of the cornerstones of Rome. After a special Jewish reading in the Sistine Chapel take a few minutes to look for the seven Hebrew prophets in Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes. Following lunch on your own in a local restaurant, visit one of the best, yet least-known attractions in the city, the walled and crowded Ghetto of Rome. Moving along we arrive at the ornate and massive Tempio Maggiore di Roma, the principal synagogue of Rome, one of the largest synagogues in Europe built between 1901 and 1904. Beneath the Great Synagogue is the Museo Hebraic di Roma, the Jewish Museum of Rome, host to several exhibits highlighting the connection between the Jewish people and Rome. Their history is depicted in its magnificent collection of silverware and precious textiles from all over Europe, marble carvings that once decorated the Cinque Scole, the five synagogues of the Ghetto demolished in the 19th century as well as miniature parchments. Overnight in Rome. (Meals: Breakfast)
DAY 4 - Wednesday
ROME DAY AT LEISURE
After breakfast, a day at leisure for everyone. Time to do some great shopping and explore the city on your own. Overnight in Rome. (Meal: Breakfast)
DAY 5 - Thursday
ROME | DAY OF BAR-BAT MITZVAH
TODAY IS YOUR BAR/BAT MITZVAH DAY.
This morning you will meet your Rabbi for your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony at one of Rome’s synagogues. Following the ceremony, we are inviting you to a Kosher restaurant/catering to celebrate your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Continue your day with a unique Virtual Reality experience: Wearing Samsung Gear glasses uncover the history and culture of Ancient Rome experiencing the Colosseum like never before. Relive the history of the ancient world while a multilingual narrative voice coupled with epic background music brings it all to life. See the Roman Forum, the marketplace of ancient Rome, and the nearby Palatine Hill, the centermost of the Seven Hills of Rome. Overnight in Rome.
(Meals: Breakfast & Bar/Bat Mitzvah lunch)
DAY 6 - Friday
ROME | BOLOGNA | PARMA | MODENA | BOLOGNA
Morning transfer to the Rome Railway Station to board the fast train to Bologna (about 2h30). On arrival a private coach transfers to Parma (famous for its Parmesan cheese). Lunch on your own.
In the afternoon a local guide joins us as we visit the Synagogue Comunita' Ebraica Di Parma and the Biblioteca Palatina, home to the largest collection of Hebrew Manuscripts in Italy. Although the community is small today, it is active. Proceed to Modena on the south side of the Po Valley to see the recently restored Synagogue opened in 1873, the remains of the Jewish Ghetto, and the Este Library housing important Jewish manuscripts.
Overnight in Bologna. (Meals: Breakfast)
DAY 7 - Saturday
FERRARI MUSEUM AND FACTORY
After breakfast, we headed back to Modena to explore the Ferrari Museum and the Fiorano test track. This unique experience retells the story of one of the most prestigious automobile houses in Italy and showcases some of the most beautiful cars ever built. See the collection of race trophies, photographs, and multimedia displays. Admire many of Ferrari’s most iconic cars throughout its history including the single-seater that won Ferrari its first world championship in 1951 and Formula 1 car driven by retired former German racing driver Michael Schumacher. Now to test your skills - a car simulator has been designed and engineered to let users experience driving on the Monza track and to step inside the reconstruction of an impressive pit stop. Although the Ferrari factory is not open to the public (unless you own a Ferrari), visitors can spend some time in the Ferrari Store purchasing official merchandise.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Bologna historical center and Jewish Quarter, walking through the narrow streets full of history. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Bologna. (Meals: Breakfast)
DAY 8 - Sunday
FERRARA | PADUA | VENICE | THE GELATO EXPERIENCE
A private coach takes us to the Carpigiani Museum, a Gelato Museum, the only one of its kind in the world, where we will learn about the history of artisan gelato. The “smaller explorers” have time to create their own ice cream masterpieces according to ancient recipes as members of the Maestro Gelato University. Parents learn the basic techniques of ice cream production and test their skills on how to make it at home!
In the afternoon continue to Ferrara located in the Emilia-Romagna region, known as a City of Renaissance, defined by the d’Este dynasty. Our day ends in Venice, the city of canals. A water taxi transfers us to our hotel. Overnight in Venice. (Meals: Breakfast)
DAY 9 - Monday
EXPLORE VENICE BY A GAME
After breakfast, we set off on a guided tour of the Jewish Ghetto featuring the Jewish Museum, Museo Ebraico di Venezia. Situated in the Campo of the Ghetto Novo between the two oldest Venetian synagogues, this little but very rich museum was founded in 1953 by the Jewish Community of Venice and showcases important examples of goldsmith and textile manufacture made between the 16th and the 19th centuries, ancient books and manuscripts and some objects used in the most important moments of the cycle of civil and religious life.
The best way to explore Venice is to play a family game through the streets of the historic center, discovering hidden gems, amazing monuments, breathtaking sites, and interesting secrets. Led by a local assistant acting as the hunt master, you will be asked questions, provided with clues and hints, and finally awarded a prize. Phones are used only to take pictures. The hunt is based on building a team, having some fun together and seeing the highlights of the city. Taking a minimum of 3 hours, the winning team receives a Venetian prize!
Overnight Venice. (Breakfast)
NOTE - Kids under 18 must be accompanied by adults.
DAY 10 - Tuesday
VENICE | CONEGLIANO | TRIESTE
Board a private water taxi to the parking lot where our bus is waiting for the drive to historic Conegliano, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance painter Giambattista Cima (XV sec.) who painted mostly religious subjects. Located close to the Treviso Alps, a small but very important Jewish Community was established in ancient times. See the synagogue rebuilt with furniture transported to 25 Hillel Street in Jerusalem in 1954 and operates today serving the Italian Jewish community.
Continuing to beautiful Trieste “Gateway to Zion”, home to Europe’s largest synagogue. Our local expert guide will join us for a guided tour of the historic city center. Afterward, enjoy an aperitif at Caffè San Marco a rendezvous for writers and intellectuals frequented by the Irish novelist James Joyce. Overnight in Trieste. (Breakfast)
DAY 11 - Wednesday
LA BONBON TRIESTE | EXPERIENCE OF THE BOMBONIERA
A morning tour of Jewish Trieste takes us to the ghetto area where some of the buildings from the two Jewish ghettos survived and have been restored. See the Monumental Synagogue, the Jewish Museum, and the Carlo and Vera Wagner Museum opened in 1993 as a museum to showcase objects of the community. Now for something special. There are many ways to prepare “Merenda” the snack of peasants and workers. La Bonbonniere, the last Liberty pastry shop, has remained intact for over a century in Trieste. Its austere showcases are adorned by bonbon, fondant, and confetti as originally prepared in the nineteenth century amidst putizze (dried fruit, chocolate, and nut spiral cake), presnitz (puff pastry filled with dried fruit, nuts, and spices), pinze (a traditional dessert flan) and homemade chocolate eggs. Taste the Rigó Jancsi, a traditional Hungarian cube-shaped chocolate sponge cake and chocolate cream pastry at the Bomboniera, where this authentic Austro-Hungarian pastry has been made since 1850. Founded by the Hungarian Eppinger family, all desserts are cooked strictly in the original wood-burning oven dating back to 1850. It is the only pastry shop in Trieste to use this method). Enjoy lunch on your own at a restaurant in the center of the city.
Afternoon visits the 19th century Miramare Castle on the Gulf of Trieste. Built for the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian and his wife Charlotte of Belgium, visitors can view their private chambers featuring the original furnishings.
Return to Trieste stopping at one of the renowned Gelaterie such as “Jazzin” Gelateria to taste this wonderful ice cream. Dinner on your own in a restaurant with an amazing view of the Gulf of Trieste. Overnight in Trieste. (Meals Breakfast)
DAY 12 - Thursday
TRIESTE | DEPARTURE
For those members of the tour departing early this morning, a transfer to the airport will be provided. For those leaving later today, you have a chance to enjoy a free day in Trieste on your own. Check-out of the hotel is between 11 am - 12 pm. Luggage can be stored with the bell boy until departure. Please ensure that you return to the hotel for your transfer in time for your flight. (Breakfast)
Arrivederci Bellissima Italia!
Choose your preferred dates and book your trip today
BOOK NOWDates & Rates
| Departure date | Start Date | End Date | Starting At | Double Occupancy | Single Price | Child Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Jun 2024 | 24 Jun 2024 | 5 Jul 2024 | $5,382 | $6,686 | $4,949 | ||
| 7 Jul 2024 | 8 Jul 2024 | 19 Jul 2024 | $5,382 | $6,686 | $4,949 | ||
| 21 Jul 2024 | 22 Jul 2024 | 2 Aug 2024 | $5,382 | $6,686 | $4,949 | ||
| 4 Aug 2024 | 5 Aug 2024 | 16 Aug 2024 | $5,382 | $6,686 | $4,949 |
* All prices in USD
Price Includes
- Welcome meet & assist upon arrival by IBMT representative.
- Transfer upon arrival and departure
- English-speaking guide throughout the tour
- 10 nights hotel accommodation in 4 – 4½ star hotels
- Daily breakfast
- All site entrance fees and program fees as per itinerary.
- Bar Mitzvah ceremony & lunch
- Portage at the hotels
Not Included
- Airfare and departure taxes
- Rabbi service and ceremony
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Early check-in or late check-out
- Meals & Beverages not mentioned
- Entrance fees not mentioned
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Any tips to guide / driver and restaurant staff
