Jewish Rural Portugal
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This multi-day tour explores Jewish Rural Portugal and its vibrant Jewish history. It looks at how Jewish communities flourished there for centuries and how the cultural heritage of these communities has been preserved today.
Exploring Jewish History in Jewish Rural Portugal
Jewish Rural Portugal is home to a unique Jewish history and culture, from ancient synagogues to traditional food and customs. This off-the-beaten-path destination offers visitors a unique glimpse into the history and culture of Portuguese Jews.
Our tour is about the history of the Jewish presence in rural Portugal and highlights these communities' unique cultural, religious, and economic contributions. Additionally, it examines the current state of Jewish life in Portugal, including the challenges and opportunities the community faces.
Jewish communities in rural Portugal
These Jewish mountain village communities are a unique case for ethnographic inquiry. They are the only Jewish rural communities in Portugal. Its inhabitants are descendants of the exiles from the Spanish expulsion in 1492. Be ready to explore the history of the Portuguese Jewish people and their relationship to their rural environment. It also examines how these Jewish communities have adapted and adjusted to changing social and economic conditions.
Here is one of the few places in Europe with a long and ongoing Jewish history. Jews have been living in the rural areas of Portugal since the 13th century. And have contributed significantly to the area's economy and culture. In addition, this area is the home to a unique and secret Hebrew culture that has survived 5 centuries of persecution and harassment.
It is an example of a minor, isolated minority group that has maintained its distinctive cultural identity despite centuries of persecution and discrimination. By exploring this rich Jewish cultural heritage, you can gain insight into the unique history of these mountain villages in Portugal.
Private tour from 6.685€ for 2 persons
For more than 2 persons, please ask for a quote
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Included/Excluded
- Pick up e Drop off
- Mandatory fees
- Wi-Fi and bottled water on board
- Exclusive and specialized Guide/Driver
- Personalized transport in a luxury Mercedes vehicle, in safe & comfortable conditions
- All taxes
- Public liability and personal accidents insurance
- Boat trip in Aveiro
- Entrance and guided tour of 4 synagogues
- Visit Jewish museum in Belmonte
- Visit to a Quinta with wine tasting in the Douro
- Accomodation
- Food and drinks, unless specified on Tour Includes
- Entrance fees, unless specified on Tour Includes
FAQs
Transfers
- Lisbon airport, hotel and cruise transfers to and from all destinations in Portugal
- Transport up to 8 adult passengers
- Free Wi-Fi in all vehicles
- Special rates for airport and cruise transfers
- We will meet you inside the airport terminal arrivals and holding a sign with your name written on it
- High quality service
- Contact us and let us know:
- Your name and destination
- Arrival / Departure Date
- Flight number
- Email: [email protected]
Changes and Cancellations by Real Embrace Portugal
Cancellation Policy
Changes made by clients
Tours - Spoken languages
- Our tours are spoken in portuguese, english, spanish and french.
Tour - several days
- Private – Our tours are always private (just you and guide/driver);
- Custom-made – The tour highlights are just suggestions of places to visit. The tour itinerary will be designed according to your preferences;
- Tour Lenght – Each day tour is designed to last approximately 8 hours (hotel-tour-hotel);
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Schedule: flexible according to customers’ needs;
- Minimum group of 2 people and maximum 8 people;
- The values ​​indicated are per person and vary depending on the number of people;
- For larger groups contact by email [email protected];
- Please contact us for advice about our accommodation options. We have a list of hotels based in local 3*, 4* and 5* Bed & Breakfasts and Boutique hotels throughout Portugal. We will provide you with suggestions so you can choose what best suits your budget;
Covid-19 Prevention Measures
- Covid-19 vaccination required for our guides;
- Our drivers have safety and health training;
- Hand sanitizer will be provided to passengers by driver every time before entering the vehicle;
- The driver will wear a face mask at all times and will keep a safe distance from customers avoiding close contact, handshakes, etc.;
- Luggage will only be handle with customers authorization;
- The driver will use sanitizing products to continually clean the main contact areas inside and outside the vehicle (handles,seat belts, etc.);
- For safety reasons our vehicles will not provide magazines and water bottles. We apologize for this inconvenience;
- Upon completion of each tour, our cleaning team will carry out a thorough cleaning with anti-bacterial products.
Tour Plan
Day 1 - Overnight in Sabugueiro Lisbon, Coimbra, Sabugueiro
Schedule: 9:00h
Welcome talk and start our tour from Lisbon to Sabugueiro with a stop in Coimbra to include a city tour and the University.
Day 2 - Overnight in Sabugueiro Loriga, Alvoco da Serra
Schedule: 9:00h
City tour in Loriga to include the beautiful natural glacial valley and its natural swimming pool. The city tour in Alvoco da Serra consists of walking through the historical center and 't's Jewish quarter.
Day 3 - Overnight in Sabugueiro Vale do Rossim, Manteigas, Torre
Schedule: 9:00h
Visit Vale do Rossim, one of the oldest glaciers in Europe, to include some walking around the lake.
City tour in Manteigas to include Burel Factory, a record in the history of the village of Manteigas and the Portuguese Wool Industry.
Visit Torre, the highest point of Serra da Estrela.
Day 4 - Overnight in Sabugueiro Piodão
Schedule: 9:00h
Visit Piodão, houses with walls made of schist, windows painted in a blue color used in the Maghreb, and roofs in black slate turn the village of Piodão into a true treasure.
Day 5 - Overnight in Belmonte Linhares da Beira, Gouveia, Belmonte
Schedule: 9:00h
We depart from the elderberry towards Linhares on the edge of the historic village. Here we will visit the Jewish quarter and what was the synagogue of this community—departure to Gouveia, where we will visit the house of Jewish experience and the Jewish quarter. Here we have lunch. After lunch, we depart towards Belmonte.
Day 6 - Overnight in Belmonte Belmonte, Sortelha
Schedule: 9:00h
On this day, we visit the magnificent historic village of Sortelha, where we can see several Jewish dwellings and their respective cruciform marks. Then, we return to Belmonte to visit the Jewish museum, synagogue, and Jewish quarter.
Day 7 - Overnight Monfortinho Caria, Castelo Novo, Monfortinho
Schedule: 9:00h
Visit the village of Caria and its Jewish quarter. We also visited the museum area of ​​the tower house. We will now leave towards the new castle, a historic village on the slope of the Gardunha mountain range, which was once Templar. Now it's time to go to Monfortinho.
Day 7 - Overnight Monfortinho Caria, Castelo Novo, Monfortinho
Schedule: 9:00h
Visit the village of Caria and its Jewish quarter. We also visited the museum area of ​​the tower house. We will now leave towards the new castle, a historic village on the slope of the Gardunha mountain range, which was once Templar. Now it's time to go to Monfortinho.
Day 8 - Overnight Monfortinho Monsanto, Penha Garcia
Schedule: 9:00h
Today we visited the most Portuguese village in Portugal, Monsanto. Here we will see the typical granite houses with huge boulders serving as a facade—still, time to visit the area where the Jewry was located. Please return to our hotel in Monfortinho.
Day 9 - Overnight in Monfortinho Idanha-a-Velha
Schedule: 9:00h
Idanha-a-velha, a historic village, and an important Roman center, offer us a unique monumental complex in this region. Templar defense points and the Arab occupation have many stories to tell us. Return to the hotel in Monfortinho.
Day 10 - Overnight in Lisbon Portas de Rodão, Lisbon
Schedule: 9:00h
Visit Portas de Rodão, a scenic area with breathtaking views, including a boat ride in River Tejo and lunch.
Arrival in Lisbon. End of our tour.
Day 11 - Lisbon
Transfer Lisbon Airport