Private Archives | Page 15 of 17 | World Jewish Travel

Jewish Paris and the Marais

During this 3-hour tour, you will explore the Jewish history of Paris from the 12th century to WWII. You will be guided by a local historian who will take you through the city’s Jewish Quarter and show you the hidden Jewish history that most people don’t know. The tour begins at King Philippe Auguste’s city wall, which formed the first of many barriers that expelled the Jewish population from the city. Here, you’ll hear the story behind why the Jews were expelled, when they were let back in, and how these events created tension between the king and the Jewish community for the entirety of King Philippe Auguste’s reign.

As the tour gets into the center of the Marais, the guide will cover several issues that the French Jews faced such as the Dreyfus Affair from 1894 to 1906. The tour also makes a stop to the Memorial of the Shoah, which stands as a reminder of the horror the Jews faced during the Holocaust. You will hear stories about the Jewish people being rounded up, their fate at the concentration camps, and the effect this genocide had on the Jewish population in France.

Several other stops will be made along the tour and at the end, you will have a better idea of the cultural and historical influence that the Jewish community had on the city. The tour will end the Jewish Quarter where you will learn about the waves of immigration, famous French Jewish figures, and current and past issues. It is important to note that this tour does not take you inside any of the synagogues. Because many of Marais’ synagogues have been a target for antisemitic attacks, several synagogues are now closed to the public for security issues. The ones that remain open are mostly for Orthodox Jews and the tour company believes it would not be appropriate to enter with a mixed group of non-Jewish men and women.

Jewish Marais Tour

The Jewish Marais tour is a historic walk that begins at Place de Vosges, known by Napolean as the jewel of Paris. From here you will be lead through the streets of the Marais where you will learn about the neighborhood and how it has changed and developed over time. You will pass several sites including the famous rue Pavee synagogue and the Fleishman Synagogue, where a synagogue member will invite you inside and you will hear about the highlights and 2000-year-old history of the French Jewish community.

From the synagogue you will cross the cobblestone streets into the Jewish neighborhood, filled with Jewish shops and bakeries, and kosher restaurants. Your guide will take you to one of Paris’ most popular falafel shops, L’As du Falafel, where you can enjoy a no-wait traditional Israeli falafel (at your own expense). L’As du Falafel is extremely popular among both locals and tourists that there is usually a long line to order their homemade falafel and shwarma.

After the 40-minute lunch break, the tour will conclude at the Shoah Holocaust Museum and Memorial, where your guide will tell emotional stories about the Jews during WWII. Once the tour has completed, you can enter the museum at no charge if you wish to learn more about the Holocaust on your own. The Jewish Marais tour will provide you with a good overview of Jewish history in Paris as well as the modern Jewish life that thrives today.

Devour Madrid Food Tour

Devour Madrid allows you to discover Madrid on a personal, small group food tour! This walking tour is a culinary experience enjoyed by both visitors and locals and is a fun outing for the entire family. You will discover the ingredients and people behind the authentic Spanish dishes and will learn about the history and culture of Madrid as you visit the best food shops, bakeries, markets, and tapas bars.

There are several food tours to choose from including an evening tapas tours, flamenco and tapas tours, wine and tapas tours, tapas and history tour, and Prado Museum and Botin lunch tours. If you’re a foodie looking to eat your way through the city while learning about the Madrid culture and history, this tour is for you.

500 Years Ago in Sepharat

The Spanish culture owes a lot to its Jewish and Arabic ancestry and this tour will demonstrate the rich heritage through food and dance. You will walk through the oldest parts of Madrid and hear stories of the Sephardic Jews that lived in Madrid until their expulsion in the 15th century. While you sit in a centennial hidden area, a dancer will explain the roots of Flamenco, a dance that was born for people to express anguish after their prosecution. You will learn the basic hand and feet movements of this dance and you will clap castanets.

After the dancing, you will end the tour in an old gourmet market that still has traditional Spanish foods that were around in the 15th century. You will have the opportunity to taste 3 different wines and some traditional tapas. This tour takes you through the Spanish flavors and sounds from five centuries ago and is a unique experience to learn about Spanish culture and history that you won’t get anywhere else.

Madrid Briefing

This tour is lead by true Madrileños, born and raised in the fabulous city and excited to share their insider knowledge and tips with you. Though your time in Madrid might be limited, this tour is a great investment and you will leave with a ton of knowledge on historic sites and with great ideas on how to spend the rest of your vacation.

On this 3 hour leisurely walk through the historic city center, you will have a chance to take in the sites and flavors of the city. Along with your trusted guide, you will explore the cultural highlights and trace the history of Madrid from its medieval beginnings to modern times. Today, Madrid is the thriving capital of Spain, and your guide will fill you in on the latest news, shows, and exhibitions. The Madrid Briefing tour will help you understand what to do, what to see, what events brought Madrid to where it is today, and where the best social and cultural events are taking place during your visit.

Prado Museum Private Jewish Tour

This private tour will give you the opportunity to explore the Prado museum with an official Madrid museum tour guide. You will hear the history behind the Prado collection and see a variety of biblical scenes and masterpieces created by renowned artists. The unique focus of this tour is on the Jewish world, which remained unseen for several years due to the political-religious circumstances in the city. During this tour, your guide will point out the hidden details of many paintings and help you understand the art that portrays the unique Spanish Jewish heritage.

Traditional English Food Tour

While the focus of this tour is on the flavors of traditional English cuisine, you will also learn about London’s fascinating history and culture. You will visit famous attractions and sites, 1,000-year-old food markets, and hidden pubs and tea warehouses.

At the end, after more than 10 authentic food tastings, you will sit down for cream tea and discuss the highlights of the tour while getting some great travel tips from your tour guide to ensure a successful visit in the English capital. You will leave not only with a full belly, but with more knowledge and a head full of stories that will help you understand London’s traditions and culture.

Jewish London

Most cities around the world, including London, have felt the influence of Jewish culture. The history of Jews in London began in 1066 when William the Conqueror encouraged Jewish artisans and merchants to move from northern France to England. Since then, the London Jewish community has thrived in certain areas of the city and you will hear all about the ups and downs that occurred before and after Edward’s expulsion of the Jews in 1290. On this Jewish London tour, you will learn about the Jewish history in London from the Middle Ages to the present, visiting several historical sites such as the Bevis Marks Synagogue, the Sandy Row Synagogue, and the Kinder Transport Memorial.

London Walks: Old Jewish Quarter Tour

London Walks was founded by Australian Keith Baverstock because he was fed up with the unoriginality of the London tourist scene. He wanted to create an urban walking tour company with high standards and uniquely crafted tours. The Old Jewish Quarter tour takes you back to what Jewish life was like for the East End Jewish community. You will hear stories of poverty and pogroms, and the success of several Jewish figures such as the Rothschilds, Prime Minister Disraeli, and poet Isaac Rosenberg. Some of the tour’s highlights include the Bevis Marks synagogue and old shtetl.

Stephen Burstin

Before working as a tour guide, Stephen worked as a journalist with multiple national newspapers. Stephen worked for three years as an independent guide in Rome where he lead tours in the Jewish Ghetto, the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, and the Ostia Antica. He was born in the East End of London, and at eight years old began researching his Jewish roots in London. This early interest in his Jewish roots has led Stephen to where he is today, as he continues to conduct several Jewish-themed tours in London.

Leading tours is not just his livelihood, but also his passion. Stephen leads tours for families exploring Jewish London, schools whose students are learning about different cultures and religions, and even social clubs who might want to take an educational outing to the Old Jewish Quarter.

For the fifth year in a row, Stephen was awarded a Certificate of Excellence and TripAdvisor has welcomed him and his tours into their own Trip Advisor Hall of Fame. Stephen also won the title, Cultural Tour Guide of the Year, by the Luxury Travel Guides in 2017. He is excited to share his knowledge and enthusiasm about the fascinating history and rich Jewish heritage of London during his explorations with you.

Post Tour Tag: Private