The Fascinating Story of the Jews of Greece and Albania

• 13 days - 12 nights

  2 Nights in Athens

  1 Night in Meteora

  2 Nights in Thessaloniki

  1 Night in Ioannina

  2 Nights on Corfu (island)

  1 Night in Berat, Albania

  2 Nights in Tirana, Albania

A Journey Through Time: Discovering Jewish Heritage in Greece & Albania

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime exploration of Jewish history and culture in Greece and Albania. This carefully curated itinerary will take you through ancient sites, historical Jewish quarters, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant communities, offering an immersive experience of resilience, tradition, and faith.

Departure from San Francisco (SFO)

• Overnight flight to Athens, Greece

ARRIVAL TO ATHENS

Welcome to Greece! Begin your unforgettable Jewish Greek adventure with a warm arrival at Athens International Airport. Our friendly representative will be there to greet you and your group. Overnight in Athens.

WELCOME DINNER IN A LOCAL TAVERN

ATHENS - GREECE

Exploring Athens blends ancient grandeur with rich heritage. Begin at the Acropolis Museum before ascending the iconic Acropolis. Walk through the Ancient Agora, once the heart of Athenian life, then shift to the Jewish and Holocaust Museum for a moving tribute to Greece’s Jewish history. End at the Shalom and Etz Haim Synagogues, where past and present meet in a vibrant community. Overnight in Athens.

METERORA - GREECE

Embark on a captivating journey through mainland Greece, where history and nature unite in breathtaking harmony. Visit the awe-inspiring Meteora Monasteries, perched atop towering rock formations, offering a glimpse into centuries of spiritual devotion. Explore the Great Meteoron Monastery, the largest and oldest of them all, before spending the evening immersed in the serene beauty of one of the most stunning places in the world. Shabbat dinner in Kalambaka/Meteora.

THESSALONIKI - GREECE

Journey through northern Greece, where ancient history and Jewish heritage intertwine. Visit Vergina, a UNESCO site and the resting place of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. Continue to Veria, once home to a thriving Jewish community, and explore its historic Jewish synagogue, a testament to centuries of Sephardic presence. Conclude the day and overnight in Thessaloniki, the "Jerusalem of the Balkans" .

Journey to Ioannina, the heart of Greece’s Romaniote Jewish community, where centuries of unique traditions endure. Stroll through the historic Jewish Quarter and visit its synagogue, a symbol of resilience and heritage. Then, take a serene boat trip on Lake Pamvotida, surrounded by the city’s timeless beauty and echoes of its storied past. Overnight in Ioannina.

Departing from Corfu - Greece on a ferry to the Saranda Port, embark on a scenic journey along the Albanian Riviera to Vlora, home to Albania’s historical Road of the Hebrew, a significant Jewish settlement. Continue to Berat, the famed "City of a Thousand Windows," where the traditional Jewish quarters of Mangalemi and Gorica showcase the city's rich cultural heritage. Overnight in Berat.