LIBERTY SERBIA JEWISH HERITAGE OF SOUTH BALKANS Itinerary: 11 days / 10 nights Liberty Incentives&Congresess Serbia Kraljice Natalije 35 11000 Beograd, Srbija Phone: +381 11 3625 036 +381 11 3625 037 Fax: + 381 11 3616 096 BELGRADE –NOVI SAD – SUBOTICA – PALIC- SARAJEVO – MOSTAR – DUBROVNIK – SPLIT – PLITVICE – JASENOVAC – ZAGREB DAY 1: Belgrade, meet & greet office@liberty-serbia.com Arrival to Belgrade Panoramic sightseeing of the city and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation in Belgrade Optional walking tour visiting most important points of interest such as Parliament, City Hall, Terazije and Knez Mihajlova pedestrian street. Dinner in Skadarlija, the bohemian quarter. Return to the hotel and overnight. Belgrade is the capital and the "soul" of modern Serbia. Because of its strategic position by the confluence of the Sava and the Danube rivers, where the Pannonia Plain meets the Balkans, the city has battled over in 115 wars and was all together destroyed 44 times. Consequently, during its lively history it was inhabited by Celts, Romans, Slavs and then has been a possession of Byzantine, Frankish, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Ottoman and Serbian rulers. It was a principal city of Ottoman Europe, the capital of Yugoslavia and then a metropolitan capital of Serbian Republic. From the begginig of 17 century it was a city with large Jewish comunity that even had a yeshiva the Jewish religious schol. Today, it is a modern city of about 2 million inhabitants and a rather small Jewish community of 1500 members. In Belgrade a visitor can find not only important museums, cultural and historic monuments, but also a rich program of cultural, artistic and sports event. Skadarlija: is the bohemian quarter of Belgrade and an unavoidable place to taste local specialties. Nearly all restaurants have live music. Skadarlija, arose during the late 19th and early 20th century when its inns were the gathering place of the best known names in Belgrade. It is frequently compared to the Montmartre of Paris, both in appearance as well as the exuberant and dynamic artistic atmosphere. Breakfast at hotel Drive to Novi Sad (80km, around 1.15h) 1 DAY 2: Belgrade – Novi Sad – Subotica - Palić Page www.liberty-int.org www.liberty-serbia.com LIBERTY SERBIA office@liberty-serbia.com www.liberty-int.org www.liberty-serbia.com Petrovaradin Fortress - the Gibraltar of the Danube On a rocky cliff at the base of Fruska Gora, today sits a grand fortress, which has been the site of many military forts throughout the ages. The latest archaeological studies indicate that this site has a history spanning more than 2,000 years. A sample of the many cultures and societies that have used this site include the Celts, the Romans, the Byzantines, Hungarians, Turks, and Austrians. Novi Sad is the capital of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, its economic, cultural, scientific, educational, health and administrative centre with nearly 200.000 inhabitants. The city is situated on the left bank of the Danube River in South Backa, in northern part of Serbia. Thanks to its exceptional geographic and transportation position, it is a significant intersection of land and water traffic. It is located on transcontinental Euro-Asian transversal starting from Western Europe, and leading across central Europe, to the Balkan Peninsula and Bosporus straits and all the way to Near East. Novi Sad is positioned in the length of 50 km on the Danube River, which is actually essential in TransEuropean mega hydro system of rivers and canals (the Rhine-Main-Danube Rivers) for transportation, commerce, energy, and tourism. Subotica is located around 178 km North of Belgrade in the Northern Vojvodina region of Serbia and is located very close to the Hungarian border. Subotica has a typical atmosphere which reflects the decorative taste caracteristic for the citizens of Hungarian origin. It is a town with a population of around 2 Kraljice Natalije 35 11000 Beograd, Srbija Phone: +381 11 3625 036 +381 11 3625 037 Fax: + 381 11 3616 096 Page Liberty Incentives&Congresess Serbia Upon arrival a sightseeing tour including the Petrovaradin Fortress and the Baroque city centre. Visit to the Jewish Community Center and to its Ashkenazi Synagogue built by Baumhorn, Jewish architect who designed 24 synagogues. The Synagogue’s impressive size reflects the importance of the local Jewish Community in the years before the First World War. In 1991, the Synagogue was leased to the city for a period of 20 years as a concert hall. Nevertheless, it remained at disposal of the Jewish Community for celebrating Jewish holidays. Afternoon visit to Subotica (drive 105km, around 1.3h) situated close to the Hungarian border, where Ashkenazi Jewish Community was established in 1775. Visit magnificent Secessionist style Synagogue, built in 1902, and Jewish Community Center. Accommodation and leisure at lake Palić. LIBERTY SERBIA 100.000 people. The history of this city goes back to 1391, at that time it was known as Zabadka. It was later also known as Szent-Maria and Maria-Theresiapolis to finally became Subotica only in 1811. Liberty Incentives&Congresess Serbia www.liberty-int.org www.liberty-serbia.com The Palić Lake and town (Hungarian: Palicsi-tó, Serbia: jezero Palić) is situated in the north part of Subotica. The Palić is a tourist center, the summer resort and spa, with a tradition of over 160 years. Very good climate conditions, wind direction, thermal water, mud and thermal springs are the reason why the Medical Society of Subotica 1837th proposed to be built on the lake coast thermal bathroom … Since then tourist facilities and capacities developed repeatedly. The architectureof the resort held strong Art Nouveau style caracteristics and is inspired by Hungarian folklore. The most representative buildings are: the entrance gate, the water tower and the women’s beach house. DAY 3: Belgrade Jewish Heritage Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Belgrade (192km, around 2.5h) Jewish heritage tour of Belgrade: visit of the Sukat Shalom synagogue, Jewish Historical Museum, Jewish Community of Belgrade, Jalija - the old Jewish quarter and the Menorah Monument. Optional: Lunch in the synagogue kosher restaurant. Tour continues with the visit of the Jewish Cemetery in Belgrade, remnants of the Sajmiste concentration camp, the memorial to the victims on the Sava riverbank, Jewish quarter and cemetery in Zemun. Possible meet with the local Rabbi. Evening concert of Baruh Brothers Choir, founded in 1879 as the Serbian Jewish Singers’ Society. Overnight in Belgrade. 3 office@liberty-serbia.com Page Kraljice Natalije 35 11000 Beograd, Srbija Phone: +381 11 3625 036 +381 11 3625 037 Fax: + 381 11 3616 096 LIBERTY SERBIA Liberty Incentives&Congresess Serbia www.liberty-int.org www.liberty-serbia.com DAY 4: Belgrade - Sarajevo Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Sarajevo (298km, 4h drive with coffee break) Evening arrival and check in hotel Short evening walk through old town – Bascarsija Overnight Sarajevo SARAJEVO - the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sarajevo is one of the most historically interesting cities in Europe. It is the place where the Western & Eastern Roman Empire split; where the people of the Eastern Orthodox, the Southern Ottoman and the Western Roman Catholic met, lived and warred. It has been an example of historical turbulence and the clash of civilizations, as well as a beacon of hope for peace and tolerance through multi-cultural integration. Today the city has physically recovered from most of the war damage caused by the Yugoslav Wars of the early nineties. It is a cosmopolitan European capital with a unique Eastern twist that is a delight to visit. The people are very friendly, be they Bosnian, Serb, or Croat. 4 office@liberty-serbia.com Zemun: As far back as the Neolithic people used the favorable position of the river and founded a settlement known in Celtic and Roman times as Taurunum. The highest spot, providing a view of the entire Zemun, Danube and Belgrade, is recounted in popular tales as a settlement of fishermen, artisans and grocers, while today it is known for its cultural-historic monuments and traditional hospitality receiving numerous visitors enjoying the national cuisine and cozy atmosphere of its restaurants. In the histor of Zionism Yemun holds a unique place. Rabi Yehuda haAlkalai was serving in Zemun for 50 years and the Theodore Herzl family is from Zemun. Page Kraljice Natalije 35 11000 Beograd, Srbija Phone: +381 11 3625 036 +381 11 3625 037 Fax: + 381 11 3616 096 LIBERTY SERBIA DAY 5: Sarajevo - Mostar office@liberty-serbia.com www.liberty-int.org www.liberty-serbia.com MOSTAR - the city with the largest population of Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina Mostar is the biggest and the most important city in the Herzegovina region in the republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is situated on the Neretva River and is the fifth-largest city in the country. Mostar was named after "the bridge keepers" (natively: mostari) who guarded the Stari Most (Old Bridge) over the river. The bridge was ruined during the war and then rebuilt in 2004. Today it is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Together with the Old town became a listed UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. The Old Town with its towers, oriental shops, and restaurants, which are specialized in aromatic cooking, take you back for many centuries. Traces of ‘old’ times are imprinted in the market, the mosques, Herzegovina’s museum and in the typical Turkish houses, a few of which have been kept in original style. The city excels in the spheres of art, cuisine, music, theatre, museums, and literature. It is also widely celebrated in popular lore, featured frequently as the setting for books, movies, and television programs. DAY 6: Mostar – Krasina/Stolac - Dubrovnik 5 Kraljice Natalije 35 11000 Beograd, Srbija Phone: +381 11 3625 036 +381 11 3625 037 Fax: + 381 11 3616 096 Page Liberty Incentives&Congresess Serbia Breakfast at hotel. Half day city tour of Sarajevo, including cultural and war sites of the city; The Jewish hillside cemetery, established by Sephardic Jews in 1630, became as well the burial for many Ashkenazi, is one of the most important Jewish burial grounds in Europe because of the shape of the tombstones and the ancient Ladino inscriptions on them. The cemetery has two Holocaust memorials, a Sephardic and an Ashkenazi. visit of Tunnel Museum- During the 3 years that the city was under attack(1992-1995), this tunnel was the only means of going in and out of Sarajevo In Bascarsija, old part of town, visit of Old Synagogue & Jewish Museum. The Jewish Museum chronicles the history of the Jewish community in Sarajevo, including a valuable collection of Ladino and other Jewish books, some printed over 200 to 300 years ago. The famous 14th century Sarajevo Haggadah is one of the city’s great treasures. Originally created in Spain, and broth by Sephardic descent to Sarajevo as early as 1541. Ashkenazi Synagogue & Jewish Community Center , which was built in 1902. Afternoon drive to Mostar (127km – around 1.30h) Accommodation and overnight in Mostar LIBERTY SERBIA office@liberty-serbia.com www.liberty-int.org www.liberty-serbia.com DUBROVNIK – the pearl of the Adriatic The city of Dubrovnik is situated in the very South of the Republic of Croatia. The particularity and uniqueness of Dubrovnik is in its permanent live connection to its rich past and its cultural heritage, while it keeps vibrantly in pace with contemporary life, echoing its spiritual identity and its presence in the European cultural environment. Dubrovnik, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is rich in cultural and historical monuments. The most recognizable feature which defines the History of Dubrovnik and gives it its characteristic are its intact city walls which run uninterrupted for 1940 meters encircling the city. This complex structure, one of the most beautiful and strongest fort systems in the Europe is the main attraction for the city's visitors. This is a tour which will show you the finest sites of the Old Walled City and will reveal why Dubrovnik is often referred to as the "Pearl of the Adriatic". We will lead you through the streets of the Old Town introducing you to the history and culture of this magnificent city. Other splendid buildings such as Onofrio's Fountain, St. Blaise's Church, Sponza Palace will be viewed along the way. You will be able to visit the Franciscan Monastery with Europe's oldest pharmacy, the Cathedral with its famous Treasury and the Rector's Palace which once used to be the seat of the government in the Dubrovnik Republic. DAY 7: Dubrovnik - Split Breakfast at the hotel Morning panoramic tour of Dubrovnik, including a visit to the old Jewish Cemetery “Bet Haim”. Sightseeing tour of the Old City includes the Jewish Fountain, Franciscan Monastery with the third oldest pharmacy in Europe, Rector’s Palace and the Cathedral. From 1352 Jews were tolerated as itinerant traders in Dubrovnik although the city initially denied them residence. In 1546, a Jewish ghetto was established in a small street called Ulica Židovska (Jewish Street). They played a part in international commerce and were pioneers in marine insurance. 6 Kraljice Natalije 35 11000 Beograd, Srbija Phone: +381 11 3625 036 +381 11 3625 037 Fax: + 381 11 3616 096 Page Liberty Incentives&Congresess Serbia Breakfast at hotel. Walking tour Mostar. The name of the city signifies “bridge-keeper”, as a bridge has always been at the heart of the town’s identity. Visit Muslibegovica House as ideal example of Mostar’s grand houses of the Ottoman period. Walk through the old town and the old bridge-listed as a UNESCO heritage site. Drive to Krajšina near Stolac (57 km, around 40min) to visit cemetery and tomb of Rabbi Danon that became a place for regular pilgrimages by Bosnian and other Balkan Sephardic Jews(17th of JUNE). Moshe Danon became hahambasi or chief rabbi of Sarajevo in the year 1815. Continue drive to Dubrovnik (133km, around 2h of drive) Arrival and accommodation Overnight Dubrovnik LIBERTY SERBIA office@liberty-serbia.com www.liberty-int.org www.liberty-serbia.com DAY 8: Split Breakfast at the hotel Morning sightseeing tour of Split, including the palace of Roman Emperor Diocletian, with Peristyle, Jupiter’s Temple and St. Duimus Cathedral. There are carvings of menorahs on the walls of the same room that houses the marble dining table in the Diocletian’s Palace. These carvings do provide evidence of an early Jewish presence in Split. Visit to the restored Synagogue of Split, located along the narrow street called Židovski prolaz (Jewish Passage), the Jewish Ghetto and Morpurgo Library. Visit to the Jewish Community Centre in Split. Afternoon drive to Marjan Hill for a visit to the Old Jewish Cemetery dating from 1537, from where we enjoy a magnificent view of Split. Return to hotel and overnight. SPLIT - the cultural and economic center of Dalmatia Split is the largest and most important town in Dalmatia. The town was developed around the palace, which was erected in the 4th century by the Roman Emperor, Diocletian. You can also visit the ancient cellars, Cathedral, Temple of Jupiter and the Golden Gate. The town of Split is situated in the central part of the eastern Adriatic coast and is bordered by the mouths of the small river Îrnovnica in the Southeast, and the river Jadro in the North. Split offers you its many charms; the pines of the Marjan forest in the Western part of the peninsula, the murmur of the sea and the sound of the Dalmatian song in the stone streets of the city. Split has a very favourable climate characterized by an extremely bright sky with about 2700 sunny hours per year. 7 Kraljice Natalije 35 11000 Beograd, Srbija Phone: +381 11 3625 036 +381 11 3625 037 Fax: + 381 11 3616 096 DAY 9: Split – Plitvice – Zagreb Page Liberty Incentives&Congresess Serbia Visit to the Jewish Ghetto and the Synagogue of Dubrovnik, the third oldest Synagogue in Europe, built in 1408. Situated within a 13th century Gothic house, the Synagogue is one of the most cherished sites of Sephardic culture in the world. Visit to the Jewish Community Centre. driving along the Makarska Riviera (228km, around 3h) with long pebble beaches and across Neretva River Delta. Enjoy the view of Dalmatian islands stretching southwards from Dubrovnik to Split: Elaphite Islands, Mljet, Korčula, Hvar and Brač. Afternoon arrival to Split. Accommodation and overnight in Split LIBERTY SERBIA Liberty Incentives&Congresess Serbia Kraljice Natalije 35 11000 Beograd, Srbija Phone: +381 11 3625 036 +381 11 3625 037 Fax: + 381 11 3616 096 Breakfast at the hotel tour to the Plitvice Lakes National Park (260km, around 3.5h)– the 16 crystal-blue lakes lying at different levels linked together by spectacular cascading waterfalls. The forest around the lakes with a beautiful beech, fir and maple trees is the home to bear, wolves, wild board, deer and many rare bird species. The largest national park in Croatia, Plitvice was included on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1979 in recognition of its "outstanding natural beauty, and the undisturbed production of travertine (tuff) through chemical and biological activity”. Lunch drive to Zagreb (145km, around 3.00h) accommodation and overnight in Zagreb office@liberty-serbia.com DAY 10: Zagreb – Jasenovac Breakfast at the hotel Morning city tour of Zagreb, including the fortified Upper Town, the city’s historical centre, St. Mark’s Church with its multicolored roof, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Mirogoj cemetery. In 13th and 14th centuries, the Jewish communities in Zagreb were able to rule themselves with a leader called "Magistratus Judaeorum." This ended in 1456 when Jews, along with most non-Catholic Croats, were forced out during the rule of the first Habsburg monarchs. After the Edict of Tolerance issued by Habsburg Emperor Joseph II in 1782, the Jews started settling in the Zagreb area and in 1806 some 70 of them founded the Jewish Community. After lunch departure for Jasenovac (110km, around 1.15h) Morning departure for Jasenovac, the largest concentration and extermination camp in Croatia during World War II. At the outbreak of World War II, 23,000 Jews lived in Croatia. Jasenovac was established in August 1941, and was dismantled only in April 1945. According to incomplete lists some 60,000 names were identified in Jasenovac and Stara Gradiška camps, mostly Serbs, Jews and Gypsies. According to some estimations, the total number of victims varies and goes far over this number. Visit to Jasenovac Memorial Centre. overnight in Zagreb. DAY 11: Zagreb departure PRICE: per person in € 8 Breakfast at the hotel Transfer to the airport Flight back home Page www.liberty-int.org www.liberty-serbia.com LIBERTY SERBIA Liberty Incentives&Congresess Serbia 20 pax basis : DBL ROOM = 959 € SINGL ROOM = 1189 € 35 pax basis: DBL ROOM = 805 € SINGL ROOM = 1035 € 50 pax basis: DBL ROOM = 745 € SINGL ROOM = 1005€ Kraljice Natalije 35 11000 Beograd, Srbija Phone: +381 11 3625 036 +381 11 3625 037 Fax: + 381 11 3616 096 office@liberty-serbia.com www.liberty-int.org www.liberty-serbia.com Services SERVICES INCLUDED: TRANSFERS: Air conditioned comfortable vehicle through the whole tour ACCOMMODATION (in DBL or SGL room, breakfast included) Accommodation at hotels on bed and breakfast basis, as indicated in the itinerary (2 nights Belgrade, 1 night Palic, 1 night Sarajevo, 1 night Mostar, 1 night Dubrovnik, 2 nights Split, 2 nights Zagreb) GUIDES: English / Hebrew speaking guide through the whole tour, local guides for visits in Sarajevo, Dubrovnik, Mostar, Split and Zagreb ENTRANCE FEES: all entrance fees according to program. OTHER: Organization of the tour and VAT SERVICES EXCLUDED: Services not mentioned in the program Porterage and Tips lunches/dinners (optional for whole tour 155 € ) Page 9 GROUP INFO: Minimum for group realization 20 pax In case of minor number of passengers, this program can be realized, but with change of price Confirmation of the accommodation and all excursions will be within 48h from the moment booking