
Dates: May 6-16, 2024
Avi Ben Hur will lead this seminar, which is open to adults who enjoy in-depth Jewish educational travel, including all Melton students and graduates.
We are so pleased that you are interested in travelling with Melton! As you may know, Melton provides the educational content for its seminars, but is not a travel agency. Gil Travel Agency (“Gil”) is the travel logistics provider for this seminar and is responsible for the collection of all deposits and other fees. Because Melton does not collect any travel deposits or fees, it is not responsible for any financial loss associated with a cancellation of this seminar for reasons beyond Melton’s control, including COVID.
We encourage you to read Gil’s Travel Protection Recommendation thoroughly, advising that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers both “cancellation for any reason” and for “COVID-related” reasons. Even where your destination does not presently restrict travel due to COVID, we still recommend you purchase a policy with such coverage.
Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to travelling and learning with you,
The Melton Travel Team
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. when registration opens for this seminar.Tour Includes
- Accommodations: 10 nights
- Meals: All breakfasts plus six additional meals. (Please note that not all group meals will be kosher, but all will include vegetarian or fish options.)
- Educational Programming: All entrance fees and programs as per the Melton itinerary.
Hotels
- Madrid: Catalonia Atocha
- Cordoba: NH Amistad (Las Casas de la Judería is not available on the first night)
- Seville: Casas de la Judería
- Granada: NH Victoria
- Barcelona: Avenida Palace
Note: We will do our best to assist you with extensions both before and after the seminar.
Tour Does Not Include Flights
We will be pleased to assist you in any and all flight arrangements, including additional travel plans, through our partners at Gil Travel. Please contact Julian Banegas (
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 215-568-6655, Ext. 377) with your flight requests.Day 1, Monday – Land in Malaga – Begin in Cordoba
Sites & Program – Group meeting, introduction to program, Medinat Azahara, festive dinner
Overnight: Cordoba
Day 2, Tuesday – Cordoba
Sites & Program – Tour of Cordoba’s Medieval city, Grand Mosque (Mezquita), Jewish Quarter (Plaza Tiberias, Yehuda Halevi Square, Maimonides Synagogue), Casa Sefarad
Overnight: Cordoba
Day 3, Wednesday – Granada-Seville
Sites & Program – Granada: Alhambra, waking tour of Albaycin district, the Old Muslim quarter including the Moorish Bazaar, continue on to Seville
Overnight: Seville
Day 4, Thursday – Seville
Sites & Program – Bus tour with panoramic survey of the city and stop at Plaza de Espana, Barrio Santa Cruz (Old Jewish Quarter), Calle Susona, Church Santa Maria La Blanca, Great Cathedral (Chris Columbus burial), Alcazar, Flamenco dance performance
Overnight: Seville
Day 5, Friday – Seville-Toledo
Sites & Program – Train from Seville to Toledo after lunch in Seville. Kabbalat Shabbat in Toledo
Overnight: Toledo
Day 6, Saturday – Toledo
Sites & Program – Optional morning tour of Grand Cathedral, After lunch - San Roman Museum, Jewish Quarter, Samuel Halevi Abulafiya Synagogue (Nuestra Senora del Tranisito, Santa Maria La Blanca (Grand Synagogue), Seuda Shlishit study
Overnight: Toledo
Day 7, Sunday – Avila-Segovia
Sites & Program – Early morning drive from Toledo to Segovia, stop on route at Valle de los Caidos, lunch in Segovia, Jewish Quarter walk including Corpus Christi Church, Don Abraham Seneor, head to Madrid
Overnight: Madrid
Day 8, Monday – Barcelona
Sites & Program – Optional tour of Prago, Lunch in Madrid on own, Train from Madrid to Barcelona, panoramic orientation tour of Barcelona (by bus), Montjuic, Rambla, La Sagrada Familia (Gaudi Cathedral)
Overnight: Barcelona
Day 9, Tuesday – Barcelona-Besalu-Girona
Girona Jewish Art Museum, Jewish Quarter, Besalu Mikve and synagogue remains, Barcelona – Parc Guell
Overnight: Barcelona
Day 10, Wednesday – Barcelona
Barcelona – Call, Jewish Quarter, Medieval Synagogue, Placa del rei, Palau Reial Major, afternoon free time
Overnight: Barcelona
Day 11, Thursday – Home or Portugal
Note: Itinerary subject to change. Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed in the destinations being visited.
Need to Know
- Melton has offered quality educational travel opportunities for over 25 years, but it is not a travel agency and does not handle any payments made towards the seminar. We have contracted this seminar to Gil Travel and it is essential that you read their Terms and Conditions prior to your actual registration.
- Melton is not responsible for cancellation of this program for reasons beyond its control and your travel insurance should cover both "cancellation for any reason" and "COVID-related cancellation". This latter policy is being offered by a number of insurance companies (see Insurance, Health & Safety, on this page).
Please Note
CANCELLATIONS
Please refer to the Cancellation policy that appears in the Terms and Conditions of the Registration process with Gil Travel.
The Gil Travel Cancellation policy states, in part:
On registration, a non-returnable fee of $500 is required. This will be applied to the overall seminar cost.
By 90 days prior to the opening of the seminar, the remaining amount should be paid.
- If an individual cancels more than 90 days prior to the seminar, s/he will forfeit the registration fee only.
- After that (90 days or less) no refunds will be issued.
- If the seminar is cancelled by Melton up to 91 days prior to the seminar, the individual will be reimbursed in full.
- If the seminar is cancelled due to COVID and according to the relevant governmental decisions up to 91 days prior to the seminar, the individual will be reimbursed in full. Every attempt will be made to determine the viability of a seminar at least 91 days prior to its opening date.
- If the seminar is cancelled due to COVID less than 91 days prior to opening, the monies paid (that is, the full price) will be held for when the seminar is run in the future.
Please note that all reimbursements on payments made by credit card will carry a 3% processing fee. All notifications of cancellation must be submitted in writing.
Additional Information
- Group rates are per person based on double occupancy and a minimum of 20 full paying participants per bus. Should the number of participants drop below the minimum listed above, we will adjust the cost of the trip to reflect the additional expense of operating the program.
- Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, luggage handling and the services of local guides, drivers, and the tour guide/educator are included.
- Hotel Accommodations: The tour price includes all hotel accommodations, in hotel rooms with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available hotels while considering value. Although the level of the accommodations may differ slightly from hotel to hotel, we are committed to your comfort. Two-bed rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bed rooms with a rollaway cot where available and are not recommended when considering the comfort of those in the room. King-size beds are not available in most hotels; what is considered king-size usually consists of two single beds pushed together and made up separately, but with one headboard. Some two-bed rooms may have two twin - not full- or queen-size - beds.
- Meals are included as specified in the itinerary. In travel beyond Israel, not all communal meals are kosher certified, but fish- and vegetarian options will always be available and kashrut and other dietary requirements of group members will be taken into account. Participants can order additional kosher meals at prices set by our local agents.
- All seminars are led by a Melton educator who remains with the group throughout the tour.
- Gratuities: All gratuities for the educators, guides, drivers, and restaurant staff are included.
- Baggage: The Travel Agent and/or Tour Operator shall not be held responsible for any damage to, or loss of, luggage/personal items. All damage/loss must be reported at time of the incident and documented in writing by local authorities for submission to the insurance company. With regard to airline baggage allowance, different carriers have different regulations for business and coach. Please check with your individual carrier with regard to permitted number of pieces, weights and dimensions. The tour operator is not responsible for fees levied by any air carrier for the transport of personal belongings of any kind.
- Holidays and Museum Closures - Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or religious, state and local holidays observed in the destinations being visited.
- Photography During Tours: We will occasionally use photographs taken by fellow guests or your trip director for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify us at the start of your tour.
Not Included
- Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included.
- Personal Transfers from / to the airport.
- Personal Expenses: All personal expenses such as: laundry, valet service, cables, telephone calls and postage are not included.
Please note that Gil Travel will obey all protocols/restrictions in place regarding COVID.
We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. Melton is not responsible for cancellation of this program for reasons beyond its control. Your comprehensive travel insurance should cover both "cancellation for any reason" and "COVID-related cancellation". This latter policy is being offered by a number of insurance companies. We refer you to a list published by Forbes magazine, showing those companies that offer this new policy.
Please note that such policies may require registration for the policy within 14-21 days of your registration for the seminar.
Gil Travel recommends RoamRight Travel Insurance.
For more information on the available plans or to enroll, visit RoamRight Travel Insurance or contact RoamRight at 1-866-891-6614 and reference Gil Travel.
Please Note: To be eligible for the waiver of pre-existing medical condition exclusion, the protection plan must be purchased within 21 days from the time you make your initial trip deposit, the entire non-refundable amount of the trip must be insured, and you must be medically able to travel at the time the premium is paid. However, the travel protection plan itself can be purchased any time prior to departure.
Additional Information
- Airline Security Measures: Your name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket, or you may be denied boarding. It must also be exactly as it appears on your passport. Please make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the date of your return home.
- If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S., you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
- Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times. You may also wish to visit the U.S. Transportation Security Administration website at tsa.gov to obtain more information on acceptable identity documentation and prohibited luggage items.
For more information, please email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .T: 1–646–921–0747, Ext. 4