Winter Vacation: Four Carnivals in Italy

Wednesday 19/2/2020: Tel Aviv – Milan – Sirmione (or meeting in Milan for non Israelis)

Take off in the morning with El Al flight to Milan. Departure at 6:50 a.m. After landing at 10:05, we will visit the center of Milan and then the Jewish quarter with the option of tasting kosher le'mehadrin Italian ice cream or pizza (at extra cost).

In the afternoon, we will drive to the town of BRESCIA and stop at a big shopping center where there is also a big PRIMARK store. From there we will continue to the OLYMPIC KOSHER HOLIDAYS hotel in Sirmione. The hotel has a synagogue with Sefer Torah and an exclusive kosher lemehadrin restaurant under the supervision of Rabbi Yechezkel Scheinfeld of Bnei Brak. Dinner at the hotel.

 

Thursday 20/2/2020: Venice and the masks carnival

Breakfast and self-made sandwiches for lunch. We have an exciting and fascinating day ahead. We will visit Venice for the Masquerade Carnival considered the world's largest street theater. We will sail by boat and reach the world's first Jewish Ghetto. From there we will walk along the alleys of the town, and cross the bridges connecting the many islands on our way to San Marco Square, where we will already find the vibrant and colorful atmosphere of one of the world's most important carnivals, with masses of 18th-century original costumes and masks. If time permits, those interested can sail on the gondola (at extra cost). After the visit we will return to the hotel for dinner.

 

Friday 21/2/2020: Verona and the "Gnocchi" carnival

After breakfast, we will drive to the city of Verona on the banks of the Adige River to enjoy the "Gnocchi" carnival. We will visit the city of Romeo and Juliet. Take a look at the imposing synagogue. From there we will continue through the impressive pedestrian area to the yard of Juliet's famous balcony. Turn to "Piazza Erbe" Market Square with many booths surrounding it and walk towards the Arena to be impressed by the world-famous Roman amphitheater. Close by we will get up to watch the "big parade" of Verona. The parade runs through the city's main streets and along the river. In the afternoon we will return to the hotel for preparations for Shabbat, davening, Friday night festive meal and Oneg Shabbat. 

 

Shabbat 22/2/2020

Hot drink and cake before davening, Kiddush after davening and Shabbat lunch. Rest, Mincha, dinner (Seuda Shlishit), Maariv and Havdalah. The hotel is located a few meters from the promenade along the lake. Those interested can take a walk after davening or in the afternoon.

Sunday 23/2/2020: Cento: The most ancient carnival in Europe

After breakfast, we will travel toward the Emilia Romagna region, to the ancient town of Cento in the Ferrara district, where we will see one of the country's oldest carnival, with a long tradition like the Rio Carnival. This is a big celebration, every year, cheerful, colorful and sweeping. In a swirl of colors, costumes, music sounds and dances. The unique event of the carnival is the 'launching' of balloons, sweets and gifts, from the carts participating in the carnival. Before or after the visit according to the time left in Cento we will jump to Ferrara and visit the Jewish Museum (which is also the Holocaust Museum). Then we shall return to the hotel for dinner. 

 

Monday 24/2/2020. The Historical Center of Sirmione. Bagolino and the "Bagosso" carnival.

After breakfast we shall first visit the historical center of Sirmione, and from there we shall move to the picturesque village of "Bagolino" an old and picturesque village located in the Province of Brescia. Here we will see one of the most ancient carnivals in Italy, where people wear traditional masks decorated with colorful films. It is accompanied by the happiness of many dancers and crazy music. In the evening we will return to the hotel for dinner.

 

Tuesday 25/2/2020. Soncino, the big shopping center in Arese and back home.

After breakfast we shall move to the small town of Soncino, where the Jewish Soncino family set up a printing press there and for the first time in the world printed the complete Bible in Hebrew (1488), some Masachtot (1484) and numerous other holy books. We will have a guided visit of the printing museum and the old city including the impressive castle, we will continue to the very big shopping center at Arese and then straight to Milan airport back home. Departure at 20:10 and arrival at 00:55. For non-Israelis we leave them at the airport at about 19:30.

Important note: There may be changes in the route due to changes in carnival schedules, weather and/or other reasons.