Sicily's Ancient Jewish History Tour with Renowned Scholar

by Bert Maxwell /
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Jun 29, 2010 / 0 comments

Travel Radio Show/Website Offers Unique Fall Tour to Sicily
Trip's Theme: Path of Sicily's Ancient Jews
Renowned Scholar To Accompany Group

Sicily's long- forgotten Jewish heritage will come to life this fall thanks to a unique tour being produced by LET'S TRAVEL! RADIO, a weekly travel radio show and website (www.letstravelradio.com).

The 11-day celebration of Sicily's Ancient Jewish History runs from October 10 through October 20, 2010, and includes 4-star hotels, gastronomic tastings of the region's culinary delights, transfers, museum entrances, meals, and a study leader. Professor Mauro Gabriele Perani, a world-renowned scholar on Judaic Italy and President of the European Association for Jewish Studies (EAJS), will lead a select group of travelers in uncovering the hidden treasures of ancient Jewish communities in Palermo, Trapani, and the major cities on the island's eastern coastline. Professor Perani's in-depth knowledge of the historical, religious, and cultural heritage of one of the oldest communities of the Diaspora is an added benefit to the program.

The group will journey into Palermo's ancient Jewish quarter, Mosquita, and stop by the city’s Museo Civico, and the Palazzo Abetellis, then visit the Fardelliana in Trapani to view the oldest manuscript of the Qabbalah in Western Europe, the city's Jewish Quarter (Palazzo Ciambra) and the Pepoli’ Museum to view a unique coral jewelry collection by Jewish artisans, Other highlights include: Agira to view the oldest stone Aron found in Western Europe, Siracusa's Giudecca to tour the Jewish catacombs and the site of the oldest mikvah dating to the 7th century AD, and Noto to visit ancient underground chambers with Hebrew symbols. Agrigento, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Piazza Armerina, Taormina, Messina, and Catania will also be part of our itinerary.


Ian Felstead will assist Professor Perani as the tour manager. Mr. Felstead previously devised tour groups for major U.S. organizations including Columbia University, The Smithsonian, and the National Trust. Having served as the Operations Director for AMNH Expeditions, a satellite of New York's American Museum of Natural History, Mr. Felstead has visited over 150 World Heritage Sites in the past thirty years.

Before departing Sicily, travelers may extend their Sicilian journey with Let's Travel! Radio's three-day trip (October 20th to 22nd) to Rome's historic Jewish Quarter and its famous Museo Ebraico. Departures for this extension will be from Catania to Rome. All initial flights depart from JFK to Palermo, via Rome's Fiumcino Airport, and return to JFK, via Rome, from Palermo or Catania.


For more information, contact Susi Raphael at: info[at]letstravelradio.com or phone Let's Travel! Radio's office at: 917-687-2735. For a complete travel itinerary, please visit Let’s Travel Radio’s website at www.letstravelradio.com.