Sephardic Balkans: Jewish Heritage Trips

Home
United States
Philadelphia, PA
Sephardic Balkans: Jewish Heritage Trips

We offer Jewish heritage tours to the Balkans. We focus on Jewish history, culture, and traditions. Joseph Benatov holds a Ph.D.
(1)

Sephardic Balkans: Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Greece

Offered every summer, normally in June

Travel program led by Joseph Benatov

In 1943, Bulgaria complied with German demands and deported nearly 11,400 Jews from occupied territories in northern Greece and Yugoslavia (Macedonia). At the same time, Bulgaria resisted German pressures to deport the 50,000 Jews living in Bulgaria. As we travel,

we will analyze the historical context for these events and will experience first hand the rich Sephardic history and culture of these Jewish communities. Seven overnights in Bulgaria, two in Macedonia, and two in Thessaloniki (Salonika), Greece, will allow us to:

* Explore Sofia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s two main cities, and meet their vibrant Jewish communities. Listen to the melodious Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) spoken – and sung! -- by the older generation. Appreciate traditional Sephardi handiwork crafted by women of the “Blessed Hands” group. Savor a rich spread of classical Sephardic dishes, specially prepared for us.

* Navigate the streets and bazaars of North Macedonia’s capital, Skopje, and visit the new Holocaust Memorial and the Bet Yaakov Synagogue. Revel in the beauties of North Macedonia’s most spellbinding city-on-a-lake – Ohrid.

* Enjoy the spectacular beauties of Thessaloniki – “the Jerusalem of the Balkans” – as we visit its two synagogues and the city’s cultural sites.

* Visit Bulgaria’s Rila Monastery, the medieval capital Veliko Turnovo, the Rhodope Mountains, and much, much more. in comparative literature from the University of Pennsylvania, where he teaches Hebrew. He is originally from Bulgaria and a member of Sofia’s Jewish community. Joseph has over 10 years of experience leading travelers across Bulgaria, including UNESCO representatives, 92nd Street Y visitors, JDC board members, and Anti-Defamation League officials. He also lectures regularly on the history of Jewish life in Bulgaria and has published on the fate of Bulgaria’s Jews during the Holocaust. Joseph takes a keen interest in Bulgarian cuisine and winemaking, so be prepared for some fine wine-and-dining along the way. For details, contact Joseph at [email protected].

06/10/2024

Treasures of Jewish Sofia.

06/05/2024

I just found in Corfu Christo's inspiration for his Mastaba installation in London.

05/29/2024

Jewish cemetery, Kotor, Montenegro

05/29/2024

Kotor Bay from up high.

05/28/2024

Saint George, Kotor Bay.

05/28/2024

05/26/2024

Stock up for winter in Romania.

05/26/2024

A few days ago, we finished an excellent Jewish heritage tour of Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Trieste. Our last stop was Ljubljana. Join us in 2025!

05/23/2024

Greetings from Viscri, Romania.

05/21/2024

Great Synagogue, Bucharest, Romania.

05/15/2024

05/14/2024

Visiting the Jewish community in Zagreb, Croatia.

05/12/2024

Also in Hvar.

05/12/2024

Hvar.

05/12/2024

Greetings from Hvar, Croatia.

05/05/2024

Sarajevo by night. Launching our 2024 tour season.

03/01/2024

I'm proud to report that our Bulgaria food & wine tour was featured by Santé Magazine.

You can experience it yourself this June - reserve your spot now.

02/18/2024

Dear Travelers,
This year, our annual Jewish heritage tour of Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Greece will be extra special. We will end the trip with a private five-course fine-dining dinner, prepared for us by one of Bulgaria's top chefs. One of the courses will be the chef's homage to the traditional Sephardic cuisine of Bulgaria's Jewish community. Our chef is going to prepare a classic Sephardic dish of his choice, giving it his creative interpretation. This promises to be exciting, delicious, and Instagrammable!

Jewish Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Greece -- June 10-21, 2024. [Celebrate Shavuot in the Balkans!]
Details: https://sephardicbalkans.com/bulgaria-jewish-heritage-tour/
Join us today!

Photo and cooking credit: Sibylla Benatova

02/03/2024

If you love to travel and are passionate about discovering new wines and sampling local cuisine with a dollop of history thrown in, then The Bulgaria Gourmet Food & Wine Tour should be on your radar.

01/21/2024

Our Bulgaria Gourmet Food & Wine Tour is filling up fast. Reserve a delicious spot today! June 25-July 3, 2024. Details: sephardicbalkans.com

12/24/2023

Intellectually invigorationg Jewish herigate tours of the Sephardic and Ashkenazi communities of the Balkans.

12/15/2023

Tarator -- Bulgaria's national cold summer soup. Yoghurt, cucumbers, garlic, dill.
Taste it on our Bulgaria Gourmet Food & Wine Tour. June 25-July 3, 2024.
Details: sephardicbalkans.com

12/03/2023

It's always sunny in Philadelphia.

12/01/2023

Join us in Slovenia for a gorgeous and delicious travel experience. May 2024 & 2025.

11/22/2023

Join our Jewish Bosnia & Croatia tour. Offered in May 2024 & 2025.

11/17/2023

Bulgaria Gourmet * The Food and Wine Tour!
25 June-3 July 2024.
Details: sephardicbalkans.com

11/17/2023

Announcing Bulgaria Gourmet: The Food & Wine Tour!

A fine wine-and-dine extravaganza. 25 June-3 July 2024.

Details: https://sephardicbalkans.com/bulgaria-wine-tour/

11/12/2023

Join one of our 2024 Jewish Heritage tours of the Balkans!
Link with details in first comment.

Address

Philadelphia, PA

Telephone

+12679701817

Website

http://sephardicbalkans.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sephardic Balkans: Jewish Heritage Trips posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.