Pre - Sept 19
Informal plans for those arriving earlier
There will be a number who will plan to arrive early and have a few days in Rome.
We will offer a suggested itinerary which will dovetail into our planed events for Sept 19&20 in Rome.
We will offer a suggested itinerary which will dovetail into our planed events for Sept 19&20 in Rome.
Sept 19 - Tuesday (Rome)
Arrive in Rome under your own arrangements
15:00 (TBC) Meet for an exploratory evening
Sept 20 - Wednesday (Rome)
Rome
There is so much to see in Rome including the Theatre of Marcelo, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, Piazza de Popolo, Via Del Corso, Hadrian’s column, the Jewish Ghetto. The Hop On Hop Off Bus has a circuitous route around the city which is enjoyable and useful.
We will tour of Colosseum, the Roman Forum and St Peter’s Cathedral. The square in front of the cathedral with its circular columned perimeter and the centrally-placed Egyptian obelisk, are always bigger and grander than can be imagined. The whole effect of the facade and the square was meticulously designed by Michelangelo, who considered himself first an architect, second a sculpture and third a painter. The obelisk was once the centre of the Circus of Caligula which was used for chariot racing and killing Christians, Peter among them, in the days prior to Constantine legalising Christianity in the Roman Empire in 312AD. The cathedral, or basilica as the Italians call it, after a pagan structure commonly used by the emperors of Rome for their legal and official public buildings and adopted and adapted by the Christian emperors and Popes for church design, was built at a scale which can only be appreciated by a physical visit.
We will tour of Colosseum, the Roman Forum and St Peter’s Cathedral. The square in front of the cathedral with its circular columned perimeter and the centrally-placed Egyptian obelisk, are always bigger and grander than can be imagined. The whole effect of the facade and the square was meticulously designed by Michelangelo, who considered himself first an architect, second a sculpture and third a painter. The obelisk was once the centre of the Circus of Caligula which was used for chariot racing and killing Christians, Peter among them, in the days prior to Constantine legalising Christianity in the Roman Empire in 312AD. The cathedral, or basilica as the Italians call it, after a pagan structure commonly used by the emperors of Rome for their legal and official public buildings and adopted and adapted by the Christian emperors and Popes for church design, was built at a scale which can only be appreciated by a physical visit.
Sept 21 - Thursday (Naples)
Naples
08:00 -10:00 Train to Naples Centrale (70 minutes)
14:00 Walking tour of Naples
The Royal Palace of Naples, Palazzo Real was built by the Bourbon Kings during their reign from approx. 1740-1860, with a short interruption by Napoleon who installed a relation named Murat as ruler when Napoleon invaded and took over for a while. Murat was shot after a number of years and the monarchy restored until later in the 19th century when Italy’s Kingdoms and territories united as one country and became a republic. The palace is still set up with all the furniture, paintings, tapestries, ornaments, and paraphernalia of the monarchy. It is opulent, and is reminiscent of the Louvre Palace in Paris, which is not surprising given that the Bourbon Kings were French.
The Naples Museum, has a huge collection of artefacts from Pompeii on display.
14:00 Walking tour of Naples
The Royal Palace of Naples, Palazzo Real was built by the Bourbon Kings during their reign from approx. 1740-1860, with a short interruption by Napoleon who installed a relation named Murat as ruler when Napoleon invaded and took over for a while. Murat was shot after a number of years and the monarchy restored until later in the 19th century when Italy’s Kingdoms and territories united as one country and became a republic. The palace is still set up with all the furniture, paintings, tapestries, ornaments, and paraphernalia of the monarchy. It is opulent, and is reminiscent of the Louvre Palace in Paris, which is not surprising given that the Bourbon Kings were French.
The Naples Museum, has a huge collection of artefacts from Pompeii on display.
Sept 22 - Friday (Naples)
Pompeii
09:00 Train from Naples Centrale to Pompeii (36 minutes, head to “Circumvesuviana”)
10:00 All day in Pompeii (no large bags, <30x30x15)
A 5 minute walk from the station to Pompeii. The Pompeii site is expansive, a city was frozen in time on the fateful day in AD 79 when Vesuvius erupted and covered the city with 6 metres of volcanic ash which hardened into a soft rock and his the old city for nearly 2000 years. The site was abandoned and settlements built on top over many centuries. In modern times the site has been progressively uncovered and the work continues today. We will visit the old port, the forum, basilica, main temples, houses of the aristocracy, the theatre, the large amphitheatre and see the moulds of the people who died in the gases emitted by the eruption of Vesuvius and whose bodies were covered by the falling ash. The people were living normal life one day and were consumed by a cataclysm the next.
Pompeii was founded in 600BC and was destroyed in 79AD so the city was nearly 700 years old when it was destroyed an in some parts of the city there are 6 levels of archaeology on top of each other from the long history of the city.
10:00 All day in Pompeii (no large bags, <30x30x15)
A 5 minute walk from the station to Pompeii. The Pompeii site is expansive, a city was frozen in time on the fateful day in AD 79 when Vesuvius erupted and covered the city with 6 metres of volcanic ash which hardened into a soft rock and his the old city for nearly 2000 years. The site was abandoned and settlements built on top over many centuries. In modern times the site has been progressively uncovered and the work continues today. We will visit the old port, the forum, basilica, main temples, houses of the aristocracy, the theatre, the large amphitheatre and see the moulds of the people who died in the gases emitted by the eruption of Vesuvius and whose bodies were covered by the falling ash. The people were living normal life one day and were consumed by a cataclysm the next.
Pompeii was founded in 600BC and was destroyed in 79AD so the city was nearly 700 years old when it was destroyed an in some parts of the city there are 6 levels of archaeology on top of each other from the long history of the city.
Sept 23 - Saturday (Sorrento)
Sorrento
09:00 Train Naples to Sorrento
Sorrento is a compact town at 5 square kms, and is the gateway to the Amalfi Coast towns such as Ravello and Positano. The whole region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a great place to soak up Italian culture.
We will visit the Basilica Sant’Antonino, which Dates from the Middle Ages, and is the oldest church in Sorrento. The basilica is named after the patron saint of Sorrento. The basilica exterior is quite austere, however inside the basilica you’ll notice an ornate gilded ceiling and paintings by Giovanni Bernardo Lama. Also of interest are the silver medallions in the crypt. These were votive offerings by sailors who had escaped shipwrecks.
Cathedral of Saints Philip and James also known as Sorrento Cathedral or the Duomo di Sorrento is a Roman Catholic place of worship was built in the 11th century. It was rebuilt again in the 15th century in the Baroque style.
Dinner will be at Corso Italia, a pedestrianized road is the main street in Sorrento. There are many boutiques lining this busy Sorrento road, as well as ice cream parlours such as Momi Gelateria.
Failing that, the Marina Grande is a small but charming Sorrento harbour. Used by local fishermen for over 2,000 years with several good seafood restaurants. Marina Grande is very atmospheric in late afternoon when the fishermen bring their boats in. It’s also a popular bathing spot when the boats are out, although there’s no sand or beach to speak of.
Sorrento is a compact town at 5 square kms, and is the gateway to the Amalfi Coast towns such as Ravello and Positano. The whole region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a great place to soak up Italian culture.
We will visit the Basilica Sant’Antonino, which Dates from the Middle Ages, and is the oldest church in Sorrento. The basilica is named after the patron saint of Sorrento. The basilica exterior is quite austere, however inside the basilica you’ll notice an ornate gilded ceiling and paintings by Giovanni Bernardo Lama. Also of interest are the silver medallions in the crypt. These were votive offerings by sailors who had escaped shipwrecks.
Cathedral of Saints Philip and James also known as Sorrento Cathedral or the Duomo di Sorrento is a Roman Catholic place of worship was built in the 11th century. It was rebuilt again in the 15th century in the Baroque style.
Dinner will be at Corso Italia, a pedestrianized road is the main street in Sorrento. There are many boutiques lining this busy Sorrento road, as well as ice cream parlours such as Momi Gelateria.
Failing that, the Marina Grande is a small but charming Sorrento harbour. Used by local fishermen for over 2,000 years with several good seafood restaurants. Marina Grande is very atmospheric in late afternoon when the fishermen bring their boats in. It’s also a popular bathing spot when the boats are out, although there’s no sand or beach to speak of.
Sept 24 - Sunday (Sorrento)
Amalfi Coast
09:00 3 city of the Amalfi Coast
There’s no other place like the Amalfi Coast. The unique position of the fishing villages with their pastel-colored houses edged between the mountains facing the Tyrrhenian Sea is simply mind-blowing, not forgetting about all the mouthwatering traditional dishes at most of the restaurants. We only have a day, but we will visit the villages of Positano and Amalfi and perhaps even Ravello.
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There’s no other place like the Amalfi Coast. The unique position of the fishing villages with their pastel-colored houses edged between the mountains facing the Tyrrhenian Sea is simply mind-blowing, not forgetting about all the mouthwatering traditional dishes at most of the restaurants. We only have a day, but we will visit the villages of Positano and Amalfi and perhaps even Ravello.
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Sept 25 - Monday (Sienna)
Sienna
09:00 Train from Sorrento to Naples, Rome, then to Siena
15:00 Some time in Sienna, Piazza del Campo
15:00 Some time in Sienna, Piazza del Campo
Sept 26 - Tuesday (Sienna)
Sienna
09:00 Explore Sienna
From the coast to Tuscany and the city of Siena, a key city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the province of Siena. The city is historically linked to commercial and banking activities, having been a major banking centre until the 13th and 14th centuries. Siena is also home to the oldest bank in the world, the Monte dei Paschi bank, which has been operating continuously since 1472.
It is a truly beautiful city and it’s easy to get lost in the medieval beauty of Siena. Stroll through the 17th-century Piazza del Campo, one of the most spectacular medieval squares in all of Europe and admire the view from the Torre del Mangi.
From the coast to Tuscany and the city of Siena, a key city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the province of Siena. The city is historically linked to commercial and banking activities, having been a major banking centre until the 13th and 14th centuries. Siena is also home to the oldest bank in the world, the Monte dei Paschi bank, which has been operating continuously since 1472.
It is a truly beautiful city and it’s easy to get lost in the medieval beauty of Siena. Stroll through the 17th-century Piazza del Campo, one of the most spectacular medieval squares in all of Europe and admire the view from the Torre del Mangi.
Sept 27 - Wednesday (Florence)
Florence
09:00 Train Siena to Florence
13:00 A walking tour of Florence
The 400 year-old palazzo, Ponte Vechio on Borgo Santi Apostoli 10 is awesome with the magnificent Baptistry, Cathedral and Camponile, all faced with white, green and pink marble that is so distinctive of Florentine architecture. The Brunelleschi dome on the cathedral has a beauty about it that is the result of the dimensions being just right.
13:00 A walking tour of Florence
The 400 year-old palazzo, Ponte Vechio on Borgo Santi Apostoli 10 is awesome with the magnificent Baptistry, Cathedral and Camponile, all faced with white, green and pink marble that is so distinctive of Florentine architecture. The Brunelleschi dome on the cathedral has a beauty about it that is the result of the dimensions being just right.
Sept 28 - Thursday (Florence)
Florence
9:00 A day in Florence
The Galleria Dell Academia is a Museum displaying Florentine renaissance artworks, including paintings, sculptures and even musical instruments.
The prime attraction is Michelangelo’s David, which towers over everything else in the main display room. It is truly a work of genius. There are other Michelangelo statues on display at which showcase how he chiselled back the marble to reveal his envisaged artwork.
The Uffizzi Museum is one of Italy’s oldest museums. It is the collection started by the Medici family, who were the ruling family in Florence for 300 years, with a few interruptions and periods of exile. The Medici became the patrons and facilitators of the Renaissance, which began and was progressed in Florence. The amazing sculptures and paintings in the Uffizzi demonstrate the wealth and taste of the Medici family, including Lorenzo the Magnificent who is the most famous of all. There are some Caravaggios, Rembrandts, PP Rubens and many more amazing paintings.
We can also tour the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens, which are located at the rear of the Pitt Palace. The Palace and the gardens are both very grand and established in the splendour by the Medici family. It was originally owned by Luca Pitti, an affluent Florentine banker who had the severe and austere building contracted around 1458, before the Medici family bought it in 1549, and transformed the other royal palace into a royal wardrobe. The Pitti Palace grew into a royal treasure house as more and more valuable items of art, jewellery and other treasures were stored there. Napolean used the Pitti Palace as a base when he ruled Italy for a while. The palace and its treasures were donated to the Italian people by King Victor Emmanuel III in 1919. The artworks and royal rooms are intact and very impressive indeed.
The Boboli Gardens are at the rear of the palace with fountains and grottos.
The Galleria Dell Academia is a Museum displaying Florentine renaissance artworks, including paintings, sculptures and even musical instruments.
The prime attraction is Michelangelo’s David, which towers over everything else in the main display room. It is truly a work of genius. There are other Michelangelo statues on display at which showcase how he chiselled back the marble to reveal his envisaged artwork.
The Uffizzi Museum is one of Italy’s oldest museums. It is the collection started by the Medici family, who were the ruling family in Florence for 300 years, with a few interruptions and periods of exile. The Medici became the patrons and facilitators of the Renaissance, which began and was progressed in Florence. The amazing sculptures and paintings in the Uffizzi demonstrate the wealth and taste of the Medici family, including Lorenzo the Magnificent who is the most famous of all. There are some Caravaggios, Rembrandts, PP Rubens and many more amazing paintings.
We can also tour the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens, which are located at the rear of the Pitt Palace. The Palace and the gardens are both very grand and established in the splendour by the Medici family. It was originally owned by Luca Pitti, an affluent Florentine banker who had the severe and austere building contracted around 1458, before the Medici family bought it in 1549, and transformed the other royal palace into a royal wardrobe. The Pitti Palace grew into a royal treasure house as more and more valuable items of art, jewellery and other treasures were stored there. Napolean used the Pitti Palace as a base when he ruled Italy for a while. The palace and its treasures were donated to the Italian people by King Victor Emmanuel III in 1919. The artworks and royal rooms are intact and very impressive indeed.
The Boboli Gardens are at the rear of the palace with fountains and grottos.
Sept 29 - Friday (Monterosso)
Cinque Terra
09:00 Train to Monterosso
An early morning activity, for the enthusiastic is a climb up the stairs up to the Piazza Michelangelo, which is so named because it contains a copy of Michelangelo’s David, and enjoyed the magnificent views over the city of Florence with the terracotta tiles on all the roofs of Florence.
From here we will take the 3 hour train trip to Monterosso al Mare, the northernmost town in the Cinques Terre, changing trains twice, once at Pisa, and the at La Spezia, finally arriving at Cinque Terre. Arrival is a bit of a shock because the train is moving through a tunnel and then emerges right on the side of a cliff overlooking the ocean and a spectacular rocky coastline. The train travels through tunnels dug by hand in the 19th century between the five towns of the Cinque Terre (“five lands”) and emerges only for the train station at each town. The towns are only a few minutes apart by train, so it is very convenient to travel by train.
An early morning activity, for the enthusiastic is a climb up the stairs up to the Piazza Michelangelo, which is so named because it contains a copy of Michelangelo’s David, and enjoyed the magnificent views over the city of Florence with the terracotta tiles on all the roofs of Florence.
From here we will take the 3 hour train trip to Monterosso al Mare, the northernmost town in the Cinques Terre, changing trains twice, once at Pisa, and the at La Spezia, finally arriving at Cinque Terre. Arrival is a bit of a shock because the train is moving through a tunnel and then emerges right on the side of a cliff overlooking the ocean and a spectacular rocky coastline. The train travels through tunnels dug by hand in the 19th century between the five towns of the Cinque Terre (“five lands”) and emerges only for the train station at each town. The towns are only a few minutes apart by train, so it is very convenient to travel by train.
Sept 30 - Saturday (Monterosso)
Cinque Terra
09:00 A tour of the ‘5 towns’ - Cinque Terre
It should be warm enough for a swim in the sparkling clean Mediterranean water after breakfast, which almost certainly will be fresh focaccia which was invented in this area, Genoa to be specific.
Cinque Terre means “five towns”. These famous five make up most of the Italian Riviera. They are famous for being built on steep hills and rocky cliffs that leap hundreds of metres out of the Mediterranean on a spectacular strip of coastline. The coves and steep valleys were cultivated for olive groves and vineyards going back at least 1000 years. The five towns were inaccessible for most of their history by any means except for boats. All the materials for building the churches, castles, walls, houses, vineyards, olive groves, sea walls, were all brought in by boat. The only way to take anything in or out by land was on the back of a donkey or carry it on your own back as the steep hills were climbed on single tracks. The cultivation of the land was by steeply terraced hills. The main production was olive oil and wine, for which the area became famous.
The five towns are Vernazza, Monterosso, Riomaggiore, Manorola and Corniglia and our ambition is to explore each of these in order travelling between them by train. The train is an excellent way to travel on the Cinque Terre. The mountains have been pierced by long tunnels between the towns, and there is only about a 4-5 minute train journey between each town
It should be warm enough for a swim in the sparkling clean Mediterranean water after breakfast, which almost certainly will be fresh focaccia which was invented in this area, Genoa to be specific.
Cinque Terre means “five towns”. These famous five make up most of the Italian Riviera. They are famous for being built on steep hills and rocky cliffs that leap hundreds of metres out of the Mediterranean on a spectacular strip of coastline. The coves and steep valleys were cultivated for olive groves and vineyards going back at least 1000 years. The five towns were inaccessible for most of their history by any means except for boats. All the materials for building the churches, castles, walls, houses, vineyards, olive groves, sea walls, were all brought in by boat. The only way to take anything in or out by land was on the back of a donkey or carry it on your own back as the steep hills were climbed on single tracks. The cultivation of the land was by steeply terraced hills. The main production was olive oil and wine, for which the area became famous.
The five towns are Vernazza, Monterosso, Riomaggiore, Manorola and Corniglia and our ambition is to explore each of these in order travelling between them by train. The train is an excellent way to travel on the Cinque Terre. The mountains have been pierced by long tunnels between the towns, and there is only about a 4-5 minute train journey between each town
Oct 1 - Sunday (Como)
Como
09:00 Train Cinque Terre to Milan then to Como
12:00 A 2 hour look at Milan
14:00 Train to Como
A walk around the township of Como and down to the lake will show off the the old villas that were built by prominent wealthy Italian families in the 18th century and the most magnificent setting for this well know holiday destination of the wealthy.
12:00 A 2 hour look at Milan
14:00 Train to Como
A walk around the township of Como and down to the lake will show off the the old villas that were built by prominent wealthy Italian families in the 18th century and the most magnificent setting for this well know holiday destination of the wealthy.
Oct 2 - Monday (Como)
Lake Como - Belagio & Varenna
09:00 Ferry Trip on Lake Como - Belagio & Varenna
A ferry trip on Como cruising to Verenna and Bellagio is a must. The ferry takes about 40 minutes one way and is a great way to experience the lake. Both sides of the lake are in view and the villas on the shores of the lake can be clearly seen. The old villas in this area are mostly constructed in the 18th century. The large trees planted 200 years ago are huge now. The famous villas have been used in movies (eg James Bond and Star Wars) and TV shows. George Clooney’s villa can be seen from the ferry. The ferry stops at about 10 stops and with a day ticket it is possible to hop off and on as often as one chooses. We will get off at Varenna and Bellagio and look around those two beautiful towns.
A ferry trip on Como cruising to Verenna and Bellagio is a must. The ferry takes about 40 minutes one way and is a great way to experience the lake. Both sides of the lake are in view and the villas on the shores of the lake can be clearly seen. The old villas in this area are mostly constructed in the 18th century. The large trees planted 200 years ago are huge now. The famous villas have been used in movies (eg James Bond and Star Wars) and TV shows. George Clooney’s villa can be seen from the ferry. The ferry stops at about 10 stops and with a day ticket it is possible to hop off and on as often as one chooses. We will get off at Varenna and Bellagio and look around those two beautiful towns.
Oct 3 - Tuesday (Venice)
Venice
09:00 Train to Milan then to Venice.
13:00 Walking tour of Venice
We will start at the Grand Canal, near the railway station, and catch a ferry along the grand canal for as far as possible to experience Venice from the perspective of the canals. See the baroque architectural splendour with most buildings along the grand canal being palazzos associated with wealthy Venetian aristocratic families throughout its history. Some of the palazzos remain in the families’ hands, while others have become museums, boutique luxury hotels, apartments or public buildings for other purposes. They all retain their old charm. St Mark’s Square - Get lost in the labyrinth which is Venice. Some streets lead nowhere, others to a dead end at a Canal
On the way north to Amman we will stop at the Mujeb Valley (Arnon Gorge) viewing site.
13:00 Walking tour of Venice
We will start at the Grand Canal, near the railway station, and catch a ferry along the grand canal for as far as possible to experience Venice from the perspective of the canals. See the baroque architectural splendour with most buildings along the grand canal being palazzos associated with wealthy Venetian aristocratic families throughout its history. Some of the palazzos remain in the families’ hands, while others have become museums, boutique luxury hotels, apartments or public buildings for other purposes. They all retain their old charm. St Mark’s Square - Get lost in the labyrinth which is Venice. Some streets lead nowhere, others to a dead end at a Canal
On the way north to Amman we will stop at the Mujeb Valley (Arnon Gorge) viewing site.
Oct 4 - Wednesday (Venice)
Venice
09:00 Exploring Venice
10:00 Doge Palace, St Mark Cathedral
The only vehicles in this city are boats of various kinds: ferries, gondolas, shiny wooden boats operating as taxis, heavy transport boats, small tinnies and many more – a city that has been constructed on the water. The bridges are picturesque and provide a beautiful view down the canals. The Rialto Bridge is the most famous and a photo there is a must.
We will head to the massive Mark’s Square, the centre of Old Venice with the Cathedral, Doges Palace, old government buildings, then Camponile, the old Venice clock, the four horses from the hippodrome in Constantinople, the oldest coffee shop in Italy (Florian established 1720), all in this square.
At Doge’s Palace we will hire an audio guide which will assist in understanding some of the details of the amazing building and its function as the seat of government during Venetian history. The maritime power of Venice was one of the most powerful, wealthy empires in the world from 14th to 17th century.
We will also explore the Jewish Ghetto, which is not far from the train station and on the same side of the Grand Canal. The term ghetto is purported to have been coined in Venice because the area is adjacent to the foundries, which are called ghetto. The Venetian Ghetto is the first in the world to be so called. The Ghetto was in operation for about 300 years from the 1400s when the Venetian Doge’s required the Jews to live in a small area of the city, mostly on its own little island, and which was fenced and gated and a curfew was imposed. Later the Jews were required to wear various items of yellow, a scarf or patch, which identified them as Jews. It was Napoleon who finally freed the Jews from these obligations when he took over this area of Italy in about 1800.
There is a Jewish Chabad and Rabbinical school in the main square. There is also the oldest bank in the world, the Bank Rosso (red bank) which is the origin of the expression to be “in the red”, meaning to owe money to someone. The Jews were forced to become money lenders and doctors in the Middle Ages, and so they became very wealthy and important to Kings. They became indispensable because royalty often needed to borrow money and also utilise good doctors, but who wants when monarchs wanted to be debt-free, they needed to expel or kill the banker, and so the Jews were both necessary and disliked. Shylock in the Merchant of Venice is the stereotypical Jew of that time and this city.
10:00 Doge Palace, St Mark Cathedral
The only vehicles in this city are boats of various kinds: ferries, gondolas, shiny wooden boats operating as taxis, heavy transport boats, small tinnies and many more – a city that has been constructed on the water. The bridges are picturesque and provide a beautiful view down the canals. The Rialto Bridge is the most famous and a photo there is a must.
We will head to the massive Mark’s Square, the centre of Old Venice with the Cathedral, Doges Palace, old government buildings, then Camponile, the old Venice clock, the four horses from the hippodrome in Constantinople, the oldest coffee shop in Italy (Florian established 1720), all in this square.
At Doge’s Palace we will hire an audio guide which will assist in understanding some of the details of the amazing building and its function as the seat of government during Venetian history. The maritime power of Venice was one of the most powerful, wealthy empires in the world from 14th to 17th century.
We will also explore the Jewish Ghetto, which is not far from the train station and on the same side of the Grand Canal. The term ghetto is purported to have been coined in Venice because the area is adjacent to the foundries, which are called ghetto. The Venetian Ghetto is the first in the world to be so called. The Ghetto was in operation for about 300 years from the 1400s when the Venetian Doge’s required the Jews to live in a small area of the city, mostly on its own little island, and which was fenced and gated and a curfew was imposed. Later the Jews were required to wear various items of yellow, a scarf or patch, which identified them as Jews. It was Napoleon who finally freed the Jews from these obligations when he took over this area of Italy in about 1800.
There is a Jewish Chabad and Rabbinical school in the main square. There is also the oldest bank in the world, the Bank Rosso (red bank) which is the origin of the expression to be “in the red”, meaning to owe money to someone. The Jews were forced to become money lenders and doctors in the Middle Ages, and so they became very wealthy and important to Kings. They became indispensable because royalty often needed to borrow money and also utilise good doctors, but who wants when monarchs wanted to be debt-free, they needed to expel or kill the banker, and so the Jews were both necessary and disliked. Shylock in the Merchant of Venice is the stereotypical Jew of that time and this city.
Oct 5 - Thursday (Onward travel)
Home or further plans ...
The shared trip ends on the morning of Oct 5 in Venice.