Sightseeing Archives | Page 15 of 17

Paris Charms & Secrets

Paris is a city filled with rich history and culture, but there are so many hidden facts to some of the city’s top attractions and stories behind almost every corner. The big Saint-Sulpice Church, for example, was once a hayloft, and the building where the president works, the Elysse Palace, was once a gambling house. Thanks to the research made by the team at Paris Charms & Secrets, hundreds of strange and personal stories that were hidden somewhere in old books and documents, have been brought to life again.

Did you know that there is a link between Al Capone and the Eiffel Tower? Or that the Eiffel tower had a younger sister? Paris is a mysterious city and on this tour, you will learn some of the top mysteries and the stories surrounding them. When you take a tour of the Louvre, you might hear a few details about the architecture, but at Paris Charms & Secrest, you will hear a story about the museum’s greatest scandal. The goal of this tour is to provide you with the lesser known, hidden stories and details, that you won’t find anywhere else.

This tour is done on an electric bike because you travel more than 20 km and this is an effortless way to cover as much of the city as possible in four hours. There is no other tour that travels this way, but it’s perfect for staying out of traffic, entering protected areas, keeping the group at the same speed, and being able to enjoy some fresh air. By now you’ve read a few of the hidden facts that the historians at Paris Charm’s & Secrets dug out for you, but there are plenty more stories waiting to be told. If you want a fascinating, slightly unconventional tour that takes you to the places less traveled and tells you the hidden secrets of Paris, this tour is for you.

Jewish Paris and the Marais

During this 3-hour tour, you will explore the Jewish history of Paris from the 12th century to WWII. You will be guided by a local historian who will take you through the city’s Jewish Quarter and show you the hidden Jewish history that most people don’t know. The tour begins at King Philippe Auguste’s city wall, which formed the first of many barriers that expelled the Jewish population from the city. Here, you’ll hear the story behind why the Jews were expelled, when they were let back in, and how these events created tension between the king and the Jewish community for the entirety of King Philippe Auguste’s reign.

As the tour gets into the center of the Marais, the guide will cover several issues that the French Jews faced such as the Dreyfus Affair from 1894 to 1906. The tour also makes a stop to the Memorial of the Shoah, which stands as a reminder of the horror the Jews faced during the Holocaust. You will hear stories about the Jewish people being rounded up, their fate at the concentration camps, and the effect this genocide had on the Jewish population in France.

Several other stops will be made along the tour and at the end, you will have a better idea of the cultural and historical influence that the Jewish community had on the city. The tour will end the Jewish Quarter where you will learn about the waves of immigration, famous French Jewish figures, and current and past issues. It is important to note that this tour does not take you inside any of the synagogues. Because many of Marais’ synagogues have been a target for antisemitic attacks, several synagogues are now closed to the public for security issues. The ones that remain open are mostly for Orthodox Jews and the tour company believes it would not be appropriate to enter with a mixed group of non-Jewish men and women.

Jewish Marais Tour

The Jewish Marais tour is a historic walk that begins at Place de Vosges, known by Napolean as the jewel of Paris. From here you will be lead through the streets of the Marais where you will learn about the neighborhood and how it has changed and developed over time. You will pass several sites including the famous rue Pavee synagogue and the Fleishman Synagogue, where a synagogue member will invite you inside and you will hear about the highlights and 2000-year-old history of the French Jewish community.

From the synagogue you will cross the cobblestone streets into the Jewish neighborhood, filled with Jewish shops and bakeries, and kosher restaurants. Your guide will take you to one of Paris’ most popular falafel shops, L’As du Falafel, where you can enjoy a no-wait traditional Israeli falafel (at your own expense). L’As du Falafel is extremely popular among both locals and tourists that there is usually a long line to order their homemade falafel and shwarma.

After the 40-minute lunch break, the tour will conclude at the Shoah Holocaust Museum and Memorial, where your guide will tell emotional stories about the Jews during WWII. Once the tour has completed, you can enter the museum at no charge if you wish to learn more about the Holocaust on your own. The Jewish Marais tour will provide you with a good overview of Jewish history in Paris as well as the modern Jewish life that thrives today.

Madrid Briefing

This tour is lead by true Madrileños, born and raised in the fabulous city and excited to share their insider knowledge and tips with you. Though your time in Madrid might be limited, this tour is a great investment and you will leave with a ton of knowledge on historic sites and with great ideas on how to spend the rest of your vacation.

On this 3 hour leisurely walk through the historic city center, you will have a chance to take in the sites and flavors of the city. Along with your trusted guide, you will explore the cultural highlights and trace the history of Madrid from its medieval beginnings to modern times. Today, Madrid is the thriving capital of Spain, and your guide will fill you in on the latest news, shows, and exhibitions. The Madrid Briefing tour will help you understand what to do, what to see, what events brought Madrid to where it is today, and where the best social and cultural events are taking place during your visit.

Prado Museum Private Jewish Tour

This private tour will give you the opportunity to explore the Prado museum with an official Madrid museum tour guide. You will hear the history behind the Prado collection and see a variety of biblical scenes and masterpieces created by renowned artists. The unique focus of this tour is on the Jewish world which remained unseen for several years due to the political-religious circumstances in the city. During this tour, your guide will point out the hidden details of many painting and help you understand the art that portrays the unique Spanish Jewish heritage.

East End Tours: Old Jewish Quarter Tour

This tour is held every Monday and Thursday at 1pm and will take you through the East End of London, focusing on the old Jewish quarter. You will start in the heart of the East End at Aldgate Station where you will see where the Jewish area began. You’ll be taken through the back alleys of the Spitalfields and Whitechapel where you will see the old shops, synagogues, and soup kitchens that were once used by a thriving Jewish community.

On the tour, you will visit London’s oldest synagogue, see London’s finest 18th century houses, and explore the busy streets lined with boutique shops. Though most Jews between 1881 and 1914 fled for the United States, around 150,000 settled in London’s East End. You will see the old store fronts that were once run by local Jewish community members and learn where the Jews worked, how they maintained their cultural traditions from Eastern Europe, and what it was like for them to live in London.

Traditional English Food Tour

While the focus of this tour is on the flavors of traditional English cuisine, you will also learn about London’s fascinating history and culture. You will visit famous attractions and sites, 1,000-year-old food markets, and hidden pubs and tea warehouses.

At the end, after more than 10 authentic food tastings, you will sit down for cream tea and discuss the highlights of the tour while getting some great travel tips from your tour guide to ensure a successful visit in the English capital. You will leave not only with a full belly, but with more knowledge and a head full of stories that will help you understand London’s traditions and culture.

Jewish London

Most cities around the world, including London, have felt the influence of Jewish culture. The history of Jews in London began in 1066 when William the Conqueror encouraged Jewish artisans and merchants to move from northern France to England. Since then, the London Jewish community has thrived in certain areas of the city and you will hear all about the ups and downs that occurred before and after Edward’s expulsion of the Jews in 1290. On this Jewish London tour, you will learn about the Jewish history in London from the Middle Ages to the present, visiting several historical sites such as the Bevis Marks Synagogue, the Sandy Row Synagogue, and the Kinder Transport Memorial.

London Walks: Old Jewish Quarter Tour

London Walks was founded by Australian Keith Baverstock because he was fed up with the unoriginality of the London tourist scene. He wanted to create an urban walking tour company with high standards and uniquely crafted tours. The Old Jewish Quarter tour takes you back to what Jewish life was like for the East End Jewish community. You will hear stories of poverty and pogroms, and the success of several Jewish figures such as the Rothschilds, Prime Minister Disraeli, and poet Isaac Rosenberg. Some of the tour’s highlights include the Bevis Marks synagogue and old shtetl.

Stephen Burstin

Before working as a tour guide, Stephen worked as a journalist with multiple national newspapers. Stephen worked for three years as an independent guide in Rome where he lead tours in the Jewish Ghetto, the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, and the Ostia Antica. He was born in the East End of London, and at eight years old began researching his Jewish roots in London. This early interest in his Jewish roots has led Stephen to where he is today, as he continues to conduct several Jewish-themed tours in London.

Leading tours is not just his livelihood, but also his passion. Stephen leads tours for families exploring Jewish London, schools whose students are learning about different cultures and religions, and even social clubs who might want to take an educational outing to the Old Jewish Quarter.

For the fifth year in a row, Stephen was awarded a Certificate of Excellence and TripAdvisor has welcomed him and his tours into their own Trip Advisor Hall of Fame. Stephen also won the title, Cultural Tour Guide of the Year, by the Luxury Travel Guides in 2017. He is excited to share his knowledge and enthusiasm about the fascinating history and rich Jewish heritage of London during his explorations with you.

Post Tour Tag: Sightseeing