Seeing Greece Through a Jewish Lens, with Rabbi Morris Allen
Mar 21, 2027 - Apr 1, 2027
From Athens in the South to Salonica and Ioannina in the North, see and learn about iconic Greek sites while also engaging with both the ancient and modern Jewish stories of this beautiful country. Meet local Jews, descendants of generations of our people who have been settled in "Hellas" for thousands of years. The trip also includes an optional, separately-priced, 3-day extension on the island of Hydra.
Two Jewish communities -Columbus and St. Paul- travel together, led by Rabbi Morris Allen and Doctor Phyllis Gorin. Enjoy the company of fellow local congregants and make new acquaintances from Minnesota and Ohio.
1
Sunday, March 21, 2027
DEPARTURE
- Depart USA for Athens.
Overnight: En-route to Athens
2
Monday, March 22, 2027
ARRIVAL & WELCOME TO GREECE
- Arrive at Athens International Airport, with assistance from a Makor Educational Journeys representative.
- Transfer to hotel in Athens.
- Introduction: Jewish Greece and its Communities – The Romaniyot Jews.
- Welcome dinner at the hotel or at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Athens, Amalia Hotel
3
Tuesday, March 23, 2027
CLASSICAL ATHENS
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- In-depth guided tour of the Acropolis and Parthenon.
- Lunch on own.
- Visit Classical sites in Athens, including Agora, Olympian and Hadrian’s Library.
- Guided tour to see highlights of the National Archaeological Museum.
- Dinner at a local restaurant with a leader of the Athens Jewish Community for a discussion about contemporary Jewish life in Greece.
- Return to hotel.
Overnight: Athens, Amalia Hotel
4
Wednesday, March 24, 2027
JEWISH ATHENS
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Curator led tour of the Jewish Museum of Greece with Zanet Battinou.
- Visit the Jewish School of Athens and meet with its Headmaster George Kanellos.
- Lunch on own.
- Synagogue is a Greek word: Guided tour of the Beth Shalom and Etz Chaim Synagogues.
- Visit Holocaust Memorial and Jewish Cultural Center.
- Visit Syntagma Square symbol of Greek independence and the modern Greek state.
- Explore lively Plaka Quarter.
- Dinner at a Tavern with traditional Greek Music.
Overnight: Athens, Amalia Hotel
5
Thursday, March 25, 2027
THESSALONIKI
- Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
- Morning flight to Thessaloniki. (Salonica).
- Guided tour of Thessaloniki, including the Rotunda, Fortress (Eptagyrion), White Tower and Ataturk Museum.
- Lunch on own.
- Free evening to explore the Ladadika District with dinner on own.
Overnight: Thessaloniki, City Hotel
6
Friday, March 26, 2027
SALONICA - JERUSALEM OF THE BALKANS
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- In depth tour of Jewish Salonica, a major center of Jewish life and learning before the Holocaust, including Museum of the History of the Jews of Salonica, Yeni Mosque, Synagogues, Jewish Cemetery, Allatini and Modiano Villas.
- Market Tasting Lunch Tour.
- Return to hotel for rest and relaxation.
- Kabbalat Shabbat.
- Shabbat Dinner with the Jewish community of Thessaloniki or at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Thessaloniki, City Hotel
7
Shabbat, March 27, 2027
A THESSALONIKI SHABBAT
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Free morning to attend synagogue services or zzzz’s.
- Free day for self-exploration to enjoy the sites and aromas of this beautiful seaside city.
- Lunch on your own.
- Havdallah
- Dinner on your own
Overnight: Thessaloniki, City Hotel
8
Sunday, March 28, 2027
METEORA - MOUNTAIN OF CLIFFHANGING MONASTERIES
- Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
- Drive to Meteora.
- Visit Nikolaus and other cliff hanging monasteries in Meteora dramatic landscape.
- Lunch in Kalambaka overlooking the views of Meteora.
- Continue to Ioannina.
- Ioannina and the Jews, a Special Relationship, with educator en route.
- Check in to the hotel.
- Lakeside dinner at a restaurant in Ioannina.
- Return to hotel.
Overnight: Ioannina, The Lake Hotel
9
Monday, March 29, 2027
IOANNINA - CITY OF LEVITES
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Walking tour of the Old Town (Kastro), the walled city that was once the heart of the community.
- Visit the Kal Kadosh Yashan Romaniyot Synagogue. Explore the surrounding Old Jewish Quarter, visiting the historic homes and sites of the community before its near destruction during the Holocaust.
- Lunch on own.
- Visit the Jewish Museum of Ioannina to understand the 2,000-year history of the Romaniyot Jews. Take a walk to the Jewish Cemetery (located near the Kastro) for a moving, quiet reflection.
- Join for an authentic Greek cooking class. Learn traditional recipes while savoring local flavors and enjoy a delicious dinner made with expertly chosen ingredients.
Overnight: Ioannina, The Lake Hotel
10
Tuesday, March 30, 2027
TRAVEL TO HYDRA
- Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
- Flight to Athens Airport.
–> (Those departing for destinations other than Hydra will need to coordinate with Makor before booking outbound flights from Athens)
- Transfer to Piraeus Port. Take the Flying Dolphin to Hydra.
- Lunch on own en route.
- Arrive in Hydra in the afternoon.
- Check in to the hotel.
- Time permitting: Walking tour through the beautiful roads and alleys of the small island.
- Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Hydra, Hydroussa Hotel
11
Wednesday, March 31, 2027
ANCIENT EPIDAURUS
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Take a small boat to Metohi Port and ascend the bus that will drive you to the famous ancient theater of Epidaurus.
- Visit a winery for wine tasting of a few of the best local wines.
- Group Lunch
- Return to the hotel.
- Conclude the day with a Festive farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Hydra, Hydroussa Hotel
12
Thursday, April 1, 2027
DEPARTURE
- Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
- Free morning for self-exploration.
- Transfer to the port and take the Flying Dolphin to Piraeus Port.
- Transfer to the airport.
- Depart on return flight to the United States.
Overnight: En-route home
5,265*
Main Trip, Per person, in double-occupancy room
805*
Main Trip, Single-occupancy supplement
2,215*
Extension to Hydra, Per person, in double occupancy
230*
Extension to Hydra, Single-occupancy supplement
*Price does not include International Flights
HOTELS:
3 nights Athens – Amalia Hotel
3 nights Thessaloniki – City Hotel
2 nights Ioannina – The Lake Hotel
2 nights Hydra – Hydroussa Hotel
LAND PRICE INCLUDES:
- Arrival Welcome at the airport for one group flight upon arrival
- Airport Transfers
- All Domestic flights and transfers
- Makor Educator/Field Staff – 11 days
- All group Transportation on a private luxury bus – 9 days
- Hotel Accommodations per above or similar, pending confirmation
- Source Materials, Hat, Bag, Map
- Water provided daily on bus
- Porterage at hotels
- Field Coordinator
- All Site Admissions as per the itinerary
- Meals:
- Daily Breakfast
- 2 Lunches on Main Trip, 1 Lunch on Hydra
- 6 Dinners on Main Trip, 2 Dinners on Hydra
LAND PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Tips for Guide and Driver
- Meals on own and out-of-pocket expenses
- Travel and Medical Insurance
- International Flights
PAYMENT AND REFUND SCHEDULE:
Payment Schedule
Upon Registration — NON-Refundable deposit of $500 per participant
November 15, 2026 — 50% of total Payment
February 15, 2027 — Full Payment
Refund Schedule
Cancel before November 15, 2026 — Full Refund
Cancel between November 16 – February 14, 2027 — 50% of monies paid
Cancel after February 14, 2027 — No Refund
MEDICAL and TRAVEL INTERRUPTION INSURANCE:
We urge you to check with your provider about your medical coverage while traveling oversees, and to purchase medical insurance & supplemental medical coverage if necessary (which covers pre-existing conditions).
We also urge you to purchase trip cancellation insurance. This is a smart way to safeguard against life’s uncertainties. You can often purchase a policy through a travel agent when you purchase your plane ticket, through your personal insurance agent, or on-line.
A note about Insurance:
- most insurance policies require purchase within 21 days of your first payment in order to receive maximum (cancel-for-any-reason) coverage (pre-existing conditions, bankruptcy insurance, etc).
- even if you do not yet know the final trip cost (e.g. flights), write down the amount you do know – and then at a later date, the insurance premium can be amended.
- trip dates are for the entire period away from home
- trip costs are all pre-paid expenses (e.g. airfare + land costs)
For more information, contact Rabbi Morris Allen (mojo210al@gmail.com), or Makor Educational Journeys’ representative, Rabbi Misha Zinkow (misha@makorjourneys.com; 1-833-GoMakor)
Recommended Itineraries from/to CMH & MSP TBA
Day 10, Tuesday, March 30: Ioannina to Athens & Hydra**
**–> (Those departing on Tuesday, March 30, 2027 for destinations other than Hydra will need to coordinate your departure time with Makor before booking outbound flights from Athens)