Day 1, Wednesday: We depart New York on our overnight flight to Buenos Aires.

Day 2, Thursday: We will arrive in the late morning in Buenos Aires where we will be personally greeted and assisted through customs and immigration; a private coach and guide will escort us to our hotel. This afternoon, it's time to explore the wonders of Buenos Aires' Jewish Heritage. Start with a visit to the Grand Synagogue, the Libertad, built at the beginning of the century and at one time the center of religious activity in Buenos Aires. Following is a visit to the Jewish Museum which vividly depicts the history of the Jewish community. Continue to the district of Once, the East Side of Buenos Aires, with its kosher butchers, shops, schools and restaurants. The headquarters of the major Jewish organizations are situated here. Tonight we enjoy a superb traditional Jewish meal at Mis Raices (in English: My Roots) hosted by the well known Jewish Chef herself at her own house. Overnight in Buenos Aires.

Day 3, Friday: After breakfast at the hotel, it's time to see the gracious sights of this most beautiful city, known as the Paris of South America. Highlights include Plaza de Mayo Square, the Boca district, the Harbour, the 9th of July Avenue, the "Casa Rosada" (Government House), and the Colon Theatre. This afternoon we will visit Club Hebraica, a very highly developed Jewish cultural complex. Under the personal guidance of a club official, we will receive a special tour of this vast network of schools, sports and entertainment facilities. This evening attend Shabbat Services at a nearby synagogue. After services we enjoy Shabbat dinner together. Overnight in Buenos Aires.

Day 4, Saturday: Day at leisure to explore the city on your own. Perhaps take a stroll along fascinating Calle Florida, one of the world's great pedestrian walks, with excellent shops featuring quality products, including the finest leathers, furs, luggage, shoes, and tailored clothing. In the evening we enjoy a festive dinner and then experience one of Argentina's treasures - a unique and captivating show of Tango and Folklore. Overnight in Buenos Aires.

Day 5, Sunday: Late morning transfer to Aeroparque Airport for our flight to the majestic Iguazzu Falls. Upon arrival in Iguazzu, we will be met by our private guide and coach and transferred to our hotel. Afternoon we begin our discovery of Iguazzu, by viewing the falls consisting of 275 different waterways that meld together and fall 250 feet in a crescendo of astounding beauty. The Iguazzu is wider than Victoria higher then the Niagara and more beautiful than both. We tour the Argentine side of the falls, including a visit to the famous Devil's Throat, the most magnificent of the falls, where you will view and photograph the thundering waters falling below. Brief visit to the National Park, before returning to your hotel for overnight. Overnight in Iguazzu.

Day 6, Monday: After breakfast we depart to the Brazilian side of the falls for a walking tour of one of the world's greatest natural wonders with a totally different panoramic view. Lunch is included. This afternoon transfer to the airport for the departure of our flight to Sao Paulo. Upon arrival, we will be met and transferred by private coach to our hotel. Overnight in Sao Paulo.

Day 7, Tuesday: After breakfast this morning we're off to discover the many delights of this bustling metropolis - Brazil's largest city, more than twice the size of New York. First, a city tour including a drive among the city's towering skyscrapers and magnificent mansions in beautiful residential districts. We'll visit Butanta Institute, Sao Paulo University, the Morumbi soccer stadium, and Ibirapuera Park. This afternoon, it's the sights and sounds of Jewish Sao Paulo, where most of the Jewish population of Brazil lives. Our first stop is the Bom Retiro District, where the first Jewish settlers (from Central and Eastern Europe) established themselves in commerce and trade. Today the Bom Retiro District still has quite a few Jewish inhabitants, merchants, and synagogues. We continue to UNIBES (Brazilian-Israelite Association for Social Welfare) which assists needy families with the support of volunteers and donations from the Jewish community. Another place of great pride is the excellent Jewish Home for the Elderly, built and maintained by the vibrant Jewish community. We'll participate in a private reception given by Rabbi Henry Sobel at the Temple C.I.P. (Congregacao Israelita Paulista), the largest Jewish religious congregation (over 2100 families) in Sao Paulo and Brazil. Overnight in Sao Paulo.

Day 8, Wednesday: Visit Club Hebraica, the largest and most important Jewish country club and center in Sao Paulo. A complete tour of this lovely club is followed by lunch. One of the finest Jewish community centers in the world, its facilities include four swimming pools, bowling alleys, tennis courts, basketball courts, huge gymnasiums, banquet halls, four restaurants, two theaters, and an art gallery with an extensive private collection. No wonder that on any beautiful day thousands of Jewish Paulistas enjoy this magnificent complex, and we'll have a chance to meet some of them. This afternoon we transfer to the airport for our flight to one of the most exciting cities in the world, Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival, we will be met by our private guide and transferred by special coach to our hotel. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.

Day 9, Thursday: We begin our day of sightseeing by viewing the famed beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon. We'll continue to Maracana, one of the largest sports stadiums ever constructed. A highlight will be a spectacular cable car ride to the crest of Sugarloaf Mountain, 1200 feet high, with its breathtaking view of Guanabara Bay and the landscape of Rio. Lunch at a charming restaurant on the bay next to Sugarloaf. We will discover this afternoon that it does not take long to find the Jewish presence in Rio - a public school named after Anne Frank, a square called Ben Gurion, a street named Theodore Herzl. We shall visit the Grand Synagogue, magnificently restored by famed publisher Adolpho Bloch. We continue to the hub of the Jewish community, the Jewish Federation, which coordinates all aspects of Jewish life, including synagogues, schools and clubs. There are 73 Jewish institutions catering to the needs of the community. Our tour continues to the luxurious Ipanema Headquarters of H. Stern for an informative visual explanation of how gemstones are discovered, mined, and made into beautiful jewelry. We will also have the opportunity to meet Mr. Hans Stern, a leading citizen of this fabulous city. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.

Day 10, Friday: Our Jewish Heritage exploration continues with a visit to the headquarters of Manchete, one of the largest television and radio networks and publisher of many of the leading magazines in Brazil. The corporate center of this Jewish-owned communication company houses one of the finest and most valuable private art collections of Brazilian painters, collected personally by Adolpho Bloch, the chairman of Manchete and a leading Jewish citizen. We then continue to Colegio A. Liessen, the largest Jewish day school in Rio (there are 4 others), which caters to the needs of 1500 students from pre-school through high school. The afternoon will be at leisure to shop and explore on your own. Shabbat service at C.I.E or Barilan Synagogue followed by Shabbat dinner. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.

Day 11, Saturday: Today is a full day at leisure. We are certain you will want to explore this fascinating city on your own. Take advantage of the wonderful shopping for crafts and other goods. Take a dip in the pool, go to the beach, or take an optional tour. We will have our gala farewell evening tonight. Our celebration will start in one of the famous churrasco (barbeque) restaurants of Rio. The meal consists of a non-stop variety of charcoal grilled meats, chicken, vegetables, and a wide variety of delicious salads, hearts of palm and many other Brazilian and international specialties. Our evening will shift gears to the excitement of one of Rio's most famous Samba shows, "Plataforma" - a show that focuses on all aspects of Brazil's rich and varied folklore with over 120 performers exhibiting fabulous Carnival costumes to the sounds of the Samba. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.

Day 12, Sunday: We will take you this morning to one of Rio's weekly happenings - the Hippie Fair - which even the cariocas (the natives of Rio) frequent to buy excellent handicrafts of leather, wood and metal, and paintings by local artists. Lunch will be at the Bar Ilan School - the center of Orthodox Judaism in Rio. This small school with its 350 students has the only kosher kitchen in Rio where Sunday brunch is a must and you'll enjoy every tempting dish. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the sights and sounds of the city. Our private coach and guide will escort us to the airport for a late evening departure on our nonstop flight to New York.

Day 13, Monday: Arrival to New York.

The Memories Last Forever!
Itinerary subject to change