AACI Kosher Italy & The Culture of Carnivals
Dates: February 10 –18, 2026
Duration: 8 full days
Join us for a unique journey into the heart of Italy — a land of timeless beauty, breathtaking scenery, and ancient cities brimming with history and art.
This special tour combines Italy’s endless charm with a festive, immersive experience: the country’s vibrant and colorful carnivals.
We’ll explore centuries-old traditions, parades, and elaborate masks, alongside Italy’s cultural and historical treasures.
The program also includes visits to important sites of Jewish heritage, bearing witness to a rich and flourishing history.
This trip offers the perfect blend of joy, culture, and spirit.
Main destinations:
Rome • Venice • Florence • Perugia • Padua • Ferrara • Cento • Viareggio • Siena • Pisa • Pitigliano
Day 1, Tuesday February 10 – Tel Aviv ✈ Rome
We meet at Ben Gurion Airport in the early morning for our EL AL flight to Rome.
Upon arrival, we begin exploring the city, discovering its famous historical landmarks and timeless charm. The highlights of our tour will include: the Colosseum, the Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica, The Great Synagogue of Rome, and much more.
After a full first day of touring, we check in to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 2, Wednesday February 11 – Rome → Perugia → San Marino → Ferrara
After morning prayers and breakfast, we drive through the Umbrian countryside to Perugia, the region’s capital.
Here we visit the renowned Perugina Chocolate Factory, home to the famous BACI chocolates produced for over 120 years.
We then continue to San Marino, one of the smallest and oldest republics in the world, nestled atop scenic hills.
If time permits, we’ll explore its charming medieval streets before heading to Ferrara for dinner and overnight.
Day 3, Thursday February 12 – Ferrara → Venice → Ferrara
We’ll travel by boat to St. Mark’s Square, where we’ll experience the world-famous Venice Carnival of Masks — one of the grandest open-air festivals in the world.
The city comes alive with vibrant colors, music, and people in magnificent costumes and masks, celebrating a tradition dating back to the 18th century.
We’ll stroll through Venice’s narrow alleys, cross its bridges, and admire the Rialto Bridge before visiting the world’s first Jewish Ghetto.
Dinner at a local kosher restaurant, then return to our hotel in Ferrara.
Day 4, Friday February 13 – Ferrara → Padua → Ferrara
A day of Italian culture and deep Jewish heritage.
After morning prayers and breakfast, we drive to Padua, the city of the great Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (the Ramchal).
We’ll visit the ancient Jewish Ghetto, synagogue, and Jewish Museum, as well as the city’s historic University of Padua, one of the oldest in Europe.
In the afternoon, we return to Ferrara to prepare for Shabbat, followed by Kabbalat Shabbat,a festive dinner, and overnight.
Day 5, Shabbat February 14 – Ferrara
After morning services and Shabbat lunch, we enjoy a leisurely walking tour with our guide through the historic center of Ferrara, once home to one of Italy’s most prominent Jewish communities.
In the evening, we gather for Havdalah, followed by a group lecture or discussion.
Day 6, Sunday February 15 – Ferrara → Cento → Montecatini Terme (Tuscany)
After morning prayers and breakfast, we bid farewell to Ferrara after a brief stop there and head toward the Emilia-Romagna region.
We drive to the nearby town of Cento, host to one of Europe’s oldest and most joyful carnivals.
Enjoy the lively Cento Carnival, featuring colorful floats, music, and dancing — with the unique local custom of throwing candies, balloons, and small gifts from the parade floats into the cheering crowd.
As evening falls, we continue to Montecatini Terme, in the heart of Tuscany, for dinner and overnight at our next hotel.
Day 7, Monday February 16 – Montecatini → Siena → Florence → Montecatini
After morning prayers and breakfast, we begin the day with a visit to Siena, one of Tuscany’s most beautiful and romantic cities.
We’ll explore the Piazza del Campo, one of Italy’s most striking squares, and stroll through its ancient medieval alleys, seemingly frozen in time.
We then continue to Florence, the jewel of the Renaissance, located on the banks of the Arno River.
Florence is home to some of the world’s most remarkable art and architecture — majestic monuments, museums, and a legacy that shaped modern culture.
Dinner and overnight in Montecatini.
Day 8, Tuesday February 17 – Montecatini → Pisa → Viareggio → Montecatini
After morning prayers and breakfast, we drive to Pisa to admire the city’s engineering marvel — the famous Leaning Tower.
We continue to the seaside town of Viareggio, which each year hosts one of Italy’s most spectacular events — the Carnival of Giant Puppets.
Marvel at enormous, elaborately designed figures parading through the streets, accompanied by dancers and live music — a dazzling celebration of joy, satire, and creativity.
We return to Montecatini for dinner and overnight.
Day 9, Wednesday February 18 – Montecatini → Pitigliano → Rome ✈ Tel Aviv
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and travel to the picturesque town of Pitigliano, known as “Little Jerusalem.”
This charming Tuscan village was home to a flourishing Jewish community in the 18th century.
We’ll visit the restored synagogue and Jewish museum, learning about the community’s rich past.
In the afternoon, we drive to Rome Airport for our flight back to Tel Aviv, arriving early Thursday morning.
| Price: in USD $4,590 per person in a double room for AACI members $5,480 single person in a room |
$80-pp addition for non AACI member or join AACI
Flights (not included-subject to change)
LY 385 10FEB TLV-FCO 0610 0855
LY 384 18FEB FCOTLV 2210 0230 19FEB
The price includes:
- Accommodation: In excellent tourist-class hotels
- Meals: Half board (two meals a day, and packed lunch)
- Transportation: Air-conditioned tourist bus for transfers and tours
- Guide-Israeli guide and kosher supervisor, local guides where relevant
- AACI Staff member
- Carnival in Venice, Cento and Via Reggio
- Attractions, visits, tours, and entrance to all sites as detailed in the itinerary, full-day tours
- Mineral water throughout the trip
- All tips
The price does not include:
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Additional meals not specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses and services.
- Anything not included in the itinerary and the price of the trip.
Note: It is recommended to purchase travel insurance at the time of registration that includes coverage for cancellation fees and medical expenses.
Payment Policy:
Upon registration full payment
Cancellation Policy:
From registration until December 10th, 2025- 60% total tour price
Full cancellation from December 11th 2025
For additional informaiton, please email info@aaci.org.il or call 972-2-5661181 ext 205