Jewish Heritage Tours in Poland
(from our Exclusive series)

For Jewish travelers, a tour to Poland may be a difficult yet essential journey. The statistics themselves are harrowing: During the Holocaust, 90% of Poland’s three million Jews were annihilated. Still, Jewish roots go centuries-deep in this country, and we have made great contributions to it. In the past, Jewish travel to Poland was limited to Krakow and Warsaw. Today, however, one can see other important historical sights, as well as the vivid present-day return of a Jewish Poland. To create a more in-depth experience for the sophisticated Jewish traveler, we now also include Tykocin, Kazimiers Dolny, Lublin,Lezajsk, Lancut, Wroclaw, Lodz and more – all featuring new sights and new insights into our complex and continuing life in this part of the world.

Day 01 Tuesday Arrival to Warsaw
Arrival to Warsaw, and transfer to your hotel to rest and refresh. In the afternoon, begin sightseeing this fascinating city. Today, Jewish life is coming back: The Jewish community is growing, kosher stores and restaurants are opening, and more and more Poles are interested in commemorating, restoring and reviving Jewish culture. Jewish sights will be highlighted, and include the Warsaw Ghetto monument, Umschlagplatz, Mila 18, Nozyk Synagogue, and the impressive Jewish Historic Institute and Museum. Welcome Dinner. Marriott Hotel.

Day 02 Wednesday Warsaw – Tykocin – Treblinka – Warsaw
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the village of Tykocin in Eastern Poland, whose restored 17th century synagogue also serves as a Jewish Museum. Later, visit the Lupochowa Forest, where the Jews of Tykocin were executed during the Holocaust. Lunch, followed by a visit to Treblinka. Return to Warsaw in the late afternoon, perhaps to be comforted by a Chopin concert – this French-Polish master’s music is played extensively here. Marriott Hotel.

Day 03 Thursday Warsaw – Kaizmiers Dolny – Majdanek - Lublin
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, drive towards Lublin, in the southeast. En route, see historic Kazimierz Dolny, a resort once beloved by Jews, whose sights include the Maly Rynek Synagogue. Lunch. Continue towards Lublin and visit the former great Yeshiva and the Old Synagogue. Later in the afternoon, pay respects at Majdanek, before returning to Lublin. Grand Hotel Lublinianka.

Day 04 Friday Lublin – Lezajsk – Lancut – Tarnow – Krakow
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart Lublin for a drive south towards Leżajsk for a visit to the cemetery and the Ohel of Tsaddik Elimelech – a holy site at which, it is believed, wishes are granted through the greatness of the “Tsaddik” (or righteous man). Continue, through lands formerly covered with sthetls, to Lańcut, and tour the Synagogue with Judaica collections. You will also visit Potocki’s beautiful gardens. Later, drive to Tarnow and see its former great synagogue. Arrive in Krakow in the late afternoon. In the evening, enjoy Shabbat Dinner. Rubinstein Hotel.

Day 05 Saturday Krakow
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning is at leisure. Krakow is rich in Jewish history and the site of a proud Jewish past (It is also the site of Oskar Schindler’s Iron Factory). Today, with Jewish life returning, Krakow has regained its position as one of the most popular towns in Central Europe, particularly for quality Jewish heritage tours. In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour on foot, including a visit to the Old Town, Market Square, and the Galicia Jewish Museum. Remainder of the day at leisure. Rubinstein Hotel.

Day 06 Sunday Krakow – Auschwitz – Wroclaw
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, pay your respects at Auschwitz and Birkenau. Later, continue to the town of Wroclaw in western Poland, where you will visit the beautifully restored Wroclaw Stork Synagogue, and the thriving Jewish Community School. Dinner. Art Hotel.

Day 07 Monday Wroclaw – Lodz - Warsaw
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, visit Lodz, home of the largest Jewish cemetery in Europe (there is talk of making these holy grounds a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Visit the synagogue – the only one to have survived - and the Lodz Holocaust Memorial. Lodz also features a statue of Moses; let us hope that the commandment, “Thou Shalt Not Kill,” will from now on be revered, not only by Poland, but the world. Continue to Warsaw in the afternoon for our Farewell Dinner. Marriott Hotel.

Day 08 Tuesday Departure from Warsaw
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Warsaw airport or train station.