Jewish tours in Central Europe
Hightlights of Budapest, Prague and Berlin

Budapest, Prague and Berlin rank indisputably as three of Europe's most culturally glorious cities. See the fascinating and authentic city that created Kafka; enjoy the sensuous, rich feel of Hungary; and explore the historically complex and ever-more intriguing city of Berlin, now again popular as a tourist destination, and home to a world-class new Jewish Museum. This tour is a gold standard in experiencing the wonders of European culture – and of our people's heritage, the golden thread that runs through this part of the world.

Day 01 Sunday Departure from USA
Departure on your flight to Budapest.

Day 02 Monday Arrival in Budapest
Arrival in Budapest Airport. Upon arrival, you are greeted by your local guide (outside the custom area), who will make you feel comfortable in the city that houses Eastern Europe's largest Jewish community. Get a first introduction to this majestic place during an orientation tour, before checking in at your luxurious hotel in the heart of the city. Welcome Dinner. Hotel.

Day 03 Tuesday Budapest
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for a tour of Jewish Budapest. Visit the birthplace of Theodore Herzl, the Jewish Museum, and the lavishly decorated Dohany Synagogue - where Liszt and Saint-Saens used to play the organ. Continue to the touching Weeping Willow Memorial Tree, dedicated to the 600,000 Hungarian Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Later, take a short walk in the former Jewish area, still filled with dozens of Synagogues and small shtiebls devoted to studies of the Torah. Enjoy Lunch in this historic area. After Lunch, drive to the hilly Buda side of the city to enjoy panoramic views of Budapest and the Danube River (which divides the city into "Buda" and "Pest"). Continue to Castle Hill, where the Emperors of the Austro-Hungarian Empire once ruled one of Europe's most powerful entities. Pass the impressive Royal Palace and the richly-decorated St. Matthias Church, entering Fisherman's Bastion and the Citadel for spectacular views of some of Budapest's most famous buildings. En route back to Pest, visit the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial, commemorating the noble Swedish diplomat, rescuer of thousands of our people during the Holocaust. Top the day off with a visit to the exquisite Opera House, where (among many others) Gustav Mahler used to serve. Remainder of the day at leisure. Hotel.

Day 04 Wednesday Budapest
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full day of leisure in this elegant city. Budapest has much to offer and you can reach most sights from your centrally located hotel. You may also browse in the colorful and busy shopping district, with its many pedestrian streets and markets.Hotel.

Day 05 Thursday Budapest - Prague
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a transfer to the station where the train to Prague awaits you. Relax as you travel in First Class through the lands of Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Upon arrival to Prague, you are transferred to your luxurious hotel in the heart of the Jewish Quarter in Prague. Dinner.Hotel.

Day 06 Friday Prague
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide in the lobby and begin your morning sightseeing of Jewish Prague with a walking tour of the uniquely-preserved Jewish Quarter, known as Josefhov, which survived, ironically, due to the Nazi's demonic intention of making Prague itself a museum of the "Vanished Jewish Race." The Jewish Quarter is actually one of the principal sights for tourists of all religions when touring Prague. Stroll the charming streets and visit the Maisel, Spanish, Pinkas, and Klaus Synagogues, the Ceremonial Hall, and the oldest existing Synagogue, the Old-New ("Alt-Neu") Synagogue. Prague's Jewish Museum uses several of these Synagogues as exhibits, and thus boasts one of the most extensive Judaica collections in the world. Also visit the striking Old Cemetery, dating back to the 15th century, which is the burial place for many of Prague's famous Jews, among them the legendary Rabbi Loew. Enjoy Lunch in a local restaurant. Later, depart for an excursion to Terezin (Theresienstadt). This former fortress was, on the order of Heydrich, transformed to a notorious "model" concentration camp, from which Jews from all parts of Europe were assembled while waiting to be transported to their deaths. The tour will include the barracks, crematorium, cemetery and Ghetto Museum, which contains a unique exhibition of art and poetry created by imprisoned Jewish children, as well as original Nazi documents. Later, return to Prague. Hotel.

Day 07 Saturday Prague
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a morning at leisure with time to attend morning services in one of Prague's synagogues. In the afternoon enjoy a short walking tour in the Historic part of the city, including the famed Charles bridge and Lesser Town. Remainder of the day at leisure. Hotel.

Day 08 Sunday Prague - Berlin
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a transfer to the station. Sit back and relax in First Class as you a travel to Berlin. Upon arrival, enjoy a short orientation tour of this exciting city en route to the Swissotel. Your hotel is located in the heart of the city, with easy walking distance to the museums and the Jewish Quarter. Remainder of the day at leisure. Hotel.

Day 09 Monday Berlin
Breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards meet your guide and driver and begin your morning sightseeing tour of Berlin. See "Check Point Charlie" before arriving at the Alexanderplatz, once the cold center of Communist East Germany. Then, on to the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island and the Pergamon Museum. Continue via the Reichstag and the Bellevue Palace, residence of the German President, to the brand new Potsdamer Square in the Tiergarten. Lunch is served during the tour. Later, drive pass Gendarmermarkt Square, Berlin's famous Concert Hall, the famous "Unter den Linden" and the Nikolai Quarters, two of the most historic parts of this city. En route back to the hotel, drive along the chic Kurfurstendamm Boulevard. Hotel.

Day 10 Tuesday Berlin
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, visit the Jewish sites in Berlin. This walking tour will introduce you to the Jewish Berlin and its Synagogues, as well as the new Holocaust Memorial. The tour will end at the Berlin Jewish Museum, where a private tour has been arranged. You might like to stay longer at the museum and stroll back to the hotel on your own. Farewell Dinner this evening. Hotel.

Day 11 Wednesday Berlin - USA
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast you are transferred to the Berlin Tegel Airportfor the flight back home.