Grand Jewish Heritage Tours to Central Europe
An comprehensive Jewish Tour in Central Europe

With Jewish Heritage in Central Europe so omnipresent, this tour encompasses many of the great and varied traditions our forefathers developed throughout Europe. Prague and Budapest are still as vibrant as they were in the past, and stand (by any standards), with musical Vienna, as three of Eastern Europe's most culturally glorious cities. Poland has recently found the willingness to face issues of its past, and is slowly coming to terms with its debt to Jewish society. Berlin is a paradox, a reunited city that is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations in Europe. Despite its dark history, it is home to amazing number of new Jewish immigrants. Each destination has its own significance and place in our history, and precious Jewish contributions still shine like jewels everywhere.

Day 01 Sunday Departure from the USA
Departure on your connecting flight to Prague.

Day 02 Monday Arrival to Prague
Arrival in Prague Airport. Transfer to your luxurious hotel, situated in the very center of town as well as within the Jewish Historic Quarter, home to such Jewish literary luminaries as Franz Kafka. After the flights, enjoy time for a walking tour to Wenceslas Square and the famed Town Hall Square in the Historic District. Prague is a wonderful city to explore on foot, and it is always a treat to admire the town while walking at a reflective pace. Remainder of day at leisure. Welcome Dinner. Hotel.

Day 03 Tuesday Prague
Breakfast. Today is dedicated to a Jewish tour of Prague in 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 one of the principal sight 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 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 for an evening at leisure. Hotel.

Day 04 Wednesday Prague
Breakfast. Join us for a tour of the Prague Castle and Lesser Town. Drive to the top of Hradcany Hill, on the West Bank of the Vlatala River, and see the imposing Castle, now the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic, as well as several government offices. Continue to the stunning St. Vitus Cathedral before walking towards the Lesser Town and its picturesque streets, typical baroque houses, and galleries featuring emerging local talent. Cross the historic and famed Charles Bridge, always crowded with visitors and artists showing their work. From here, continue to explore the delightful and colorful streets of Prague, or take the short walk back to the hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure. Prague Inter-Continental Hotel.

Day 05 Thursday Prague - Budapest
Breakfast, followed by a transfer to the train leaving for Budapest. Travel comfortably in First Class while passing scenic lands, villages and towns. In the afternoon, arrive in Hungary's grand and historic capital: Budapest. Upon arrival, get a first introduction to this majestic place during an orientation tour, before checking in at our luxurious hotel in the heart of the city. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 06 Friday Budapest
Breakfast. After Breakfast, depart on a Jewish Tour of Budapest, the city that houses Eastern Europe's largest Jewish Community. Visit the birthplace of Theodore Herzl, The Budapest 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 shuls devoted to studies of the Torah. Lunch will be served during the tour. Now, 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, and enter 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. Remainder of the day at leisure. Hotel.

Day 07 Saturday Budapest
Breakfast. Enjoy a full day of leisure in this grand city, which ample time to join the Shabbat Service in one of Budapest's many synagogues or to spend time in the busy shopping district with its colorful pedestrian streets. In the afternoon, you may choose to relax or visit other of the many sights Budapest has to offer. Hotel.

Day 08 Sunday Budapest - Krakow
Breakfast. Depart Budapest and drive towards Poland via Slovakia. Stop in picturesque Banska Bystrica to enjoy the elegance of the city once known for its fierce freedom fighters. Continue to the scenic and hilly lands of the Tatras mountains on the border to Poland. After crossing the border, drive along farmland and allow thoughts to reflect on the days when Shtetls and Jewish culture played an important role in the Polish world. Upon arrival to the historic town of Krakow, check in at the hotel in the very heart of the city. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 09 Monday Krakow
Breakfast. This morning, tour the city of Krakow. After a brief introduction to the nearby Market Square, we continue on a Jewish Tour of Krakow. You will follow in the footsteps of our Jewish history. See the Pharmacy, "Under the Eagle," where brave souls, without consideration of losing their own lives, helped us when needed. Continue in the former Jewish Ghetto before driving to the site of Schindler's Iron Factory, and the remnants of the Ghetto Wall (only a few feet left). Later, drive to the Kazimerz area, where Jewish life once flourished. In Kazimerz, visit the Remuh Synagogue and Cemetery, and let your heart open in a place with an old Jewish feel. Lunch will be served during the tour. Remainder of the day at leisure. Hotel.

Day 10 Tuesday Krakow - Auschwitz - Warsaw
Breakfast. Departure for Warsaw. En route, visit some of the worst sites in the history of (so-called) humanity: Auschwitz and Birkenau. Built by the Nazis as death camps, they stand today as monuments to our sacrificed Jewish brethren, who suffered the worst of the world's horrors. The exhibitions in the brick buildings of Auschwitz and the empty wooden houses on both sides of the railway track in Birkenau will forever remain as an expression of sorrow. As we head towards Warsaw, let us pray - Never Again! Upon arrival, check in at the luxurious hotel. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 11 Wednesday Warsaw
Breakfast. Begin a Jewish Tour of Warsaw with a visit to the famous old Ghetto and Monument. Continue to Mila 18, famous scene of Jewish resistance to the Nazis, and then to infamous Umschlagsplatz. Continue to the well-hidden last remnants of the Ghetto Wall. Next, visit the Historic Museum, celebrating both the struggle and survival of our amazing people. Enjoy Lunch before visiting Warsaw's sole remaining Synagogue, the Nozyk Synagogue, which can be found next to the JCC and once-vibrant Yiddish Theater. Later on the afternoon, view the Chopin Monument and enjoy free time in the charming Old Town, completely reconstructed since WWII. In the early evening, enjoy a Chopin recital. Hotel.

Day 12 Thursday Warsaw - Berlin
Breakfast, followed by a transfer to the train station. Here, board the express train to Berlin. Upon arrival, continue on a 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. 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 to the hotel, drive along the chic Kurfurstendam Boulevard. Hotel.

Day 13 Friday Berlin
Breakfast. Today, continue on a Jewish Tour of Berlin. Begin with a visit to the Jewish Center, in the heart of the city. Next, on to the Great Synagogue and the Lauder Foundation, where we will learn about the remarkable contributions this organization offers. Lunch will be served during the tour. In the afternoon, visit the Jewish Museum - sign of the German government's respect for the Jewish people, and see the site of the controversial Holocaust Monument. Hotel.

Day 14 Saturday Berlin
Breakfast. A full day at leisure in this exciting city of contrasts. Berlin has much to offer and is easy to access from your perfectly located hotel. Visit some of Berlin's great Museums, enjoy the chic stores along prominent avenues or wander the lively streets. In the evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner. Hotel.

Day 15 Sunday Berlin - USA
Breakfast. Transfer to the Berlin Airport for our flights back to the USA