Central Europe's Jewish Heritage

Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival in Budapest

   The Paris of Central Europe, Budapest is the Queen of the Danube, a sprawling, regal city split in two halves by the mighty river. The city’s two UNESCO-listed halves, ancient Buda and modern Pest both have their charms and are linked by numerous picturesque bridges. From the Buda Castle to the Danube Embankment and the sprawling Andrassy Avenue, with its impressive architecture, there is plenty to keep you busy here, exploring and discovering this atmospheric city. It’s a little too big to explore only on foot, but the Pest side of the city is well laid out with broad avenues of the Parisian system, so it’s hard to get lost, and the public transportation, including the world's second oldest subway system, works well. Budapest has all the charm of Western Europe at a fraction of the price. Here you can taste excellent wines produced throughout the region, and even enjoy Michelin-star dining in various locations. We can offer you more than enough exciting activities in the city, from a visit to the incredible Parliament building to a boat cruise with dinner, or an exploration of Budapest’s communist past. The city also has a rich Jewish heritage, so you’ll find the perfect balance of history and modern culture here. Voted Best City in Europe in 2013 by Condé Nast Traveler readers and a regular in their top 3, Budapest really is a special city with activities to cater to every interest.

   When you arrive at Budapest’s Ferenc Liszt Airport, a private driver will greet you and take you to your centrally located accommodation.

2. Day 2 Your First Full Day in Budapest

   

   Pest Private Walking Tour

   When arriving at a new capital for the first time, it's best to have a knowledgeable local show you around. On this tour, an expert local guide will take you around the Pest side of Budapest, home to most of the city's landmarks and history, showing you not just the big-name sights, but introducing you into the everyday lives of the city's citizens.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   After Darkness Comes Light

   Budapest has a lot of museums to offer. Some harken back to the city's darker days, while some work well for people of any age. As the name implies, The House of Terror is one of the heavier destinations. It documents the fascist and communist regimes that so damaged the nation, but is renowned for its presentation and one of the city's most popular attractions. The Hospital in the Rock, a medical bunker cut into the side of Buda Hill, while connected to the darker days of WWII, is a bit surrealistic, but well worth a visit. And in case you are looking for a happier and more easily digestible museum, we recommend the Budapest History Museum, or even the House of Houdini, housed within the walls of Buda Castle.
   

   Suggestion to explore on your own

   

   Evening Sightseeing Group Cruise

   You're invited for a panoramic boat ride at night, when the city will be beautifully lit up for your pleasure. Glass in hand, you will be able to experience how the legends of Budapest come alive. Look behind the walls of the Royal Palace, the Parliament, the bridges, and other splendid sights all bathed in light.

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 1 hour

   Included in your vacation package price

3. Day 3 Your Second Full Day in Budapest

   

   Jewish Heritage Private Tour

   Learn more about the Jewish history of Budapest while participating in this excellent and informative private walking tour. Discover the largest synagogue of Europe with a professional guide who will tell you everything you would like to know about today's Jewish population and traditions of Hungary.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours 30 minutes

   Included in your vacation package price

   Explore Hungary's Communist Past

   If you're into the 20th century or World War II history, the best way to learn about this dark period in the country's history is to take a tour with a private guide who will show you the most significant sights from the period and recount the stories of the era. You can continue the experience with a self-guided visit to the House of Terror museum on Andrassy boulevard and if the weather permits, a visit to Memento Park will provide you plenty of opportunities to get up close to statues and busts of the regime's key figures.

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Pest Side Private Walking Tour with Communist History Highlights

   This excursion takes you back to the “good old days” when Big Brother ruled everyday life. While exploring the Pest side of Budapest, you’ll gain a deeper insight into the city’s communist past - a time of East German Trabants, block flats, no television on Mondays, and no freedom of speech any day of the week. The tour includes key landmarks such as Heroes’ Square, Liberty Square, and the Hungarian Parliament, where the layers of 20th-century history come vividly to life. A themed visit to the city’s most famous café and chocolate museum is also included, adding a nostalgic and flavorful glimpse into this remarkable era.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Retro Trabant Private Tour to Memento Park

   Chug along the streets of Budapest in a tiny, idiosyncratic East German Trabant car. You'll visit Memento Park, a famous collection of communist statues, where you'll spend an hour with an expert guide, and drive to the panoramic Citadel, high above the Danube, which offers perhaps the best views of Budapest.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

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4. Day 4 Traveling to Vienna by Train / Arrival in Vienna

   

   The impressive, imperial city of Vienna is waiting for you today. Thanks to the great train connections between Budapest and Vienna, you can choose a convenient departure time; we will have arranged second class tickets with seat reservations for the roughly 3-hour journey. Our driver will take care of bringing you to the Budapest train station. If you'd prefer, first class tickets can be arranged as well for additional fee. To save time and enjoy a relaxing ride, we recommend door-to-door service with our private transfer option. For an additional fee, a driver will pick you up in Budapest at your convenience and bring you directly to your accommodation in Vienna.

   

   You can upgrade your transfer

   Vienna by Private Transfer with a Stop and Guided Tour in Bratislava

   Upgrade for an additional cost

   Vienna is a timeless city of high culture, grand cafes, breathtaking architecture and more, all set on the banks of the majestic Danube River. The moment you set foot in the city you’ll see why Vienna’s center is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Often regarded as the world capital of music, Vienna is the place where Beethoven and Mozart made history. Even today a visit to the opera or a classical music performance at one of the city’s sublime concert halls is an unforgettable experience. Stephansplatz, Vienna's main square, is dominated by the impressive eponymous gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral. Inside you’ll find a rich collection of artistic treasures, and the view from the tower is well worth the climb, offering amazing views over the city. But the cathedral is only one of the most visible attractions in Vienna. You won’t want to miss the magnificent Schonbrunn Palace and the imperial Hofburg Palace. Explore the city on foot, in a car, or by bike: the choice is yours. If you’d like to go farther afield you can even take a river cruise to nearby Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, or a bike trip to local wineries. But you don’t have to leave Vienna to have a wonderful time. Simply strolling through the pedestrian zones in the city center and stopping for a coffee and a slice of cake make for a truly enjoyable vacation.

   A driver will greet you at Vienna's Hauptbahnhof Train Station and take you to your accommodations.

   

   An Invisible Connection Affirmed

   Becoming knowledgable about Vienna's role in World War II starts and ends with Hitler. Long before leading Germany to war, Hitler spent several stormy but influential years in the city. There is nothing to remind locals or visitors to this event. Discovering Vienna's WWII history can feel like a classic city stroll, but requires eagle eyes. Some of the war's most visible structures, giant air raid shelters/flak towers, have found their place in the texture of the city, housing exhibitions of applied arts or even a large seawater aquarium. Walk the Mariahilferstrasse, and cross parks and squares with a guide or a guidebook and find the city's nearly invisible scars.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

5. Day 5 Your First Full Day in Vienna

   

   Expulsion, Responsibility, and Revival

   Get ready for a tour that covers the twists and turns endured by Vienna's Jewish community over the centuries. You'll learn about the zenith of Viennese Judaism, and the stormy periods it has weathered since the 12th century. Although only one synagogue and several other historic buildings have survived, this excursion has several options, one including a fully guided tour of one of the city's Jewish museums. You'll discuss your preferences with a local expert in order to enjoy a tour tailored to your interests.
   

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 2 hours 30 minutes

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Touch History and Culture in Vienna

   If you want to get a taste of art and culture in Vienna, the MuseumsQuartier Wien (Vienna's museum quarter) should be your destination of choice. With more than a dozen museums ranging from the old and dusty to the young and avant-garde, this is the neighborhood that packs a lifetime of local culture into a few compact streets. It’s worth heading over to wander and window shop. You’re certain to find a museum or specific exhibition that suits you. For exhibitions, opening hours, and tickets, visit the website: https://www.mqw.at/en/

   Suggestion to explore on your own

   

   The Vienna Mozart Orchestra Group Concert

   Experience the magic of the Wiener Mozart Konzert, where the Vienna Mozart Orchestra performs in stunning historical costumes and wigs in Vienna’s grandest concert halls. Enjoy an evening filled with symphonic movements, solo concertos, and beloved operatic pieces from Mozart's masterpieces like "Don Giovanni", "The Marriage of Figaro", and "The Magic Flute". Let the enchanting melodies of "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik", "Symphony No. 40", and Symphony No. 41, "Jupiter," transport you back to Mozart’s era.

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 1 hour 45 minutes

   Included in your vacation package price

6. Day 6 Traveling to Prague by Train / Arrival in Prague

   

   The magical capital of the Czech Republic will be your final destination today. The train journey through the Austrian and Czech countryside takes a little under 5 hours. There are several departure throughout the day, and we'll book tickets with seat reservations based on your preferred departure time. We'll also arrange for a transfer from your accommodation to the train station. We can also arrange first class tickets for an additional fee though in our experience there is little difference, other than proximity to the dining car if available, between the two types of carriage. If you'd like a bit more comfortable and flexibility, we suggest a private transfer which can be arranged for an additional fee. This will save a bit of travel time and offers door-to-door service. You would also have the option of stopping to visit the famous Austrian wine region of the Wachau Valley.

   

   You can upgrade your transfer

   Prague by Private Transfer with a Stop in Wachau Valley

   Upgrade for an additional cost

   “The Golden City,” “The City of 100 Spires,” “The Mother of Cities,” Prague has no shortage of nicknames paying homage to its charm and beauty. Prague’s winding cobblestone streets, gorgeous architecture and atmospheric bridges are fabled. Get up early and stroll across the statue-lined Charles Bridge. Soak it from the magnificent Old Town Square with its 600-year old astronomical clock. From exploring history and modern culture on foot, to traveling farther afield to take in the picturesque countryside and fairytale villages, you’ll have an itinerary full of adventure and relaxation. Besides the city’s history, evident on every street, especially in the beautifully preserved former Jewish Quarter, you can delve into the city’s gastronomy. You can literally dive into some of Europe’s best beers by visiting a beer spa, or explore its beloved breweries with walking tours, or enjoy a dinner cruise. Day-trip destinations include scenic castles, the perfect spa town, and Kutna Hora with its “bone church” and gothic cathedral. Prague is a city of history that comes to life for every visitor, no matter their interests.

   When you arrive at Prague's train station, we will have a driver there to meet you and take you to your accommodation.

   

   Get Lost Amid Medieval Streets

   On your first night in Prague, we recommend strolling around the center's side streets. It's easy to get lost there, but the river and signage make it easy to find your way to the hotel. With so many buildings lit up, we think this romantic walk will help you fall in love with Prague right away. If you arrive before sunset, visit the House of the Black Madonna - the home of a small Cubism museum, and the only surviving Cubist café in the world – the Grand Café Orient (where even the věneček cream puffs are squares instead of donut-shaped). If you are thirsty after a long journey, grab a beer at Mlejnice, a restaurant famous for its cozy and stylish atmosphere and tasty cuisine.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

7. Day 7 Your First Full Day in Prague

   

   Jewish Prague Private Walking Tour

   Explore Prague's Jewish heritage on a walking tour with a private guide. During the tour you'll wander the streets of Prague's former Jewish ghetto, hear about the prominent members of Prague's Jewish community and see all synagogues that are part of the unique Prague Jewish Museum complex. The tour includes entry to most of the sites of the museum, such as the Old New Synagogue, the Moorish-styled Spanish Synagogue and the Old Jewish Cemetery. If you are interested in Jewish culture that shaped Czech history, this private tour is your best choice.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Museums of All Kinds, from Alchemy to Kafka

   Prague’s got museums aplenty. In the center, the Museum of Communism tells the story of five decades of totalitarian rule. Hidden away in Old Town is the Alchemist's Workshop, celebrating the fact that Prague was the world center for alchemy back in the day. In Mala Strana district, you can find a Museum dedicated to Franz Kafka. The National Technical Museum in the Letna neighborhood celebrates above all the achievements of Czech engineers. Last but not least, the National Museum on Wenceslas Square's historic building is finally open again after several years of reconstruction.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

8. Day 8 Your Second Full Day in Prague

   

   Terezin Private Day Trip

   Terezin's 18th century walls and citadel are connected to a very different war than the ones they were meant to fight, as they were transformed into a model concentration camp, toured by neutral foreign inspectors. You'll explore this unique place, and its long, often tragic history, with a private tour guide.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 6 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   The Heroes of Operation Anthropoid

   The Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Prague’s New Town pays homage to the seven Czech and Slovak commandoes who were killed there during a gun battle with Nazi troops, at the end of "Operation Anthropoid." Trained in the UK, these commandoes assassinated Reinhard Heydrich, the Holocaust's chief architect, and one of Hitler's closest henchmen. The church has a memorial to the paratroopers who hid in the church crypt and prayer loft. An exhibition about Heydrich’s reign of terror is located in the underground vaults, and open Tuesday through Sunday.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

9. Day 9 Traveling to Dresden by Private Transfer / Arrival in Dresden

   

   Your private driver will pick you up at your Prague accommodations based on your chosen departure time and take you straight to your accommodations in the Saxon capital. For an extra fee, we can add stops at Melnik for a wine tasting, Terezin for a Concentration Camp Memorial visit, or at the Saxon Switzerland National Park. The direct transfer takes a bit less than 2 hours. The vehicle used for your transfer will be a standard sedan, station wagon or minivan. We can arrange for an upgrade to a more luxurious class of vehicle for an extra fee.

   Dresden has had one of the most volatile histories of any city in Europe, being almost totally reduced to rubble in World War II. The city today is a unique combination of remembered and honored history and a vibrant, entertaining present. There are several historical buildings throughout the city that attest to the destruction here, but Dresden has rejuvenated itself since World War II, and today is one of Germany’s most tourist-friendly cities, with an enchanting energy and entertainment all year round. Famous for its Christmas markets, Dresden also has plenty to offer in the warmer months, from museums and memorials, to intriguing new architecture, pleasant parks, and nearby destinations for day trips. History comes alive everywhere you look in Dresden, and we highly recommend taking a closer look at the city’s museums and the traces of the past in the architecture. The city also has a rich cultural program, with numerous galleries and concert taking place quite regularly. You can certainly sample hearty German cuisine here, as well as more modern Continental flavours. You’ll love exploring this lovely city and the surrounding region.

   Welcome to Dresden! Your private driver will bring you directly to your accommodation in the center of Dresden.

   

   Dresden Old Town Private Walking Tour

   Exploring Dresden’s historic Old Town is an absolute must for anyone wanting to truly experience the city. Wander through the magnificent Theatre Square, home to the world-renowned Semper Opera House, and marvel at the Baroque splendor of Zwinger Palace, with its iconic Crown Gate and picturesque festival square. Stroll along galleries adorned with fountains, and visit Taschenbergpalais, once the residence of the famous Countess Cosel. Dresden stands as a vibrant cultural hub, steeped in history and timeless charm
   

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 2 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   The Jewel Box of Europe

   For something unique, visit the “Green Vault” in the Neumarkt section of the old town. Here you will find the largest treasure trove in Europe, if not the world. Located within Dresden’s main palace, the architecture alone is exceptional, with its mix of modern and Baroque elements, to say nothing of its glittering collection. A true gem, you could spend a good portion of the day just looking over its literal gems.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

10. Day 10 Traveling to Berlin by Train / Arrival in Berlin

    

    The capricious capital of Berlin is your next destination. The train ride from Dresden varies between two and three hours and there are numerous trains each day. Your hotel reception will be able to arrange a taxi for you to Dresden Hauptbahnhof, which is much cheaper than a transfer service, so we haven’t included that in your package. However, a private transfer can be arranged upon request. Once on the train, all you need to do is unwind and watch the German countryside speeding by.

    

    You can upgrade your transfer

    Berlin by Private Transfer with a Moritzburg Palace Stop

    Upgrade for an additional cost

    A vibrant cosmopolitan city that’s rich in history and contemporary culture, Berlin is constantly evolving. From the ruins of World War II to the Cold War division of the Berlin wall, Berlin has always managed to rebuild. Germany's largest city, this sprawling (by European standards) metropolis has excellent public transportation, from subways to an official rowboat ferry. You’ll find a little of everything here, from history to high gastronomy, art museums to palaces, and plenty of lively bars and nightclubs. The nightlife here is world-class, but there’s more than enough to see during the day. Berlin is made up of distinctive neighborhoods, each with a different character. We recommend several ways of exploring the city, from a Cold War walking tour to a bike tour to see all the must-see sights in a simple and easy way. An exploration of the long and volatile history of Jewish culture in the city is eye-opening as Jewish life in Berlin has been meticulously documented. Many of the city’s art and culture museums offer unforgettable glimpses into history. Potsdam offers the perfect diversion for an afternoon, and Sanssouci Palace, with its well-tended gardens, is a beautiful reminder of the city’s impressive past. The past comes alive in Berlin, but the present is very much alive as well.

    When you arrive at Berlin Hauptbahnhof you will easily find the station’s taxi rank signposted. We haven’t included a transfer here because in our experience meet & greet transfer services in Berlin are overpriced, unreliable and the driver can be hard to locate in the vast station. Berlin’s taxis are honest, reasonably priced and you’ll have no problem finding one at the station’s taxi rank, so you’ll save both time and money by taking one to your centrally located accommodation.

    

    Berlin Private Walking Tour

    On the private tour, your guide will impress you with stories of Berlin's amazingly rich history. From Slavic forts to Prussian kings and the foundation of Germany in 1871, through WWI, the rise of the Weimar Republic and the Nazis who replaced it and ushered in WWII, the divisions of the Cold War, and the city’s resurrection as capital of a reunified country, you’ll explore the city’s rollercoaster history. Believe us when we say that there’s a lot to learn from this tour!
    

    • Activity Level : Moderate
    • Duration : 3 hours

    Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

11. Day 11 Your First Full Day in Berlin

    

    Jewish Berlin Private Walking Tour

    Discover Berlin’s rich 800-year Jewish history on this engaging tour, which covers more than just the New Synagogue and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Explore the triumphs and sorrows of Jewish thinkers, artists, and everyday people who have shaped the city. Led by a social/cultural historian, you’ll visit key sites, including the New Synagogue, the Jewish Quarter, and the Missing House. Gain a deeper understanding of the Jewish community's profound impact on Berlin's history.

    • Activity Level : Light
    • Duration : 3 hours

    Included in your vacation package price

    Berlin's Role in WWII

    We all know what an important role Berlin had played during WWII. If you walk on the streets of this well-known capital, you can still find shell holes and shrapnel scars from the war's last major battle in Europe. The city has become a center of memorializing WWII, especially at the memorial to Jewish victims of the Holocaust, or the Reichstag building. We recommend visiting the small museum beneath the Jewish Holocaust memorial, reserving a free ticket to climb the glass dome atop the Reichstag. If you have a bit more time, visit the German History Museum, or the Topography of Terror. Located next to one of the longest remaining segments of the Berlin Wall, by Checkpoint Charlie, the latter is a free museum and archive devoted to understanding Nazism and its victims. The Topography of Terror is located on the grounds of the SS' main security office, the headquarters of the Gestapo, and other infamous organizations, such as the Einsatzgruppen death squads. This sobering museum is especially effective in showing the rise of Nazism, and its very earliest days in power.

    Suggestion to explore on your own

12. Day 12 Your Second Full Day in Berlin

    

    Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Site Group Tour

    After meeting your guide at the Friedrichstrasse train station, beside the "Palace of Tears," you'll take a train to the nearby town of Oranienburg, then walk to the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, a mile away. You’ll learn about notable prisoners, such as Stalin’s son, British commandos executed as spies, and homosexuals forced to test military equipment and break in boots through endless marches. The tour will also cover what happened once the Red Army arrived and the camp was turned over to its new owner, the precursor to the KGB.

    • Activity Level : Moderate
    • Duration : 6 hours

    Included in your vacation package price

13. Day 13 Departure Day

    A driver will pick you up at your Berlin accommodation and drop you off at Brandenburg Airport for your departing flight.