Budapest ---Vienna---Prague – the names roll off the tongue and instantly conjure up glamorous images: candlelight romance, waltzes, goulash, coffee-houses and medieval glory. This tour encompasses seat-in-coach touring as well as privately guided Jewish interest tours – In each city, you’ll encounter Europe’s richest Jewish heritage. In Budapest, you’ll be awed by Europe’s largest synagogue – in Vienna, you’ll breathe in the old-world ambiance of the cobbled streets where Herzl was inspired to dream of the return to Zion – and in Prague—you’ll marvel at the oldest synagogue in Europe and at Jewish treasures so splendid they are visited by almost every visitor to the Czech Republic.
This tour combines an affordable seat-in-coach (not private) sightseeing with private car & guide touring for Jewish interest sites.
HIGHLIGHTS: · 14 meals including: Buffet Breakfast daily – 1 lunch – 3 dinners · Including Shabbat & Farewell Dinners · Privately guided touring of Jewish interest in all 3 capitals · See Raoul Wallenberg Memorial · Visit Vienna’s Palaces · Visit the Dohany Street Synagogue · Walking tour of Prague · Visit Terezin
ITINERARY:
WEDNESDAY, DAY 1 - EN ROUTE Depart the U.S. for Hungary.
THURSDAY, DAY 2 – BUDAPEST
Arrive in Budapest. Meeting, assistance & transfer to your hotel. This afternoon’s half day motor coach (seat-in-car) sightseeing tour (departs at 2pm) acquaints you with the city. See Heroes’ Square, Matthias Church, Fishermen’s Bastion, Castle Hill and the Citadel. Remainder of the day is at leisure.
FRIDAY, DAY 3 – BUDAPEST
Today’s private Jewish Interest tour includes the Jewish Museum with its wealth of artifacts and documents relating to Jewish life in Hungary. Stop at the unique Weeping Willow Memorial, dedicated to Jews who perished during the nazi reign of terror. Then, on to the Raul Wallenberg monument, honoring the Swedish diplomat who saved thousands of Jews during the Holocaust. Tonight, attend services (if you wish) at the impressive Dohany Street Synagogue built in 1859; it is the largest in Europe and was magnificently restored. Shabbat Dinner at your hotel BD
SATURDAY, DAY 4 – BUDAPEST
Shabbat at leisure to spend as you would at home. Shop, stroll, or perhaps a cruise on the Danube – or a Turkish Bath – or perhaps visit the quaint town of Szentendre. B
SUNDAY, DAY 5 – BUDAPEST-VIENNA
Transfer to the rail station; depart Budapest by rail -EC#962 at 9:10 am, to Vienna, the sparkling city on the Danube. Upon arrival at 12:08 pm, transfer to your hotel. At 2:00 pm, depart for a half-day motor-coach (seat-in-car) sightseeing tour to the Ringstrasse, Vienna’s famous boulevard the Belvedere and a visit to Schonbrunn Palace. B
MONDAY DAY 6 – VIENNA
Today’s private Jewish interest tour, with a driver/ guide includes a visit to the Stadtempel Synagogue and goes to the Judenplatz to see the Holocaust Memorial before continuing to the Jewish Museum for a tour of the complex. B
TUESDAY, DAY 7 – VIENNA Full day at leisure to explore at your own pace. B
WEDNESDAY, DAY 8 – VIENNA-PRAGUE
Transfer to the Railway Station for the train ride-(EC#172 at 9:58 am-2:29 pm) from Vienna to “golden” Prague; transfer to your hotel- remainder of the day at leisure. B
THURSDAY, DAY 9 – PRAGUE
At 9:00 am depart for a half day motor coach (seat-in-car) sightseeing tour that includes Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and Old Town Square, with its towers, turrets and astronomical clock. . At 2:00 pm enjoy the private Jewish Interest walking tour with Private Guide- you will be exploring the Old Town including the Altneushul, Europe’s oldest synagogue and the ancient cemetery crammed with over 12,00 graves. Walk past Franz Kafka House as well as Rabbi Loew’s statue. B
FRIDAY, DAY 10 – PRAGUE-TEREZIN
Today is a tour to Terezin, by private car with private guide. This Theresienstadt was the Nazis’ model ghetto to which 160,000 “elite” Jews were deported from 1941-44. After lunch, return to Prague. Shabbat Dinner at your hotel. BLD
SATURDAY, DAY 11 – PRAGUE
At leisure to enjoy as you please Tonight, Farewell Dinner. BD
SUNDAY, DAY 12 – EN ROUTE Transfer to the airport for the flight home.
Not included: Trans-atlantic air and taxes – drinks or tips for included meals Tips for local guides and drivers
2011 Projected tour dates: May 4-15, Jun 22-26, Jul 20-31, Aug 10-21, Sep 14-25 Oct 26-Nov 6
