Jewish heritage tour
Jewish heritage tour of Czech Republic and Poland
11D / 10N itinerary covering the most important Jewish heritage sites in the two countries of Central-Eastern Europe
DAY 1: Arrive to Prague
– free at leisure, welcome dinner
DAY 2: Prague
Morning tour of Prague historical center with focus on Jewish history – incl. Charles Bridge + the Old Town of Prague with focus on Jewish Town of Prague. Afternoon: free at leisure, or Prague Castle + Kafka Museum tour, or little panoramic tour – off the beaten tracks – Jewish footsteps in wider Prague (Smíchov, Libeň or Jeruzalem synagogues, the Memorial if Silence, the New Jewish Cemetery…)
DAY 3: free day, optional trips:
– Terezín Memorial with lunch in Litomerice
– Kutná Hora (UNESCO) with stop in Kolín synagogue enroute…
DAY 4: Pilsen, Šumava countryside synagogues,
– drive out of Prague to see the Great synagogue of Pilsen, “mountain” synagogue of Hartmanice, Synagogue with unique cemetery in Čkyně. Overnight stay in Česky Krumlov.
DAY 5: Třebíč, Mikulov,
– continue driving past Třebíč (with its Jewish quarter that is part of UNESCO), Mikulov – Jewish memorials + kosher wine tasting. Overnight stay in Mikulov.
DAY 6: Krakow, free afternoon
– transfer to Krakow, free afternoon
DAY 7: Krakow
This morning is dedicated to the tour and visit of Wawel Castle, including the Wawel Cathedral and Royal Chambers. The Castle used to be for centuries the seat and the coronation place of Polish kings. In the afternoon half day tour through Jewish district of Kazimierz, incl. visits to four synagogues.
DAY 8: Auschwitz
In the morning drive to Auschwitz (1,5-2hrs drive). Visit the former Nazi concentration camp and place of many atrocities there. This tour is very emotionally taxing and it is not recommended for young people under the age of 14.
Afternoon is free at leisure.
DAY 9: Krakow – free + optional tours
This day is free at leisure, or you can chose one of the optional daytrips:
– Wielizka (2h drive). Visit the impressive UNESCO protected Salt Mine/Caves, where over the centuries, devout and superstitious, miners have carved fabulous figures, monuments and altarpieces in its salt walls.
– Chassidic route – day trip to nice picturesque part of south-eastern Poland, visiting some of the villages and towns on the Chassidic route
DAY 10: Warsaw
Drive / fly to Warsaw in the morning (50 mins flight, 5 hrs drive). The capital of Poland is a town of long and difficult history. The town was almost completely destroyed by the Nazi forces during the World War II as a Hitler’s revenge for Polish resistance. What you can see now is carefully restored city center and modern architecture around.
In late afternoon follow the city tour of this “phoenix city” focused on Jewish monuments (Museum of History of Polish Jews, synagogues, Memorial Route, Ghetto heroes Monument…)
DAY 11: Warsaw – departure (fly out)
