EASTERN EUROPE: ELEGANT AND ENRICHING
JULY 6-17, 2008

DAY 1, Sunday, July 6, 2008: We depart the United States on our overnight flight to Eastern Europe.

DAY 2, Monday, July 7, 2008: We arrive in Warsaw where we are met by our local host and transferred to our hotel. Later we enjoy a panoramic tour of Warsaw including Old Town Square and Lazienki Park. Tonight we meet with members of Beit Warszawa, the new progressive congregation in Warsaw. We enjoy a welcome dinner and hospitality as we learn more about the Judaism alive in today's Poland. Overnight in Warsaw.

DAY 3, Tuesday, July 8, 2008: Breakfast. Special guest lecture by Dr. Stephen Berk, Professor of History at Union College. Today we have a sightseeing tour encompassing Nozyk Synagogue (the only surviving synagogue in Warsaw, founded in 1900), Chopin's Monument, the Warsaw Ghetto, the Jewish Resistance Bunker at Mila 18, Stawski Street buildings (where the SS had their headquarters), the Gensa Cemetery (established in 1806, containing the graves of about 250,000 people and known as the largest cemetery in Poland). Early this evening we enjoy a special event before returning to the hotel. Overnight in Warsaw.

DAY 4, Wednesday, July 9, 2008: Breakfast. We depart Warsaw for Krakow. Our Jewish Heritage tour includes the Old Jewish District, Kazimierez, where we see the Old Synagogue (a massive fortress-like building erected in the 15th and 16th Centuries), the "Temple" and the Remuh Synagogue. We continue to the Little Museum at the Drug Store inside the Jewish Ghetto, Schindler's Factory and the Plashow Concentration Camp. Our City tour includes Wawel Castle, St. Mary's Church, the Renaissance Cloth Hall and other historic landmarks. Special guest lecture by Dr. Stephen Berk, Professor of History at Union College. Overnight in Krakow.

DAY 5, Thursday, July 10, 2008: Breakfast. This morning we travel to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous Nazi Concentration Camps where many Jews and others perished in WWII. Here we see the museum and pay tribute to the victims. We end our day in Krakow and have a very special dinner together a the Galicia Jewish museum. Overnight in Krakow.

DAY 6, Friday, July 11, 2008: After breakfast we travel from Krakow to Budapest. Situated on the opposite banks of the Danube River, the former cities of Buda and Pest are linked by a series of graceful bridges. In the evening, we enjoy Shabbat services at the Dohany Synagogue, followed by Shabbat dinner together. Overnight in Budapest.

DAY 7, Saturday, July 12, 2008: Breakfast. Shabbat Shalom! In the morning, we invite you to join us for Shabbat services. Afternoon at leisure. Take a stroll down the pedestrian Vati Utca, set up a spa appointment at the Gellert Spa, or just enjoy all that Budapest has to offer! Overnight in Budapest.

DAY 8, Sunday, July 13, 2008: Breakfast. We begin our day at the Raul Wallenberg Memorial Statue and then visit the Dohany Synagogue, the 2nd largest synagogue in Europe. We continue to the Jewish Cemetery and Museum and the Holocaust Memorial. We see the Parliament, the Royal Palace, the Castle Hill area, the Fisherman's Bastion. Special guest lecture by Dr. Stephen Berk, Professor of History at Union College. Overnight in Budapest.

DAY 9, Monday, July 14, 2008: Breakfast. Today we transfer to the airport to board our flight to Prague, the Czech capital, also known as "the City of One Thousand Spires" with its Baroque churches, promenades, parks and ancient city walls. Upon arrival, we see the 1,000 year-old Royal Castle of Hradcany, the Charles Bridge, the Astronomical Clock and St. Vitus Cathedral before transferring to the hotel. Overnight in Prague.

DAY 10, Tuesday, July 15, 2008: Breakfast. Today we travel to Terezin, the former "model" Nazi concentration camp. We visit the Fortress, Jewish Cemetery, Museum, the hidden synagogue, the Memorial Monument and the town itself. Overnight in Prague.

DAY 11, Wednesday, July 16, 2008: After breakfast we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Jewish interest sites, with a visit to the Old City to view the Josefov, Prague's Jewish Town with its Old Town Hall, the Alt-Neu Synagogue, the Pinkas Synagogue, the Maisel Synagogue, the Jewish Cemetery and the State Jewish Museum. We have lunch with members of Prague's Jewish community in the Old City. In the evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner together at a local restaurant. Overnight in Prague.

DAY 12, Thursday, July 17, 2008: After breakfast we will transfer to the airport to board our flight home. We arrive home the same day.

The memories last forever!

*Itineraries subject to change

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