Warsaw, Budapest, Vienna & Prague – Honouring the Jewish Heritage - 14 Days
14 Days
Warsaw
Prague
*****
Tauck
Become immersed in the cultural legacies and poignant history of the Jewish communities of Warsaw, Budapest, Vienna and Prague on this special Jewish heritage tour. Emotionally stirring, historic sites are inextricably linked to their Jewish heritage, offering a chance to learn, in depth, reflect and remember what occurred there.
Sites include the Ghetto Memorial, the Jewish Historical Institute, Nozyk Synagogue and the Museum of the History of Polish Jews (POLIN) in Warsaw; Kazimierz (the former Jewish Quarter) and Plaszów concentration camp in Kraków, with a stop at Oskar Schindler's factory; and the poignant museum and memorial in Auschwitz-Birkenau. In Budapest, visit Dohány and Kazinczy synagogues in the Jewish Quarter; the Holocaust Memorial; and enjoy private access, prayer and a Q&A with the Rabbi at the Frankel Synagogue. A walking tour of Old Town Bratislava offers insights on the Jewish Holocaust in Slovakia. Explore Leopoldstadt, the Judenplatz, the synagogue and the Jewish Museum in Vienna; and Terezin concentration camp, the Czech Republic's Memorial of National Martyrdom, the Museum of the Ghetto and Josefov, Prague's historic Jewish Quarter, during a stay in Prague.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Warsaw
A transfer is included from Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport to your historic hotel on Warsaw's fashionable "Royal Route." Meet your travel companions and your Tour Director at tonight's welcome reception and dinner with a regional flair in the hotel, a Warsaw landmark for over a century.
Day 2: Warsaw Ghetto Memorial, POLIN & Chopin
As the first full day of your Jewish Heritage tour begins, join our local guide for a Warsaw city sightseeing tour to sites that honor and commemorate the Jews who were deported or killed during World War II. Visit the Nozyk Synagogue, the only synagogue that survived the war, out of 400 in the city. Learn about what life is like today for the city's Jewish community at the Taube Center for the Renewal of Jewish Life in Poland. After lunch and free time on your own, drive to the POLIN Museum (Museum of the Polish Jews) with stops at the Ghetto Heroes Monument and Umschlagplatz, the site where Jews were gathered and deported to Treblinka in freight cars; take a guided tour of the museum, where interactive exhibits tell a narrative history of Jews in Poland, once the largest Jewish community in the world. This evening, Chopin's music comes to life at a private piano recital at the Polish Music Library or the Porczynski Gallery, followed by a dinner featuring typical Polish cuisine at a local restaurant.
Day 3: Kraków, Plaszów concentration camp & more
Start the day on a journey by coach across the Polish countryside to ancient Kraków, the country's medieval capital and considered one of the finest medieval cities in Europe, for a two-night stay; its historic center (Old Town) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, head to the Podgórze district and make a photo stop at the factory of Oskar Schindler, the German industrialist who saved the lives of over a thousand Jewish workers in his employ, as portrayed in the film, Schindler's List. Stop at the Plaszów camp for a guided visit en route to your hotel; also depicted in the film, this infamous concentration / slave labor camp held more than 150,000 civilians prisoner during the war, thousands of whom perished here. Settle into your hotel, where you'll have dinner at your leisure this evening.
Day 4:
In Kraków this morning, drive through Kazimierz, the city's former Jewish Quarter (holidays permitting); once a separate town dating back to the 14th century, but was nearly destroyed by the Nazis during World War II, this historic district is currently undergoing a renaissance as its synagogues and churches are restored and new cafés, bars and bistros pop up. Schedule permitting, a look inside the somber 15th-century Old Synagogue Museum reveals a wide-ranging treatment of the history of Kraków's Jews. This afternoon, journey to the poignant memorial and museum at Auschwitz, 40 miles southwest of the city, for a guided tour of the site where so many perished, including Blocks 4, 5, 7 and 11; board a coach for a visit to the Birkenau camp. Alternatively, those who do not wish to join have the option to return to the hotel for free time at leisure. Tonight's dinner in Kraków's Jewish Quarter includes traditional Klezmer music.
Day 5: Through the Tatra Mountains to Budapest
Travel from Poland through the scenic Tatra Mountains, stopping for lunch in Slovakia en route to Hungary. Arrive in Budapest, where you'll have dinner tonight – with wine included – aboard a private dinner cruise on the Danube River for a unique view of the Hungarian capital's historic architecture, illuminated at night. Spend the next three nights in the heart of this remarkable city.
Day 6: Synagogues & the Jewish Quarter in Budapest
The Danube River divides Budapest into two distinct areas, Buda and Pest. Today, Tauck's locally guided sightseeing shows you the best of Pest, sprawling along the eastern banks of the Danube. View the city's historic embassy district; City Park; and adjacent Andrassy Avenue, one of Budapest's main shopping boulevards, lined with elegant 19th-century mansions and townhouses and itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join us for a walking tour of the Jewish Quarter, Erzsébetváros (Elizabethtown), with an inside visit to the synagogues at Dohány and Kazinczy (holidays permitting); and a stop at Csányi 5, a permanent exhibition of local Jewish history representing reconstructions of residential and working spaces of the Jewish community between the end of the 19th century and 1945. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring as you wish, then attend prayer and a Q&A with a Rabbi during exclusive, private access in the Frankel Synagogue. Enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening.
Day 7: Parliament, Buda & the Holocaust Memorial
Today includes a guided tour of Hungary's neo-Gothic Parliament building in Pest, an icon of Budapest's skyline. Crossing over to Buda, you can practically feel the history that's been made inside the Gothic Matthias Church, among the city's most notable sites, where the last two Hungarian kings were crowned. Check out the imposing Fisherman's Bastion looming over the Danube, and stroll the quaint lanes and cobblestone streets of Castle Hill, perched above the river's western bank. Sample local Hungarian cuisine at a restaurant in Buda, then join us for a guided tour of the Holocaust Memorial Center, formerly a synagogue, now a memorial and museum dedicated to the more than 500,000 victims of the Hungarian Holocaust.
Day 8: Discover Bratislava en route to Vienna
Travel today on Tauck's Jewish Heritage tour from Hungary through Slovakia en route to Austria, stopping in Slovakia's ancient capital city, Bratislava. Discover 17 centuries worth of history along the cobblestoned, vehicle-free streets of the city's Old Town on a walking tour with our local guide who provides in-depth commentary about the Jewish Holocaust in Slovakia. Following lunch, you will have time to explore the sights on your own. Your journey continues to Vienna, Austria, for a three-night stay; enjoy dinner à la carte tonight in your landmark hotel in the heart of the city, the Hotel Imperial, Vienna.
Day 9: Jewish history, life & culture in Vienna
Once one of the most prominent centers of Jewish culture in Europe, Vienna has been gradually recovering since 1945, when the city's Jewish population was almost entirely deported and murdered in the Holocaust. Discover a Jewish perspective of life in Vienna that goes back over 800 years on a comprehensive city tour today. Your exploration starts in Leopoldstadt, an ancient center of Jewish life in Vienna and currently a modern-day hub; see Hundertwasserhaus, a colourful landmark named for the spirited half-Jewish artist who designed it. Later, enjoy a guided tour of the Belvedere, a museum in Belvedere Castle, and an exhibit of works by Gustav Klimt. The remainder of the day is free to explore Vienna as you wish. Dinner tonight is on your own at leisure.
Day 10: Vienna's Judenplatz & a private concert
Today's guided Jewish Heritage tour of Vienna includes visits to the Stadttempel (the only synagogue in the city that survived World War II), the Judenplatz Holocaust Memorial, and the Jewish Museum in Judenplatz, the historic Jewish Quarter. Following lunch, take a self-guided tour of the Jewish Museum at Palais Eskeles, whose collections showcase Austrian Jewish life. This evening, dinner precedes a private classical music concert in a historic Viennese palace.
Day 11: From Vienna to Prague
Depart Vienna and cross the border into the Czech Republic en route to Prague, the ancient capital of today's modern Czech Republic. Following lunch, set off on a tour of Prague's medieval Old Town, the iconic Charles Bridge and enjoy admission and a visit to the Jerusalem Synagogue. Spend the next three nights at Four Seasons Hotel Prague, overlooking the Vltava, Prague Castle and Charles Bridge in the heart of one of Europe's best-preserved historic cities.
Day 12: Terezin concentration camp outside Prague
During World War II, German propaganda led the world to believe that Terezin (Theresienstadt) – located about 38 miles northwest of Prague – was a model village built to protect the Jews, safekeeping them from the war. The ruse worked to the detriment of nearly 200,000 men, women and children who passed through its gates on their way to concentration camps or probable death inside. Your guided visit here includes the Memorial of National Martyrdom, the Small Fortress, a former Gestapo prison, and the Museum of the Ghetto. Have lunch in a nearby restaurant and return to Prague for a private cruise on the Vltava River, followed by an evening spent as you wish.
Day 13: Strahov's libraries, Josefov & a farewell evening
Begin the day with an exclusive-to-Tauck, privately guided tour of the opulent Baroque libraries of Strahov Monastery in the heart of Prague, restored to their 17th- and 18th-century glory. Then meet up with your local guide to explore the Josefov District, Prague's historic Jewish Quarter. See the Jewish Cemetery, dating back to medieval days; the Old-New Synagogue, founded in the 13th century; and Pinkus and Maisel synagogues (holidays permitting). Spend a free afternoon discovering sights that interest you most in the well-preserved city of Prague. This evening, join us for our Tauck Exclusive farewell reception and dinner at a local venue in Prague enhanced by the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Day 14: Journey home
A transfer is included from Four Seasons Hotel Prague to Prague's Václav Havel International Airport. Please allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in. You can, of course, extend your stay.
Includes
- 13 nights in handpicked 4 & 5 star hotels
- Comfortable coaches with bathroom facilities (w/c)
- 24/7 personal service – knowledgeable Travel Director & expert driver
- Porterage, plus tips and gratuities at hotels and restaurants are included
- Meals as stated in the itinerary
Excludes
- Flights - please call us on 0844 80 444 80 to obtain a quote and book flights
- Pre & post nights - please call us on 0844 80 444 80 to obtain a quote and book additional nights
- Driver & Tour Director gratuities - these can be pre-paid, please ask your reservations agent when booking your tour
Choose Your Departure Date
Prices shown above are per person based on 2 adults sharing. For single, triple, quad and child prices please call us for a quote.
Please call us on 0844 80 444 80 to check the latest up-to-date availability and to book your tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the deposit to secure a tour and when is the balance due?
A deposit of 10% is required when making your booking.
The balance of the holiday cost must be received by us no less than 10 weeks prior to your date of departure. Bookings made within 10 weeks of departure require full payment at the time of booking.
For some tours or if there is a special "Early Booking offer", the balance maybe due sooner than 10 weeks before departure, in this case you will be advised at time of booking when the balance due date would be.
The balance payment date will be shown on your confirmation invoice.
Payments can be made by debit card, credit card or bank transfers.
YOUR PAYMENTS TO US ARE FULLY FINANCIALLY SECURE FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND: Where your confirmed travel arrangements include a flight and you are resident in the UK (or EU) or the flight departs from, arrives in or transits the UK, this is financially protected through our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL) number 6874 managed by the Civil Aviation Authority, Gatwick Airport South, West Sussex, RH6 0YR, UK, telephone 0333 103 6350, email claims@caa. co.uk.
CANCELLATIONS: Cancellations t&c's can differ from operator to operator, these will be confirmed to you with your booking confirmation. For our general Terms and conditions and general cancellation details please click here.
What does the tour cost include?
The per person price listed covers all hotel accommodations, taxes, all applicable sightseeing and admissions as per the itinerary, motor coach, cruise or rail transportation, services of a professional Travel Director, all meals as shown in the itinerary and luggage handling. All tips have been included for services on trip by dining-room staff, chambermaids and porters at hotels, airports, docks and train stations.
Can we book flights through you ?
Yes, we can offer competitive airfares with all the major airlines. When booking a package with us that includes flights and a tour, your package is then fully ATOL Bonded by the CAA for your full financial peace of mind. You are of course are welcome to book flights independently but we are therefore not responsible should your flights be delayed and you miss any part of your tour or other arrangements booked with us.
Can I add additional hotel nights before or after my tour?
Many of our clients choose to add extra hotel nights to spend a little more time in their chosen destination. You can reserve additional hotel nights before or after your tour.
Please call us on 0844 80 444 80 and our travel experts will be able to provide a quote for your additional nights and assist with your requirements.
Can i book twin beds or triple and quad rooms
Yes, We have options for twin (2 beds) and triple/quad room configurations.
If you a travelling in a party of three or four adult guests, please call us on 0844 80 444 80 and our travel experts will be able to provide a quote for your requirements.
For double rooms (2 guests), 1 Double/Queen or King bed is the normal, Twin beds can be requested at time of booking.
For triple rooms (3 guests) these will normally have 1 Queen/King bed and a fold out bed, or 2 Queen/King beds and a fold out bed.
For Quad rooms (4 Guests) these will normally have 2 Queen/King beds.
How much is the solo/single supplement?
Escorted tours are the perfect option if you're travelling solo, combining the camaraderie of a smaller group with the independence of a solo trip. Many tours offer solo room share options, or a competitive solo supplement.
Please call us on 0844 80 444 80 and our travel experts will be able to provide a quote for your requirements.
How many guests will be on this tour?
Tauck offer up to 3 different group sizes on some tours.
Classic group departures have an average of 35 - 44 Guests.
For small group departures these average 24 guest and then some tours also offer smaller group departures which average around 15 guests.
How much walking with be on this tour?
With your comfort in mind, Purely Escorted Tours assigns every tour an activity level. The activity level for your chosen tour is displayed in the tour introduction.
Leisurely: Tours will typically have minimal to 1-2 miles of walking per day on primarily flat surfaces and with some stairs.
Balanced: Tours typically have up to 1-3 miles of walking per day, which may include some uneven surfaces such as cobblestones and stairs.
Dynamic: These journeys can feature 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve some steep hills.
Do the coaches have on-board Wi-Fi and bathroom facilities
Tauck coaches are modern, well-appointed buses with comfortable seating, large windows for viewing, and on-board amenities like Wi-Fi and bathrooms.
While the specific coach model may vary by tour and region, guests can expect an upgrade from standard coaches, reflecting Tauck's commitment to luxury and an elevated travel experience.
The coaches are equipped to provide a high level of comfort and convenience, allowing guests to relax and enjoy the scenery during their travels.
The coaches offer onboard Wi-Fi, bathroom facilities (w/c), charging unites, reclining seats, air conditioning, footrests, tray tables, drink holders and seat pockets
Are gratuities included for the driver, tour director and at restaurants etc?
Gratuities are included at hotels and restaurants. And, you have the option to pre-pay your Travel Director and driver gratuities before you travel if you wish.
Please call us on 0844 80 444 80 and our travel experts will be able to provide a quote for you to pre-pay driver and tour director gratuities.
Do you offer/include Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is not included in your tour and we do not offer travel insurance.
Please procure Travel Insurance before travelling. This will protect you and will give you peace of mind before you travel and whilst on your tour.
We suggest that your insurance covers the following:
- Cancellation or curtailment of your vacation due to medical or other reasons
- Loss or damage to your property and baggage
- Loss of cash, credit cards etc
- Medical costs and personal accidents
Certain countries require visitors to have valid medical insurance on entry and in Europe, you may find that doctor's surgeries, dentists and hospitals often require payment in cash prior to providing services. Whilst rare, medical evacuation can be exceptionally expensive.
Do remember to bring a copy of your policy, contact phone numbers and details of how to claim when you travel.
Should you choose to travel on Purely Escorted Tour without the required travel insurance, you will have full responsibility for all expenses (trip interruption, trip delay, medical expenses, quarantine expenses and emergency evacuation/repatriation) that may arise while travelling with us.
What does a guaranteed departure mean?
A guaranteed departure has reached the minimum number of guests for the tour to operate or will depart no matter how many people are booked to travel.
In the slim case that a guaranteed departure has to be withdrawn that you are booked on due to a unforeseen circumstances, you are entitled to a full refund on the funds already paid or if flexible with your time, we can move you onto another departure that suits you.
What do I need to know about border crossings, visas, entry requirements and passports?
Depending on your nationality, you may need visas to enter certain countries included on your trip. Please note that obtaining visas can take up to six weeks and so it is strongly advised that you consult your local Consulate or Embassy of the country you are visiting to determine which visas they require and how to obtain them.
Note: Purely Escorted Tours is not responsible for obtaining any necessary visas required on your tour.
Information about border crossings and visas, entry requirements varies by destination. Please check the destination you're visiting below for more information:
Europe trips:
Each guest must ensure that their passport is valid for at least six months beyond the conclusion of their trip and that they have acquired all necessary visas and permits. Multiple-entry visas may be required if you are entering a country more than once on your holiday.
Guests are advised that only the countries you plan to visit can provide up-to-date information about their specific visa requirements. Guests should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the countries they plan to visit well in advance of travel. Please check your itinerary carefully. Remember that requirements vary based on a passport's place of issue and that the process can take time.
Check that multi-entry visas have the correct entry dates and destinations before you travel. Please be aware that with some itineraries, you may travel through a country without making an overnight stop. If this happens on your itinerary, you will still need a visa to enter/exit the country for example an ETA when transiting through UK & Ireland.
Please ensure that you carry proper identification with you at all times, as border crossings will need to see your entry documents and passports. Usually crossing borders is a very straightforward process that is managed by your Travel Director. However, be advised that you may be required to open your luggage and answer simple questions about the length of your stay, purpose of travel, etc.
United Kingdom and Northern Ireland trips incl transiting travellers:
From January 8, 2025 UK law requires travelers both entering and transiting through the UK and Northern Ireland to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) which must be obtained in advance of travel.
UK eTA applications can be made at the UK Governments official website.
USA trips incl transiting travellers:
US law requires travellers both entering and transiting through the United States are required to obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) which must be obtained in advance of travel.
ESTA applications can be made at the U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection website.
Canada trips:
Canadian law requires travellers both entering and transiting through Canada to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) which must be obtained in advance of travel.
eTA applications can be made at the Government of Canada's website.
Rest of the World trips:
Each guest must ensure that their passport is valid for at least six months beyond the conclusion of their trip and that they have acquired all necessary visas and permits. You are responsible for obtaining all necessary visas before the departure of your guided holiday. Depending on your nationality, you may need visas to enter certain countries included on your trip. Please note that obtaining visas can take up to six weeks before your departure. It is strongly advised that you consult the local Consulate or Embassy of the country you are visiting well in advance to determine which visas they require and how to obtain them.
What if I have mobility issues?
Please notify us of any disability requiring special assistance prior to travelling. We will try our best to accommodate you throughout the tour and will inform the hotels.
What if I have food allergies?
Please advise us of any dietary requirements. We will make arrangements with our suppliers where possible.
You will also need to talk to your Travel Director at the beginning of your tour and they will do their utmost to arrange an alternative menu at the hotels and restaurants.
How much luggage can I bring?
Travelling on a Purely Escorted Tour entitles each guest to travel with one suitcase not exceeding 23kg (50lbs) in weight, with dimensions not exceeding 77.5cm (30.5in) x 56cm (22in) x 32cm (12.5in). Guests may also bring one item of hand luggage that is small and light enough to be carried onto the coach and fit underneath the seat, or in the small overhead compartment above. (Luggage with adjustable handles and wheels will not fit).
Please test the weight of your baggage prior to travel. You should be able to lift and comfortably transport it for short distances.
Baggage allowances vary from airline to airline and you should check with your chosen carrier for details prior to travel.