Compare Warsaw, Budapest, Vienna & Prague – Honoring the Jewish Heritage 2022 by Tauck vs Highlights of Eastern Europe - End Budapest, Small Group End Budapest Small Group by Insight Vacations

Day 1 Arrive Warsaw

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, the Hotel Bristol, 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 Tauck Director at tonight's welcome reception and dinner with a regional flair in the hotel, a Warsaw landmark for over a century.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Hotel Bristol, Warsaw

PORTOFCALL : Warsaw, Poland

Day 2 The Warsaw Ghetto Memorial, Polin Museum & 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 and folkloric entertainment at a local restaurant.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Hotel Bristol, Warsaw

PORTOFCALL : Warsaw, Poland

Day 3 Kraków, Plaszów concentration camp & more

Start the day with a rail journey from Warsaw – aboard a car in second-class, exclusively for Tauck guests – 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.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Sheraton Grand Krakow

PORTOFCALL : Kraków, Poland

Day 4 Visit Kazimierz in Kraków & poignant Auschwitz-Birkenau

In Kraków this morning, drive through Kazimierz, the city's former Jewish Quarter (holidays permitting); once a separate town that dated 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. Tonight's dinner in Kraków's Jewish Quarter includes traditional Klezmer music.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Sheraton Grand Krakow

PORTOFCALL : Kraków, Poland

Day 5 Through the Tatra Mountains, bound for Hungary & 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 Tauck's 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.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest

PORTOFCALL : Budapest, Hungary

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 Csanyi 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.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest

PORTOFCALL : Budapest, Hungary

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.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest

PORTOFCALL : Budapest, Hungary

Day 8 A walking tour of Bratislava, Slovakia's ancient capital, 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 Bristol, Vienna.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Hotel Bristol, Vienna

PORTOFCALL : Bratislava, Slovakia

Day 9 Exploring Jewish history, life & culture in Vienna

Discover a Jewish perspective of life in Vienna that goes back over 800 years on a comprehensive city tour today. Once one of the most prominent centers of Jewish culture in Europe and gradually recovering since 1945, the city's Jewish population was almost entirely deported and murdered in the Holocaust. Start your exploration in Leopoldstadt, an ancient center of Jewish life in Vienna and currently a modern-day hub; see Hundertwasserhaus, a colorful 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.

MEALS : B

LODGING : Hotel Bristol, Vienna

PORTOFCALL : Vienna, Austria

Day 10 Vienna's Judenplatz & a private palace 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, enjoy dinner at the renowned Café Landtmann – the quintessential Viennese coffee house since 1873 – then attend a private classical music concert in a historic Viennese palace.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Hotel Bristol, Vienna

PORTOFCALL : Vienna, Austria

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. Upon arrival, have lunch including a Q&A with a concentration camp survivor; then set off on a tour of Prague's medieval Old Town and the iconic Charles Bridge. 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.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Four Seasons Hotel Prague

PORTOFCALL : Prague, Czech Republic

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.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Four Seasons Hotel Prague

PORTOFCALL : Prague, Czech Republic

Day 13 The Strahov Libraries, Josefov (Jewish Quarter) & 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.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Four Seasons Hotel Prague

PORTOFCALL : Prague, Czech Republic

Day 14 Journey home

Tour ends: Prague, Czech Republic. 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.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Prague, Czech Republic

Day 1: Welcome to Budapest

On arrival at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your hotel at 10:00, 13:00 and 15:30. Join your Travel Director at 18:00 and travel to the famous and elegant Gundel Restaurant. Your Welcome Dinner is a treat of mouthwatering Hungarian specialities, accompanied by specially selected wine.

Day 2: Delve into Budapest Relaxed Start

Stroll through the alleys of the Old Town of Buda with a Local Expert. Admire the facade of Matthias Church and take in the view from the Fisherman’s Bastion. Enjoy a short drive following the Danube and arrive at Gellért Hill. From the top, appreciate astounding panoramic vistas presided over by the Liberty Statue.Enjoy a tour of the Liszt Music Academy with a student, followed by an enchanting recital. The university was founded by the piano virtuoso and composer Franz Liszt in 1875. In the evening, perhaps choose an Optional Experience to see this fairy-tale city as you cruise along the Danube and enjoy a meal of Hungarian specialties, served with drinks?

Day 3: The Mountains to Kraków

Take a gentle drive into Slovakia and through the breathtaking Low Tatra Mountains, where villagers still live in traditional wooden houses. Stop at scenic Donovaly. Continue north to see the picturesque Oravský Hrad Castle before crossing into Poland and continuing to historic Kraków.

Day 4: The Damsels and Dragons of Kraków Relaxed Start

Join a Local Expert to ascend Wawel Hill and visit the cathedral. Walk past the former residence of Pope John Paul II through the Old Town, to Europe's largest and most beautiful town square. See the medieval Sukiennice Cloth Hall and visit the 14th century St. Mary's Basilica, the most important church in the city. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the trumpeter in the tower.This afternoon, why not join an Optional Experience and journey into a glistening subterranean world at the 600-year-old Wieliczka Salt Mines? In a maze of tunnels deep below the surface, witness unique salt sculptures, sunken lakes and even a glorious cathedral carved entirely out of rock salt by the miners. Alternatively, enjoy time at leisure.

Day 5: Auschwitz and Częstochowa

Join a Local Expert at Oświęcim, better known throughout the world by its German name, Auschwitz, infamous for its role during the Holocaust. Spend reflective moments amid the remains of the concentration camp and the memorials to those who died. Travel north to Częstochowa to visit the 14th century Monastery of Jasna Góra, famous for the Black Madonna, said to have been painted by St. Luke. Continue across the Polish plains to the country’s capital, Warsaw for the night. Dumplings are an Eastern European tradition, so in the evening enjoy a dumpling demonstration and delightful Highlight Dinner.

Day 6: The Polish Capital of Warsaw Relaxed Start

Join a Local Expert in the morning to see the Old Town, Royal Castle and Palace of Culture. Visit the Chopin Memorial in the Łazienki Park.Pay your respects at the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes and then enjoy a free afternoon to explore at your own pace. Perhaps attend a Chopin recital or delve into Warsaw's inspirational past?

Day 7: Wielkopolska to Berlin

Your route leads westward, across the rolling farmlands of the central plains, over the Oder River to enter Germany. Your destination is the vibrant capital of Berlin where you can try traditional Berliner cuisine.

Day 8: The Spirit of Berlin Relaxed Start

Prepare to embrace the rejuvenated spirit of Berlin. Join a Local Expert for a drive through the leafy Tiergarten to the refurbished Reichstag building and see the Brandenburg Gate. On the eastern side, take the Unter den Linden past the State Opera House to Museum Island.

Day 9: Dresden and Golden Prague

Journey south to Dresden. Almost totally destroyed by horrific air raids in 1945, Dresden has now risen again from the ashes in a blend of old and new. See the reconstructed Frauenkirche and walk past the colossal ‘Procession of the Princes' on the wall of the Royal Palace. Explore around the Catholic cathedral to view the tiered facades of the opera house and the Baroque Zwinger Palace. After free time for lunch, head for the Czech border, high in the Ore Mountains and continue to the capital city of Prague.

Day 10: Prague, City of a Hundred Spires

Explore Prague with Insight Choice. Choose to walk the courtyards of the Castle and visit the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral. Alternatively, join your Local Expert for a walk through the Jewish Quarter and learn about a different side of the history of Prague.The city is then yours to explore. Perhaps walk in the footsteps of kings along the Royal Route? Czechs are passionate about their beer, so be sure to try the local pilsners, alongside the Czech cuisine.

Day 11: Bohemian Český Krumlov Relaxed Start

A journey through the green Bohemian countryside will bring you to České Budějovice. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of a local brewery to sample the beer and discover the secrets of how this golden vintage is made. Continue on to Český Krumlov, a picturesque medieval town nestled on the banks of the Vltava. Walk the narrow cobbled streets and arch-covered footpaths, past colourful townhouses and centuries-old inns. With a Local Expert, visit the fairy-tale, red-roofed castle, considered by many to be the finest in the land. When all the day trippers have left, soak up the unique atmosphere of this UNESCO World Heritage Site on your Dine-Around Evening. You will be offered a selection of restaurants, nestled amid the tangle of streets and old squares.

Day 12: Stately Vienna Relaxed Start

Cross the border into Austria and enjoy a delightful journey to Vienna. The afternoon is free for you to explore this stately capital and later why not enjoy a delightful Austrian meal with the option to dine at a country mansion?

Day 13: The Habsburgs of Vienna

Vienna owes much of its present-day charm to the long reign of the Habsburgs. Join your Local Expert for a private visit of Maria Theresa’s Schönbrunn Palace and its formal gardens. Then, take some great photos on a circuit of the famous Ring Road. This grand boulevard, built along the lines of the old city walls, showcases many of the capital’s architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence, Austrian Parliament Building and Karlskirche. Explore Vienna with Insight Choice. Choose between a visit to a traditional Viennese café to enjoy local specialities of coffee and Sachertorte or alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during an inclusive workshop and take to the floor in a Viennese Waltz dance workshop designed to support the visually impaired community. As night falls, experience an extraordinary concert of Viennese classical music combined with a delicious meal of traditional Austrian fare, with drinks included.

Day 14: Depart Budapest

A transfer arrives at Budapest airport in the early afternoon. For those extending their stay, a stop is also made at the Corinthia Hotel Budapest.