Spendors of Central Euorpe 2007

Budapest, Vienna, Prague, the names roll off the tongue and instantly conjure up glamorous images; candlelight romance, waltzes, goulash, coffeehouses & medieval glory. This AJCongress discovery takes you to the gorgeous capitals of Hungary and the Czech Republic – each undergoing a lavish renaissance. And, we take you to Vienna, that most European of Europe’s cities and fabled capital of Austria. In each city, you’ll en-counter 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

Highlights:
16 meals including Buffet Breakfast daily (B), 2 lunches (L) 4 dinners (D)
Including Shabbat & Farewell Dinners.- Welcome Cocktail Reception – Briefings on Hungarian, Austrian & Czech Jewry – See Raoul Wallenberg Memorial – Visit Vienna’s Palaces – See rural Bohemia – Visit the Dohany Street Synagogue – Walking tour of Old Prague – Theatre Performance -

ITINERARY:

WEDNESDAY, DAY 1 ENROUTE
Evening departure from Kennedy for Budapest via a connection in Prague.

THURSDAY, DAY 2 – BUDAPEST
Arrival in Budapest, Hungary’s vivacious capital, really two cities separated by the River Danube: Buda to the west, Pest to the east. Meet your Tour Manager and enjoy panoramic drive seeing Heroes Square and the elegant streets of Pest enroute to your hotel. This evening,Welcome Cocktails followed by a briefing on the special itinerary planned for your visit. C

FRIDAY, DAY 3 – BUDAPEST
Visit the fascinating Jewish Museum and massive Dohany Street Synagogue, the Carl Lutz Memorial and the striking Willow Tree Memorial. Cross the Danube to Old Buda’s quaint Castle Hill and Fisherman’s Bastion. Pay homage at Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Statue and see the gothic Medieval Synagogue (when open) Shabbat dinner together. BD

SATURDAY, DAY 4 – BUDAPEST
Attend services, if you wish, followed by a walking tour which includes the impressive National Ethnographic Museum. Balance of the day at leisure – for shopping, strolling, or perhaps a cruise on the Danube – or a Turkish Bath…or perhaps an optional visit to the quaint town of Szentendre….the day is yours! B.

SUNDAY, DAY 5 – BUDAPEST-VIENNA
Morning drive to stylish, historic Vienna, Austria’s capital. This afternoon, see the magnificent buildings lining elegant Ringstrasse, including the State Opera, National Museums, Imperial Palace, Parliament, Town Hall and Burgertheater. Tonight, dinner and a concert! BD

MONDAY DAY 6 – VIENNA
Today’s touring takes in “Jewish Vienna” including a morning visit and briefing on Austrian Jewry at the Stadtempel Synagogue. Explore the Judenplatz and see the Holocaust Memorial, before continuing to the Jewish Museum for a tour of the complex. This afternoon drive to the beautiful Schonbrunn Palace and a guided tour of the Imperial Rooms. End the day with a stop at the famous French Gardens at the Belvedere Palace. The evening is free to sample various restaurants or perhaps an evening at the opera? B

TUESDAY, DAY 7 – VIENNA
A luxurious day at leisure – Your Tour Manager and local guide will provide a variety of optional visits, Have a great day! B

WEDNESDAY, DAY 8 – VIENNA- PRAGUE
Drive through the lush picturesque landscape of Southern Bohemia, stopping at the magical medieval town of Ceski Krumlov, where we will visit the historic “old town”, and after lunch, continue to Prague, magnificent, fairy-tale capital of the Czech Republic. Evening at leisure. BL

THURSDAY, DAY 9 – PRAGUE
Visit the four synagogues of the Jewish Museum, once Prague’s ghetto, including the medieval Altneushul, Europe’s oldest synagogue, and the ancient cemetery crammed with 12,000 graves. Afternoon walking tour takes you past Franz Kafka House as well as Rabbi Loew’s Statue. Visit the vast and beautiful Old Town Hall, with its towers, turrets and astronomical clock. Tonight, a theatre performance. B

FRIDAY, DAY 10 – PRAGUE-TEREZIN
Today, visit Terezin (Theresienstadt), the Nazis’ model ghetto to which 160,000 “elite” Jews were deported from 1941-44. After lunch, return to Prague. Tonight, Shabbat dinner together. BLD

SATURDAY, DAY 11 – PRAGUE
Attend services, if you wish, at the medieval Altneushul, then our walking tour continues with a stroll across the River Vlata’s ancient and crooked Charles Bridge, with its twin watchtowers, statues and lively crafts markets. Tonight’s Farewell Dinner caps an enchanting journey. BD

SUNDAY, DAY 12 – EN ROUTE
Fly to Kennedy, arriving later the same day. B

This is a sample itinerary. Distribution of sites and leisure time is subject to change. Included meals: Buffet Breakfast daily, 2 lunches, 4 Dinners

CITY.............# NIGHTS...............HOTEL
BUDAPEST.............3.....................BUDAPEST INTERCONTINENTAL
VIENNA.................3.....................INTERCONTINENTAL VIENNA
PRAGUE.................4.....................INTERCONTINENTAL PRAHA