Meet Rabbi Li-Paz, Bronwen, our guide and our group for a welcome dinner at Novotel hotel in the center of Vilnius. No matter what time you arrive in the city, you will have this first day to yourself. Use it for local exploring or just to settle in and rest. (Jerulita Travel will arrange for your transport from the airport to the hotel once notified of your flight details).

We will meet at 9 a.m. after a rich buffet breakfast and will start the tour.

Walking along the main street of Vilnius – Gediminas Avenue.

Visit Shalom Aleichem School, Lithuania’s only Jewish school, and join Rabbi Li-Paz in an unforgettable Kabbalat Shabbat with students and teachers.

Visit the Vilna Gaon Museum of Jewish History and view the historical and art exhibitions. The highlight of the museum is a collection of paintings by Samuel Bak.

Drive to the outskirts of Vilnius to the Ponar Memorial in the forest where the Nazis and their collaborators murdered over 100.000 people, most of whom were Jews.

To balance the heartbreaking emotion we will drive to the countryside and visit exquisite Trakai.  First, we will experience the authentic flavors of Karaim cuisine with a delightful lunch at Kibynlar, one of Trakai’s most renowned restaurants. Your meal will feature kibinai, the signature dish of the Karaim community—golden, flaky pastries filled with juicy meat or vegetarian options, served fresh from the oven. Accompanied by a hearty bowl of broth or a fresh seasonal salad, this meal reflects the centuries-old culinary traditions of Trakai. 

After lunch, a tour of Trakai, the ancient Lithuanian capital, famous for the lakes and sights of the area. See a one-of-a-kind 14th-century insular castle located on an island.

In the evening, we will share Kabbalat Shabbat with the liberal Jewish community at the Jewish Community Center. Dinner will be shared with the community.  

After breakfast, we will visit the only functioning Vilna Synagogue. Back to the old city for a stroll through the Vilnius University campus and visit the library built in the 16th Century. In the Old Jewish Quarter, we will visit to the location of the Ramailes Yeshiva in Vilna. Walking in the old Jewish quarter: narrow streets and courtyards of the middle-age Ghetto; the Great Vilna Synagogue and the shulhoyf; Vilna – the city made famous by the Vilna Gaon – the genius Jewish scholar; Vilna – the center of the struggle between Mitnagdim and Hasidim; the famous Jewish sculptor Mordekhai Antokolski; the territory of the Large Ghetto.

In the early evening, we’ll enjoy a fun and engaging dinner at CiopCiop, where cooking becomes a social and interactive experience! This is not just a meal—it’s a chance to cook, learn, and enjoy delicious food in a lively atmosphere.

Led by professional chefs, we will take part in preparing a multi-course meal, using fresh, high-quality ingredients. Whether it’s crafting gourmet appetizers, sizzling up main courses, or perfecting a decadent dessert, this experience brings everyone together in a hands-on culinary adventure.

Once the cooking is done, we will relax and enjoy the dining space, sharing great food, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

We’ll awaken in Vilnius and go to sleep in Warsaw. On the way, we’ll visit Kaunas (Kovna), the interim capital of pre-war Lithuania, including a visit to charming Old City Town Hall Square; Tour of Slobodka – a former Jewish suburb of Kaunas and the site of the Kovno Ghetto during WWII.  

We will see the building of the famous Slobodka Yeshiva founded by Rabbi Natan Zvi Finkel. Here we will discuss the Lithuanian Mussar movement (emphasis on character refinement) founded by Rav Israel Salanter: we’ll discuss the influence of the Slobodka Yeshiva, and the famous Rav Itzhak Elchanan Spector. A visit to the Kovno Synagogue and the Children’s Memorial in its courtyard.

The last visit will be a form of prison called the Ninth Fort, a powerful and fascinating site of Lithuanian and Jewish history. Next year, a Hollywood movie will be made on the escape of sixty Jewish prisoners from the Ninth Fort.

And here was start of a 4-hour drive to Warsaw. It will be a chance for window gazing, sleep, conversation and group study for those who wish to participate. Of course, we will make ample stops for refreshments and restrooms.

Upon arrival in Warsaw will check in at the hotel and enjoy dinner.

After breakfast we will see the important sites. A visit to the “Stare Miasto” (Old Town) including the Royal Castle, Statue of Sigismund Vasa the Third, Old Town Market Square with a statue of “Sirenka” a symbol of Warsaw, panoramic view of Vistula River and the new city, and the Little Insurgent Monument next to Warsaw Barbacan and the memorial of Warsaw Uprising.

Palace of Culture and Science (Palac Kultury i Nauki) located in the very new centre of Warsaw. Janucz Korczak Monument, Nożyk Synagogue – the only active Synagogue in Warsaw, the Jewish Shalom theatre, a visit to the few original dwelling houses on Prozna street – remnants of lost Warsaw, a visit to the remnant of the original Warsaw Ghetto Wall,the new Jewish Cemetery – an open book of Polish Jewish history, Mordechai Anielewicz Street (he led the uprising), the Umschlagplatz Memorial- the former train station from which 300 000 Jews were deported to Treblinka; Ghetto Heroes Road – a walk along two streets marked by stones with names of Jewish resistance leaders, Mila 18 Street, and Ghetto Heroes Square.

Another educational experience is a visit to a modern museum of Jewish history – Polin.

In the afternoon, we’ll sit down for a conversation with a senior representative of Forum for Dialogue, Poland’s leading organization dedicated to fostering Polish-Jewish dialogue and preserving the memory of Jewish heritage. This meeting offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into the history, culture, and contributions of Jewish communities in Poland, as well as contemporary efforts to promote mutual understanding and reconciliation. We’ll learn about this important organization’s valuable work. Our day will conclude with a dinner at a traditional Polish restaurant.

Morning drive to Krakow will take about 4 hours. 

 Tour of Old Krakow along the route used by Polish Kings to cross the city on extraordinary events. A visit to the “Rynek Glowny” – the Central Market with its famous 14th Century Polish Gothic architecture. Along one of the narrow side streets to see the Jagiellonian University founded in 1364 by King Casimir III the Great, one of the oldest universities in Europe.  

Next, will check in at the hotel and enjoy dinner. 

A day in Kazimierz, Kraków’s historic Jewish quarter, offers a blend of rich history, cultural exploration, and vibrant modern life. Start with breakfast at Hamsa, then visit the Old Synagogue, Remuh Synagogue, and Szeroka Street to explore Jewish heritage. Enjoy a “zapiekanka” unch at Plac Nowy, then visit the Galicia Jewish Museum and cross the Vistula River to see Ghetto Heroes Square and Schindler’s Factory Museum in Podgórze. Kazimierz beautifully blends the echoes of its past with a thriving, artistic present. 

Visit to the Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Krakow 

Experience the vibrant revival of Jewish life in Poland with a visit to the Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Krakow. Located in the historic Kazimierz district, the JCC serves as a dynamic cultural and social hub, fostering Jewish heritage, education, and community life. 

During your visit, you will meet with JCC representatives who will share insights into the rebirth of Jewish life in Krakow, the center’s mission, and its various programs supporting Holocaust survivors, local Jewish families, and interfaith dialogue. You’ll also learn about their initiatives, such as educational workshops, cultural events, and volunteer programs. 

This visit offers a unique opportunity to witness firsthand the resilience and renewal of Jewish culture in Krakow, making it a deeply meaningful and inspiring experience for visitors interested in history, heritage, and contemporary Jewish life in Poland. 

We’ll enjoy dinner in a restaurant in Kazimierz, the Jewish Quarter. 

After breakfast and a preparatory discussion, we will drive the short distance to Auschwitz (Oswiecim). Visit the Auschwitz concentration camp museum, which became a symbol of the Holocaust and genocide due to its geographical location and the scale of the tragedy which took place there. Continue to Birkenau extermination camp, which was built as extension of the Auschwitz camp. Rabbi Li-Paz will lead a remembrance service next to the ruins of crematoria. 

Drive to Wroclaw. Upon arrival we will check in at the hotel and we’ll have dinner there. 

A half-day visit to Wrocław offers a mix of history, charm, and Jewish heritage. Start in the Market Square (Rynek), admiring the colorful townhouses and the stunning Gothic Town Hall. Stroll to the Jewish Quarter, where you can visit the beautifully restored White Stork Synagogue, the only synagogue in Wrocław to survive WWII, now a cultural center and museum. Walk through the Dzielnica Czterech Świątyń (District of Four Denominations), symbolizing religious tolerance. Then, cross the Tumski Bridge to Ostrów Tumski, the city’s oldest part, where you will see Wroclaw Cathedral. 

Lunch and Drive to Prague. 

Upon arrival will check in at the hotel and we’ll have a dinner there. 

Your adventure in the Czech capital begins with a guided exploration of Prague’s historic center. Start your journey at the Old Town Square, where you will admire the Astronomical Clock, the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn, and the Baroque St. Nicholas Church. 

Stroll through the charming streets of the Old Town, passing by the medieval Powder Tower and the stunning Municipal House before reaching the iconic Charles Bridge. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Vltava River and the city skyline as you cross this 14th-century masterpiece adorned with statues of saints. 

After a short break for lunch, continue to the majestic Prague Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest ancient castle complex in the world. Explore St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, and the charming Golden Lane, where medieval houses tell the tales of Prague’s past. Conclude the day by enjoying a panoramic view of the city from the castle’s terraces. 

Dinner in a local restaurant. 

Begin the day in the picturesque Lesser Town (Malá Strana), home to the stunning St. Nicholas Church, the romantic Kampa Island, and the quirky Lennon Wall, a symbol of peace and freedom. Walk along the beautiful streets lined with Baroque palaces and hidden gardens. 

Next, head to the Jewish Quarter (Josefov), one of the most important Jewish heritage sites in Europe. Visit the Old-New Synagogue and see the sight of the Golem of Prague. Jewish Museum, and Old Jewish Cemetery, where centuries of Jewish history come to life. 

After lunch, explore Wenceslas Square, the heart of Prague’s modern life and a site of significant historical events. See the National Museum and learn about the city’s vibrant cultural scene. If time allows, take a walk to the Dancing House, an iconic modern architectural landmark. 

Conclude your tour with some free time for shopping, a visit to a local café, or a relaxing moment by the river before your departure. 

Farewell dinner with folk music in a separate room for the final talks. 

No plans for this day. Individual departures.