Jewish Heritage and Scenic Rivers: A Journey through Prague, Vienna, and Budapest

9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Best of Budapest: Half-Day Walking Tour of Highlights & Hidden Finds

During your tour you will take in a gorgeous vista of the city from the Fisherman's Bastion, explore the winding streets of the Castle District, gaze in awe at the striking interior of St. Stephen's Basilica, travel along the city's most elegant avenue and more. Along the way you will experience the city as a local does, stopping to check out intimate courtyards, enjoying a pastry and soaking in the ambiance of Budapest's most elegant cafes.

Early Morning to Mid-Day

Excursion to the town of Szentendre

The little cobblestoned town of Szentendre lies charmingly nestled alongside the Danube River and is less than an hour away from Budapest by train or car. Nearly every building in the town dates back to the period of baroque architecture. It is now a haven for artists, who sell their works throughout town.

Morning

Szechenyi Baths, Vajdahunyad Castle, Zoo, and Heroes' Square

The Széchenyi Baths are the largest and the most popular of all the city's baths. With eighteen indoor and outdoor pools and impressive neo-Baroque architecture, the baths make for an unforgettable visit. Nearby, you will find the fascinating Vajdahunyad Castle, a delightful zoo, and the monumental Heroes’ Square, which tells a 1,000-year old tale of Hungarian history.

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Guided Walk through Vienna's Inner City

This tour takes you back in history to explore the Vienna that stood within the old city walls. You will learn about the humble beginnings of Vienna before it became the capital of a great empire and one of the most important cities in Europe. You will discover how Vienna's early inhabitants lived and how they left their mark on the city and its beautiful Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.

Early Morning to Early Evening

Danube Cruise in the Scenic Wachau Valley

A one-and-a-half-hour train ride from Vienna brings you to the town of Melk, where you can tour the vast Melk Abbey. From there you can begin a 22-mile cruise through the Wachau Valley, considered the most beautiful stretch of the entire Danube River. You'll pass medieval castle ruins, hills covered in vineyards, and several charming villages, where you can debark to try some wine or take a hike up to a castle. The valley is also a perfect destination for cyclers and winery tours.

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Guided Jewish Heritage Walking Tour

This walking tour of Vienna's old town highlights the tragic history of the Jewish Community in Vienna. You will pass the oldest synagogue in town, which is also the only one that survived the Night of Broken Glass. On Judenplatz (Jewish Square) you will hear about Vienna's first Jewish community in the Middle Ages and you will see the heart-rending Holocaust Memorial.

8:10 AM

Transfer to Station by Taxi or Public Transport

Most trains depart from Vienna Main Station (Wien Hbf) station. If traveling to the west though, there is a good possibility you will leave from the west station (Wien Westbahnhof). Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option. If staying at a hotel, they can order a reliable taxi. Some private transfers will even help with your bags. Uber is also available for those with the app.

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Guided Walk in Prague's Jewish Quarter, including the Cemetery & Synagogues

During this 3 hour guided walk through the former Jewish Ghetto, the tragic fate of Prague's Jewish community will come alive as you learn about the important milestones in its history: the first settlement, the Pogroms, the horror of World War II. You will also experience the rich culture that Prague's Jews created. You will enter the synagogues and walk through the Old Jewish Cemetery, and learn how the Jews of Prague maintained their faith and lived their daily lives amidst a sometimes hostile surrounding population.

Morning/Mid-Day

Stroll through Petřín Park

Petřin Park is Prague's most prominent park, as it is located on the side of a large hill overlooking the city. The park is filled with cherry orchards, beautiful forests, and lawns, and is crisscrossed by numerous paths as well as the medieval Hunger Wall built by Emperor Charles IV. At the top of the park is an Eiffel Tower-like observation tower which provides an unobstructed view of the city.

Early Morning to Afternoon

Excursion to the Terezín Concentration Camp

The former Terezín Concentration Camp is where the Nazis created a model “Jewish Town” intended to fool the Red Cross and other observers into thinking that the Jews in Europe were being humanely treated. While the ruse worked, the reality, of course, was that almost all of the Jews located in Terezín were killed, either in Terezín or later in Auschwitz. You can visit the ghetto museum, barracks, and prison, and see exhibitions of music, artworks, literature, and a theater, all created by the prisoners themselves.

To Be Determined

Transfer to Airport by Taxi

Prague has one main airport, Václav Havel Airport Prague, where almost all visitors depart.  Your hotel can arrange a reliable taxi or if you have the app, Uber or Bolt is also a good option. You can also arrange a private transfer. If you are picked up about 2 hours and 45 minutes before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with a little over two hours to spare, depending on traffic. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen minutes.