THE JEWISH DIASPORA ITINERARY:
Sunday, October 12: USA/Berlin, Germany
Depart on an overnight flight to Berlin, Germany. In Flight
Monday, October 13: Arrive Berlin
On arrival, transfer by private car to the legendary Hotel
Adlon Kempinski, located close to the Brandenburg Gate. The
remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or join an optional
tour of the Reichstag building, seat of the German Parliament.
Later, attend a cocktail party and dinner with your Tour
Director and fellow travellers. Hotel Adlon Kempinski D
Tuesday, October 14: Berlin
Visit the memorials and museums dedicated to Berlin's Jewish
history. See the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (the
Holocaust Museum) before proceeding to the district around
Oranienburgerstrasse to visit the renovated New Synagogue. In
the Kreuzberg district explore the Jewish Museum, one of the
most striking pieces of architecture in modern Berlin. Its
dramatic interior reveals a permanent exhibition chronicling
German-Jewish history. After lunch in a local restaurant, drive
to the Wannsee Villa, where in January 1942 the fateful decision
to implement the "final solution" was made. Return to what was
once "West Berlin" via the Glienecke Bridge, the scene of
numerous spy exchanges during the Cold War. A guest lecturer
joins you for dinner in the hotel and discusses Berlin's role as
home to the fastest-growing Jewish community in Europe. Hotel
Adlon Kempinski B, L, D
Wednesday, October 15: Berlin/ Dresden/Prague, Czech Republic
Travel by express train to Dresden, known as the "Florence
of the North" for its architectural and artistic masterpieces.
After lunch in a local restaurant, explore the city's
highlights: the prestigious Semper Opera House, the collection
of Old Masters in the grand baroque Zwinger Palace and the Green
Vault in the Albertinum, housing a dazzling collection of objets
d'art. Continue to the famous Frauenkirche, destroyed during
World War II and reopened in 2004 after meticulous
reconstruction. Board a train bound for Prague and your
luxurious hotel, located near the Charles Bridge. Dinner this
evening is at leisure. Four Seasons Hotel Prague B, L
Thursday, October 16: Prague
During an extensive tour of the Jewish Quarter (named
Josefov in gratitude to the Emperor Josef's tolerant policies in
the 18th century) visit three synagogues, the former Town Hall
and the remarkable Jewish Cemetery. Cross the Vltava River to
Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral before sitting down to
lunch in a traditional restaurant in the Malį Strana quarter.
The afternoon is at leisure to explore Prague independently.
Dinner tonight is in a local restaurant. Four Seasons Hotel
Prague B, L, D
Friday, October 17: Prague/Kraków, Poland
This morning is at leisure before an early afternoon flight
to Kraków, once Poland's capital and still a treasure trove of
medieval architecture. Transfer to the Old Town (Stare Miasto)
to wander through the Main Market Square and shop in the great
Cloth Hall. Proceed to Kazimierz, the former Jewish district, to
visit the ancient Remuh Synagogue, the 15th-century Old
Synagogue and the Galicia Jewish Museum, displaying unique
exhibits and photographs of the Jewish presence in Polish
Galicia. Later continue to Oskar Schindler's factory and other
locations featured in Steven Spielberg's epic film Schindler's
List. A guest speaker joins you for dinner at the hotel to
discuss the forgotten heritage of Central Europe's Yiddish
culture. Sheraton Krakow Hotel B, D
Saturday, October 18: Kraków
You may choose to visit the moving but harrowing
concentration camps of Birkenau- Auschwitz, the most graphic
memorial to the horror of the Holocaust in Europe. A museum now
stands testament to the atrocities and pays tribute to the
thousands of lives lost here. Alternatively, you may spend the
morning at leisure in Kraków. Dinner this evening is at leisure.
Sheraton Krakow Hotel B, L
Sunday, October 19: Kraków/Vienna, Austria/Budapest, Hungary
Fly to Vienna and connect to Budapest, often referred to as
the "Pearl of the Danube." On arrival, you are met and
transferred to your deluxe, centrally located hotel. Dine ą la
carte at the hotel or at the restaurant of your choice. Four
Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace B, D
Monday, October 20: Budapest
Begin your explorations in St. Stephens Park at the
Holocaust Memorial, resembling a weeping willow whose leaves
bear inscriptions of the names of the victims. Continue along
the Danube River's embankment to view a new monument to the Jews
killed during the Holocaust. Later, you are invited to the
Secondary School of Sandor Scheiber and the Rabbinical Seminary,
opened in 1877 and one of the world's most important
institutions of rabbinical training. Visit the Great Synagogue
complex containing the synagogue, cemetery, the Tree of Life
monument and the Jewish Museum. Pause for lunch at a Jewish
restaurant in Dohįny Street, then view the Crown Jewels in the
Parliament building. Cross the river to the "Buda" section of
the city for a short walking tour. In this picturesque district,
see the Matthias Church, also known as the Coronation Cathedral,
and the Fisherman's Bastion with its lovely views of the Danube
River. Feast on Hungarian specialties in a local restaurant
while listening to lively gypsy music. Four Seasons Hotel
Gresham Palace B, L, D
Tuesday, October 21: Budapest
Explore the Holocaust Memorial Center, a complex that
includes the renovated Pava Street synagogue. Afterward, visit
the House of Terror, a museum remembering two totalitarian
systems of the 20th century (fascism and communism) and their
victims. Between 1944 and 1945 this mansion was the headquarters
of the Hungarian Nazis, earning it a sinister reputation. After
lunch at leisure, your afternoon is free for independent
activities. Gather tonight for a farewell cocktail party before
dining at leisure. Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace B
Wednesday, October 22: Depart Budapest/USA
Transfer to the airport to board your homebound flight. B
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