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LITHUANIAN JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR

 4 days/ 3 nights

Day 1 Friday VILNIUS. Arrival to Vilnius. Private transfer to the hotel. Full day to explore Jewish Vilnius. Vilnius used to be a very important Jewish center in Europe. From the 14th century onwards Jews settled in the city, and by the 18th century Vilnius had become the world center of traditional Talmudic learning, eventually known as the Jerusalem of the North. Jewish genius Vilna Gaon was born here, city could be proud of Grand Synagogue, the biggest religious institution in Easter Europe, equal to Vatican in Catholic World and before the WWII had around 110 synagogues in total. During the tour you will pass the streets of UNESCO listed Vilnius Old Town, visit Medieval Jewish quarter, Jewish ghettos, Choral synagogue, learn about the prototype of Doctor Dolittle  - Zemach Shabad, one of the most famous French writters – Romain Gary. In Vilna Gaon Jewish State Museum you will get to know about Jewish life, art in Lithuania and Shoah. Try some kosher bagels for lunch and have a dinner in Kosher food restaurant. Overnight in Vilnius. 

 

Day 2 Saturday VILNIUS – ZIEZMARIAI – KAUNAS – VILNIUS. Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure to Kaunas. En route stop at unique wooden synagogue of Ziezmariai. Afterwards continue to the Ninth Fort Museum, a former death site of thousands of Jewish nationals during the World War II. Arrival to Kaunas - second largest city of the country and the capital of Lithuania between the World Wars. During the sightseeing tour of Kaunas Old Town, you will pass by castle ruins, the Town Hall Square, Cathedral and Perkunas House. Visit former Kaunas Jewish ghetto, Kaunas Choral Synagogue, striking for its black and golden colors, as well as its Children's Memorial. Learn about Leah’s Goldberg life in Kaunas and great things Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara has done to save around 6000 jewish people when Holokaust started. Return to Vilnius for overnight. 

 

Day 3 Sunday VILNIUS – PANERIAI – TRAKAI – VILNIUS. Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure to the ancient capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania – Trakai. En route stop at Ponar Forest and Memorial to pay respect to the thousands of Jews, shot in the early days of the war – but (as proved by your visit) never forgotten. Learn about escape tunnel, which location was recently discovered.  Later continue to Trakai, famous for the medieval insular castle and heritage of karaites ethnic minority. Get to know how it is related to Judaism. Lunch at traditional Karaites’ restaurant. Return to Vilnius. Visit Vilna Gaon’s grave in the Vilna cemetery (many come here to ask for a blessing). Free time. Overnight.

 

Day 4 Monday.  Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer to the airport. Departure. 

 

 

Package includes:

  

  • Return airport transfers

  • English speaking guide’s service 

  • Transport sevices: car/ minibus/ bus depending on the group size

  • 3 overnights at the hotel of selected category

  • Meals: daily breakfasts, 3 lunches, welcome dinner

  • Entrance tickets: Tolerance center, IX fort museum, Kaunas Choral Synagogue, Sugihara house, Trakai castle.

  • Souvenir

  • Info package

Ask for group price

Optional 4 day tour

JEWISH UKRAINE TOUR

 

DAY 1  KYIV Arrival to Kyiv (in the morning). Transfer to the city centre, welcome breakfast. Full day to explore Jewish Kyiv. Sightseeing of the city following the footsteps of the Jewish community. The program includes the the Cave Monastery with the Museum of Historical Treasures of Ukraine with the collection of the Judaic ritual silver objects, Podol Synagogue, Jewish Community Center, houses where Sholom Aleichem, Golda Meir and other important personalities of Jewish culture lived. Trip to the Babi Yar Memorial, the place where the Nazis shot 100.000 people. Overnight.

 

DAY 2 KYIV  - ZHYTOMYR - BERDYCHIV - KYIV (360 km)  Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will visit two towns which played crucial role in the history of the Jewish people in Ukraine. Berdychiv - considered to be the capital of all Shtetls in Tzar' Russia. Visit the synagogue there, the notable rabbi Levi Isaac' grave, the Carmelite monastery, and St. Barbara's Church with cellars that served the Nazis to murder many local Jews. Zhytomyr, once an important centre of Jewish life in Ukraine. The Great Maggid of Zhytomyr, a central figure in Hasidic mysticism, is buried in the local cemetery. Nowadays all Jewish communities in the western Ukraine subject to the Zhytomyr rabbi. Return to Kyiv for overnight.

 

DAY 3 KYIV  - UMAN - KYIV  Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure to Uman - the Chassidism capital. Here you will visit the grave of the respected Rabi Nachman of Breslov. During Rosh Hashanah (The Jewish New Year) there is a major pilgrimage by Breslov Hasidism and others to visit the grave in Uman. This practice dates back to 1811, the year after Rabbi Nachman was buried in Uman. After lunch take a chance to walk at Sofyivka Park - the masterpiece of the World Park and garden art of the 18-19th centuries. Return to Kyiv for overnight.

 

DAY 4 KYIV Departure from Kyiv. After breakfast at the hotel and check-out our guide will help you to buy some souvenirs and presents. Then we will transfer you to Kiev Borispil Airport (KBP). Some extra excursions could be made depending on the time of your flight.  

Price: 655 EUR/ person ( price valid if minimum 2 people traveling, stay in double occupancy room)

  • Transfer airport - hotel - airport

  • English speaking guide’s service

  • Transport service: car/ minibus/ bus depending on the group size

  • 3 overnights in 3* hotel in Kyiv with breakfasts

  • Welcome breakfasts

  • Entrance tickets: Kyiv Pechersk Lavra Cave Monastery, Museum of Historical Treasures of Ukraine, Carmelite monastery, Sofyivka Park

  • Info package

Contact us

Baltic Idea Generator

Cell: +370 67878633

E-mail: info@balticidea.com

E-mail: travel@balticidea.com

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