The 9 day, 8 night Baltic Jewish Heritage Tour is an exploration of the Jewish culture and history in the Baltic region. You will receive extensive sightseeing with professional tour guides throughout the tour, focusing on Jewish sights, culture and history. There will be a Tour Director escorting the group. This is a motor coach tour with first class or superior hotel properties, meals and cultural programs as specified in the itinerary.
- 3 nights in Vilnius, Lithuania
- 1 night in Kaunas, Lithuania
- 2 nights in Riga, Latvia
- 2 nights in Tallinn, Estonia
Vilnius - Amberton or similar
Kaunas - Europa Royal or similar
Riga - Europa Royale or similar
Tallinn - Vana Wiru or similar
Day by Day Itinerary
1. day
VILNIUS / LITHUANIA
Arrive in Vilnius on your own. Transfer to your downtown hotel. Subject to arrival time, join the daily tours inside the Synagogue. Friday night dinner. (D)
2. day
VILNIUS / LITHUANIA
Today in the morning, visit the synagogue service. In the afternoon Old Vilnius City tour featuring the Vilna Gaon Jewish State Museum, The Vilnius University, the Choral Synagogue and the Medieval Jewish Quarter. You will learn about the Great Vilna Synagogue and the Ghettos , where more than 40,000 Jews were concentrated between 1941-1943. Overnight in Vilnius.(B)
3. day
VILNIUS / LITHUANIA
Morning departure to Trakai, the ancient capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Stop at the Ponar Forest and Memorial, where thousands of Jews were shot in the early days of the war, but never forgotten. Learn about the escape tunnel which was discovered just recently. Continue to Trakai, famous for the medieval insular castle and heritage of Karaites ethnic minority. Return to Vilnius and visit the grave of Vilna Gaun. Overnight in Vilnius (B)
4. day
KAUNAS / LITHUANIA
After breakfast departure for Kaunas. Stop at the unique wooden synagogue of Ziezmarial. During your sightseeing tour in Kaunas - second largest city of Lithuania - you will the the ruins of the castle, the Town Hall Square, the Cathedral and Perkunas House. Visit the former Kaunas Ghetto, the Choral Synagogue and learn about Leah Goldberg’s life and how the Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara saved about 6000 Jewish people when the Holocaust started. (B)
5. day
RIGA / LATVIA
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the Ninth Fort Museum and departs for Riga, capital of Latvia. En route stop in Kedainiai citadel of the Radzivil family one of the most powerful in the late Middle Ages, and also the town where Vilna Gaon lived and worked and where 3 synagogues have remained. Sot at the Rundale palace in Latvia - created by the legendary architect B. Rastrelli - with its Baroque rose garden, Afternoon arrival in Riga. (B)
6. day
RIGA / LATVIA
After breakfast city tour of Riga, featuring the Old Town, the chic “Art Nouveau” district and the Jewish Ghetto area. Visit the only remaining Synagogue, the central meeting place for Jews in Latvia. Overnight in Riga (B)
7. day
TALLINN / ESTONIA
After breakfast drive alongside the Riga Bay to Estonia’s capital, Tallinn. Pass by part of the Gauja National Park and stop at medieval Turaida Castle. There will be another short stop in Parnu, Estonia’s famous resort torn. Late afternoon arrival in Tallinn. (B)
8. day
TALLINN / ESTONIA
After breakfast tour the charming city of Tallinn, rated as one of Europe’s best kept secrets. Drive to Old Town, on top of the hill to see the breathtaking views of the tiled roofs and colorful buildings below. Stroll the beautifully preserved medieval streets. Walk past the impressive Alexander Nevski Cathedral to the Town Hall Square. Continue to the intimate Tallinn Jewish Center to learn about Jewish community life in Estonia. Visit the Synagogue. The afternoon is at leisure. Overnight in Tallinn. (B)
9. day
Departure
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the Airport. (B)