Jewish & Christian Heritage

We devise tailor-made tours for groups and individual travelers, as well as families desiring to discover their roots in Central Europe’s historic Jewish sites. Landmark Tours will assist with research and all contacts to assure the most possible visit of discovery.  We have thorough knowledge of the capitals and major cities of Central Europe that were centers of Jewish culture, and we’ll uncover with you those towns and villages that may have been of special importance.

We prepare Bar/Bat Mitzvah programs and visits for families,  including ceremonies in the famous synagogues of Central Europe.  Another of our specialties is creating programs for Community and Congregation Tours.  We can customize visits from seven to 14 days.

In all cases, we are sensitive to the needs for Kosher and Glatt Kosher catering, Shabbat schedules—meeting the religious and social requirements particular to each client’s wishes.

LANDMARK TOURS is proud of its successful history in organizing visits and professional meetings for Jewish organization such as, Haddasah, ORT, Israel Bonds, UJA, JNF, and others.

 

Cantor Assembly, Krakow, July 2009

We create tours for Jewish Congregations, wehther they are Conservative, Reform or Orthodox in Central Europe with emphasis on Jewish sites, visit of graves of famous rabbis, meeting with local leading member of Jewish Communities and guest speakers and Holocaust survivors who accompany the groups when visiting Concentration Camps. For example, in Berlin we arrange a VIP tour inside the Reichstag,,,in Prague we arrange a special tour "on the footsteps of Kafka"...in Budapest, meetings with young Neues Synagogue BerlinJewish students at Balin House...in Warsaw, a visit to Beit Warshawa, a Reform Jewish Community and/or a visit to the famous Nozyk Synagogue.

We prepare Bar Mitzvah tours for families including ceremonies in famous Synagogues of Central Europe.Dohany Synagogue Budapest

We create programs for Community and Congregation Tours that include visits to up to four countries in seven, ten or fourteen day tours. 


We have wide experience in organizing tours and meetings for Jewish Federations, Jewish Organization like Haddasah, Ort, Israel Bonds, UJA, JNF, etc.


Old New Synagogue, Prague  Temple Synagogue, Krakow


 

 Bar Mitzvah – Family tour of 6 persons

 

"We want to thank you for making Andrew’s Bar Mitzvah a wonderful event. The trip was amazing and we could not have asked for more. Rabbi Hoffberg did an incredible job, not only at the Bar Mitzvah but guiding us through Prague and Terezin. His insight into the people and the history could not be matched and we enjoyed his company. The Bar Mitzvah meal at Dinitz was delicious. (I don’t think I have ever tasted such kosher food, except maybe our wedding). The challah was especially wonderful. We even went back there for another meal the next evening. The train to Berlin was easy and relaxing. Nadav, our guide in Berlin was also a perfect fit. His background and education was perfect for Skip and Andrew and I know they really hit it off and in fact may consider attending a conference in St. Louis in March where Nadav’s wife is to speak. He went out of his way to show us around and even took part of his day off to make sure we made it to the Reichstag. The hotels in both cities were nice and the manager even came by in Berlin to make sure we were having a nice stay.

 

Please pass on our compliments and thanks to Rabbi and Nadav and Yaffa. We have many pictures and memories and I think you should consider making Prague a Bar Mitzvah destination trip, like Israel. Andrew could be the “poster” teen for your marketing campaign. Thank you again for everything".

 

Heidi A. Feinman


With offices in Berlin and Prague, Landmark Tours has developed partnerships with the most important hotels, national and local tourist offices, the very best coach companies, rail and boat offices, and experts in the rich history of each important site, from the small villages to the magnificent capitals of Central Europe: Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary. We wish to be YOUR preferred Destination Management Partner!


 

PPLAND AND GERMANY, JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR

 

Day 1                

Depart for the overnight flight to Krakow.

 

Day 2                   KRAKOW

Arrive in Krakow – after checking into the hotel, a walking tour of this lovely little town. Visit the Wawel Castle, historic home of the Polish kings, now an eclectic grouping embracing several periods.  Walk through the Old Town Square followed this evening by our welcome dinner.

Overnight:  Hotel, Krakow                              

 

Day 3                  KRAKOW’S JEWISH HERITAGE

Explore the Kazimierz, Krakow’s former Jewish quarter and now living a ‘Jewish Renaissance’ – visits to the famous old Remuh synagogue, Schindler’s factory on the former Plaszow Concentration Camp site and the Cloth Hall.

 

Overnight:  Hotel, Krakow                              

 

 

Day 4                 AUSCHWITZ and BIRKENAU

A sober encounter with the past at the two concentration camps where the largest numbers of European Jews were killed during the Holocaust.  Lunch will be at a local restaurant.

 

Overnight:  Hotel, Krakow                              

 

Day 5            WARSAW

By train, 2 ½ hours to Warsaw. We meet for a panoramic tour of the city’s mix of architectural styles, including the Old Town Square– Lazienkowski Park with the monument to Frederic Chopin. Palace of Culture and Science, Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street.  This boulevard is considered Warsaw’s Champs Elysees, a Royal Street, as it is known.  There is the option to visit The Chopin Family Drawing Room at The Academy of Fine Arts. It was a part of Chopin Family's House before they moved abroad. This optional excursion includes an afternoon Chopin piano concert with a glass of wine in this stunning Lazienkowski Park.  There will be so much to discuss at dinner this evening!

 

Overnight:  Hotel, Warsaw                  

 

Day 6                JEWISH WARSAW

By coach to see the great city monuments, including the Nozyk Synagogue, the only surviving synagogue in Warsaw. Walk through the ghetto area to mourn at the Umschlagplatz Memorial, site of the deportations, then to rejoice at the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes. Visit the Gensa Cemetery, resting place of Poland’s Torah scholars.

 

Overnight:  Hotel, Warsaw                  

 

Day 7                     BERLIN

By train, 5 ½ hours to Berlin. Our clients always enjoy this relaxing time to talk, read, see the scenery changes; of course, enjoy a nap with iPods in place! On arrival in this exuberant and beautiful capital city, we’ll set out for an introduction by coach to survey famous landmarks, including the Olympic Stadium (the somewhat intimidating 1936 Olympics played here); the outstanding summer palace of Schloss Charlottenburg; remnants of the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie. The grandeur of the Brandenburg Gate always touches visitors (be sure to see it during night illumination) unfolds. An unforgettable highlight this evening is our special VIP tour inside the Reichstag. The architecture of Sir Norman Foster brought an outstanding reversal of what was old and destroyed in war.  View Contemporary Art of today’s Germany and the new Chancery. Our dinner here in the Reichstag will be perfect!

 

Overnight:  Hotel, Berlin                     

 

Day 8                 BERLIN

Enjoy a morning at leisure to wander and shop. Berlin’s public transportation is everywhere and excellent.  We’ll gather this afternoon to tour the western sector of Berlin, a treat for your senses at the legendary KDV department store.  Then the rich greenery of the Tiergarten, and the historic Memorial Church, kept as it looked on the day in WWII when all except the tower was destroyed. For Berliners, this is the true symbol of the city’s rebirth.  This evening, choosing where to have your dinner will be very challenging—so many choices!  Ask us!

 

Overnight:  Hotel, Berlin                     

 

 

Day 9                 EXCURSION TO WANSEE AND POTSDAM

By coach to Potsdam, close to Berlin and capital of Brandenburg State. Here is the palace of Frederick the Great—the enclosed park and “petit” Sanssouci,  consisting of gardens, parkland, palaces and pavilions, mainly of the 18th century. This is surely one of the finest such complexes to be found anywhere. Drive through Potsdam town centre, with its Dutch quarter and cathedral by the architect, Schinkel. Leaving Potsdam, next arrive in Wannsee, calm and beautiful, but with a place in history of pure infamy. It was here that the Nazi Wannsee Conference took place, and the “Final Solution” was planned. Returning to Berlin, stop at the moving memorial to the Jews in Berlin, at Track 17, with a special Yizkor service.  Rest a while, today included so much.  Dinner together will be enjoyable and a good time to discuss all the highlights and photos.

 

Overnight:  Hotel, Berlin                     

 

Day 10                BERLIN

On foot to admire the historic architecture along and around Unter den Linden: the Arsenal, Schinkel’s Guardhouse, Frederick the Great’s Opera House, the Gendarmenmarkt with twin churches and concert hall. Then to a favorite site for all visitors to Berlin: Museum Island. We’ve selected several highlights for the visit: the Babylon Gate and Pergamon Altar at the Pergamon Museum. It will be pleasurable to then board the glass boat for an afternoon cruise through the city centre on the River Spree. Again, your personal dinner choices will be exciting.

 

Overnight:   Hotel, Berlin                    

 

Day 11               JEWISH BERLIN

A comprehensive tour of the Old Jewish Quarter,  including the old Jewish cemetery, the site of the first synagogue and the brilliant Jewish Museum designed by Daniel Liebeskind. Lunch will be at Lieberman Restaurant. Then to the Oranienstrasse Synagogue and the Centrum Judaicum, restored and exquisite in brilliant colors and Moorish architecture.  The final visit today is to the  moving Holocaust Memorial.  Walk through the disorienting maze aboveground and the subterranean place of history and tribute, designed by architect Peter Eisenman and engineer Buro Happold.  We’d like to suggest and reserve your final night’s dinner in Berlin.

 

Overnight:  Hotel, Berlin                     

 

Day 12                      DRESDEN

By coach to Dresden, stopping en route to tour the Meissen Porcelain Museum. After arrival in Dresden, visit the Baroque Zwinger Palace, the splendid Frauenkirche and the Opera House—all gloriously restored from almost total destruction. Lunch together will be excellent.  We’ll  visit the new synagogue, unique and interesting in its total lack of windows and sober—yet brilliant—design.

We hope to attend a performance this evening at the opera! TBA

 

Overnight: Hotel  , Dresden                            

Day 13              EXCURSION TO WEIMAR

By coach to beautifully restored Weimar. A walking tour through town to admire its magnificent classical architecture and the first site of the Bauhaus School. Here is Goethe’s Baroque home and Schiller’s residence. Dresden’s library is known for its Rococo hall, and we’ll enjoy the delightful market square. Of course, a visit to the Bauhaus Museum.

Relax a bit and prepare for tonight’s farewell celebratory dinner. 

 

Overnight:  Hotel, Dresden                             

 

Day 14                   DEPART DRESDEN

Transfer to the airport for homeward flights or consider extending your stay in Prague. We are the experts to help for this well-chosen extension.

 

 

 

 

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