Prague - Budapest - Vienna - Israel

2 couples, Mr. & Mrs. S and Mr. & Mrs W., July 2-16, 2006

 

July 2, Sunday,  New York - Prague
Flight:  Czech air OK51 departs JFK 5:40pm arrives Prague July 3rd 7:50am

July 3^rd. Monday,  Prague

Meeting your driver (at arrivals after clearing customs look for driver holding sign with your name).
Transfer to the hotel Four Seasons. If early check-in not possible, refresh at hotel’s public bathroom, leave the luggage with reception.
Meet you guide at the reception area 10am .
4 hour introduction of Prague. Includes car and driver.

Short Prague castle tour, Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, Wenceslas square 

Prague is the Czech’s Republic capital and its international show piece. From magnificent Prague Castle to Wenceslas Square in the heart of the city, Prague rewards visitors with a diverse range of attractions, most situated within walking distance of each other. The Charles Bridge, flanked on either side by statues of monarchs and saints, serves as a timeless symbol of Prague's medieval history, while the Jewish quarter, adjacent to the old town square, is a constant reminder of the Nazi occupation during World War Two.

Having survived the centuries with its medieval architecture intact, Prague is one of the best-preserved capitals in Europe as well as being one of the most easily accessible of the great cities of Eastern Europe. Its historical legacy is only matched by its status as a European cultural centre.  Although "discovered" by modern tourism a couple of decades ago, and already one of Europe's favorite city breaks (particularly among the stag-do and hen-night brigades) Prague has the charm to still seem undisturbed by the thousands of visitors who come here each day. And certainly the visitors show no sign of ever tiring of this historical but thoroughly modern thinking city.  

Evening – dinner at King Solomon hotel   

Overnight Four Seasons Prague

July 4th., Tuesday.  Prague

Kosher breakfast delivered to Four Seasons Hotel.
9 am-12 .  3 hrs Private Jewish heritage tour .
The guide will wait on the reception at 9am for half a day excursion of Jewish heritage.

The Jewish Quarter witnessed the most sinister and barbaric period in Prague's history. The thriving Jewish community was almost completely destroyed by a series of pogroms and deportations following the Nazi invasion of 1938. However, the remnants of Jewish life still live on through the synagogues and the famous Jewish cemetery, which typifies the overcrowded nature of the ghetto throughout its 900-year history. Jewish Museum incorporating four synagogues, Old Jewish Cemetery and Ceremonial Hall.

The tour is walking from hotel and includes visit to Jewish museum. 12:00 approx lunch at Jewish quarter.

After lunch, private tour to Terezin Concentration camp.

Half day excursion (5 hours).The town and the late Baroque fortress of Terezin were founded in 1780 by the Austrian Emperor Joseph II, and named after his mother, Maria Theresa. The fortress was protected by a sophisticated network of canals and moats. Despite all these precautions, the fortress was never actually besieged. During World War II, Reinhard Heydrich, the head of the German occupation forces, turned the so-called Small Fortress (Mala pevnost) into a prison, and the town of Terezin into a Jewish ghetto. Later, the ghetto became the biggest Nazi concentration camp on the territory of today's Czech Republic. About 60,000 people perished in the camp, most of them Jews. The National Cemetery commemorates their fate.

Return around 7pm. Dinner at King Solomon.

Overnight Four Seasons Prague

July 5^rd. Wednesday, Prague

Kosher breakfast delivered to Four Seasons Hotel. Check out. 10am driver arrives for transfer to airport for Czech air flight OK790 12:25pm for Budapest.

Meals

Meals in Prague pre-ordered in King Solomon restaurant . Clients will pay to restaurant directly.

Budapest

July 5, Wednesday, 1:30pm arrival. Meet your guide in airport.

Introduction city tour of Budapest. Approximate 3.5-4hrs. The luggage stays in the car with driver, meet your guide in the city. Combination of driving and walking. *

In 2002 the UNESCO World Heritage committee enhanced the capital's standing among the already existing eight World Heritage locations in Hungary (Hollókő, Budapest, Pannonhalma, Hortobágy, Pécs, Tokaj, Aggtelek, Lake Fertő). This means that now Andrássy Avenue and its historical environs join the Castle district and Danube embankment as holders of the prestigious World Heritage award, although it is true to say that local residents and visitors consider the award fully deserved, Budapest being - in their eyes - one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. We pass by the magnificent House of Parliament, cross the Danube on the Margaret Bridge, then drive to the Royal Castle on the Buda side, where we visit the Fisherman's Bastion (promenade) and the St Matthew’s Church (interior visit). After the Citadel (photo stop) we cross the Elisabeth Bridge and drive to the City Park towards Heroes' Square (promenade), passing the Opera,Center Market Hall, Dohany Street Synagogue and St. Stephen's Church.

*Note: t is possible for Mr. & Mrs. S.  who has already been in Budapest, to be dropped off at Opera house or Castle district to explore on their own. They can walk on their own back to hotel (walking distance). Ask guide to help with dinner reservation at Kinor David.
Back to hotel Four Seasons, check into hotel.

Prepayment for Shabbat meals while at Kinor David.  

Overnight Four Seasons Budapest.

July 6, Thursday, Budapest

Breakfast at hotel *

Mr. and Mrs. S. go to Papa cemetery with driver in the morning. Takes 2-2.5 hours one way so it will take almost all day.  The cemetery is in Nemesszalok, and is about ½ hour away from Papa. They personally know the guy with the keys to the cemetery and will take care of that themselves. E&M Travel only provides driver and transportation. Please note: The driver will try to assist as he can however he might speak minimal English. We were advised that Mrs. S. is fluent in Hungarian, otherwise we can provide English speaking driver.

Mr. & Mrs.  W.  depart for Szentendre 4 hrs tour by car with another driver/guide . Old Roman town called Ulcisia Castra (wolf camp), nowadays known as Szentendre. A stroll around the town is delightful, especially for those seeking out museums, art-galleries and churches. Our selective tour starts from the highest point of Szentendre, the Church Square that offers a fine view of the river Danube and the town. After the tour we head back to Budapest.

Dinner at Kinor David

Overnight Four Seasons Budapest.

July 7, Friday, Budapest.

Breakfast at hotel.

Morning. Jewish Budapest..

The History of Hungarian Jews has been so entwined with the fate of the Hungarian people that the history of Hungarian Jewry and that of Hungary itself are almost inseparable. Hungarian Jewry played a considerable part in economic life, science and architecture. There is much to see in both past and present Jewish life in Hungary especially in Budapest..  Visit the Synagogue and the Jewish Museum during our 2-2,5 hour long guided program. Get to know how the Dohány street Synagogue managed surviving the years of the World War II. The tour includes visiting the Memorial Cemetery and the Tree of Life in the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park as well. The recently restored Jewish Museum and the world's second largest synagogue serve as locales for this program. At the end of the tour you can also have a taste of some Central-European traditional Jewish food - lunch break (meal is not included in the price).

Afternoon Godollo tour.

 The Hungarian Versailles-Gödollo Tour:
The Austro-Hungarian Monarchy's ruling couple Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Queen Elizabeth built this castle and developed its 71-acre park. They frequently stayed in the Grassalkovich Mansion built in the " Hungarian Baroque" style in the 18th century. The main staircase gala hall, the Queen's reception salon, her writing and dressing rooms, her bedroom, and Franz Joseph's study and smoking salon have all been restored to their original condition.
(4-hours) 

Back at hotel around 4-5pm to prepare for Shabbat. Meals preordered at Kinor David by previous arrangement. Overnight Four Seasons Budapest.

 

July 8, Saturday.

Breakfast at hotel *

Free morning for Shabbat rest or  attending services. Afternoon 3 hour walking tour with a guide from hotel.

Overnight Four Seasons Budapest.

July 9, Sunday.

Breakfast at hotel *

8 am transfer to train station to Vienna for 9:20 train 24, arriving Vienna at 12:17pm

Meals.
Meals in Budapest will be pre-ordered at Kinor David restaurant. Clients will pay to restaurant directly.  Shabbat meals must be prepaid on arrival. * Please note – currently Kinor David does not deliver breakfasts. It might be changed so we will be checking. They are currently serving every day 1100-21:30 a la carte with a large Hungarian and Israeli style meals and in erev shabat and shabbat lunch with advanced reservation.

Vienna

July 9, Sunday.

Transfer to from train station to hotel Imperial with English speaking driver.

Check in hotel, afternoon tour 2pm

This tour will show you the most important historical sights along the Ringstrasse, including the Stateopera House, the National Museums, the Imperial Palace, the Parliament, the City Hall, the Burgtheater and the University before taking you to the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, summer residence of the Habsburg family. The highlight of the tour will be a guided tour through the majestic stately rooms before returning to the centre of the city. Approx 3.5 hrs.

Dinner at Alef-Alef restaurant.

Overnight Imperial hotel.

July 10, Monday

Breakfast at hotel (delivered by catering service). Full day Jewish Heritage tour from hotel (max 6 hours). Includes Juden-platz, Jewish Community Center, New Jewish Museum at Palace Eskels .
Overnight Imperial hotel.

July 11, Tuesday

Breakfast at hotel (delivered by catering service). Half day tour (max 4 hrs) Vienna Woods.

The excursion will show you some of the most beautiful sights surrounding Vienna, including the thermal spa resort of Baden, with it’s magnificent Biedermeier architecture, the former hunting lodge at Mayerling, where Crown Prince Rudolf is said to have committed suicide with the Baroness Vetsera, and the impressive Cistercian abbey of Heiligenkreuz.

Lunch/Dinner at hotel (catering service).

Overnight Imperial hotel.

July 12, Wednesday

Breakfast at hotel (delivered by catering service)

Transfer to airport for Austrian airline flight OS 857, 10:40am for Tel Aviv.

Meals at Vienna

Regarding the kosher food at the Hotel Imperial.
Although food is pre-ordered, it is to be paid on spot to caterers directly.  All meals either delivered at hotel or make res at kosher restaurant Alef Alef .
Regarding the kosher breakfast: The hotel itself does not provide a kosher breakfast but we can arrange kosher breakfast through a special catering company The price for the breakfast incl delivery is approx 30 eur  per person/per day.

July 12, Wednesday.

Israel

3:05 pm arrival TLV airport, transfer to hotel by private minivan. Check in. 

Hotel Prima Kings

On your own. Breakfasts are included daily.

July 12-16

July 15, 8:30PM transfer to airport for flight El Al 1 1:00 for New York

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