VOYAGER
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YOUR journey
J² crafts journeys of inspiration, education, and Jewish connections to Israel and worldwide. We are guided by a simple but powerful concept: No two trips are the same; each experience should be personal, meaningful, and backed by superb service. Travel is not just about the places you visit, but the connections you make along the way.
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Art & Culture 
Archaeology 
Current Affairs 
Heritage 
UNESCO Heritage Sites
Program Itinerary
DAY 1
DEPARTURE FOR THE HEART OF JEWISH CENTRAL EUROPE
Tue. Mar 23, 2027
- Depart from the US on an overnight flight to Frankfurt, embarking on a meaningful journey through the rich Jewish history, culture, and contemporary life of Germany & the Czech Republic.
Overnight: Flight
DAY 2
JERUSALEM ON THE RHINE
Wed. Mar 24, 2027
- Arrive at Frankfurt International Airport and transfer to Mainz.
- Meet your J² Expert Educator, who will accompany you throughout this immersive journey of Jewish heritage, memory, and contemporary discovery.
- Travel to Worms, the cradle of Ashkenazi Judaism, where some of the earliest foundations of Jewish learning, law, and communal life in Northern Europe were shaped - setting the intellectual and spiritual tone for the journey ahead.
- Encounter the legacy of Worms through its most significant sites:
- Enter the Rashi House Museum and connect to the rhythms of medieval Jewish communal life.
- Step into the Rashi Synagogue and explore the space where one of Judaism’s greatest commentators studied and taught.
- Walk through the Holy Sands Cemetery and read its stones as enduring witnesses to nearly a millennium of Jewish continuity.
- Return to Mainz and settle into your hotel.
- Gather for a welcome dinner and orientation led by your J² Expert Educator. Frame the journey ahead through shared expectations, educational goals, and thematic discussion.
Overnight: Mainz
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3
THE SPLENDOR OF SPEYER & HEIDELBERG
Thu. Mar 25, 2027
- Continue your exploration of the ShUM communities, centers of scholarship, resilience, and innovation.
- Travel to Speyer and uncover the enduring legacy of one of the most influential medieval Jewish communities north of the Alps.
- Descend into the 12th-century mikvah and examine the remarkable engineering and spiritual significance of this subterranean space.
- Continue to Heidelberg, where history, memory, and contemporary life intersect.
- Explore the Old Town and trace critical moments of German and Jewish history:
- Visit the Synagogue Memorial and confront the rupture of November 1938.
- Reflect at the Book Burning Memorial at Universitätsplatz.
- View the historic halls of Germany’s oldest university.
- Meet Jewish Students: Engage in a discussion with Jewish students from the University of Heidelberg to learn about student life and the Center for Jewish Studies.
- End this meaningful day of exploration at Heidelberg Castle, ascending by funicular to experience its iconic ruins and sweeping views over the Neckar Valley.
- Return to Mainz.
- Enjoy an evening at leisure in charming Mainz.
Overnight: Mainz
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4
JEWISH LIFE IN FRANKFURT – THEN AND NOW
Fri. Mar 26, 2027
- Depart for a day of discovery in Frankfurt, a city where Jewish history and modern identity intertwine.
- Begin with a short introductory walking tour that situates Frankfurt within Germany’s broader historical narrative:
- Pass by Paulskirche - birthplace of German democracy in 1848.
- Explore the Römer and Römerplatz, the historic civic heart of the city.
- Pause at the Book Burning Memorial, marking a stark moment of ideological destruction.
- View St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral (Kaiserdom), a monument to imperial power and continuity.
- Transition into the story of Jewish Frankfurt and its enduring imprint:
- Stop at the Staufenmauer, once part of the city walls and later the boundary of Frankfurt’s Jewish Ghetto.
- Walk along the Holocaust Memorial Wall and encounter the names of 12,000 Jewish victims, including Anne Frank.
- Visit the Judengasse Museum and explore archaeological remains that illuminate everyday Jewish life in early modern Europe.
- Visit Frankfurt’s Jewish Community Center, which contains a Jewish Day School, a kindergarten, a youth center, a senior citizens’ center, and a kosher restaurant.
- Return to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat.
- Step into living Jewish history at Mainz’s striking new synagogue, inaugurated in 2010 - where bold contemporary design meets centuries of Jewish heritage, symbolizing renewal, resilience, and continuity in the heart of Germany.
- Join the community for Shabbat services, followed by Shabbat dinner.
Overnight: Mainz
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5
SHABBAT IN MAINZ
Sat. Mar 27, 2027
- Optional morning services at the Mainz New Synagogue.
- Comme together for Shabbat lunch at the hotel.
- Enter the heart of the city at Mainz Cathedral and engage with over 1,000 years of layered history.
- Continue your walk into the living fabric of Mainz:
- Stroll along Augustinerstraße and absorb the city’s warm, local character.
- Admire half-timbered houses, artisan shops, and wine taverns.
- View the richly decorated Augustinerkirche.
- Mainz is famous for its wines and sits in a major wine region (Rheinhessen): Stop at a local wine bar and enjoy a tasting of local wines.
- Continue your exploration of Mainz through the lens of its historic Jewish Quarter:
- Identify synagogue markers and embedded plaques that reveal hidden layers of memory.
- Observe remnants of medieval Jewish life from one of Europe’s most important communities.
- Encounter Stolpersteine and pause at these intimate memorials to individuals lost in the Holocaust.
- Reflect on nearly a thousand years of Jewish presence - its intellectual achievements and its profound ruptures.
- Conclude Shabbat together with a meaningful Havdalah ceremony.
- Enjoy a relaxed evening at leisure.
Overnight: Mainz
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 6
FROM FRANKFURT TO NUREMBERG
Sun. Mar 28, 2027
- Early check out of the hotel and drive to Nuremberg.
- Visit the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds (Reichsparteitagsgelände). Intended as an impressive backdrop for the Nazi party rallies and staged to demonstrate their power, the remains of the buildings are a vivid testimony to the megalomania of the National Socialist regime.
- Proceed to the Documentation Center in the north wing of the Congress Hall of the Reich Party Rally Grounds.
- Visit Handwerkerhof, a charming courtyard enclave that offers a glimpse into the city’s rich artisanal heritage. While it focuses on artisan heritage, it also offers a moment to reflect on the broader history of the city, where diverse communities - including Jewish residents - shaped its cultural fabric in different ways.
- Free time for lunch on own.
- Conclude the day at Courtroom 600 in the Palace of Justice, where the Nuremberg Trials of Nazi war criminals took place.
- Check into the hotel, followed by dinner on own and evening at leisure.
Overnight: Nuremberg
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7
PILSEN'S JEWISH HERITAGE AND BEER CULTURE
Mon. Mar 29, 2027
- Check out of the hotel. Depart from Nuremberg and enjoy a scenic drive through the Bavarian countryside into the Czech Republic.
- Stop in the Czech city of Pilsen and visit the stunning Great Synagogue, the second-largest synagogue in Europe and an architectural gem. Explore its fascinating history, including its resilience during turbulent times and its role in the Jewish community. Learn about Jewish life in Pilsen, past and present, and admire the synagogue's beautiful Moorish-Romanesque architecture.
- Stroll through Pilsen's charming Old Town, passing by landmarks such as Republic Square, the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew, and Renaissance-style townhouses.
- Lunch on own.
- Embark on a guided tour of the iconic Pilsner Urquell Brewery, where pilsner beer was born in 1842. Discover the brewing process, visit the historic cellars, and taste unfiltered beer straight from the barrels.
- Continue your journey to Prague.
- Late check into the hotel, followed by dinner on own and evening at leisure.
Overnight: Prague
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8
THE GLORY OF JEWISH PRAGUE
Tue. Mar 30, 2027
- Take a walking tour and explore the sometimes glorious, sometimes tragic, past of Prague’s Jews with a visit to the Jewish Ghetto. From the 13th century, Jews could live only within the ghetto’s walls. In the 18th century, the ghetto was abolished and much of the area was destroyed. Nonetheless, important sites were safeguarded, making this perhaps the best area in Europe to experience how Jews once lived. Our visit will include:
- The Maisel Synagogue:The early 16th-century was a golden age for Prague’s Jews and the ghetto became famed for its intellectual and economic achievements. This synagogue was built to serve the growing Jewish population.
- The Pinkas Synagogue: Built in 1535, this fine synagogue is more evidence of the community’s prosperity. Today, it also serves as a poignant memorial to a darker period for Czech Jews with tributes to victims of the Holocaust and an exhibition of art produced by children in the Terezin camp just outside Prague.
- The Old Jewish Cemetery: For 300 years, the ghetto’s Jews were buried here. This cemetery is a place to mourn but also to celebrate the diversity and achievements of Prague’s Jews. The Talmudic scholar and mystic Rabbi Judah Loew (known as the Maharal) is buried here alongside the 16th-century scientist David Gans and the Gershom family, pioneers of printing.
- The Altneushul: Europe’s oldest synagogue is a treasure trove of stories of golems and great rabbis. Find out why a synagogue built in 1250 was originally named the New Synagogue and is now known as the Old-New Synagogue.
- Stop at the Old Town Square, one of the most breathtakingly beautiful public spaces of Europe. It's been Prague’s main marketplace since the 10th century and many of its glorious buildings date from the 14th century. We’ll see its Astronomical Clock, a symbol of the city, and explore Prague’s Art Nouveau architecture. We’ll find out, at the huge monument honoring Jan Hus, why this 14th-century “heretic” who was burned at the stake is still considered a Czech hero.
- Walk across the iconic Charles Bridge, admiring its statues and river views - and pausing at the crucifix with its Hebrew inscription, a reminder of Prague’s complex Jewish past.
- Embark on a tranquil voyage through the Čertovka Canal, where the timeless charm of the Velkopřevorský Mill and its majestic wheel await. Glide aboard the Patent Vodouch boats, and enjoy a refreshing drink. This enchanting journey reveals Prague from a fresh and magical perspective, steeped in history and natural beauty.
- Walk back to the hotel.
Overnight: Prague
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9
TEREZIN: REMEMBERING THE PAST
Wed. Mar 31, 2027
- The Forgotten Stories of the Terezín Ghetto: A powerful dialogue with Holocaust educator and historian Pavel Batel, co-founder and Head of Research & Education at the Batel Institute for Jewish History, an organization dedicated to preserving the memory of the Terezín Ghetto through survivor testimony, archival research, and educational programming. Widely regarded as a leading expert on Terezín, Pavel has spent more than two decades interviewing Holocaust survivors and uncovering lesser-known personal histories from the ghetto. His work has included collaborations with institutions such as Yad Vashem and lectures at museums, universities, and Jewish communities worldwide, helping bring overlooked stories of resilience, culture, and humanity during the Holocaust to new generations.
- Depart the hotel and drive to Terezin (Theresienstadt), the ghetto-camp established here during World War Two where over 100,000 thousand Jews were worked to death or sent to extermination camps in the East. Our visit to Terezin will include:
- The Historical Exhibition which explains the history of the camp and its role in Hitler’s Final Solution.
- Chilling propaganda movies made by the Nazis which were designed to convince the world that Terezin was a spa town and retirement center for elderly Jews rather than a death-ridden way station to the extermination camps.
- A reconstruction of the overcrowded dormitory and other parts of the camp complex.
- The Hidden Synagogue that an inmate, Artur Berlanger, created out of a tiny storage space.
- A memorial service where we’ll remember those who died here as well as the more than 80,000 Jews who were sent to be killed in Auschwitz and elsewhere in the East.
- Group lunch, en route.
- Drive back to Prague.
- Farewell dinner at Mizlala Kosher restaurant, reflecting on the week’s journey.
Overnight: Prague
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
Thu. Apr 1, 2027
- Check out of the hotel. Transfer independently to Prague International Airport.
- Fly safely back to the United States.
Meals: Breakfast
RATES & LODGING
Protect yourself from fraud by being cautious and vigilant when it comes to online theft. It is crucial to note that J² adventures will never send an email requesting you to transfer funds to a new account or to redirect a payment. We will never alter our account number or issue additional payment requests without first personally speaking to you and properly identifying ourselves. If you feel uncertain about any communication (scammers often impersonate legitimate companies via e-mail or by calling), halt and contact us directly through our toll-free number listed on our website to discuss any necessary payments. Refrain from responding to suspicious emails or clicking on links or attachments unless you are completely certain of their legitimacy. By following these guidelines and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of fraud.
participants
30+
Cost p/p in double room
$5,425
Cost p/p in single room
$6,420
Mainz: Hilton
- Nights: 4
- Room Category: Guest Room
- Hotel Website
Nuremberg: Park Plaza Nuremberg
- Nights: 1
- Room Category: Superior Atrium View Room
- Hotel Website
Prague: Hilton Old Town
- Nights: 3
- Room Category: Standard Room
- Hotel Website
Choose Your Way
What to expect
- 8 nights' accommodations.
- 8 days of touring with a J² Expert Educator and local guides, 6 days of touring in a luxury, climate controlled bus.
- All arrival transfers from the Frankfurt airport.
- Daily breakfast, 2 lunches & 3 dinners (including Kosher meals on Shabbat and a Kosher dinner in Prague).
- The J² adventures App available on the App Store & on Google Play (active 30 days before your departure and throughout your trip).
- Water on the bus.
- Porterage at the hotels.
- All site entrance fees & program fees as per your final program.
- This journey includes walking tours, cultural site visits, and hotel stays that may involve uneven terrain, stairs, and longer distances on foot. While we do our best to accommodate a range of mobility levels, a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended to fully enjoy the experience. For more information, please see the “Travelers with Physical Limitations” section in our full Terms & Conditions.
- Credit card fees.
- Flights to & from Europe.
- Departure airport transfers.
- Early check-in or late check-out.
- Gratuities are excluded. For groups of 20 and more participants traveling to Central Europe: We recommend the following guidelines for tipping (amounts are in US dollars): J² Expert Educator: $14 | Local Guide: $10 | Driver: $5. Amounts are per day per person.
- COVID related expenses, including tests.
- Evening transportation when dinner is not included.
- Amendments to the program: In the event that any sites, programs or meals etc. are added to the program, an additional fee may be required.
- Personal extras: Items of personal nature such as laundry, wines, mineral water, beverages, coffee, tea, food other than the table d’hotel menu, passport and visa fees, insurance, and foreign port taxes, unless otherwise specified.
- US and foreign airport taxes, Q fuel surcharge and border taxes when applicable.
- This journey includes walking tours, cultural site visits, and hotel stays that may involve uneven terrain, stairs, and longer distances on foot. While we do our best to accommodate a range of mobility levels, a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended to fully enjoy the experience. For more information, please see the “Travelers with Physical Limitations” section in our full Terms & Conditions.
- Please review our terms & conditions (T&C’s) or request that we send you our full T&C’s. Until you do that, here is the small print, and other stuff you may want to know:
- Validity | All prices quoted are based on exchange rates as of the proposal date and are subject to change without notice. Rates are per person and are based on double occupancy room.
- How to Make a Reservation | The quickest way to make a reservation is to register online or contact us by email. We accept VISA, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards. A non-refundable deposit of $675 is required in order to complete the registration process.
- For any assistance with this registration process or other trip-related queries, please email Customer Care: [email protected].
- Payments | The balance of your payment is due 120 days before your trip begins, or as specified in your invoice. You will receive an email reminder 2 weeks before this date. Various payment options are available as follows:
- Credit card | We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Please check with your credit card provider regarding international processing fees. We are unable to process payments of over $1,000 over the phone. Please submit payment online via a credit card or by wiring funds via your bank.
- Domestic bank wire transfer | Payment should be wired in the same currency that is listed on your invoice. Please add the name of your group or invoice number as a reference and forward a copy of the transfer receipt by email. The bank transfer should clearly state the beneficiary’s name on the wire transfer.
- J² Adventures reserves the right to automatically cancel your reservation on that date and it may be subject to reconfirmation should the final payment not be received.
- Cancelation Policy | All cancelations need to be made in writing. The cancelation fee depends on the date when we receive written notification of your request to cancel your booking. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable.
- Cancelation fees | Cancelations made 120 or more days prior to departure incur the loss of the deposit. Cancelations made 119 to 46 days prior to departure incur the loss of 50% of the full trip cost. Cancelations made 45 days or less prior to the departure incur the loss of 100% of the full trip cost.
- Cancelation fees may also include: Hotel or supplier cancelation fees. J² Adventures reserves the right to adjust its terms of payment, including cancelation policies and initial deposits.
- Protect yourself from fraud by being cautious and vigilant when it comes to online theft. It is crucial to note that J² adventures will never send an email requesting you to transfer funds to a new account or to redirect a payment. We will never alter our account number or issue additional payment requests without first personally speaking to you and properly identifying ourselves. If you feel uncertain about any communication (scammers often impersonate legitimate companies via e-mail or by calling), halt and contact us directly through our toll-free number listed on our website to discuss any necessary payments. Refrain from responding to suspicious emails or clicking on links or attachments unless you are completely certain of their legitimacy. By following these guidelines and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of fraud.
- Please click here to view our full terms (T&C's). These T&C's apply to all reservations created within J2 Adventures.
DISCOVER NEW WORLDS.
JOURNEYS.
A family vacation to Israel. An adventure of a lifetime traveling with friends to Morocco. A trip to Poland or Portugal with your community. What do these trips have in common? No matter where you go, you will come back with a fresh perspective and appreciation of the place you visited as well as a heightened awareness of your identity as part of the global Jewish community.
Stuff.
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