VOYAGER
- Carefully selected accommodations, offering comfort and quality.
- A seamless, fully curated experience, as outlined below.
- J² Customer Care available by phone and email.
- $50 travel credit per person for your next J² journey.
Program is tentative and subject to change. Connect with our Customer Care Team by calling: (888) 230-6008 Mon.-Thur. from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
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.
Once you have registered for the trip, you can also register for the extension. Click here for more details.
Active 
Art & Culture 
Current Affairs 
Expert Scholar 
Heritage - Local Specialists
- Private Cruise
Music 
UNESCO Heritage Sites
Program Itinerary
DAY 1
DEPARTURE FOR THE HEART OF JEWISH CENTRAL EUROPE
Tue. May 18, 2027
- Depart from the US on an overnight flight to Budapest, embarking on a meaningful journey through the rich Jewish history, culture, and contemporary life of Hungary and Austria.
Overnight: Flight
DAY 2
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF BUDAPEST
Wed. May 19, 2027
- Arrive at Budapest International Airport.
- Meet your J² Representative and your local guide, who will accompany you throughout this immersive journey of Jewish heritage, memory, and contemporary discovery.
- Begin your exploration with a drive up to Castle Hill, where Budapest unfolds before you. From this sweeping vantage point, take in the striking contrast between the rolling hills of Buda and the elegant boulevards of Pest, divided by the majestic Danube River.
- Walk through the cobblestone streets of this UNESCO World Heritage site, reflecting on its layered past - from medieval stronghold to near-total destruction in World War II, and its remarkable reconstruction into a cultural and national symbol.
- Explore a rediscovered medieval Jewish site at the Medieval Jewish House of Prayer, built during a period of Jewish stability near Buda Castle. Examine how its transformation—from synagogue to confiscated residences after the 1686 pogroms, to modern rediscovery—mirrors broader shifts in Jewish life and security.
- Admire the stunning terraces and fairytale towers of Fisherman’s Bastion before descending by funicular and crossing the iconic Chain Bridge, the historic link connecting Buda and Pest.
- Check into the hotel and settle in.
- Gather for a warm welcome dinner at Café Tamar (kosher), followed by an opening orientation and personal reflections with Rabbi Viki Bedo, who will share insights shaped by her own Budapest roots and connection to the city.
Overnight: Budapest
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3
JEWISH LIFE IN BUDAPEST: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE
Thu. May 20, 2027
- Open the day with a briefing hosted by leaders of the Federation of Hungarian Jewish Communities (MAZSIHISZ) and the Hungarian Jewish Museum and Archives, placing contemporary Jewish life in Hungary within its broader historical and communal context.
- Visit the Dohány Street Synagogue and analyze how its monumental Neo‑Moorish design expressed Jewish confidence and belonging in late 19th‑century Hungary. Pause at the Tree of Life Memorial in Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park to reflect on memory, loss, and moral responsibility.
- Continue to the Kazinczy Street Synagogue, where you will gain insight into the organization and endurance of Budapest’s Orthodox Jewish community as it navigated periods of upheaval, war, Communism, and revival.
- Enjoy free time for lunch in the historic Jewish Quarter, surrounded by cafés, courtyards, and reminders of the neighborhood’s layered past and vibrant present.
- Budapest, one of Europe’s biggest Jewish cities, has seen an outpouring of new energy and ideas since the fall of Communism. We’ll visit the JCC Budapest, Balint House to meet with its director Marcel Kenesei and experience one of its activities or programs that has helped revitalize and rebuild Jewish communal life in the city.
- Optional walking tour with Rabbi Viki Bedo: experience the remarkable transformation of the Jewish Quarter - once neglected and fading, now one of Budapest’s most dynamic neighborhoods. Wander among colorful courtyards, famous ruin pubs, street art, and lively gathering spaces where creativity and history intersect.
- Enjoy an evening and dinner at leisure, offering an opportunity to experience Budapest’s celebrated café culture and illuminated nighttime beauty.
Overnight: Budapest
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4
SHABBAT & THE MANY FACES OF HUNGARIAN JEWRY
Fri. May 21, 2027
- Who are the Neologs and How Do they Fit Into the Jewish World? We'll talk with Rabbi Tamas Vero and his wife Linda Vero-Ban at the Frankel Synagogue. Find out whether Hungary’s main Jewish stream is closer to Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox Judaism and discuss what led Hungarian Jews to embrace this movement. We’ll also explore why Frankel Synagogue is enjoying a new surge in popularity.
- Explore the beautifully renovated Rumbach Synagogue, a stunning architectural gem that today serves not only as a restored house of worship, but also as a vibrant center for Jewish culture and communal engagement.
- Meet with emerging leaders from the Mozaik Jewish Community Hub, one of several Jewish NGOs now based at Rumbach, and hear how younger generations are shaping the future of Jewish identity and activism in Budapest today.
- Pause for free time to enjoy lunch on your own.
- Wander along elegant Andrássy Avenue, Budapest’s grand boulevard, before arriving at Heroes’ Square and nearby City Park. Spend time exploring the grounds, rowing on the lake, relaxing at a café, or perhaps unwinding at the famed Széchenyi Thermal Baths (optional, not included).
- Celebrate the arrival of Shabbat with the local Jewish community during Kabbalat Shabbat services, followed by a festive Shabbat dinner at a neighborhood synagogue filled with song, warmth, and hospitality.
- Walk back together to the hotel through the illuminated streets of Budapest.
Overnight: Budapest
Meals: Breakfast, Shabbat dinner
DAY 5
MEMORY, DEMOCRACY, & MORAL RESPONSIBILITY
Sat. May 22, 2027
- Enjoy a relaxed morning with the option to attend local Shabbat services or spend personal time exploring Budapest at your own pace.
- Come together for a communal Shabbat lunch at Carmel Kosher Restaurant.
- Hungary and Democracy: discussion with David Bedo, Former Member of the National Assembly of Hungary, and Gabor Gyori, senior political analyst at the Hungarian thinktank Policy Solutions. We’ll discuss the recent changes in Hungarian Politics and also hear how the rise of Christian nationalist politicians, such as Viktor Orban, Hungary’s former prime minister and a proponent of “illiberal democracy,” affects Hungary’s Jews, the country and, indeed, Europe.
- Set out on a walking exploration focused on the 'Politics of Memory' in Budapest.:
- Experience Liberty Square, whose monuments, green spaces, and layered symbolism reveal the tensions and transformations of modern Hungarian history and national identity.
- Pass by the magnificent Hungarian Parliament building, one of Europe’s most iconic legislative landmarks overlooking the Danube.
- Reflect at the haunting Shoes on the Danube memorial, honoring the thousands of Jews murdered by the fascist Arrow Cross militia during World War II. The simplicity of the memorial invites powerful contemplation and remembrance.
- Enjoy dinner together at a local vegetarian restaurant.
- Mark the close of Shabbat with a meaningful group Havdalah ceremony along the banks of the Danube River.
- Conclude the evening aboard a moonlit Danube cruise, watching Budapest shimmer in golden light as you reflect on the profound experiences, conversations, and shared memories created during your days in Hungary’s capital.
Overnight: Budapest
Meals: Breakfast, Shabbat lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
CROSSING BORDERS: FROM HUNGARY TO AUSTRIA
Sun. May 23, 2027
- Check out of the hotel and depart Budapest for Vienna.
- Pause en route in Győr, known for its beautifully preserved Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Visit the town’s remarkable synagogue, built in 1870 for Győr’s prosperous Neolog Jewish community and today repurposed as a cultural venue. Learn about the flourishing Jewish life that once existed here and the devastating impact of the Holocaust on the community.
- Continue onward through the Central European countryside toward Vienna.
- Arrive in Vienna and enjoy free time for a late lunch at the vibrant Naschmarkt, the city’s most famous open-air market, offering an array of local delicacies and international flavors.
- Embark on a panoramic orientation tour along the Ringstrasse, the grand boulevard encircling the city center, featuring views of:
Overnight: Vienna
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7
BRATISLAVA: JEWISH LIFE ALONG THE DANUBE
Mon. May 24, 2027
- Travel by boat to Bratislava, enjoying a scenic journey along the Danube River through the heart of Central Europe.
- Explore Bratislava, a city where medieval charm and contemporary energy blend seamlessly along the riverbanks. Wander through the atmospheric Old Town, where the Main Square traces the city’s evolution from Celtic settlement to modern capital, and admire the elegant Primate’s Palace with its famed 17th-century English tapestries.
- Experience the city’s vibrant present-day culture while strolling the lively Eurovea riverfront promenade, lined with cafés, public spaces, and sweeping Danube views.
- Visit the Heydukova Street Synagogue, the only remaining synagogue in Bratislava, which also houses the Jewish Community Museum. Gain powerful insight into the city’s once-thriving Jewish community and its enduring legacy following the destruction of the Holocaust.
- Meet with Rabbi Misha Kapustin of the Bratislava Jewish community, who will share perspectives on Jewish life in Slovakia today and guide you through the city’s rich Jewish history.
- Return to Vienna in the late afternoon and enjoy free time for dinner on your own.
- Attend a classical music performance at Mozarthaus in Sala Terrena, the intimate Baroque hall where Mozart himself once performed, offering a fitting introduction to Vienna’s extraordinary musical heritage.
Overnight: Vienna
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8
VIENNA: ART, MEMORY, & JEWISH INTELLECTUAL LIFE
Tue. May 25, 2027
- Discover Judenplatz, the historic center of medieval Jewish life in Vienna and one of the city’s most important sites of Jewish memory.
- Enter the Stadttempel Synagogue, the only synagogue in Vienna to survive Kristallnacht and World War II intact, and learn about its continuing role at the heart of Jewish communal life in Austria today.
- Explore the underground archaeological remains and exhibitions of the Jewish Museum at Judenplatz, revealing centuries of Jewish presence, creativity, and persecution in Vienna.
- Reflect at the Judenplatz Holocaust Memorial, often called the “Nameless Library,” whose outward-facing books symbolize lives interrupted and stories left unread.
- Pause for free time and lunch at leisure.
- Continue to the main branch of the Jewish Museum Vienna, where innovative exhibitions illuminate the complexity, creativity, and diversity of modern Jewish life in the city.
- Admire Gustav Klimt’s iconic masterpiece The Kiss along with other groundbreaking works at the Belvedere Palace, one of Europe’s finest Baroque landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Celebrate your journey together during a festive farewell dinner at the kosher restaurant Yudale, sharing reflections, gratitude, and lasting memories from your time in Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna.
Overnight: Vienna
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9
L’HITRAOT & UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
Wed. May 26, 2027
- Savor a relaxed final morning in Vienna, with time for a leisurely stroll, a final coffeehouse visit, or quiet reflection on the experiences and connections formed throughout the journey.
- Check out of the hotel.
- Transfer to the airport for your flight back to New York, or continue onward to Prague for the next chapter of your Central European adventure.
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
20+
Cost p/p in double room
$4,990
Cost p/p in single room
$5,680
Airfare not included
If the trip reaches 30+ participants, the rate will be reduced to $4,525 per person in a double room/$5,215 per person in a single room. Registration open
Budapest: Continental Hotel
- Nights: 4
- Room Category: Deluxe Room
- Hotel Website
Vienna: Hilton Plaza
- Nights: 3
- Room Category: Standard Room
- Hotel Website
Choose Your Way
VOYAGER PLUS
popular
- Guaranteed room category upgrade.
- A seamless, fully curated experience, as outlined below.
- Private airport arrival transfer.
- A signature J² gift awaiting you in your room.
- Priority dedicated Customer Care.
- A personal travel advisor for every detail, pre- and post-trip.
- $200 credit per person for a future journey, separate from this experience.
VOYAGER PREMIERE
- Guaranteed double category upgrade.
- A seamless, fully curated experience, as outlined below.
- Private round-trip airport transfers.
- A signature J² gift awaiting you in your room.
- Priority dedicated Customer Care.
- A personal travel advisor for every detail, pre- and post-trip.
- Exclusive access to sought-after dining, ticketed events, and premier performances.
- 10% preferred savings on additional hotel nights, excursions and transportation.
- $400 credit per person for a future journey, separate from this experience.
What to expect
- 7 nights' accommodations.
- 7 days of touring with local guides and a J² Representative.
- 2 full days and 2 half days of touring in a luxury, climate controlled bus.
- Daily breakfast, 1 kosher lunch, 3 kosher dinners and 1 vegetarian dinner.
- Round-trip boat ride from Vienna to Bratislava.
- Private sightseeing cruise in Budapest.
- Concert tickets to the Sala Terranea in Vienna.
- Speakers fees/donations according to the program.
- 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 Central Europe.
- 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.
We have everything you need to know before you go. Check out our Instagram my_j2adventures for cool updates and interesting tidbits.
The J2 App
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