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.
Please note that registration is currently closed and the trip is fully subscribed. We encourage you to register yourself to the waiting list by clicking here. Should a spot open up you will be contacted by a customer care representative in order to complete your registration.
Once you have registered for the trip, you can also register for the extension. Click here for details.
Archaeology 
Heritage - Special Access
THE EXPERT
Program Itinerary
DAY 1
ON OUR WAY
Sun. Oct 26, 2025
- Depart the US.
Overnight: Flight
DAY 2
WELCOME TO GREECE
Mon. Oct 27, 2025
- Arrive at Athens International Airport.
- Transfer to your Athens hotel.
- Check into the hotel.
- 5:15 p.m. Begin our trip at sunset at the hotel for those who have already arrived. Ron Singer, your J² Expert Educator, will meet you in the lobby.
- Introductions: Gather together at the hotel for a quick introduction including reviewing the itinerary, group themes, and the different narratives.
- 7:00 p.m. Dinner with a view. Dinner will be at the hotel.
Overnight: Athens, Greece
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3
ANCIENT FOUNDATIONS (OHI DAY)
Tue. Oct 28, 2025
- Morning Walking Tour: Sacred Stones and Civic Foundations.
- Visit the Acropolis, an ancient citadel located above the city and the most well-known landmark of Greece.
- We'll begin with a visit to the Acropolis Museum, a striking modern space housing original artifacts from the site.
- Explore the Parthenon, the iconic temple dedicated to Athena and enduring symbol of classical Greece.
- The elegant Temple of Athena Nike.
- The Erechtheion, renowned for its Caryatids, the sculpted maidens supporting its porch.
- Lunch on your own in Plaka.
- Drive to Cape Sounio. Enjoy panoramic views along the Athenian Riviera, passing charming seaside towns and the sparkling Aegean.
- Spend time at the Aegean Sea, which, with its deep blue waters and sunlit islands, has carried traders, warriors, and myths for millennia.
- Visit the Temple of Poseidon. Explore the stunning cliffside ruins dedicated to the god of the sea.
- Dinner at a local restaurant with a view of the Aegean Sea.
Overnight: Athens, Greece
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4
LEGENDS OF LAND AND SEA
Wed. Oct 29, 2025
- 8:45 a.m. Depart the hotel for the day.
- Traces of Jewish Life in the Heart of Athens:
- Visit the nearby Beth Shalom Synagogue.
- Then into Monastiraki, where the historic “Yusurum” market reflects the once-thriving Jewish antique trade.
- Conclude the tour in the vibrant Psyrri District, a former center of Jewish commerce, now known for its eclectic mix of culture, creativity, and street art.
- Finish at the Jewish Museum of Greece.
- Enjoy lunch and free time on own in town.
- Visit the National Archaeological Museum.
- Free evening and Dinner on own.
Overnight: Athens, Greece
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5
THE WONDERS OF MOUNT OLYMPUS
Thu. Oct 30, 2025
- 9:00 a.m. Check out of the hotel and depart Athens.
- Visit Chalkida (or Chalkis), possibly the oldest Jewish settlement in Europe, dating back to the destruction of the 1st Temple in the 6th century B.C.E.
- Continue driving north and stop for a quick bite to eat in Thermopylae, with a view to Mount Olympus.
- Enter Thessaloniki and check into the hotel.
- Enjoy a free evening in Thessaloniki.
Overnight: Thessaloniki, Greece
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6
IN THE CITY
Fri. Oct 31, 2025
- 8:00 a.m. Depart the hotel and begin the day with a short bus ride and orientation of Thessaloniki.
- Painful Memories: Visit the old Thessaloniki railway station, a poignant site that serves as a haunting reminder of the thousands of Jews deported during the Holocaust, many of whom were taken to concentration camps, forever marking the station as a symbol of loss and tragedy in the city’s history.
- The Jewish community of Thessaloniki:
- Visit the Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki for insights into the history and heritage of the local community.
- Meet with Dr. Xenia Eleftheriou, Scientific Director at the Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki.
- Tour the Monastirioton Synagogue of Thessaloniki.
- Stop for lunch on own en route.
- Continue to the Jewish Cemetery of Thessaoloniki. Once the largest Jewish cemetery in Europe, this site reflects the deep history of Thessaloniki’s Sephardic community. Though much of it was destroyed during World War II, the remaining tombstones and memorials offer a moving glimpse into centuries of Jewish life, loss, and resilience.
- Patron Saints, Dragon Slayers, and Victory Arches: All of these will come alive as you travel and gain perspective of the multi-layered and historically rooted city. These sites include the White Tower (the city’s symbol), Great Alexander Statue, and a walk down Vasilis Olgas Street, one of Thessaloniki’s most historic streets.
- Return to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat.
- Kabbalat Shabbat services at Yad Lezicaron Synagogue followed by dinner with the community.
Overnight: Thessaloniki, Greece
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7
SHABBAT IN THESSALONIKI
Sat. Nov 1, 2025
- 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. Optional morning services at Yad Lezicaron Synagogue.
- 10:30 a.m. Depart the hotel for a walking tour.
- Shabbat lunch at a local restaurant.
- A walking tour in the archeological museum
- Afternoon Options: A tour of the Upper City, Ano Poli OR free time on own.
- 6:39 p.m. Mark the end of Shabbat with a communal havdalah ceremony.
- Free time to enjoy dinner and experience live Greek music!
Overnight: Thessaloniki, Greece
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 8
METEORA: A ROAD TO SPIRTUALITY
Sun. Nov 2, 2025
- 8:00 a.m. Check out of the hotel.
- Stop in Veria to visit its restored synagogue and learn about the town’s once-thriving Jewish community. Walk through the historic quarter where Jewish life shaped local culture for centuries.
- Depart Veria and drive up to the breathtaking rock formations and get our first glimpse of the surreal landscape of Meteora, where towering sandstone cliffs rise dramatically from the valley below, crowned with monasteries perched high on the rocky peaks. Visit one of its most famous monasteries.
- Depart Meteora and continue to Ioannina, once the largest Romaniote Jewish community in Greece, and check into the hotel.
- Arrive to Ioannina and check in to the hotel.
- Have a lakeside dinner in a local restaurant.
Overnight: Ioannina, Greece
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9
THE MOSAIC OF IOANNINA
Mon. Nov 3, 2025
- 9:15 a.m. Depart the hotel for the day.
- Journey through the gates of Ioannina Castro, home to half of the city's Jewish population at the beginning of the 20th century.
- Explore the historic Jewish quarter of Ioannina and delve into the rich heritage of the Romaniote Jewish community, established 300-400 years after the destruction of the Second Temple. Here, you'll discover a unique cultural legacy, where residents spoke Greek and Hebrew (not Ladino) and were known as Romaniotes.
- Visit the local synagogue, Kahal Kadosh, and meet llegra Matsa, the life force behind the dwindling Jewish community in Ioannina.
- Explore the streets of Ioannina, walking through the Old Town, including the fortifications of the city and an ancient citadel.
- Lunch on own at a local tavern.
- Cross the shimmering waters of Ioannina's Lake Pamvotida to the island to encounter the dramatic history of Ali Pasha. Inside a centuries-old monastery, the museum unveils tales of ambition and intrigue —history whispered through artifacts and echoes of a bygone era.
- Explore Ioannina during your free evening.
Overnight: Ioannina, Greece
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10
DISCOVERING DELPHI
Tue. Nov 4, 2025
- 7:30 a.m. Check out of the hotel and depart Ioannina.
- Journey to Delphi, once revered by the ancient Greeks as the very center of the world, where you'll tour the remarkable site anchored by the Omphalos—a sacred stone monument symbolizing the navel of the earth.
- Drive through Greece’s mainland, passing through the fertile plain of Boeotia and the historic towns of Thebes and Levadia.
- Return to Athens and check in to your hotel.
- Celebrate your journey together with a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Athens, Greece
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11
HOME AGAIN
Wed. Nov 5, 2025
- For those continuing to Crete 6:30 a.m. Check out of the hotel and transfer to airport for flight to Crete.
- Everyone else: Check out of the hotel and transfer to Athens International Airport.
- Depart Athens and return to the US.
Overnight: Flight
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
$6,500
Cost p/p in single room
$7,810
Athens: Electra Palace
- Nights: 3
- Room Category: Classic
- Hotel Website
Thessaloniki: Electra Palace
- Nights: 3
- Room Category: Premium sea view
- Hotel Website
Ioannina: Epirus Palace
- Nights: 2
- Room Category: Premium comfort
- Hotel Website
Choose Your Way
What to expect
- 8 nights' accommodations.
- 8 days of touring with a J² Expert Educator and local guides, 7 days of touring in a luxury, air-conditioned bus.
- Arrival and Departure transfers from Athens airport.
- Daily breakfast, 1 lunch & 4 dinners.
- The J² adventures App available on the App Store & on Google Play (active 7 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.
- Credit card fees.
- Flights to & from Greece.
- Gratuities are excluded. For groups of 20 and more participants traveling to Greece: We recommend the following guidelines for tipping (amounts are in US dollars): J² Expert Educator: $12 | Local Guide: $10 | Main Driver: $5 | Driver’s assistant $2. Amounts are per day per person.
- COVID related expenses, including tests.
- Dinner on Day 6.
- Late check out on the day of departure is not included.
- 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.
- 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 shared twin room occupancy.
- 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 $1000 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 June 1st, 2025, 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 before June 1st, 2025 or more days prior to departure incur the loss of the deposit. Cancelations made starting June 2nd, 2025 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.
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