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.
Active 
Archaeology 
Art & Culture 
Heritage 
Expert Scholar 
Food & Wine 
UNESCO Heritage Sites 
Nature Walks
THE EXPERT
Program Itinerary
DAY 1
ON OUR WAY
Thu. Mar 5, 2026
- Travel safely. Looking forward to beginning our Greek journey and encountering 2,000 years of Jewish life.
Overnight: Flight
DAY 2
FIRST STEPS ON YOUR GREEK JOURNEY
Fri. Mar 6, 2026
- 1:15 p.m. Arrive at Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos."
- Meet Doron Wilfand, your J² Expert Educator, who will accompany you on this journey of education and inspiration, along with your local guide.
- Depart the airport and stop for lunch on your own account followed by an orientation tour of Athens.
- Check-in to hotel followed by preparation for Shabbat.
- Walk from the hotel to the Beth Shalom Synagogue to join the community for Kabbalat Shabbat and Friday night dinner.
- Shabbat Shalom.
Overnight: Athens
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3
CLASSIC ATHENS: THE CITY OF THE VIOLET CROWN
Sat. Mar 7, 2026
- Shabbat Morning Options include, walking tour with local guide OR visiting a local synagogue for services.
- Walking Tour: Below the Acropolis area, our walk will begin through the Plaka district. The slopes below the Acropolis were once bustling with homes and workshops. Discover Athens as the intellectual heart of the ancient world.
- Group lunch at Chabad of Athens.
- The Birth of the West: Visit the Acropolis, the ancient citadel crowning Athens, one of the world's most recognized landmarks. Whether visiting the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, or any of the other world-famous structures towering above Athens, every step reminds of the monumental place of ancient Greece in the formation of what we typically refer to as Western civilization.
- From the heights of the Acropolis, sit with your expert educator among the ruins to understand the history and interactions through the ages between Athens and Jerusalem, between the Greek world and the Jewish people.
- Gather to share havdallah as we bid farewell to Shabbat and take time for sharing and reflection.
- Return to our Athens hotel for a break. Head out for a free evening to enjoy the cultural and culinary treasures of contemporary Athens.
Overnight: Athens
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4
ATHENS AND JERUSALEM—TWO MILLENNIA OF INTERACTION
Sun. Mar 8, 2026
- Deep Roots Uprooted: Stop at the Holocaust monument and participate in a memorial service. By the end of the Second World War, less than 10% of the long-standing Jewish community of Greece had survived.
- Get to know the weird and wonderful areas of Athens. Check out the street art on many hidden corners and be impressed and inspired by the varied and dynamic works of art. At the end of the tour, create your own piece of art in a street art workshop.
- Free time for lunch on own.
- Enter the Ancient Agora. This was the central public space in ancient Athens: a marketplace, assembly area, and the heart of social and intellectual life.
- One of the most ancient synagogues in the world stood in the Ancient Agora. It may be the site mentioned in the Christian Book of Acts as the synagogue where Paul preached as he endeavored to spread early Christianity throughout the Mediterranean.
- Briefly admire the Temple of Hephaestus. Dedicated to the god of metalworking, the temple recalls the heroes and gods of Greek myth and legend.
- Walk through the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos. Imagine this as a place where citizens would meet and discuss, and where philosophers like Socrates might have engaged in dialogues. Explain the concept of the "agora" as a place for public discourse, and the complicated relationship between Greek philosophy and the development of Judaism.
- Continue your day into the evening with a chance to take in Athens at your own pace and pleasure.
Overnight: Athens
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5
ON THE ROAD TO DELPHI AND BEYOND
Mon. Mar 9, 2026
- Check out of your Athens hotel as we head north toward the western shore of Lake Pamvotis and the city of 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.
- Continue north through the Greek countryside to the city of Ioannina, one of Greece's largest cities and a major economic center during the Ottoman period.
- Check in at the hotel in Ionnina.
- After a chance to wash up, we will head out to enjoy dinner at a local venue.
Overnight: Ionnina
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6
IOANNINA'S UNIQUE JEWISH STORY
Tue. Mar 10, 2026
- Ioannina was already a center of Jewish settlement in Second Temple Times. It was also home to a distinct Jewish ethnic group to the Greek Peninsula, the Romaniote Jews. We will visit the Kahal HaKadosh synagogue and the nearby cemetery to encounter this unique Jewish experience.
- Walking the grounds and ramparts of the Castle of Ioannina takes one back to the height of Ottoman power and the importance of the port as an economic, military, and cultural hub for centuries.
- Within the castle walls lay the Jewish Quarter, known as "The Castro," where stories of Jewish life through the ages unfolded.
- Lunch on your own in Ioannina.
- On the outskirts of Ioannina is an underground world of caves and limestone halls. We'll walk the 1,100-meter-long Perama Cave, a fairy-tale labyrinth with stalactites, stalagmites, and unique mineral formations.
- Return to the hotel for a break with time to share and reflect.
- Enjoy a free evening to explore Ioannina. Chat with locals, savor local specialties, and relax by the port.
Overnight: Ionnina
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7
THESSALONIKI—THE CITY OF THE WHITE TOWER
Wed. Mar 11, 2026
- Check out of the hotel and depart Ioannina.
- Journey to the cliffs and mountains of Meteora. Meteora is famous worldwide for its many Eastern Orthodox monasteries built in amazing and seemingly impossible places between the dramatic high rocks. We'll have the chance to enter one of the monasteries.
- Continue along the mountain roads to Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece and a rich landscape of Jewish life throughout the centuries.
- Check in at our Thessaloniki hotel.
- Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Thessaloniki
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8
JERUSALEM OF THE BALKANS
Thu. Mar 12, 2026
- Thessaloniki's Ladadika Quarter was the center of Jewish life in a city where half of the city's population were Jews in the years between the First and Second World Wars. We will tour the Jewish Quarter and some of its key monuments and institutions.
- From the Monosteriotes Synagogue to the Yad L'Zikkaron Synagogue, we will encounter the diversity of Jewish life in Thessaloniki, all encapsulated in a small, close-knit neighborhood.
- Through the winding streets, we will stop to visit the Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki as well as the memorial dedicated to the 72,000 Jews of Greece murdered by the Nazis and their accomplices.
- Get a taste of Greece with a food tour of the city market. Enjoy a shot of Ouzo, a slice of Spanakopita—Greek Spinach Pie, and enjoy the tastes of the Mediterranean.
- When is a mosque Jewish? The Yeni Mosque was built for the Dönmeh, a group of crypto-Jewish converts to Islam. The Dönmeh originated in the 17th century when Sabbatai Zevi, a Jewish false messiah, converted to Islam under duress. His followers, who also converted, continued to practice a form of Judaism in secret while outwardly adhering to Islam.
- Finishing on the balcony of the White Tower with a view of the famous port, we will share and reflect on the day, and take time for group pics.
- Take time to enjoy Thessaloniki on your night out and dinner on your own.
Overnight: Thessaloniki
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9
TO MOUNT OLYMPUS
Fri. Mar 13, 2026
- Beyond the small mountain village of Lithocoro is Mount Olympus, the mythic home of the Greek Pantheon. Alongside enjoying some of the most beautiful landscapes that Greece offers, we will ponder the images of the Greek deities as compared to biblical images of the God of Israel.
- Return to hotel and prepare for Shabbat.
- Walk from the hotel to the Yad L'Zikkaron Synagogue to join the community for Kabbalat Shabbat and Friday night dinner.
- Shabbat Shalom.
Overnight: Thessaloniki
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10
TAKING IT ALL BACK HOME
Sat. Mar 14, 2026
- Explore the charming cobblestone streets and traditional Macedonian architecture of Ano Poli, Thessaloniki’s historic upper town, on a guided walking tour rich with stories from the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Enjoy panoramic views of the city and Thermaic Gulf while discovering hidden gems like old churches, fortress walls, and quaint tavernas.
- Participate in a tour of Thessaloniki and its unique archeological and cultural treasures.
- Gather to share havdalah as we bid farewell to Shabbat and take time for sharing and reflection.
- Wrap up our journey with dinner at a local venue: great food, great music, great vibes.
Overnight: Thessaloniki
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11
HOMEWARD BOUND
Sun. Mar 15, 2026
- Check out from your hotel. Please be sure to have all your belongings with you—especially your passport.
- Transfer to Thessaloniki Airport "Makedonia" in preparation for your return flight to the United States.
- Travel safely and share our stories from Greece, where Jewish life has flourished for over two thousand years.
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.
Athens: Hotel Achilleas
- Nights: 3
- Hotel Website
Ioannina: Hotel Kentrikon
- Nights: 2
- Hotel Website
Thessaloniki: El Greco Hotel
- Nights: 4
- Hotel Website
Choose Your Way
What to expect
- 9 nights' accommodation.
- 9 days of touring with a J² Expert Educator and local guides, 7 days of touring in a luxury, climate controlled bus.
- 1 group arrival transfer from Athens airport.
- 1 group departure transfer to Thessaloniki airport.
- Daily breakfast, 1 lunch & 5 dinners.
- The J² adventures App available on the App Store & on Google Play (active 30 days before your departure and throughout your trip).
- All site entrance fees & program fees as per your final program.
- Credit card fees.
- Flights to & from Greece.
- Water on the bus.
- 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: $14 | Local Guide: $9 | 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.
- 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 $1,000 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.
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