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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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Program Itinerary
DAY 1
THE START OF A SPECIAL JOURNEY
Sun. Jun 22, 2025
- 11:00 a.m. Gather in the hotel lobby and welcome by your local guide, Marek Odzeniak.
- Visit the top of the Palace of Science & Culture, a towering symbol of Soviet-era power and one of Europe’s tallest buildings. From its observation deck, take in breathtaking 360-degree views of modern-day Warsaw.
- Continue to the Gensha Cemetery, one of the largest Jewish cemeteries in the world. Revive the names on the unique tombstones of famous Jewish leaders, artists, rabbis, and intellectuals.
- Continue to the Nozyk Synagogue, the last remaining pre-Holocaust synagogue in Warsaw. Meet with Rabbi Michael Schudrich, the Chief Rabbi of Poland.
- Walking tour to Warsaw’s Old Town. Established in the 13th century and destroyed by the German army during WWII, it was meticulously rebuilt using the original stones.
- The Challenges of Jewish Life Today in Poland: Dinner and discussion with Monika Elliot, Program Director of JDC, and Magda Dorosz, Director of Hillel Warsaw, at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Warsaw
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2
THE WORLD THAT WAS AND THE WORLD THAT IS
Mon. Jun 23, 2025
- Stop at the Warsaw Uprising Monument, which commemorates the broader struggle against Nazi oppression during World War II. While it specifically honors the Polish resistance, it stands as a reminder of the shared suffering and resistance of all those who fought against the Nazis, including the Jewish fighters in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943.
- Pause at the Remnants of the Ghetto Wall.
- Guided tour of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews located in the center of what once was the Jewish Ghetto. Explore the 1,000 years of rich history of the Polish Jews, beginning from their arrival as merchants, through the medieval ages, until today.
- Explore the Ringelblum Archives, an eye-witness record of life and death in the Warsaw Ghetto.
- Visit the newly-established Jewish Agency offices in Warsaw for an insightful discussion with Yael Branovsky and Jewish Agency beneficiaries. Many of those they assist are caught between two wars—Ukraine and Israel. Amid these challenging times, the Jewish Agency is working to build a sense of community and maintain strong connections with Israel.
- Evening at leisure.
Overnight: Warsaw
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3
HEROISM IN THE GHETTO AND ITS TRAGIC END
Tue. Jun 24, 2025
- Take a guided visit to the remains of the Warsaw Ghetto. Stop at the Nathan Rappoport Warsaw Ghetto Memorial. Follow the footsteps of the Warsaw Ghetto Heroes along the Path of Remembrance, honoring the brave individuals of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising at Mila 18. Conclude your visit with a moment of reflection at the Umschlagplatz, the deportation ramp where many Jews were sent to the Treblinka death camp.
- Drive north of Warsaw to Treblinka.
- Packed lunch, en route.
- Visit what was once the Death Camp of Treblinka. Leveled down by the Nazis, there aren’t any remains left of what was one of the largest death camps in Poland. It is now a large complex of monuments. Walk on the rebuilt train tracks to the striking monument built from 17,000 stones, marking the number of communities killed and wiped out in Treblinka.
- Return to Warsaw.
- Indulge in a pierogi cooking workshop led by a top chef, where you'll craft and enjoy delicious dumplings paired with fine wines and gourmet sides. This luxurious culinary experience offers a perfect blend of hands-on learning and social enjoyment for an unforgettable dinner.
Overnight: Warsaw
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4
FROM WARSAW TO KRAKOW: RIDE FOR THE LIVING - DAY 1
Wed. Jun 25, 2025
- Check out of the hotel.
- Depart Warsaw on a train to Krakow.
- Arrive in Krakow and meet your local guide Tomasz Klimek.
- Recreating memory of Krakow's rich Jewish life, our visit will include:
- The Altshul. Built in the 15th century, this is the oldest synagogue still standing in Poland.
- The Rema Synagogue, named after Rabbi Moses Isserles (the “Rema"), a great Talmudic scholar and codifier of Jewish law. It is one of the few synagogues in Krakow that is still active today.
- The Rema Cemetery, where many renowned rabbis, including the Rema himself, are buried.
- Explore the Plaszow Memorial Site in Krakow, where the Plaszow Concentration Camp once stood.
- 4:30 p.m. Ride for the Living check-in followed by Welcome session led by JCC Krakow CEO Jonathan Ornstein, and mandatory Safety Briefing.
- 6:20 p.m. Walk to JCC Krakow for light refreshments.
- Transfer to your hotel for check-in.
- Evening at leisure.
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5
RIDE FOR THE LIVING - DAY 2
Thu. Jun 26, 2025
- 8:15 a.m. Meet your RFTL guide in the hotel lobby.
- Depart by bus for a tour of Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
- Private guided walking tour of Auschwitz I.
- Depart by bus to Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
- Boxed lunch, en route.
- Private guided walking tour of Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
- 3:00 p.m. Memorial Ceremony in Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
- Depart for Krakow by bus.
- 6:15 p.m. Meeting with a Holocaust Survivor at JCC Krakow.
- 7:00 p.m. End of RFTL Day 2.
- Evening at leisure in Krakow.
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Breakfast, (meals provided by RFTL: boxed lunch)
DAY 6
RIDE FOR THE LIVING - DAY 3
Fri. Jun 27, 2025
- ITINERARY FOR PARTICIPANTS ON THE 60 MILE ROUTE:
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- 5:50 a.m. Meet your RFTL guide in the hotel lobby to depart for Ride For The Living Opening Ceremony at Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
- Opening ceremony and group photo in front of Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
- Bike fitting and final adjustments.
- 8:45 a.m. RIDE FOR THE LIVING BEGINS.
- ITINERARY FOR PARTICIPANTS ON THE 14 MILE ROUTE:
-
- 5:50 a.m. Meet your RFTL guide in the hotel lobby to depart for Ride For The Living Opening Ceremony at Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
- Opening ceremony and group photo in front of Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
- Bike fitting and final adjustments.
- 8:45 a.m. RIDE FOR THE LIVING BEGINS.
- Transfer back to Krakow.
- 1:15 p.m. Meet at JCC Krakow for the 5K Walk For The Living.
- 1:30 p.m. 5k Walk For The Living
- Guided tour of the former Płaszów Concentration Camp, followed by a memorial ceremony, and a symbolic (5 km/3-mile) walk back to JCC Krakow.
- ITINERARY FOR NON-RIDERS, AND WALKERS:
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- 9:45 a.m. Meet at JCC Krakow.
- Guided walking tour of WWII Krakow.
- 1:15 p.m. Meet at JCC Krakow for the 5K Walk For The Living.
- 1:30 p.m. 5k Walk For The Living
- Guided tour of the former Płaszów Concentration Camp, followed by a memorial ceremony, and a symbolic (5 km/3-mile) walk back to JCC Krakow.
- FOR ALL:
-
- Approx. 5:00-7:00 p.m. Arrival at JCC Krakow and finish line celebration with the local Jewish community and guests.
- 7:00 p.m. Optional Shabbat Service (Progressive/Reform) at the Galicia Jewish Museum.
- OR 7:30 p.m. Optional Shabbat Service (Orthodox) at Chabad Krakow.
- 8:45 p.m. Optional walk to the Shabbat Dinner with RFTL Staff
- 9:00 p.m. JCC Krakow invites you to Shabbat Dinner
- End of RFTL Day 3.
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Meals provided by RFTL: boxed breakfast, boxed lunch, Shabbat Dinner
DAY 7
SHABBAT IN KRAKOW: RIDE FOR THE LIVING - DAY 4
Sat. Jun 28, 2025
- Early morning at leisure.
- 11:00 a.m. Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and depart.
- Walking tour of the Kazimierz Jewish Quarter. Once the heart of Jewish life in Krakow for 500 years, the quarter is now one of the city’s most attractive and Bohemian areas.
- Take a guided journey following the Jewish community into the Jewish Ghetto of Podgorze, including:
- The Krakow Umschlagplatz memorial, now called Ghetto Heroes Square, which was the center of the Podgorze Ghetto. Its “lonely chairs” are a monument to those who have vanished.
- Visit the Oscar Schindler Factory Museum, which tells the story of Krakow and its residents under Nazi occupation from 1939 to 1945.
- Remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
- Ride for the Living evening program:
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- Walk to Sababa bar for Cocktail Party.
- Cocktail party including Havdalah at the Sababa bar
- End of RFTL Day 4
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Breakfast, Meals provided by RFTL: Dinner.
DAY 8
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
Sun. Jun 29, 2025
- Check out of the hotel.
- Morning transfers to the Krakow airport for those with early flights returning to the US.
- Optional: 10:30 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Ride For The Living closing ceremony & goodbye brunch at the JCC Garden.
- Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the US (for those not departing in the morning).
Meals: Breakfast, Meals provided by RFTL: Lunch/Brunch
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
15+
Cost p/p in double room
$3,099
Cost p/p in single room
$3,999
Warsaw: Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel
- Nights: 3
- Room Category: Classic
- Hotel Website
Krakow: Bachleda Luxury Hotel
- Nights: 4
- Room Category: Deluxe
- Hotel Website
What to expect
- 7 nights' accommodations.
- 5 days of touring with a local guide, 4 days of touring in a luxury, air-conditioned bus.
- All arrival transfers at the Warsaw airport
- All departure transfers to the Krakow airport.
- Daily breakfast, 1 lunch & 2 dinners.
- 1 Group train ticket from Warsaw to Krakow.
- Luggage truck from Warsaw to Krakow.
- 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.
- Credit card fees.
- Flights to & from Poland.
- Gratuities are excluded. For groups of 10-19 participants traveling to Europe: We recommend the following guidelines for tipping (amounts are in US dollars): Local Guide: $12 | Driver: $6. Amounts are per day per person.
- Cost of the Ride For The Living Program.
- 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 90 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 90 or more days prior to departure incur the loss of the deposit. Cancelations made 89 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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