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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.
Heritage 
Art & Culture 
Expert Scholar 
Food Tasting Tour - Local Specialists
UNESCO Heritage Sites 
Nature Walks
Program Itinerary
DAY 1
ON OUR WAY
Sun. Apr 12, 2026
- Depart the US.
Overnight: Flight
DAY 2
WELCOME TO VILNIUS
Mon. Apr 13, 2026
- Arrive at Vilnius International Airport.
- Welcome by our representative and group transfer to the hotel.
- Check into the hotel (rooms available from 3:00 p.m.)
- 4:00 p.m. Start of the program.
- Begin your trip in the Baltics with a panoramic introductory tour of Vilnius, Lithuania's largest city and its capital. First mentioned in written sources in the beginning of the 14th century, the Old Town was recognized as a UNESCO Heritage site in 1994.
- Start at Cathedral Square, today a key location in the city's public life, where history and legend intertwine: hear stories of the Thunder God Perkūnas and Lithuania's prominent ruler, Vytautas the Great.
- Traveling through the Old Town, the tour will include:
- The Chapel of the Gates of Dawn.
- The Vilnius Castle Complex.
- The Old University, Lithuania's largest university and one of the largest in Eastern Europe.
- St. Anna's Church.
- Welcome dinner and orientation with your J² Expert Educator, where you will discuss group themes and share group and personal goals.
Overnight: Vilnius
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3
HISTORICAL MEMORY, PERSONAL JOURNEY
Tue. Apr 14, 2026
- Guided visit through the Medieval Jewish Quarter and what was traditionally known throughout the Jewish world as Vilna, "The Jerusalem of Lithuania." Pre-Holocaust, Vilna boasted a community of over 100,000, was a world center for the study of Torah, and was the home of the Vilna Gaon (the Genius from Vilna).
Walking through what was once the heart of the Jewish people, the tour will include visits to:
- The Vilnius Choral Synagogue, built in 1903 and today the only active synagogue remaining in this city that once boasted over 100.
- The Vilna Gaon Jewish State Museum, dedicated to the history of Lithuanian Jewish life, including an exposition on the Holocaust and a contemporary Center of Tolerance.
- The building which housed the Judenrat (Vilna Ghetto Jewish Council) during the Holocaust.
- Continue to the Ponar Forest Holocaust Memorial, in honor and memory of the 100,000 people who were killed during the Holocaust, of whom more than 70,000 were Lithuanian Jews.
- Meeting with representatives of the Lithuanian Jewish Community at the Jewish Social Center: The Lithuanian national revival movement in the late 1980s also sparked a Jewish cultural rebirth, leading to the formation of Jewish support groups across the country. Today the Lithuanian Jewish Cultural Society aims to unite Lithuanian Jews worldwide, celebrate Jewish identity and traditions, and ensure the Holocaust's historical memory is preserved.
- Free time to connect to your roots and further genealogy research.
Overnight: Vilnius
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4
ISLAND CASTLE & BOHEMIAN HEART
Wed. Apr 15, 2026
- Depart Vilnius and drive to Trakai Castle, a symbol of Lithuanian heritage.
- Take a scenic walk through the town toward Trakai Castle, enjoying the picturesque views of Lake Galvė along the way.
- Visit Trakai Castle (do not miss the stunning views from the castle towers!).
- Take a relaxing boat tour around the lake to see the castle from different angles and enjoy the serene surroundings.
- Free time for lunch on own: an opportunity to try traditional Karaite dishes, such as kibinai (savory pastries) and šaltibarščiai (cold beet soup).
- Drive back to Vilnius.
- Welcome to Užupis, Vilnius's Bohemian heart! Stroll through its colorful streets, marvel at the dynamic open-air sculptures, and visit the famous Angel of Užupis. Experience the unique vibe of this self-proclaimed republic, where creativity and freedom flourish.
- Remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight: Vilnius
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5
SYMBOLS OF NATIONAL IDENTITY - LOOKING IN AND LOOKING OUT
Thu. Apr 16, 2026
- Drive to Kaunas, Lithuania's second largest city and once its temporary capital. Until 1940 Kaunas, also known as Kovno, boasted a Jewish population of 35,000-40,000, a quarter of the city's entire population.
- Drive through the city for a panoramic tour of the Old Town to view the Kaunas Cathedral, Old Town Hall and Square, and Kaunas Castle.
- Meet on the corner of Hebrew, Yiddish, Esperanto, and the Enlightenment, passing the streets and homes of those who were significant in the development of modern Jewish thought:
- Zamenhoff Street, named in honor of Ludwig Eliezer Zamenhoff, who lived here and invented the universal language of Esperanto.
- Mapu Street, named in honor of Abraham Mapu, a native of Slobodka and Hebrew novelist of the Jewish Enlightenment.
- The childhood home of Leah Goldberg, who began her literary journey at the age of 12, and was one of Israel’s most prominent and influential poets and authors.
- The Ohel Yakov Choral Synagogue and the Children's Holocaust Memorial, located in its courtyard.
- The office and home of the Righteous Amongst the Nations, Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat who, at great peril to himself, generated thousands of travel visas for Jews to escape during the Holocaust.
- Lunch on own en route.
- Following the occupation of Lithuania by Nazi Germany, the Ninth Fort was used as a place of execution for Jews, captured Soviets, and others. A visit to the Ninth Fort museum is a somber but powerful experience, providing a harrowing insight into Lithuania’s Nazi occupation, WWII, and the Holocaust.
- Stop en route at Žiežmariai Synagogue, a unique wooden synagogue and part of Jewish heritage both in Lithuania and in all of Eastern Europe.
- Return to the hotel.
Overnight: Vilnius
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6
RIGA-BOUND
Fri. Apr 17, 2026
- Check out of the hotel.
- Depart for Riga, the capital of Latvia and largest city in the Baltic States.
- Stop en route at the Hill of the Crosses, a Lithuanian national pilgrimage spot on which crosses have been placed since at least the 19th century as a symbol of devotion, defiance, and Lithuanian national identity.
- Lunch on own en route.
- Cross into Latvia and arrive in Riga. Jews have been present here since the city was founded in the 13th century.
- Visit Salaspils Concentration Camp monument complex in remembrance of the Soviet victims of the Nazis.
- Check into the hotel, with free time to prepare for Shabbat.
- Kabbalat Shabbat services at the Peitav Synagogue, Riga's sole surviving synagogue.
- Shabbat dinner at the hotel with JDC director and leaders of the local Jewish community.
Overnight: Riga
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7
SHABBAT IN RIGA
Sat. Apr 18, 2026
- Walking tour of Riga's Old Town, a beautiful reflection of architecture, cafés, music, history and more, with visits to:
- The Riga Castle.
- St. Mary's Dome Cathedral, the largest cathedral in the Baltics.
- The Large Guild, home to the Riga Orchestra and the Small Guild, a Crafts Corporation House.
- The Freedom Monument, a 138-foot high granite, travertine, and copper monument honoring soldiers killed during the 1918-1920 Latvian War of Independence.
- The House of Blackheads, once an important center of public life for unmarried merchants, was later destroyed during WWII and reconstructed at the beginning of this century.
- The Town Hall square and an old Town Hall devastated during WWII and rebuilt in 2002.
- St. Peter's Church, first built in the 13th century, has since been expanded upon.
- Continue to discover the flavors and ingredients of Latvia as you explore Riga’s open-air Central Market on your food tour.
- Time to walk through Riga's Art Nouveau district; the Art Nouveau Movement was the architectural and artistic answer to the literary modernist movement that began in the late 19th century. Riga has one of the largest centers of Art Nouveau in Europe.
- Mark the end of Shabbat with a communal havdalah ceremony.
Overnight: Riga
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 8
FROM RIGA TO TALLINN
Sun. Apr 19, 2026
- Check out of the hotel.
- Visit the former Riga Ghetto, which, at its peak, prior to the Holocaust, was home to almost 44,000 Jewish inhabitants and was the heart of Jewish life in Latvia. Visit the Memorial of the Burnt Synagogue, site of the Great Choral Synagogue, destroyed by the Nazis on July 4, 1941. In the aftermath of Nazi extermination of Jews, the once-strong Jewish population of Riga numbered 150 alone.
- Continue to the Holocaust Memorial and burial spot of almost 40,000 people from all over Europe who were murdered in the Bikernieki Forest during the years 1941-1944.
- Visit Rumbula Memorial where many Jews of Riga and Germany perished.
- Drive via Paernu, Estonia's main summer resort, with break for lunch on own and continue to Tallinn, Estonia's capital and largest city, situated on the Gulf of Finland.
- Check into the hotel.
- Learn about Estonian Vodka drinking culture, eat dinner at a local restaurant, and enjoy some vodka tasting.
Overnight: Tallinn
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9
A TREE OF LIFE - OUT OF THE ASHES
Mon. Apr 20, 2026
- Visit the Tallinn Jewish Center, School, and Museum as well as the Beit Bella Synagogue, and meet with members of the local Jewish community. The original synagogue was destroyed by a Soviet air bombing on the Nazi-occupied city.
- Walk through the "medieval pearl of Europe" as you tour Tallinn's Old Town, with its medieval churches, original cobblestone alleyways, merchant houses and barns, some of which date back to the 11th century.
- Remainder of the day at leisure to explore the charms of Tallinn on own.
Overnight: Tallinn
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10
WONDERS OF NATURE
Tue. Apr 21, 2026
- Leave the city behind and immerse yourself in the unspoiled beauty of Lahemaa National Park, Estonia's oldest national park, known for its coastal beauty, primeval forests, and rich wildlife.
- Visit Jägala Waterfall on the way.
- Take a peaceful walk along the boardwalk in Viru Bog, enjoying the diverse flora and fauna and the stunning views from the observation tower.
- Enjoy various scenic spots throughout the park, perfect for photography and soaking in the serene landscapes.
- Picnic lunch, en route.
- Experience the natural charm of Altja or Käsmu fishing villages, with their traditional architecture and beautiful seaside views.
- Drive back to Tallinn after a stunning day out in nature.
- Enjoy a farewell dinner at a restaurant.
Overnight: Tallinn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
Wed. Apr 22, 2026
- Breakfast at the hotel followed by checkout.
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
$4,599
Cost p/p in single room
$5,409
Vilnius: Neringa Hotel
- Nights: 4
- Hotel Website
Riga: Hilton Garden Inn Riga Old Town
- Nights: 2
- Hotel Website
Tallinn: Nordic Hotel Forum
- Nights: 3
- Hotel Website
What to expect
- 9 nights' accommodations.
- 9 days of touring with a J² Expert Educator and local guides, in a luxury, air-conditioned bus.
- Daily breakfast, 2 lunches & 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 Baltics.
- Individual airport transfers.
- Gratuities are excluded. For groups of 20 and more participants traveling to the Baltics: We recommend the following guidelines for tipping (amounts are in US dollars): Jewish Tour Educator: $12 | Local Guide: $5 | Driver: $2. 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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