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Culminating an amazing tour to Poland, Prague and Budapest

Sunday, October 17th, 2010

Our “grand finale” was a day to remember. As this note posts our group of nearly 40 are each on their way home after a truly amazing journey. But, before departing Budapest, our group divided into their choice of options. Some departed in the morning for the towns of Esztergom, Visegrad and Szentendre along the Danube Bend, about 25 miles north of Budapest. On our tour, we visit the historical Baroque towns of Szentendre, the hilltop castle ruins and town of Visegrad, and the cathedral town of Esztergom.

Some folks chose the Hungarian Spa experience. Budapest is often called the “Spa Capital” because it is the only capital city in the world with real hot springs inside the city boundaries. Spas have a long tradition in Hungary, going back to Roman times. Our package included use of thermal baths, aroma cabin, adventure pool, sauna, steam and a massage.  

We concluded the day and the entire program with our trademark farewell program and dinner..but as we weren’t quite ready to call it a trip, we culminated our farewell to Budapest with a Danube riverboat ride to view the lighted bridges, castles and even our hotel for a final treat for the senses.  

We hope you enjoyed this armchair tour of our amazing adventure in Prague and Budapest. Stay tuned for lots more in the days and weeks ahead. In just two weeks, Amazing Journeys heads off again—this time to “the land down under” Australia and New Zealand.

Budapest-Day 3

Friday, October 15th, 2010

As we head down the homestretch of our Central Europe tour, we begin our next to last full day with an opportunity to see many Budapest attractions.  Today we explored both the Buda and the Pesht side, viewing Parliament (“Look kids…Parliament!”), and the Danube River running thought the heart of Budapest.  Our morning tour concluded with a walk around Fisherman’s Bastion, overlooking Budapest and lovely Danube River bridges; the Castle and many renovated architectural gems and great examples of Art Nouveau.

This afternoon, we offered some free time to participate on some casual sightseeing excursions or to just chill out on your own. Those who still wanted more had the opportunity to visit the many museums including the mesmerizing Museum of Terror, the Fine Arts Museum or the Museum of Decorative Arts.  Or, as you can expect, many folks ventured out and shopped til they dropped in the Central Market.

Tonight we headed back to the Great Synagogue of Budapest for Shabbat Services followed by dinner at Kogart Restaurant, a “Top 10” on the lists of things to do in Budapest.  The restaurant is an elegant blend of traditional & contemporary and is located on the ground floor of one of Andrássy út’s beautiful old villas.

(photo: This is the Hungarian equivalent of our Statue of Liberty. It commemorates the “liberation” of Hungary from Germany by the Soviets)

Budapest-Day 2

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

Today we delved into Jewish life in Budapest. We visited Dohany Synagogue, the second largest in the world.  The Great Synagogue is designed like a basilica and includes some striking Byzantine and Moorish elements. The interior is vast and ornate, with two balconies and, unusually, an organ. Its ark contains 25 torah scrolls taken from other synagogues destroyed during the Holocaust. The Memorial Garden contains monuments to Jews who died in the Holocaust and to non-Jews who protected their Jewish neighbors. 

We stopped at the Old Jewish Quarter with its maze of narrow streets once teeming with Jewish life in the 18th century.  This recently renovated area of Budapest is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  A powerful part of our day was when we visited a lovely sculpture of a weeping willow tree where each silver leaf is engraved with the name of a Righteous Gentile who helped Jews escape during the Holocaust. This piece was given to the people of Hungary by her native son and film star, Tony Curtis (who just died only a couple weeks ago). 

Our day was culmintated this evening with a real treat at the Hungarian State Opera House–magnificent inside and outside…it is like a movie setting–to see the ballet, Romeo and Juliet. 

 

 

 

 

 

(Thousands of Hungarian Jews were rounded up from the Hungarian Ghetto; taken to the Danube; made to take off their clothes and shoes…and shot…falling into the river. )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Chain Bridge across the Danube River)

Budapest-Day 1

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

Today was a day in transit as we enjoyed the beautiful countryside through Slovakia on our way to Budapest via a 7-hour first class train ride. We arrived early this evening and after checking into the Sofitel Hotel  right on the Danube,  Amazing Journeys presented a surprise celebration dinner in honor of our 10th Anniversary.

Dinner was at KFC and included two pieces of original recipe, two sides and a large soft drink.

Obviously, we’re kidding. Quite the contrary; we enjoyed an amazing meal at the beautiful Hungarian specialty restaurant, Karpatia, one of the oldest restaurants in Budapest and a city landmark since 1877.  Here we dined on traditional and contemporary Hungarian fare while a spirited band of gypsy violinists played Hungarian music creating an amazingly fun and festive occasion.

Last Day in Prague

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010

Our last day in Prague brought a leisurely conclusion to this part of the tour to allow folks to further take in all that the past several days have brought us. We offered a casual exploration of the Old Town district through the neighborhoods and the quaint decorated houses, We strolled down Michalska Street filled with small galleries, Celetna Street, a narrow street of splendid Baroque Buildings and to Obecni Dum, the concert hall with its rich architectural details. We also topped by Havelska, the local market filled with flowers, crafts, food and other goodies—see photos.

Tonight has been planned as an evening at leisure for all to enjoy what that Prague is known for. Folks joined in on several dinner and music options…before calling it a trip-a-complis. In the morning, a 9:30 am departure from the hotel for an 11:00am train..and off to Budapest we go.

Prague-Day 4

Monday, October 11th, 2010

Today was a meaningful and powerful day as we visited Terezin and the Hidden Synagogue. Our guide Sylvie Wittmann, is the third generation of a family deeply immersed in the Jewish history of Prague and is legendary in her own right. After the Velvet Revolution in 1989 that brought down communism, one could say that Sylvia, almost single-handedly, orchestrated the rebirth of Judiasm in the Czech Republic and Prague. We were fortunate to have her with us on this memorable day. Today we see some attractions rarely available for groups, including “The Hidden Synagogue,” named for the Jewish Terezin prisoners who burrowed underground to worship there.

Tonight’s dinner, taking place as this is being posted is at Bellevue, often thought to be the best restaurant in Prague. Our tables view the luminescent sparkle of the lighted Charles Bridge and Castle Hill

(photo: Memorial to Terezin – At the Krematorian)

Prague-Days 2 and 3

Sunday, October 10th, 2010

What an amazing weekend!! On Saturday we toured elegant Hradcany, The Royal Palace, Medieval St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George Basilica in its original 10th century condition and Golden Lane, a narrow road filled with shops. Dinner was with a special guest, Martina Stolbova, winner of an Emmy for Best Documentary film called “The Power of Good” which chronicles the beautiful story of Nicholas Winton, rescuer of Jewish Children. Nicholas Winton, listed among the “righteous” Jews, saved over 600 children by evacuating them by train to London.

On Sunday we visited Josefov, the historic Jewish Center and “The Jewish Museum,” a neighborhood surrounding five synagogues where we learned about the history of the Czech Jews and the Prague Jewish Community. We also went to the magnificent Old Town Square with its renowned Astrological Clock, and Wenceslas Square, where in November 1989, the Velvet Revolution took place and marked the end of Communism.

 We topped off the weekend with a night at the spectacular National Theatre to see “The Bartered Bride” considered to be the Czech version of “Fiddler on the Roof.”The opera is considered to have made a major contribution towards the development of Czech music. It was composed during the period 1863–66.  The National Theatre in Prague is a stunning neo-renaissance building, constructed from 1868-81. It sits proudly alongside the banks of the Vltava River, its golden roof gleaming in the sunshine on sunny days. For Czech people, the National Theatre is one of the most important cultural institutions in Prague.


..and what did you do this weekend??

Prague-Day 1

Friday, October 8th, 2010

Throughout the day today folks arrived into Prague. Now that we’re almost 40 strong, the heart of the tour is about to beginThe program began with a welcome reception and orientation followed by Shabbat Service at one of Prague’s beautiful Synagogues.   Shabbat dinner tonight was at the lovely Louvre Restaurant a historic establishment where the likes of . Albert Einstein and Franz Kafka dined. Prague is the most beautiful city in all of Europe.  On the walk home from dinner our guests were treated to an illuminated spectacle; a special and meaningful conclusion to the first day. 

Poland – Day 3

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

Today the group departed Krakow  on a 9am train bound for Warsaw.

 Upon arrival, we had lunch with a guest from the Taube Foundation, an organization  supporting the ongoing revival of Jewish culture in Poland and to furthering awareness of this resurgence. 

After lunch we embarked on a sightseeing tour of Warsaw that included the former Jewish Ghetto with many inspiring monuments of World War II Nazi period, and the site of the bunker on Mila St., Mila 18 – headquarters of Warsaw Ghetto defenders and Umschlag Platz, where 300,000 Jews were deported. 

After checking into the hotel for an evening at leisure, all eyes are on the main part of our Central Europe tour beginning tomorrow, with 25 additional group members arriving into Prague.

Poland – Day 2

Wednesday, October 6th, 2010

Today has been a meaningful and powerful day for our group in Poland as they embarked on a tour of Jewish Krakow.   The day began with an introductory talk by Robert Gadek, the director of the Jewish Cultural Center. His talk on history of the Jews in Poland before and after World War II would prepare the group for the important touring that followed.

Today’s tour included a visit to Schindler’s Factory- recently opened as a museum to rave reviews, Kazimierz (Historic Ghetto)  and a guided tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau (see photo of the entrance to Auschwitz)

After an emotional afternoon, we lightened things up a bit to enjoy the music of our ancestors during dinner with Klezmer Music in Kasimierz.