Monday, May 17 – Warsaw, Poland – Tour Begins
Fly into Warsaw today and make your way to our hotel. Early this afternoon, you’ll meet your Amazing Journeys Onsite Group Coordinator and your fellow travel companions, along with our Jewish Educator. Here, you’ll begin your journey with an Amazing Journeys Group Welcome, followed by an introduction to Warsaw, your itinerary, and the 1,000-year history of Jewish life in Poland.
Our first visit will be the Nożyk Synagogue, the only pre-Holocaust synagogue in Warsaw that is still active today. We continue to the Okopowa Street Jewish Cemetery, one of the largest Jewish cemeteries in the world. Explore the remarkable tombstones of renowned Jewish leaders, rabbis, artists and intellectuals who shaped Jewish life in Poland.
Later, enjoy an evening walking tour of Warsaw’s Old Town, meticulously rebuilt after World War II and today, a powerful symbol of the city’s rebirth. Our day ends with a group Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Dinner is included today.
Tuesday, May 18 – Warsaw, Poland
After breakfast, we’ll depart Warsaw and drive to Tykocin. This beautifully preserved town offers a window into the world of the Eastern European shtetl. Walk through its historic square and visit the impressive Baroque Tykocin Synagogue, with reconstructed wall paintings from the 1970s. The adjacent former beit midrash (study hall) now houses a museum dedicated to the town’s Jewish history. Just outside Tykocin, visit the Lopuchowo Forest, where the town’s Jewish community – approximately 2,000 people – was marched and murdered by Nazi forces in August 1941. In the quiet forest, we will reflect at the mass graves and memorials marking the destruction of this once-vibrant community.
This afternoon, we’ll return to Warsaw to enjoy a Warsaw culinary tasting experience. This guided tasting tour brings us through several local venues featuring curated bites that highlight Poland’s culinary traditions. You’ll have the opportunity to sample regional specialties along with craft beer, wine and a classic Polish vodka, while learning about Warsaw’s evolving food culture. After, enjoy an evening at leisure to discover Warsaw’s nightlife.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
Wednesday, May 19 – Warsaw, Poland
Today, we’ll visit the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, where a dynamic and immersive exhibition traces over 1,000 years of Jewish life in Poland – from its golden age through the Holocaust and into the present day. After, take a guided journey through the Warsaw Ghetto, including the remnants of the Ghetto Wall and the Nathan Rapoport Warsaw Ghetto Memorial. Follow the footsteps of the Warsaw Ghetto heroes along the Path of Remembrance, commemorating the heroic Warsaw Ghetto Uprising at Mila 18, and reflecting on the last moments of the Warsaw Jewish community at the Umschlagplatz – the gathering area of the Jews before they were sent to the death camp of Treblinka.
Visit the Jewish Historical Institute, home to the extraordinary Ringelblum Archive, code named Oneg Shabbat – a clandestine documentation project that preserved the voices and daily lives of Jews living in the ghetto. Later, we’ll stop for coffee at JCC Warsaw, meeting members of the contemporary Jewish community and learning about the revival of Jewish life in Poland today. We’ll continue with a visit to the Polish Vodka Museum, where we explore the history and cultural significance of Poland’s national spirit and enjoy a tasting of selected local distillations.
Warsaw has an amazing food scene, offering a vibrant mix of Michelin-starred dining, traditional Polish cuisine and even a vegan culture. There are traditional “Milk Bars” (Polish cafeterias), modern bistros and diverse international options. This evening is yours to discover it all!
Breakfast is included today.
Thursday, May 20 – Warsaw – Krakow, Poland
After breakfast, we’ll travel by train from Warsaw to Krakow, passing through Poland’s countryside. Upon arrival, we begin an in-depth exploration of Kazimierz, Krakow’s historic Jewish Quarter – once the heart of Jewish life for centuries and today, a vibrant cultural district. Our visits will include:
The Old Synagogue (Stara Synagoga) – the oldest surviving synagogue building in Poland, dating to the 15th century.
Remuh Synagogue and Cemetery – named for Rabbi Moses Isserles (“the Remuh”), one of the great scholars of Jewish law.
Tempel Synagogue – a magnificent 19th-century synagogue now serving as an important venue for Jewish cultural events.
Later, continue to the Galicia Jewish Museum, which commemorates the victims of the Holocaust while presenting Jewish history and culture in the Galicia region from an innovative perspective.
We’ll check into our hotel and the evening is free to explore Krakow’s rich culinary scene.
Breakfast is included today.
Friday, May 21 – Krakow, Poland
This morning we leave Krakow and travel to the Auschwitz–Birkenau Memorial and Museum, the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp complex, where more than 1.1 million people were murdered. We’ll begin at Auschwitz I, where the museum’s exhibits include powerful artifacts and testimony documenting the lives and deaths of prisoners. Continue to Auschwitz II – Birkenau, the vast extermination camp that remains largely unchanged since the end of the war. Walking through the grounds offers a profound understanding of the scale of the Holocaust.
After lunch, we’ll visit the Oświęcim Synagogue, the only surviving synagogue in the town and an important symbol of the Jewish community that once lived there, before returning to Krakow.
After a heavy day, we will proudly continue our Jewish traditions and celebrate Shabbat together. We’ll have time to enjoy Kabbalat Shabbat at our hotel, before joining together with the local community for Shabbat dinner at the Krakow Jewish Community Center, a vibrant hub supporting Jewish cultural and communal life in the historic Kazimierz district.
Breakfast lunch, and dinner are included today.
Saturday, May 22 – Krakow, Poland
Spend the morning at leisure or, enjoy optional Shabbat morning services at the Remuh Synagogue (Orthodox).
Later, explore Krakow on foot as we discover the Wawel Royal Castle grounds, once home to Poland’s kings and an enduring symbol of Polish culture and independence. After, we’ll go to Krakow’s Main Market Square, one of Europe’s largest medieval squares and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, blending vibrant modern life with historic architecture.
As Shabbat ends, we’ll gather for a group Havdalah ceremony, before heading to our Amazing Journeys Farewell dinner with live Klezmer music at the charming Klezmer-Hois restaurant in Kazimierz.
Breakfast and dinner are included today.
Sunday, May 23 – Krakow, Poland – Tour Ends
This morning you’ll make your way to the airport to either travel back home with memories of this life-changing experience. Or, if you’re looking to continue your journey through Eastern Europe, add a three-night post-trip extension and discover the beautiful and fascinating city of Budapest, Hungary. Experience the city’s striking contrasts while engaging with its layered past and dynamic present. With opportunities for personal exploration, time to reflect and chances to take in this stunning city along the Danube, your time in Budapest will not disappoint.
Breakfast is included today.
Your Itinerary at a Glance (subject to change)
Monday, May 17 Arrival in Warsaw, Poland – Tour Begins
Tuesday, May 18 Warsaw, Poland
Wednesday, May 19 Warsaw, Poland
Thursday, May 20 Warsaw – Krakow, Poland
Friday, May 21 Krakow, Poland
Saturday, May 22 Krakow, Poland
Sunday, May 23 Krakow, Poland – Tour Ends
Our Hotels
Nights 1-3 Sofitel Victoria, Warsaw
Nights 4-6 Indigo Old Town, Krakow
Please note:
- Alternate hotels may be used
- The order of the tour may be changed
- Some activities are weather dependent
Items listed on this website are subject to change at any time. By providing payment you agree to the terms and conditions as outlined on this website. All rooms are non-smoking.
Cancellation Policy: From the time of deposit until August 3, 2026, there is a $200 penalty for cancellation. From August 4, 2026 – January 26, 2027, the cancellation penalty is the amount of the deposit for the tour, post-tour and pre/post nights. From January 27 – March 25, 2027 the cancellation penalty is 50% of the cost for the tour, post-tour package and pre/post nights. From March 26, 2027 until the day of travel, the cancellation penalty is 100% of the cost of the tour fand pre/post nights. Cancellations made on the day of departure and “no-shows” will receive no refund. There is no refund in the event of interruption or cancellation by the passenger after the start of the journey. Your decision not to participate on the tour due to State Department advisories, fear of travel, illness or any other reason will be deemed a cancellation.
Travel Protection: For holders of the new required Schengen Visa (ETIAS), it is mandatory for travelers to Poland and Hungary to have a minimum coverage for medical travel insurance in the amount of €30,000. This mandatory coverage must include emergency medical expenses, emergency hospital treatment, and repatriation for medical reasons or death. Please note:
– The policy must be valid across all Schengen member states, even if you are visiting only one.
– Coverage must last for the entire duration of the trip.
– This is required for all applicants seeking a short-stay visa (up to 90 days in a 180-day period).
More information and guidance will be sent in your Confirmation Letter upon registering for this trip.
Passport & Visa Requirements: A passport is necessary to travel on this itinerary. It must be valid for six months beyond the last day of the trip. If the name on your passport differs from the name on your registration form, a name change fee may be incurred. If you are arriving from the US, Canada, Australia, UK, no visas are necessary at this time, however, beginning in late 2026, travelers will need an ETIAS waiver to travel to Europe. We will share information as it becomes available. More information can be found here: ETIAS Visa . Please note that visa requirements can change at any time and it is up to the traveler to be aware of visa requirements.
This trip is for you if: This trip is for you if you’re an on-the-go traveler – you don’t want to miss a thing, walking and standing for 2-3 hours isn’t a big deal and you’re able to walk at a moderate pace, covering several miles, hills and uneven surfaces. Walking four miles throughout the day is very doable and you can easily climb stairs. You can navigate hills and uneven/wet ground independently, climb up and into various modes of transportation including boats. You can expect several early mornings and some longer days balanced with free time to recharge or set out on your own adventure. You must be in good health and prepare properly. This trip is not suitable for those who require assistance with walking or who travel on mobility devices. As this is a group tour, individual accommodations cannot be made for those who are not able to keep up with the group. If you have questions or concerns, please be in contact with Amazing Journeys at this time.
Dietary Restrictions: For our group meals on this itinerary, we offer selections that do not include pork or shellfish. We are able to accommodate the following diets: celiac/gluten free, vegetarian, pescatarian (no shellfish), dairy free. We cannot accommodate special request such as salt-free meals, low-oil meals, low-carb meals, etc. and cannot guarantee accommodations for severe allergies. Group meals are pre-arranged menus – sometimes there will be menu choices and other times it will be a set menu. Dietary requirements must be communicated with us in advance as last-minute changes may not be possible. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us before registering for this trip.
Twin Accommodations: Twin accommodations are available if you and a friend are traveling together. When signing up for twin occupancy, should one of the roommates cancel, the remaining traveling roommate will assume the cost of a single supplement. Standard cancellation terms apply to any cancellation.
Vaccines: At this time there are no specific vaccinations required for international travelers. We recommend you visit a travel clinic or see your health professional to be sure you are up to date on vaccinations needed for international travel. Requirements can change at any time. You can get more information at the following web site: Center for Disease Control. Please note that our Amazing Journeys staff are not medical professionals and therefore are unable to give specific information on vaccinations or medications you may need for this or any other tour.
Taxes & Gratuities: Taxes, surcharges, and government fees are subject to change. Gratuities have been included on this tour and include tips for the Jewish Educator, local guides, drivers, luggage porters and included meals. Gratuities are not included for housekeeping staff in the hotels and tipping is at your discretion.
Flights: It is important that you not purchase airfare until you receive a Confirmation Letter from Amazing Journeys. For this itinerary, flight parameters are as follows:
Arrive into Warsaw: Land in Warsaw (airport code WAW) before 12:00pm on May 17. Our first program will begin at 2:00pm on May 17.
Return from Krakow: Depart from Krakow on May 23 (airport code KRK) any time after 9:30am today.
Post-Tour Return from Budapest: If you are joining us on our post-tour to Budapest, depart from Budapest (BUD) any time after 9:30am on May 26.
Transfers: Transfers between the airports and hotels are not included in your tour package. Taxis and rideshare programs are available. More information will be given as we get closer to the departure date.
Credit Card Payments: Rates listed are for final payments made by check. After the initial deposit, all payments made by credit card will have a 3% credit card fee.
Baggage: Regardless of what your international air carrier permits, each traveler will be limited to one checked suitcase and one carry-on bag. Your carry-on bag should be one that fits on the bus and not under the bus due to storage limitations. We recommend using a backpack, tote bag or purse rather than a rolling carry-on. If your luggage exceeds these limitations, our tour operator charges $12 per additional bag for each hotel and that cost will be passed along to you.
Fuel Surcharge: Should oil costs go above $65 a barrel and our tour operators adjust the rate of the tour costs accordingly, we reserve the right to adjust the cost of the tour.
Exchange Rate: In the case of currency fluctuations greater than 3%, we reserve the right to adjust our pricing accordingly in order that we may be able to operate the tours effectively.
This tour is operated by J2. A minimum of 15 passengers on the Poland tour and 10 passengers on the Budapest post-tour is required in order to operate each tour.
