Lithuania and Latvia
About the tour
Communities that changed Judaism
Join us as we explore the rich tapestry of Jewish history and culture on our Jewish Heritage Tour through Lithuania and Latvia. Wander through ancient synagogues, vibrant Jewish quarters, and poignant memorials that tell the stories of a resilient community. Experience the deep roots and enduring legacy of Jewish life in these captivating Baltic nations.
Day 1: Sunday
Welcome onboard. Today you will:
– Learn about the traditions of Litvak Jewry
– Explore Vilnuis’ medieval Jewish quarter
– See where the Holocaust era Vilna Ghetto stood, and learn about the harsh conditions that faced those forced to live there
– See the site of the Great Synagogue of Vilnius, currently being restored
– Learn about the Vilna Gaon
– Take in the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus
– Explore Vilnius Old Town
– Overnight: Vilnius
Day 2: Monday
Today you will:
– Visit Vilnius Jewish Museum and Art Gallery
– See the city’s only functioning synagogue
– Visit the Jewish cemetery including the grave of the Vilna Gaon
– Pay respects at the Ponar Forest, where 100,000 Jews were murdered in the second-largest Einsatzgruppen massacre
– Take in the beautiful Vilinuis castle complex.
Overnight: Vilnius
Day 3: Tuesday
Today you will:
– Travel to Kaunus (Kovno) via Ziezmariai, a small Jewish Shtetl
– Learn about Chiune Sugihara the “Japnese Schindler”, who used his diplomatic post to save Jewish lives
– Tour the Sugihara House Museum
– Visit the beautiful Chorale Synagogue
– Stand at the site of the Kovno Ghetto and the monument commemorating the lives lost.
Overnight: Kaunus
Day 4: Wednesday
Today you will:
– Visit the Jewish museum of Kedainai, a town that was once home to an impressive community and many shules
– See the traditional Lithuanian wooden shule in Pakruojis
– Explore the beautiful Rundale Palace and the Rundale Palace Museum
– Arrive in and start learning about the Latvian capital on a beautiful river cruise.
Overnight: Riga
Day 5: Thursday
Today you will explore Riga’s Jewish past and will:
– Visit the city’s Holocaust museum located in the area of the Nazi-era ghetto
– Visit the only synagogue to have survived the Nazis and the communist era. Here you will learn about what befell Latvian Jewry during both of these dark periods
– Visit the Old Jewish cemetery. You will hear about its history and those buried there, as well as the Nazi massacre that occured at the site
– Pay your respects at the Salaspils Memorial Ensemble on the site of a former Nazi labor camp
– Learn about the horror of the Great Choral Synagogue in which Jews were burnt alive
– Hear about the contribution of Latvian Jewry before the Holocaust
– Visit the Jewish documentation center.
Overnight: Riga
Day 6: Friday
Today you will explore Riga’s Old Town and Jewish history. Your tour will include:
– The Town Hall Square
– The beautiful St Peters Church
– The Swedish Gate
– The Dome Square and Cathedral
– Various Soviet monuments. Here you will also discuss what life was like under communism
– The former KGB Headquarters
– The House of the Blackheads
– Enjoy Shabbat dinner with the local community
Overnight: Riga
Day 7: Saturday
Enjoy a free day exploring Riga! Your tour ends this evening
2 March 2025 – 8 March 2025
5 star hotels (twin share): $3195 per person
Single supplement: $850
May 20 2025 – May 26 2025
5 star hotels (twin share): $3495 per person
Single Supplement: $850
November 10 2025 – November 16 2025
5 star hotels (twin share): $3195 per person
Single supplement: $850
Private tour for 2 Passengers
5 star hotels (twin share): $5895 per person
Single Supplement: $850
Private tour for 4 Passengers
5 star hotels (twin share): $4895 per person
Single Supplement: $850
Private tour for 6 – 8 passengers
5 star hotels (twin share): $4395 per person
Single Supplement: $850
Custom Quote
Vilinuis: Narutis Hotel
Kaunas: Raddison Kaunas
Riga: Pullman Riga Old Town
Selected hotels
Breakfast daily
Shabbat dinner
All ground transport during tour hours
Expert tour leader and educator who will accompany group throughout tour
Local tour guides in cities visited
All site entry costs
24 hour assistance as required
- Are the meals on your tours strictly Kosher?
Your tour package includes breakfast at your hotel, while you are responsible for arranging your lunch and dinner.
We generally eat at the regular hotel buffet which is not Kosher but does include vegetarian and Kosher options. If you need strictly Kosher meals, please talk to us and we will arrange them. We usually break for lunch and dinner and stay in areas with multiple options that are strictly Kosher. We can also pre-arrange to provide you with pre-arranged Kosher lunches and dinners, although extra costs will apply. I keep Shabbat – are your tours Shabbat-friendly?
Our tours are Shabbat-friendly in that no included activity requires you to do anything prohibited on Shabbat – our tours on Saturday are all walking tours. We do include walking tours on Saturday mornings. If you wish to attend a synagogue service, you may miss a tour, however, all participants are welcome to either attend or skip this tour.Will I have time to explore independently?
Absolutely – in each of the cities that you visit!
What are your payment and cancellation policies?
Upon booking your tour, you will be asked to pay a deposit of 10% of the total tour cost. That amount is not refundable except at our absolute discretion. The balance of the tour payment is due at least 31 days before the start of your tour.
If you cancel less than 31 days before your tour, but more than 14 days before your tour, you will be entitled to a 50% refund. If you cancel 14 days or less before the start of your tour, you will not be entitled to a refund except at our absolute discretion.
On some tours (including this one) we also offer discounts of up to 10% for customers who book their tour by paying in full upfront on the basis that the fee is not refundable. If you book on this basis you will not be entitled to any refund if you cancel your tour.
- Do I need travel insurance?
We do not sell travel insurance. However, we very strongly encourage you to purchase it upon booking your tour. Some countries may require proof of insurance as a condition of entry, and in our view, not having travel insurance exposes you to unnecessary risk.
- Do you arrange flights?
We are a ground-only travel operator. You should arrange your own flights and ensure that you meet the entry requirements of each country included in your tour. - There are several of us booking. Can we have a discount?
Please email us directly.
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