Length: 28 Days
2009-2010 Grades: 9,10,11,12
Register Now »

About the Experience

A week-long tour of Prague, Vienna, and Budapest in Europe followed by the core three-week Israel Journey experience. Cruise the Danube River, visit Prague Castle, and explore Budapest Labrynth. Then travel on to Israel for a once-in-a-lifetime journey in the Land of Milk & Honey.

Vienna, Budapest & Prague

Spend the first week exploring the magical European capitals of Vienna, Prague, and Budapest. Cruise down the Danube River, tour the world’s largest castle in Prague, and explore the Castle Caves Labyrinth deep under Budapest. Step back in time and experience the historical richness of Jewish life in Europe and learn about the lives of intellectual and cultural leaders like Sigmund Freud and Franz Kafka. We conclude our journey through Europe on a somber note, reflecting on the devastation of the Holocaust at Terezin concentration camp before re-boarding our plane bound for Israel…

Onwards to Israel

Arrive in Israel and set off on a three-week cross-country experience – from the Golan Heights in the north to the tropical Red Sea in the far south…and everything in between. Along the way, we will walk in the footsteps of Jewish history, experience the vibrancy of modern Israeli culture, and connect with Israel’s colorful society.

The program includes visits to all of Israel’s most important sites – ancient Jerusalem, contemporary Tel Aviv, the Galilee, the Negev Desert and the heights of Masada. We also make time to experience Israel’s off-the-beaten-path charm -- enjoying a bonfire on the beach, taking part in an active archeological dig, sampling unique Middle Eastern cuisine, and participating in the re-birth of Israel by planting a tree in a new forest.

The Euro-Israel Journey experience is more than just a tour. It is also about debating the meaning of contemporary Zionism, exploring our Jewish identity from an Israeli point of view, delving into the intricacies of Middle Eastern politics, and connecting to our Jewish soul through a series of meaningful community service and spiritual experiences. Join us on the Journey.

Itinerary Snapshot

• WEEK #1 / Budapest, Vienna & Prague
  Touch down in Budapest and begin exploring the cobblestone streets and the underground tunnels of Hungary's capital. Continue on to Vienna and visit the cafe-lined streets that was home to the likes of Sigmund Freud. Our final European destination is Prague, home of Europe's most well-preserved Jewish Quarter and the majestic Prague Castle. We conclude our time in Europe with a somber visit to Terezin Concentration Camp before lifting off again for Israel.
  
  
• WEEK #2 / Jerusalem & Mediterranean Coast
  Land at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel and begin the ascent to Jerusalem where we will spend the first part of the week walking the Old City and exploring the history of our ancestors. From Jerusalem we head up the Mediterranean Coast to the Western Galilee where we spend our first Shabbat on the beach.
  
  

• WEEK #3 / Galilee, Golan Heights & Tel Aviv
  Travel eastwards through the Galilee as we learn about the mystics of ancient Safed (Tsfat), take in the beauty of the Golan Heights, learn about kibbutz life, and explore the greenest and most water-filled region of Israel. We close out week two with a visit to Tel Aviv, Israel's cultural capital and one of the world's most trendy cities. The middle Shabbat in Israel is a "Host Family Weekend" where participants can either stay with local friends/family or participate in a supervised alternative program (see note below).
  
• WEEK #4 / Eilat, Negev Desert & Jerusalem
  Head due south to Eilat, Israel's southernmost tip where we snorkel in the tropical Red Sea and learn about Israel's unique desert ecology. Continue on for a sunrise hike to Masada followed by an unforgettable float in the Dead Sea. The trip concludes by returning to where we started in Jerusalem with a visit to Yad Vashem followed by a moving Shabbat experience at the Western Wall.
  
  

Learn More

• Sample Itinerary
• Trip FAQs
• Program-Wide FAQs
• Why Israel
• Trip Video
• Safety & Security
• Why Now
• Scholarship Info
  
• Register Now
  
  

Flying on EL AL Airlines

BBYO is proud to announce that Euro-Israel Journey Central participants will be flying direct on EL AL Airlines from Europe to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport and from Tel Aviv back to New York's JFK at the end of the program. EL AL Airlines is the national airlines of the State of Israel and has a reputation for quality as well as the highest security standards in the world. The group flight from New York City to Europe at the start of the program will be on a European airline to be announced shortly.

Host Family Weekend

The Euro-Israel Journey itinerary includes a Host Family Weekend during the second Shabbat of the program in Israel. This is a perfect opportunity for participants to connect with family and friends in Israel. Participants without Host Family Weekend plans are encouraged to pair up with a friend on the trip. A supervised alternative program is also offered based in central Israel near the Mediterranean coast. The supplemental cost for the optional supervised weekend program is $275.

Keep the Memories Going / Israel Extensions

The Euro-Israel Journey Central program can be combined with a 7-day extension program at the end the core trip. Spend part of the extension on a kibbutz paired with Israeli teens. Spend the other part of the extension either volunteering on a service project or taking part in Gadna -- the IDF's basic training-style program for high school teens from abroad.

Israel Extension programs are all campus-based and provide a wonderful alternative to the traditional touring experience. Each extension option is designed to open a window on a unique aspect of Israeli society. Make the most of your time in Israel. Learn more...

• Extension Track #1 (Post-Trip): Kibbutz Mifgash & Gadna Basic Training
  
• Extension Track #2 (Post-Trip): Kibbutz Mifgash & Community Service
  
  

Sample Itinerary

We have provided the following sample itinerary to give you an idea of what this travel experience is all about. Keep in mind that the actual itinerary may vary from the schedule below. That said, this sample itinerary is meant to give you a taste of the overall program. A formal itinerary, including a list of accommodations and phone numbers, will be sent to you 4-6 weeks prior to the start of the program.

DAY #1 / Monday / Departure for Europe
• Depart for Europe in the early evening from JFK Airport, NYC
• Spend the night in the sky en route to Europe

DAY #2 / Tuesday / Welcome to Europe!
• Land in Prague and catch connecting flight to Budapest
• Program introductions & orientation
• Walking tour of downtown Budapest – Hungary’s capital & cultural center
• Raoul Wallenberg Memorial – Rescuer of Budapest Jewry during WWII
• Stroll through the gardens of Margaret Island on the Danube
• Welcome dinner in downtown Budapest
• Overnight: Platanus Hotel – Budapest, Hungry

DAY #3 / Wednesday / Budapest, Hungary
• Visit to the Duhany Synagogue & Jewish Museum – Europe’s largest synagogue
• Walk through the streets of old Budapest to the southern tip of Castle Hill
• Tour of the medieval-era Buda Castle – historic home to Hungarian kings
• Explore the Castle Caves labyrinth by candlelight underneath the city
• Evening cruise down the Danube River
• Overnight: Platanus Hotel – Budapest, Hungry

DAY #4 / Thursday / Vienna, Austria
• Travel westwards to Vienna – the capital of Austria
• Tour Schönbrunn Palace – Home of the Habsburg Empire
• Visit to Holocaust Memorial in Judenplatz, center of Jewish life in Vienna
• Climb to the top of St. Stephen's Cathedral for a view across Vienna
• Overnight: Eventhotel Pyramide – Vienna, Austria

DAY #5 / Friday / Bohemia, Czech Republic
• Travel north into the Czech Republic
• Stop at the Bohemian village of Krumlov en route to Prague
• Walking tour of this picturesque village & castle
• Continue travel through the Bohemian countryside
• Arrive in Prague and prepare for Shabbat in the Jewish Quarter
• Attend Kabbalat Shabbat services at local synagogue
• Overnight: Hilton Hotel, Prague – Prague, Czech Republic

DAY #6 / Saturday / Prague, Czech Republic
• Spend Shabbat with local Jewish community of Prague
• Relaxed afternoon in the Vallenstein Gardens
• Evening: Group night out on the town in Prague
• Overnight: Hilton Hotel, Prague – Prague, Czech Republic

DAY #7 / Sunday / The Jewish Quarter of Prague
• Stroll through Old Town Square and view the famous Astronomical Clock
• Tour of Prague Castle – the world’s largest castle
• Visit to the towering gothic-style Old New Synagogue of 1270
• Experience the glory of Jewish life in Prague at the Jewish Quarter Museum
• Walk through the Old Jewish Cemetery of Prague
• Learn about the legend of the Golem – the Jewish “monster” of Prague
• Overnight: Hilton Hotel, Prague – Prague, Czech Republic

DAY #8 / Monday / Theresienstadt Concentration Camp
• Travel to Theresienstadt concentration camp (Terzin)
• Recount the devastation of Terzein – Site of Nazi atrocities against Czech Jews
• Read from children’s poetry collection, “I Never Saw Another Butterfly”, written at Terezin
• Return to Prague for final shopping and a closing dinner in Europe
• Board overnight flight from Prague to Tel Aviv

DAY #9 / Tuesday / Arrival in Israel
• Arrive to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport in early morning
• Breakfast and welcome celebration at Neot Kedumim Park
• Jerusalem introduction and shecheyanu prayer at the Haas Promenade
• Explore King David’s Jerusalem at the “City of David” complex
• Walk through Hezekiah’s ancient water tunnel under Jerusalem
• Overnight: Neve Ilan Guest House, Jerusalem Hills

DAY #10 / Wednesday / Jerusalem’s Old City
• Enter the Old City from the Jaffa Gate
• Walk along the top of the Rampart Walls to the Zion Gate
• Explore the Jewish Quarter’s alleyways, tunnels & rooftops
• Tour of the Southern Wall excavations & Davidson Center
• Reflections at the Kotel – The Western Wall
• Experience layers of Jewish history on the Kotel Tunnel Tour
• Dinner at Jerusalem’s Ben Yehuda Street pedestrian mall
• Overnight: Neve Ilan Guest House, Jerusalem Hills

DAY #11 / Thursday / The Exile
• Tzurim Valley – Take part in an active archeological excavation
• Crawl through the caves of the Bar Kochba Rebellion
• Begin traveling northwards along the coast
• Catacombs of Beit Shearim – Jewish life in Israel during the Exile
• Check-in to hotel in Nahariya on the Mediterranean
• Evening: BBQ party on the beach
• Overnight: Beit Kaye Guest House, Mediterranean Coast

DAY #12 / Friday / The Western Galilee
• Explore the ocean caves at Rosh Hanikrah
• Hike to the Montfort Castle in Nahal Kziv
• Tour of old Acco seaport and Crusader-era castle
• Return to Nahariya to prepare for Shabbat
• Kabbalat Shabbat service at local Reform synagogue in Nahariya
• Overnight: Beit Kaye Guest House, Mediterranean Coast

DAY #13 / Saturday / Shabbat on the Beach
• Shabbat program at hotel
• Relaxed afternoon at the beach
• Evening: Israel movie night – “Ushpizin”
• Overnight: Beit Kaye Guest House, Mediterranean Coast

DAY #14 / Sunday / The Return
• Learn Israeli martial arts on the beach with Budokan!
• Zichron Yaakov – The modern Zionist movement emerges
• Atlit Camp – The Holocaust and the migration to Israel that followed
• Travel eastwards to the Sea of Galilee
• View of the Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee, from atop Mt. Arbel
• Overnight: Kibbutz Afik Guest House, Galilee

DAY #15 / Monday / Mystics of the Galilee
• Walking tour of mystical Tzfat – Birthplace of the Kabbalah movement
• Meet with Kabbalistic artist, Avraham Lowenthal
• Volunteer at an absorption center for recent Ethiopian immigrants
• Evening: Enjoy a traditional Druze feast in the village of Sajur
• Overnight: Kibbutz Afik Guest House, Galilee

DAY #16 / Tuesday / Water & Israel
• Nature walk to Tel Dan at the headwaters of the Jordan River
• Relaxed rafting down the upper Jordan River
• Bike riding through the Hula Valley Nature Reserve
• Kinneret Cemetery – The poets & pioneers of the Galilee
• Evening: Cruise on the Sea of Galilee with Israeli dancing
• Overnight: Kibbutz Afik Guest House, Galilee

DAY #17 / Wednesday / Perspectives from the Golan Heights
• Ascend the Golan Heights
• Water hike down Nahal Jilaboun canyon
• View across Israel and her neighbors from atop Mount Ben-Tal
• Meet with resident of the Golan at Kibbutz Merom Golan
• Relax in the natural hotsprings of Hamat Gader
• Evening: Israeli movie night – “The Syrian Bride”
• Overnight: Kibbutz Afik Guest House, Galilee

DAY #18 / Thursday / Multiculturalism in Israel
• Coexistence program at Givat Haviva
• Tour of Caesarea – the Roman amphitheater on the beach

Option A: Drop-off for Host Family Weekend in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
Option B: Supervised alternative weekend (central Israel)

DAY #19 / Friday / Host Family Weekend
Option A: Host Family Weekend
Option B: Supervised alternative weekend (central Israel)
• Adam & Eve Ecological Village
• Latrun Armored Corp Museum

DAY #20 / Saturday / Host Family Weekend
Option A: Host Family Weekend
Option B: Supervised alternative weekend (central Israel)

DAY #21 / Sunday / The Negev Desert
• Rejoin as a full group and begin heading south to the Negev Desert
• Table-to-Table: Service project harvesting crops for the hungry
• Visit to the Weitzman Institute – Israel’s cutting edge technology academy
• Sde Boker – Ben Gurion’s grave and contemporary Zionism
• Trek on camelback thru the Negev Desert
• “Hafla style” dinner feast at Chan HaShayarot Bedouin Tent
• Evening: Bonfire party under the stars
• Overnight: Chan HaShayarot Bedouin Tent, Negev Desert

DAY #22 / Monday / Eilat and the Red Sea
• Travel southwards to Eilat
• Overlook to the Ramon Crater en route
• Beach time and snorkeling in the tropical Red Sea
• Tour of Timna Nature Reserve & Solomon’s Mines
• Dinner at Yotvata dairy farm restaurant
• Evening: Shopping at Eilat’s sea-side flea market
• Overnight: Eilat Guest House, Eilat

DAY #23 / Tuesday / The Desert Blooms
• Hike to Mount Zefachot for view of sunrise over the Red Sea
• Bus tour along Israel’s border with Egypt
• Desert ecology seminar at Kibbutz Ketura
• Travel northwards along the Arava Valley
• Evening: Israel Movie Night – “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan”
• Overnight: Inbar Hotel, Arad

DAY #24 / Wednesday / Masada and the Dead Sea
• Sunrise climb to Masada via the Roman Ramp
• Tour of the Masada desert fortress complex
• Descend Masada via the famous Snake Path
• Floating & beach time at the Dead Sea
• Swim under the desert waterfalls at Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
• Return to Jerusalem in the late afternoon
• Evening: Speaker – Geo-politics of Israel with Neil Lazarus
• Overnight: Agron Guest House, Jerusalem

DAY #25 / Thursday / Remembrance & Redemption
• Visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and Mt. Herzl
• Visit to the Knesset, Israel’s parliament – Meaning of a Jewish State
• Hazon Yeshaya – service project at a Jerusalem soup kitchen
• Shop for dinner at Mahane Yehuda marketplace
• Group picnic style dinner in a Jerusalem park
• Evening: Pre-Shabbat activity with Rabbi Ian Pear
• Overnight: Agron Guest House, Jerusalem

DAY #26 / Friday / Cosmopolitan Tel Aviv
• Travel to Tel Aviv – Israel’s cultural & financial capital
• Celebrate the founding of modern Israel at Independence Hall
• Shopping at Nahalat Binyamin street festival
• Walking tour of Jaffa seaport and artist colony
• Group beach time in Tel Aviv
• Return to Jerusalem in late afternoon to prepare for Shabbat
• Re-enter the Old City for Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel
• Overnight: Agron Guest House, Jerusalem

DAY #27 / Saturday / Shabbat in Jerusalem
• Option to attend Shabbat services at local synagogues
• Walking tour of Jerusalem neighborhoods
• Relaxed picnic-style afternoon at Jerusalem’s Independence Park
• Program wrap-up & closing session
• Late night bonfire party in the Jerusalem forest

DAY #28 / Sunday / Shalom!
• Return to airport for early morning flight to New York
• Arrive back to New York in the afternoon

Trip Q & A

This page contains trip-specific FAQ's. For program-wide info, check out the General FAQs page. ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Do I need to make arrangements for a visa?

Citizens of the U.S. and Canada may enter the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Israel for up to three months without visas. Citizens of many other countries receive this courtesy as well. If you are uncertain, please visit the websites for the Israel Ministry of Tourism and those of the relevant European countries or contact your local Czech, Austrian, Hungarian and Israeli consulates. To visit Israel, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your departure. NOTE: If you also have Israeli citizenship, you must enter and exit Israel using your Israeli passport, so make sure it is up-to-date as well!

Do I need any immunizations before traveling?

Israel is a first-world country with a top-rate health care system, and the health care in Central Europe is adequate as well. You are not required to have any immunizations or medications to travel to Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic or Israel. We view these issues as a matter of personal choice for which you should consult a trusted physician at least 4-6 weeks prior to trip departure. The Center for Disease Control recommends that travelers to Hungary and the Czech Republic receive immunizations for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and typhoid as well as have all routine vaccinations up-to-date. For Israel, they recommend immunizations for Hepatitis A and B, and for Austria, Hepatitis B, in addition to routine shots. However, many travelers go to both Central Europe and Israel without any special vaccinations. We have provided the official recommendations by the CDC so you are aware, but please consult your physician who can help you to make an informed decision.

Can I make my own flight arrangements?

It is problematic for participants to make their own arrangements for flights to Europe, as our group package includes domestic flights during the program. If it is particularly difficult for you to depart from New York, please contact our office to discuss possible options.

Do I need to be in good physical shape to enjoy Euro-Israel Journey?

Euro-Israel Journey is designed to appeal to everyone with a basic spirit for adventure. Hiking is an essential part of exploring Israel, since much of the country's beauty and history is in its wilderness. However, most of the touring in Europe will be in cities, and there are many other exciting components to the Israel portion of the program as well. You don't need to be an athlete or a particularly "outdoorsy" person to appreciate it all.

What types of things will we be seeing in Central Europe?

Your time in Europe will combine sightseeing in places of general interest, like Schönbrunn Palace and the Danube River, with a step back into the history of Jewish life in that region of the world. You’ll be exposed to the origins of European art, literature and music and the trappings of royal dynasties, and also to sites of devastation and memorial for the Jews who once flourished there. Finally, you will get to celebrate Shabbat within the warmth of today’s Jewish community.

I’ve been to Europe and/or Israel before with family. Will I be bored on this trip?

Although there are certain sites the group will tour that may already be familiar to you, there is much on the itinerary that is “off the beaten path”. It is also a very different experience to travel with family than to explore a country with a diverse group of peers, many of whom will likely become close friends in the process. Finally, Israel is such a special country that most people find something unique that touches them each time they visit.

Will I have any free time?

While the trip itineraries are quite intensive, we do set aside plenty of time for relaxation and personal exploration. Because we take your safety and security so seriously, there will understandably be some limits on our flexibility when it comes to free time -- especially when we are touring in the larger cities. The second weekend that you are in Israel is a host family weekend, which is a great opportunity to visit with local family or friends. If you do not have family or friends in Israel, do not worry. You can either share plans with one of your friends on the trip, or participate in a supervised weekend program along the Mediterranean beach in Rosh HaNikrah (an additional cost applies).

I have friends/family who I would rather not visit for a whole weekend, but who would like to come see me. Will there be a chance for that?

Depending on where your friends or family live, there may be an opportunity for them to visit you at your hotel during a Shabbat afternoon or a lightly-programmed evening. Arrangements for such a visit should wait until you get to Israel and discuss the options with your trip guide.

What is the weather like?

In general, the weather in Israel during the summer can be quite hot, although the climate varies significantly in different parts of the country. It is very dry in the desert, with intense heat in the daytime and cool & windy nights. Along the coast near Tel Aviv, it is much more humid. In the mountains up north and in the Jerusalem area both the temperature and humidity are more moderate, although it is still very warm. The good news is that you never have to worry about rain. In Europe, however, rain is likely, and the temperature is significantly cooler. To cover all your bases, bring plenty of T-shirts and a sweatshirt or light jacket, too, preferably with a hood. Because of the extremely strong sun in Israel, you will usually be required to wear a hat and a shirt that covers your shoulders whenever you are outside.

How much clothing will I need to bring? Will there be an opportunity to do laundry? What kind of suitcase do you recommend?

About two months prior to the start of the program, we will post a detailed pre-trip preparation manual for each trip, which will include suggestions for the type of clothing needed. In general, we recommend that you bring at least about two weeks’ worth of the basics (T-shirts, underwear, socks, etc.) At least once during the trip you will have an opportunity to send out a load of laundry to a service which will return it within a day or two. You should try to pack as light as possible, in a rolling suitcase or duffel, because you will need to be able to transport your own bags between your bus and accommodations at each stop of the trip.

Will I need a sleeping bag?

No, the only night when you will not be staying in a hotel or guesthouse you will be in a Bedouin tent, where sleeping bags and mattress pads are provided.

Will I need any special equipment to be able to use electrical appliances?

The electrical current in Israel is 220V, and in Europe it is 230V. Therefore, unless the charger for your mp3 player or camera says on the label that it works with 220V-230V current, you will need an electrical converter in order to protect the device from damage. Also, the outlets in Israel and Europe are a different shape from those in the U.S. (and often from each other), so you will need plug adapters to plug anything in. Converters and adapters can be purchased in most electronics or luggage stores. Remember, anything you bring with you is at your own risk, so we don't recommend bringing items that are extremely valuable to you.

How much spending money is recommended? Should I bring traveler’s checks?

How much money you will need depends mostly on your own shopping plans. All of your programming costs are covered, so you will only need money for snacks, personal souvenirs, laundry, and gifts for family and friends back home. Most people find that $100 per week is more than enough. You should not bring travelers’ checks, as you will not have an opportunity to cash them during the trip. Instead, we recommend the Payoneer pre-paid debit card system. (Information will be provided to participants.)

Are scholarships available?

When it comes to Israel travel, many scholarships are available. Jewish communities throughout North America have created special funds to help high school-age teens get to Israel over the summer. Translation: money for you! Check out the Scholarship Info page for tips on how obtain scholarship funding.

Who's Coming?