Jewish heritage tour Vilnius

For centuries, Vilnius, or Vilna, has been known as the Jerusalem of the North, a city that was home to a large Jewish community of almost 70 000 inhabitants before World War II. The streets of Vilnius were bustling with merchants, bakeries, small and large businesses.

Jewish history of Vilnius varies from very fun and happy stories to a sad and tragic history of Holocaust.

I invite you to discover the history of Jewish Vilnius, and we will travel through Vilnius from the beginning of the Jewish community to the tragic events of the Holocaust, following the traces of Litvak culture.

Its an emotional and very sincere journey to discover the traces of famous litvaks and jewish community members,during this tour you will see locations,signs,traces,places of interest and will hear a lot of stories,personal and about the jewish people that became famous world wide but maybe less known here.

As an option we can make a stop for a lunch break at traditional bagel shop where you can enjoy bagels,shaksuka and feel the community vibe.(Except shabbat).

This tour is ideal for first-time visitors and those with a knowledge about Jewish heritage and culture.

There are two programme options -Short and Long (half day or full day)

Route

Half day

We start at the Cathedral square
Follow the central street of Old town - Pilies
Presidential Palace
University ensemble and the importance in Jewish hystory
Small Ghetto – the place of Big synagogue and monument of Gaon of Vilna
Vokieciu street and Big Ghetto
The hiding place Malina and the monument of Ghetto victims
Jewish theater
The Ghetto uprising place
Former sweet shop
Vilnius Choral Synagogue (Except shabbat ).

With a van or minibus -contact for detailed personall offer.

Starting time and location discussed prior to the start of the tour.

Some kosher meals might be arranged in advance by local jewish cook.

If you have questions -just contact me and we will discuss all the details and issues.

The cost of the tour does not include tickets to museums ,entrance fees.

Final cost depends on number of guests and must be arranged in advance.

1-4 100

Route

Full day

We start at the Cathedral square
Follow the central street of Old town - Pilies
Presidential Palace
University ensemble and the importance in Jewish hystory
Small Ghetto – the place of Big synagogue and monument of Gaon of Vilna
Vokieciu street and Big Ghetto
The hiding place Malina and the monument of Ghetto victims
Jewish theater
The Ghetto uprising place
Former sweet shop
Vilnius Choral Synagogue (Except shabbat ).
Continuing to Pylimo street
The Zaivel synagogue
Fomer Vilnius "fleet street" where major newspapers and political organizations residue.
Famous street Basanaviciaus(Pohulianka)
Active Jewish community
The cultural triangle ( Joseph Brodsky, Jungen Vilna , Herman Perelshtein )
The righteous among the nations memorial
Vilnius street - Jascha Heifetz
Central street Gedimino av. And the place were almost every Vilnius Jew in year 70 in knew as a best location for business and cultural life.
Uzhupis republic art and Jewish history

With the car/van we can visit :

3 Jewish cementeries with one working and Ohal Gaon were the religious Litvaks come to pray and like in the western wall put the notes.
A place where "Schindler of Vilna" used to work - jewish dormitory houses build by baron Hirsh.
Ponar memorial were Vilnius Jews were killed during the Holocaust.

1-4 200

Testimonials

Harlan Stelmach, Professor of Humanities Dominican University of California

Dear Marius, I hope you are doing well. We are back home in California after completing our family tour that took us all the way to Moscow. My brother, sister-in-law and my wife want to thank you for a great guided tour of Kaunas and Vilnius. You are multi-talented. A great driver. A knowledgeable tour guide. An informed historian. And a linguist. Without your tenacity and language skills we would not have located a possible distant relative on the banks of the Nemunas River in Kaunas. You went way beyond the call of duty to serve us. You not only showed us the usual important sites but you took that interesting side roads to give us a unique tour of Lithuania. Your love for life and your country was evident in all you did for our whole day. You are a very generous person. We will recommend your guiding services to anybody wanting a the touring experience of a life-time. Thanks for a great day in Lithuania. It was a real highlight of our whole tour. With much appreciation, Harlan Stelmach, Professor of Humanities Dominican University of California

Vilnius-Trakai-Kernave Tour 2014

Wembley Catenians

I had a chance to host a group from London that came to Vilnius for a long weekend. As I am not professional in this area, I was looking for professional guide. This is how I met Marius. The scope was walking tour in Vilnius old town, second day driving to Trakai and Kernave, third day – Turgeliai, Medininkai castle and other nice places on the way. The group was very happy about the services Marius provided, but they are nice people, they would say this in any case. Meanwhile I am not a nice person. I was looking after him very carefully: his punctuality, English level, historical knowledge and attitude in general. And what can I say – everything was just great. He is a real professional, intelligent and pleasant person who will always do an extra mile to please the client. I would definitely recommend him! Thank you and good luck, Marius! Ausra

JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR VILNIUS

Joan and Jerry Kaskowitz

Marius – sorry for the delay in thanking you for the very thoughtful and complete visit to the Jewish Heritage sites in Vilnius, but we have been going non-stop since our OAT tour began. We were impressed by, and grateful for, the attention and care that you showed during our full day together and really touched by our visits to the former Jewish sites and especially to the Paneriai Monument where you provided the yahrzeit candles. It made the visit very meaningful. By the end of the long day we felt we had a better understanding of what Jewish life had been in Lithuania and how it had been destroyed. Ending the day with the fine Lithuanian dinner confirmed that we had also made new friends. Thank you very much for all your efforts. Best wishes, Joan and Jerry Kaskowitz

Mr.Yoni Novick with a familly-Israel and South Africa.

If you check out one Web site or send one email in advance of your trip to Lithuania, it should be to Marius! He will take care of you from A to Z from the minute you land to the minute you depart. He is super knowledgeable and we learned so much from him. His love for his country and specifically for its Jewish history is so evident. Marius is definitely the way to go!

Zhi Peng. Eastern Europe News Department

As i promised i ‘m sending you my thoughts about our visit in Lithuania. Me and my colleagues came to Lithuania in Vilnius to make a informative video about becoming a part of Euro currency block.We were recommended mr.Marius, sory your last name is too difficult ffor us :) to be our guide at the time being here.Thank you very much for your patience creativity great historical economical and socio cultural knowledge about your country.You have really braodend our perspective about Lithuania . It is impressive to meet such patriot of the country and to get closer to magnificient history of it.What you have done during our visit is far beyond any expectations.Your attention and willingnes to fullfill any requests is incredible.It is evident that you love everybody who visits Lithuania and you have so much to tell to show and to deliver.The great restaurant in Vilnius “Sena Troba” (sorry if its not correct )is absolutelly magnificient.The food for us was really amazing the service is far above you could expect.Now You and mr.Yuri are famous in China:) Once we come back -you will be the first person we will meet and continue our journey in Lithuania. On behalf of my colleagues we want to wish you a hughe sucess in 2015 in your proffesionall career and your life.” Zhi Peng Eastern Europe News Department CCTV China News

Linda (Lukosevicius-Bald)

You had done a Lithuania tour for my family (the Naujokas Family, we traveled to Vepriai- Nida-Zypliai-Klaipeda-Vidukle) about a month ago. We are still all talking about what a great trip it was, how lucky we are that we chose you as our guide and how important it was to have been able to go and see the country where our relatives came from. All of us still remember your kindness and attitude for ourselves.How willing you were to help us in locating the places were our relatives were born or died. You are great person and patriot of your country may God bless You and your familly. I did give your name out to someone who was thinking about going on a trip to Lithuania. Hopefully you are continuing to have a busy summer giving tours. Best regards Linda (Lukosevicius-Bald)

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