Do the names Raoul Wallenberg and Gabor Sztehlo ring a bell? Both men saved thousands of Hungarian Jews during World War II and on a Jewish Heritage river cruise, you’ll encounter their statues in Stankt Stephan Park in Budapest, Hungary.

Sailing the Danube River, AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways offer 7 night sailings starting in Budapest with a focus on Jewish Heritage onboard and ashore. Illuminate your understanding of the history, culture, and heritage with special onboard lecturers and visits to Jewish districts and landmarks.

Budapest is where you find Europe’s largest synagogue, the Dohany Street Synagogue. Also known as the Great Synagogue, it’s home to the Holocaust Memorial and Jewish Museum. In the early 20th century, Jews were 5% of the Hungarian population and 23% in Budapest. Hundreds of thousands were killed during World War II.

All itineraries include a stop in Vienna, the capital and largest city in Austria. Nearing the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century, the city was home to one of the most prominent centres of Jewish culture. This ended in World War II when Jewish people were deported and murdered. Tours of the city feature the Jewish Museum, the Jewish Cemetery, the Jewish Quarter, and Sigmund Freud’s house.

Linz is the third largest city in Austria and is another city both cruise lines visit on their respective Jewish Heritage sailings. The census in 1900 reported 702 Jews were residents here. The figure in 1954 was only 54 as a result of displacement and genocide during World War II.

Both cruise lines also visit Regensburg, one of Germany’s oldest cities and it is believed to be the oldest Jewish settlement in Bavaria. During World War II, it was the only city in Germany that wasn’t bombed. As such, it is one of the country’s best preserved medieval cities. You’ll find the oldest Jewish ghetto in Germany here as well as Oscar Schindler’s house.

Depending on your itinerary you may also visit Salzburg, Austria; Melk, Austria; Durnstein, Austria; Nuremberg, Germany; Bratislava, Slovakia; Passau, Germany; Hilpoltstein, Germany; and Vilshofen, Germany.

Explore Jewish Heritage river cruise options below or call to speak with a River Cruise Specialist at 1-800-565-2784 (outside North America 1-604-737-8100).