Gil Travel Group

There is no doubt that Vienna is one of the world’s capitals of art and culture, boasting an immensely long and celebrated history of music legends and masterpieces they wrote and which are still taught in schools and performed in concert halls across the globe.

There are several regions in this magnificent country, which strongly preserve the culture and unique traditions of Russia of yore. These towns are ancient – some of the oldest in the area – and they’ve played a major role in that long and complex history, in shaping the country’s many customs, in the formation of the Russian Orthodox Church, and in the conservation of all that had been created over hundreds of years and that makes this country what it is today.

If you’re looking for both an exciting and educational tour, then we’ve got excellent news for you – Gil’s Senior Tour to Spain is not only entertaining and enjoyable, but it also offers a unique insight into the architecture, art, culture and cuisine of Spain, as well as an insight into the life of Spain’s Jewish communities.

Welcome to the amazing Poland – home of many world’s wonders. Though Prague is certainly one of the most popular places to visit, there are other fascinating and historic cities that are famous in their own right. These centuries-old treasure troves of art, architecture, and culture occupy a major place in the country’s history and in the formation of Poland as we know it today. Wrocław, Gdańsk and Toruń are three such cities. These are great tourist destinations, filled with magnificent sites, monuments, museums, and architectural marvels, which will tell you this great country’s ancient story.

Beersheba is the largest city in the Negev desert, also called the "Capital of the Negev". This is Israel's national chess center, thanks to the Soviet immigrants. It is also in close proximity to the Ben Gurion University, as well. It was underestimated as a site to visit for quite a while, but that is changing as more people each year recognize the beauty and relevance of this unique and historical city, but also the major role it played both in the Biblical period and in the contemporary growth and development of the area.

The delicious, traditional Hungarian cuisine is the mirror of this country’s climate, fascinating history and rich culture, ethnic influences, but also influences of its neighbors and other countries. Over the centuries, the traditional food recipes have been passed down from parents to children, such as the famous goulash soup. The individual ingredients have been occasionally changed and recipes adapted with time, influenced by the Ottomans, French, Italians, and numerous other nations throughout history, and new foods from all parts of the world entered Hungarian kitchens. Yet, the traditional dishes remained. If you’re want to try Hungarian goulash, the famous fishermen's soup, vadas – hunter’s stew, paprikash, green pea stew, cabbage rolls, and much more, here are some restaurants you should visit.

The beautiful synagogues of Kraków in the Jewish District of Kazimierz are a unique collection of monuments of Jewish sacred architecture in Poland, the largest complex of its kind in Europe next to Prague, and a UNESCO world heritage site. Kraków was a prominent center of Jewish life before WWII, with at least ninety prayer-houses. The synagogues themselves are representations of almost all European architectural styles, such as Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassicism, Modernism, and many others. Only two are still active, while only the Remuh Synagogue serves as a house of prayer.

Jews came to Austria probably during the exodus of Jews from Judea under the Romans, and there was a Jewish community in Vienna for over eight hundred years, ever since Jews started settling in the area today known as Judenplatz around 1150. Over the centuries, the community grew, and Judenplatz got a Jewish hospital, a Synagogue, a bath house, a house of the Rabbi, and a Jewish school.

It is well known that Vienna is a global capital of all that is artistic. It is an absolute must on the list of places to visit for art lovers. Places like Natural History Museum, the House of Music, or Austrian Museum of Applied Arts will guarantee that you will not be bored for a single second, but will always have a chance to see an artistic wonder housed in Vienna’s museums and galleries. Here are three superb art complexes you can visit and enjoy any time of the year, though admittedly, it is best to explore them during nice and dry weather. 

Eastern Europe has been a home of Jewish communities for centuries. From the Czech Republic and Hungary, over Austria and Germany, to the vast land of Russia, the Jewish people have been living there, creating their homes, and preserving their tradition and culture. Various persecutions followed by World War II have decimated the Jewish community in Eastern European cities. However, we are witnessing a revival of Jewish communities in this region, and with them, the revival of Jewish culture. Kosher restaurants in particular seem to become increasingly popular. And while it’s easy to find a multitude of kosher eateries and Jewish observant-friendly eateries in this part of the world, it is unfortunately still somewhat difficult to find kosher hotels. Let’s check out some of the best ones you can stay at while on your trip to Eastern Europe.