CENTRAL EUROPE & SPAIN PORTUGAL DISCOVERY

We have provided the following sample itinerary to give you a better sense of this experience. The actual program may vary, and an itinerary will be distributed no later than two weeks before the program begins. Even after the itinerary is sent, adjustments may still be made in coordination with tour guides and the tour operator—both leading up to and during the program—based on local conditions.

DAY 1 | DEPARTURE FLIGHT
Meet your staff and teens at the airport before traveling together to Europe on an overnight flight. The program starts with our Central Europe Discovery program. Once we land, your trip officially begins! We’ll break the ice with some fun and engaging activities so that you get to know everyone in the group. To learn more about how we organize travel to and from the program,  click here.

DAY 2–3 | BERLIN, GERMANY
Our adventure begins in Berlin, Germany’s vibrant capital city, known for its dynamic history and cultural landmarks. We’ll explore Sanssouci Gardens and the iconic palaces of Berlin, followed by a visit to Teufelsberg, a former Cold War spy station with stunning views of the city. Walk through the monumental Brandenburg Gate and visit Berlin’s striking Holocaust Memorials. A walking tour of Berlin’s Jewish Quarter will include visits to the New Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, and the Rosenstrasse Women's Memorial. We’ll also explore remnants of the Berlin Wall at the East Side Gallery and connect with local Jewish teens over dinner.

DAY 4–6 | PRAGUE, CZECHIA
Travel south through the scenic countryside to Prague, where we’ll dive into the heart of Europe’s most picturesque city. Explore the historic Jewish Quarter, including Franz Kafka’s home and the legendary “Prague Golem.” We’ll take in panoramic views from Petrin Hill, visit the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and paddleboard on the Vltava River. Celebrate Shabbat at a local synagogue, explore the vibrant Old Town Square, and enjoy a concert at the Spanish Synagogue. Experience a group night out and a Havdalah ceremony in the beautiful city of a hundred spires.

DAY 7–9 | VIENNA, AUSTRIA
We’ll head to Vienna, where history meets elegance. Enjoy thrilling activities like white-water rafting at the Vienna Watersports Arena and exploring the opulent Schönbrunn Palace. We’ll visit Leopoldstadt, Vienna’s historic Jewish neighborhood, and explore the Stadttempel, the only synagogue to survive the pogrom of 1938. Walk through Judenplatz and see the Monument Against War and Fascism. Don’t miss a visit to Prater Amusement Park for a ride on the Riesenrad Ferris wheel and explore the underworld at the Seegrotte Caves.

DAY 10–12 | KRAKÓW, POLAND
Cross into Poland and arrive in the charming mountain town of Zakopane. We’ll hike the Lower Tatras Mountains, relax at Bukovina’s thermal pools, and learn to make traditional Polish highland cheese at Muzeum Oscypka. Next, we’ll head to Kraków, where we’ll honor Jewish history with visits to Kazimierz, the Galicia Museum, and the Oscar Schindler Factory. A solemn day will be spent at Auschwitz-Birkenau to learn about the Holocaust, with a reflection session at the restored Oswiecim Synagogue.

DAY 13–16 | WARSAW, POLAND
Conclude your journey in Warsaw, a city of resilience and renewal. We’ll explore the remains of the Warsaw Ghetto, visit the Umschlagplatz, and learn about the Jewish Uprising at the Route of Heroes and Rappaport Memorial. Teens will engage in a dialogue with local Polish students and enjoy a kayak tour followed by a campfire in the woods outside Warsaw. Wrap up your time in Europe with a final group night out in Old Town Warsaw and a wrap-up session in Saxon Garden.

DAY 17–19 | LISBON, PORTUGAL
Teens will continue to build on this awe-inspiring adventure by connecting into our  Spain & Portugal Discovery program. Our adventure begins in the coastal capital of Portugal, Lisbon. We’ll kick off with a panoramic tour of the city, exploring its historic charm and vibrant streets. Enjoy a scenic boat tour with music as you take in beautiful views of Lisbon from the water. Visit Sintra Natural Park where you'll explore hidden trails, caves, and the stunning Pena National Palace. Don’t miss the bluffs of Roca Cape, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, and take in the scenic beaches of Cascais along the Atlantic coast. We’ll spend our first Shabbat together in Europe at Synagogue Shaare Tikvah with a delicious dinner and time to relax. Our walking tour of Lisbon includes stops at the Monument of Discoveries, Cristo Rei Statue, and the iconic Belém Tower, providing insights into Portugal’s rich history and culture.

DAY 20 | SEVILLE, SPAIN
Next, we’re off to Spain! In Seville, we’ll visit the renowned Plaza De Toros De La Real Maestranza, the largest and most important bullfighting ring in Spain. Explore the historic Royal Alcázar of Seville, the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe, and climb the Giralda bell tower for a panoramic view of the city. Reflect on history at Christopher Columbus’ tomb before heading to Seville Castle’s hedge maze. After soaking in Seville’s vibrant atmosphere, we travel to Marbella.

DAY 21–22 | MARBELLA, SPAIN
Enjoy exciting water sports and swimming at a local water park in Marbella. We’ll then explore Málaga with visits to the bustling Atarazanas market and the stunning Torcal de Antequera national park, known for its unique limestone rock formations. There’s plenty of time to unwind and explore the coastal beauty of Marbella before we continue our journey.

DAY 23 | GRANADA, SPAIN
Stroll the historic streets of Granada and visit the Cathedral and Capilla Real, the Royal Chapel that houses the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella. End the day with relaxation and a cultural experience at the Traditional Hammam Baths in Cordoba, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploration.

DAY 24 | CÓRDOBA, SPAIN
Discover the history and beauty of Córdoba on a tour of the Mezquita, a stunning architectural blend of mosque and cathedral, and explore the Casa de Sefarad Museum and Judería de Córdoba. The Jewish Quarter offers a glimpse into the city’s rich Sephardic heritage, with its narrow streets and historic landmarks.

DAY 25–29 | MADRID, SPAIN
Our journey concludes in Madrid, where we’ll welcome Shabbat with the local Jewish community. Explore Madrid’s vibrant heart with visits to Plaza España, Plaza Mayor, and the majestic Royal Palace of Madrid. Take a serene break in Buen Retiro Park, and discover the artistic wonders of the Museo Nacional Centro De Arte Reina Sofía, showcasing works by masters like Dalí and Picasso. We’ll also take a trip to Toledo, with a panoramic view from the historic Alcázar Fortress, and participate in a fun cooking class where you can learn to make traditional Spanish dishes. Our final night will be celebrated with a special dinner and a Flamenco show at Tablao Flamenco Torres Bermejas—an unforgettable way to cap off your adventure.

DAY 30 | RETURN FLIGHT
It’s never goodbye, just see you later. Head to the airport for a flight back to the United States. Give your friends one last hug and part ways once your flight arrives at the airport. While your summer trip with us is over, the memories you’ve made will last a lifetime!

Our most frequently asked questions about this program are answered below. Additional program-wide FAQs are also available. Still need something? We’re here to help! Contact us. 

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How will my teen travel to the program?
BBYO requires all North American participants to fly on the group supervised flight for this program. Flight costs are not included in the program’s land cost. BBYO will purchase a ticket for each traveler and charge the family directly. The flight cost for programs with supervised flight options will be announced, along with the flight details for all programs, in the spring. The supervised flight for this program will depart from the New York City area, typically Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Learn more about flying to the program.

Where will my teen be sleeping?
The group stays in a variety of 3-star hotels in Europe. When booking accommodations, we request for each teen to have their own sleeping accommodations in a shared living space. On a rare occasion, your teen may share a large bed with another teen of the same gender. We try to avoid this as best as possible, but sometimes have limitations due to hotel space.

How is the program staffed?
Each group is accompanied by a team of madrichim (counselors), a local European tour leader, and a bus driver. Senior field staff also circulate between our groups for extra support. Staff names are sent out approximately 2–3 weeks prior to your departure as part of the pre-trip preparation emails. Staff are asked to make welcome calls to teens before departure. Feel free to ask them any remaining questions you may have. Learn more about our staff team.

What’s the summer weather like?
In Central Europe, expect mild-to-warm weather, with daytime temperatures ranging from the 60s to low 80s, and cooler evenings dipping into the 50s. Rain is common in the summer, so plan accordingly.

In Spain and Portugal, summers are typically hot and dry, with daytime temperatures often in the 80s to 90s. The sun can be quite strong, especially in coastal areas, so be sure to pack sunscreen and sun protection.

How do you approach security?
The safety of the teens under our care is our guiding consideration. Learn more about our organization’s approach to safety & security.

What’s the typical group size?
Although it varies from year to year, our average group size for Europe is 35-42 teens. Some teens choose to sign up together with a friend or two and most teens choose to come on their own. Either way, our participants will have the opportunity to meet a diverse group of peers from various locations across North America which makes exploring a new place together even more exciting. On some programs, we might have multiple parties from the same area register together. In this case, we are unable to inform families when this occurs and though we are always willing to share the group dynamics of the current registrations, we typically have a good idea of the general group make up after our cancellation deadline.

What’s the food like?
Teens will sample a variety of local cuisines, including schnitzel, pierogies, and spätzle in Central Europe, and tapas, paella, and churros in Spain and Portugal. Meals will range from hotel buffets to restaurant dining and cash allowance meals, where teens can explore local eateries on their own. When traveling, your teen may encounter new foods that will not be to their liking, so we ask teens to be flexible and have snacks and other alternatives on hand just in case.

As a travel-based program, our meals take a variety of forms and may include hotel buffets, restaurants, catered meals, and allowance funds for participants to purchase a meal on their own. When a meal is served in a public buffet format (e.g. hotel breakfast), we will always ensure that there are vegetarian, pescatarian, or dairy options available and we will not restrict teens from eating the food of their choice.

Some meals may be provided via a cash allowance where teens will be given money to purchase the food of their choice, called a pizur meal. Such meals are typically arranged in an area where there are multiple restaurant options and teens can choose the food of their liking. When time is limited for meal choice, staff may choose to facilitate meal orders on behalf of teens using their allowance funds.

Participants with special dietary needs (i.e. lactose intolerance, gluten-free, kosher, etc.) should review our dietary restrictions commitment document and contact us in advance to be sure we can accommodate your needs during the program.

Will I need a visa?
Starting in 2025, the European Commission will roll out a U.S. style electronic travel authorization system for visitors from countries that are currently not part of the EU. Additional information about this system can be found here: https://etias.com/.

ETIAS, or the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, must be applied for online prior to arrival to the EU. Each eligible traveller, regardless of age, will require an ETIAS to visit EU member countries. Citizens of countries that have visa-free access to European Union countries will require an ETIAS. Dual citizens that hold passports to an EU and ETIAS-eligible country will not require an ETIAS if they enter and exit Europe using their EU passport.

The following data will be required for each ETIAS application: personal biometric data (e.g. name, gender, data of birth, etc), passport or travel document information, EU member state of entry, background questions on an applicant's health, criminal record as well as previous EU immigration history.

Fee: The cost of an ETIAS is €7, however, individuals under the age of 18, or over the age of 70, will not need to pay the fee.

What are the payment and cancellation terms?
All of these details are available here: Registration Terms.

For more information, check out our general FAQs or the pre-trip preparation manual.

Looking to combine two experiences for an extended summer of adventure, learning, and self-discovery? BBYO makes it easy! This trip connects our Central Europe Discovery program with our Spain & Portugal Discovery program. Check out these other trips that connect into one of these two European experiences:

• Ultimate Central Europe Israel
• Ultimate Spain & Portugal Israel

Learn more about our trip connections.