JEWISH TRAVEL AGENCY

18/03/2024

I’m thrilled to announce that I was named a Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist in Heritage Travel for 2024!

23/12/2023

If Polar Region is on your bucket list, join this once-in-a-lifetime polar journey by luxury jet. On Itinerary Iceland, Greenland, Sonora Island Canada, Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Anchorage and Katmai, Alaska, Alta and Trondheim, Norway.
https://res.cloudinary.com/.../ArcticHorizon-Narrative-v3...
21 days Journey by Private Jet, only 50 seats, July 16-Aug 5.
Contact us for more information! [email protected]

30/11/2023

On the road again! I am attending the flagship global luxury event of the travel industry, ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market). It brings together travel professionals and suppliers offering luxury travel experiences at Palais
des Festivals in Cannes, France.
I am looking forward to see my old friends and suppliers, brainstorm ideas, and meet new ones.
Spending few nights in Antibes to rest will be ready for fun and work!
Also testing my new carryon Briggs and Riley! No it's not only one carryon! Maybe in the future... I checked in a large bag.


Flying on AA/BA. TPA-MIA-LHR-NCE

18/07/2023

17/07/2023

Its official! I will be leading a group to Cuba - support for Jewish Cuban People. January18-23, 2024. Min 12 people max 15.
https://jewishtravelagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CubaTrip2024.pdf
Please email [email protected] to join.

03/03/2022

I just got this from friends in Ukraine.

[12:49 PM, 3/3/2022] Aleksandr Kovalchuk: The whole Sumy region is now a territory of hell

There is no heating or electricity in Okhtyrka in the Sumy region, and Russian troops are bombing Sumy.
Source : Head of the Sumy Military Administration Dmytro Zhyvytskyi on the Rada TV channel.
Literally : "Now the suburbs of the city of Sumy are being bombed. In principle, the whole Sumy region is now a territory of hell, which is being destroyed by Russian troops."
Details : According to him, the engine room of Okhtyrka CHP was completely destroyed in Okhtyrka. No heating, no electricity.
[12:49 PM, 3/3/2022] Aleksandr Kovalchuk: "We are now thinking about how to take people out of the city, because in a day the apartment buildings will turn into a cold stone trap without water, light and electricity," Zhyvytskyi said.
The bombing of the city of Sumy began at about 18:00.
"They are bombing Nedrigailov, Boromlya, Bezdryk, Lebedyn. They are simply destroying the civilian population," the VCA chairman said.
[12:49 PM, 3/3/2022] Aleksandr Kovalchuk: He also appealed to the Russians to stop the genocide of Russia in Ukraine.
"This is no longer Putin. Putin is a crazy dwarf. And today ordinary Russians are killing our children, the elderly. They are just destroying our country. For no reason. It's just not clear why. Despite the fact that half of Okhtyrka has been destroyed, despite "We already have thousands of dead, Ukrainians will not stop. To the last person. As long as the last living Ukrainian, he will achieve that Russia as a country will not. Either the Russians will take to the streets and stop this genocide, or we will come and take revenge." , - he said.
[12:50 PM, 3/3/2022] Aleksandr Kovalchuk: He is going to kill us all. Annihilate from this world
[12:50 PM, 3/3/2022] Aleksandr Kovalchuk: The scorched earth policy

Source in Ukrainian

В Охтирці на Сумщині немає опалення й електроенергії, також російські війська бомбардують Суми.

23/12/2021

I will be leading a small group tour to Cuba. April 7 - 12, 2022. Details in the link below for details. Email me if you wish to join. [email protected]

Private Jewish support for the Cuban people tour April 7-12, 2022

31/10/2021

My Dubai blog. Since 2020 there was agreement between UAE and Israel. UAE became a third Arab nation to officially recognize Israel.
https://sophiastravel.com/dubai-trip-october-2021/

Specialties include Literary Tours, Food & Wine Journeys, Spa Indulgences, Family & Multi-Generational Explorations, and Cultural Immersions.

08/05/2021

Marketwatch interviewed Sophia about retirees returning to travel
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/after-a-year-of-staying-home-retirees-are-hitting-the-road-this-summer-heres-how-11620400216

Trips to Europe may be out this year, but seniors have lots of places they want to see

23/03/2021

“We were contacted by a family looking for a Heritage trip to Ukraine and looking for the person who saved their mother during World War II. She took a Jewish girl and hid her in her farm like Anne Frank and raised her together with her children. The woman who hid the girl was already deceased, bu...

17/03/2021

Luxury cruise line Crystal announced 7 nights cruises to remote islands of Bahamas. Book by May 1st, 2021 to get special rates. Contact us 727-254-4373
https://sophiastravel.com/.../2021_Bahamas_Crystal...

Specialties include Literary Tours, Food & Wine Journeys, Spa Indulgences, Family & Multi-Generational Explorations, and Cultural Immersions.

08/08/2020

Client Testimonial

06/07/2020

I hope everyone is doing well and you and your loved ones are healthy. While we are still observing social distancing, we are booking our clients travel in 2021.
With that's I am excited to announce new product - small ship cruise in Greece with Jewish Heritage theme.
https://jewishtravelagency.com/product/exodus-cruises-jewish-heritage-in-greece/
July 21-August 6, 2021.

Contact us for more info and reservation!

SOUTH AEGEAN CRUISE ABOARD M/S ‘HARMONY V’ 8 nights from 29th July – 6th August 2021

21/02/2020

We have thoughtfully planned an ambitious and active itinerary for this trip to take our delegation on a once-in-a lifetime trip back to our roots. This year we have included new special guests and local experiences into our trip in addition to the many historic sites and we will be offering our del...

21/02/2020

We are very excited to announce a Jewish Heritage tour to Lithuania and Poland run by Workers Circle
https://jewishtravelagency.com/product/jewish-journey-to-lithuania-and-poland-may-17-26-2020/

We have thoughtfully planned an ambitious and active itinerary for this trip to take our delegation on a once-in-a lifetime trip back to our roots. This year we have included new special guests and local experiences into our trip in addition to the many historic sites and we will be offering our del...

16/12/2019

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/holocaust-prisoners-in-n**i-concentration-camps-made-music-now-being-discovered-and-performed-60-minutes-2019-12-15/

More than 6 million people, most of them Jews, died in the Holocaust. The music they wrote as a temporary escape, however, did not, thanks in part to the efforts of an Italian composer and pianist.

11/12/2019

Klezmer music is very uplifting. Klezmer festivals however, not that common in North America and even Israel. In Europe, there are festivals in Krakow, Kiev and Lviv. We saw in Summer 2016. Below there is a video where you can see celebration of Klezmer with parade on Lviv street, showcasing Jewish wedding where actors and locals and tourists mix together, Jewish or non-Jewish. That's how celebration of Jewish life should be! If you are interested in going to Lviv for festival 2020, let us know.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCfaNd3dVFI&feature=youtu.be

клип снял Николай Рязанов

07/12/2019

My blog on Jewish Mallorca https://jewishtravelagency.com/jewish-majorca-exploration-blog/

November 2019 – Jewish Majorca exploration. I visited Palma de Mallorca (spelled “Majorca” in English & German) and it was fascinating to find out about Jewish history. Unlike other countries..

06/12/2019

The Ephrussis’ Russian story was a classic tale of early modern capitalists – but well before their peers.

15/10/2019

For Immediate Release
October 14, 2019

JTA New Web Site Caters to Jewish Travelers

Jewish Travel Agency has recently redesigned its web site, making it easier for Jewish-interest travelers to find the type of international trips or arrangements best suited to their needs.

Two Types of Travelers

According to JTA’s founder, Sophia Kulich, the redesigned web site addresses two main types of Jewish-interest travelers, each with their own needs: those who want to delve into Jewish heritage, and travelers seeking Kosher arrangements.

Heritage Travelers want to combine their travels with sites of Jewish interest. They may also be seeking their roots and places associated with their family history, she explains. Heritage travelers may or may not be religious, but they identify with Jewish culture.

Kosher Travelers—whether traveling for pleasure, to see family, or on business—tend to be observant, seeking Kosher food and establishments. Access to a nearby synagogue for Sabbath services is important.

New Web Site Simplifies Planning

For Heritage travelers, the new JTA web site organizes offerings by customized Jewish heritage itineraries, river cruises and cruise excursions, covering destinations from western Europe to Japan. Of special interest are personalized itineraries tracing family roots, often in former eastern bloc countries like Poland and Ukraine.

The web site also features small group Jewish heritage tours, which are often accompanied by Sophia herself. These tours uncover the Jewish legacy of countries ranging from Germany to Uzbekistan, exploring the regions’ history, as well as their Jewish past and present and featuring meetings with local Jewish communities.

For Kosher and observant travelers, JTA’s web site features a selection of kosher hotels and restaurants in England, France, Italy and the Czech Republic. JTA also arranges kosher accommodations in a variety of other destinations upon request.

Reservations and More Information

JTA tours and travel arrangements are commissionable to travel advisors. For more information on JTA’s custom and small group services and itineraries, phone (727) 254-4373, email [email protected], or visit www.jewishtravelagency.com.

Founded in 1993, Jewish Travel Agency provides cultural heritage tours for small groups, as well as specialized services including independent travel arrangements and shore excursions of Jewish interest.

-END-

Contact:
Linda Kundell
Kundell Communications
[email protected]
212-877-2798

16/09/2019

16/09/2019

For Immediate Release
September 16, 2019

Jewish Heritage Travel: Uncovering the Past

According to Sophia Kulich, a specialist in Jewish heritage travel and owner of Jewish Travel Agency, growing numbers of Jewish travelers want to discover the places associated with their family’s history. Sophia points out that more than 26 million people have taken an at-home ancestry DNA test, and the number of people joining databases such as Ancestry.com and 23andme.com have grown exponentially.

Kulich’s specialty in heritage travel predates her entry into the travel field. Born in the Ukraine, Kulich’s interest in her Jewish heritage led her to explore synagogues and sites associated with Judaism during her journeys. “When I got into the travel business it was a natural progression for me. I saw that people wanted to explore their heritage, but they didn’t know how to do it,” she says.

Heritage Travel involves Detective Work

Building an individual heritage journey involves detective work, says Kulich. “Sometimes people don’t know much about their family, but they may know that their great grandparents came from a specific town. “

To uncover the past, Kulich works with local researchers who specialize in genealogy. “Through local archives they can find addresses, and sometimes even a branch of the family who lived in another town,” she says. Researching a family’s history may involve additional clues like finding former neighbors or friends, and—as is the case with the Holocaust-- people who may have sheltered a Jewish person or family during the war, notes Kulich.

“We take our travelers to the sites associated with their family’s history, and adapt their travel itinerary to uncover these places,” she says, adding that a heritage trip is often the trip of a lifetime. “A private tour may uncover Jewish life that in many instances can be traced back to the Middle Ages.”

Accordingly, Sophia’s itineraries incorporate traditional highlights along with her genealogical finds. For instance, in addition to the well-known ancient Jewish Cemetery in Prague, Sophia includes the town of Trebic, which has the best-preserved Jewish quarter in the country. In Ukraine, Sophia includes Kyev and Odesa, along with villages in the Carpathian mountains; while in Poland, itineraries may visit Gdansk, home of the Solidarity Movement, along with Auschwitz; and Germany trips may include the castles and the Berlin Wall in addition to sites associated with World War II.

Planning a Heritage trip.

Kulich offers advice for Jewish travelers who may be planning their own heritage trip.

-Find out as much as possible about your family history. Research should be done as much in advance of your trip as possible.

-Locate a good resource or a local guide. For instance, in the case of Jewish cemeteries you would need someone who understands Hebrew and Jewish traditions.

-Remember that former villages may be empty fields today. Without a guide you may not know that this empty field was once a village.

-A memorial, grave, or even parts of old cemeteries may today be on someone’s private property, so you may have to seek permission to visit.

-Be prepared for the possibility that your research may not yield results, even if you spend money hiring researchers. Research work is tedious, and may involve hours pouring through documents in archives, sometimes without guaranteed results.

Reservations and More Information

For information on Jewish Travel Agency’s family heritage itineraries or small-group tours contact phone (727) 254-4373, email [email protected], or visit www.jewishtravelagency.com.

Founded in 1993, Jewish Travel Agency provides cultural heritage tours for small groups, as well as specialized services including independent travel arrangements and shore excursions of Jewish interest.
-END-

Contact:
Linda Kundell
Kundell Communications
[email protected]
212-877-2798

06/09/2019

We have a new website! Check it out! www.jewishtravelagency.com

22/07/2019

For Immediate Release
July 22, 2019

Jewish Heritage Travel: Uncovering the Past

According to Sophia Kulich, a specialist in Jewish heritage travel and owner of Jewish Travel Agency, growing numbers of Jewish travelers want to discover the places associated with their family’s history. Sophia points out that more than 26 million people have taken an at-home ancestry DNA test, and the number of people joining databases such as Ancestry.com and 23andme.com have grown exponentially.

Kulich’s specialty in heritage travel predates her entry into the travel field. Born in the Ukraine, Kulich’s interest in her Jewish heritage led her to explore synagogues and sites associated with Judaism during her journeys. “When I got into the travel business it was a natural progression for me. I saw that people wanted to explore their heritage, but they didn’t know how to do it,” she says.

Heritage Travel involves Detective Work

Building an individual heritage journey involves detective work, says Kulich. “Sometimes people don’t know much about their family, but they may know that their great grandparents came from a specific town. “

To uncover the past, Kulich works with local researchers who specialize in genealogy. “Through local archives they can find addresses, and sometimes even a branch of the family who lived in another town,” she says. Researching a family’s history may involve additional clues like finding former neighbors or friends, and—as is the case with the Holocaust-- people who may have sheltered a Jewish person or family during the war, notes Kulich.

“We take our travelers to the sites associated with their family’s history, and adapt their travel itinerary to uncover these places,” she says, adding that a heritage trip is often the trip of a lifetime. “A private tour may uncover Jewish life that in many instances can be traced back to the Middle Ages.”

Accordingly, Sophia’s itineraries incorporate traditional highlights along with her genealogical finds. For instance, in addition to the well-known ancient Jewish Cemetery in Prague, Sophia includes the town of Trebic, which has the best-preserved Jewish quarter in the country. In Ukraine, Sophia includes Kyev and Odesa, along with villages in the Carpathian mountains; while in Poland, itineraries may visit Gdansk, home of the Solidarity Movement, along with Auschwitz; and Germany trips may include the castles and the Berlin Wall in addition to sites associated with World War II.

Planning a Heritage trip.

Kulich offers advice for Jewish travelers who may be planning their own heritage trip.

-Find out as much as possible about your family history. Research should be done as much in advance of your trip as possible.

-Locate a good resource or a local guide. For instance, in the case of Jewish cemeteries you would need someone who understands Hebrew and Jewish traditions.

-Remember that former villages may be empty fields today. Without a guide you may not know that this empty field was once a village.

-A memorial, grave, or even parts of old cemeteries may today be on someone’s private property, so you may have to seek permission to visit.

-Be prepared for the possibility that your research may not yield results, even if you spend money hiring researchers. Research work is tedious, and may involve hours pouring through documents in archives, sometimes without guaranteed results.

Reservations and More Information

For information on Jewish Travel Agency’s family heritage itineraries or small-group tours contact phone (727) 254-4373, email [email protected], or visit www.jewishtravelagency.com.

Founded in 1993, Jewish Travel Agency provides cultural heritage tours for small groups, as well as specialized services including independent travel arrangements and shore excursions of Jewish interest.
-END-

Contact:
Linda Kundell
Kundell Communications
[email protected]
212-877-2798

12/07/2019

Here is a slideshow of our trip to Uzbekistan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50UATqNFfno

June 2019 travel to central asia for its beauty, people and following the silk and spice road.

20/06/2019

Russian children performing in Almaty for dance competition.

17/06/2019

Come to Ukraine!

For Immediate Release June 17, 2019

17/06/2019

https://www.jewishtravelagency.com//product/ukraine-press-release-june-2019

For Immediate Release June 17, 2019

05/05/2019

If you are looking for charity, please donate to Jewish Museum of Bialystok, even little amount helps. They prefer small donations from many people. Please spread the world to keep memories alive!
https://www.jewishbialystok.pl/become-a-patron,5596.html

02/05/2019

Palazzo Vecchio has authorised the laying of stumbling stones in Florence.

Known as “Stolpersteine”, or “stumbling stones”, there are now more than 70,000 such memorial blocks laid in more than 1,200 cities and towns across Europe and Russia. Each commemorates a victim of the Holocaust outside their last-known freely chosen residence.

The stones represent a new vision of urban remembrance. The inscription on each stone begins “Here lived”, followed by the victim’s name, date of birth, and fate: internment, su***de, exile or, in the vast majority of cases, deportation and murder.

To read the stone, you must bow before the victim.

Unlike some other memorials that focus on specific persecuted groups, the Stolpersteine honour all victims of the N**i regime, including Jewish, Sinti, Roma, disabled, dissident, and Afro-German and “asocial” citizens. The 70,000th Stolperstein was laid for W***y Zimmerer, a German man with learning disabilities murdered at Hadamar psychiatric hospital outside of Frankfurt.

Stolpersteine remain a grassroots initiative. Local groups – often residents of a particular street, or schoolchildren working on a project – come together to research the biographies of local victims, and to raise the €120 it costs to install each stone.

Together, the Stolpersteine now constitute the largest decentralised monument in the world. The small, powerful works were designed in the early 90s by German Artist Gunter Demnig. They are called stumbling stones because they cause passers-by to stumble and then remember what happened there, at that precise point of the city, during the n**i occupation.

The first will be laid in Florence on January 27, 2020, and there will be fifty, placed on the footpaths in front of the houses of some of the over 300 Jews taken in the raids of 1943, of which just 17 came back.

The stones are brass square plates (10 x10 CM), set in the pavement in front of the house of the victims of the deportations and engraved with their names, the dates of their capture and, when known, that of their death.