27 April – 4 May 2025

Explore the islands' complex wartime history and stunning landscapes as we uncover their jewish stories

Until recently there has been little public acknowledgement that the Nazis occupied British sovereign territory during World War II. However, with excavations of Lager Sylt, the forced labour camp on Alderney, during the last few years, the installation of stolpersteine memorials on Jersey and Guernsey this summer, and the UK’s presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) in 2024-25, the occupation and its legacy is now being addressed more closely.

This problematic but fascinating historical episode will be the main focus of a new tour of the Channel Islands planned by JR for spring 2025. We will visit relevant sites, enjoy talks by experts in the field, and find out about artists whose work engages creatively with the Channel Islands’ complex history. There will also be opportunities to meet the local Jewish community and soak up the views as we explore dramatic landscapes and the spectacular coastline.

Led by art historian Monica Bohm-Duchen and JR's Executive Director Dr Aviva Dautch, plus guest speakers.

This tour is arranged in association with Travel Counsellors and is for Jewish Renaissance subscribers only. Not currently a subscriber? Click here to subscribe.

Tour info

Destination: Guernsey (3 nights), Jersey (4 nights), plus day-trip to Alderney.
Dates: Sunday 27 April – Sunday 4 May 2025.
Cost*: £2,195pp sharing a double/twin room, £395 single supplement.
Transfers: The cost above includes coach, boat and flight transfers on and between the three islands. It does not include travel to the Guernsey hotel, which is the start point of the tour, and from Jersey airport, which is the end point of the tour.
Deposit required: £845pp by 7 February 2025 (refundable in the case that the tour does not go ahead; final payment by 24 March 2025).

*Price includes luxury four-star accommodation; all coach travel throughout the tour, plus ferries and/or flights between the islands; all entrance tickets, guided tours and extra lectures; all applicable taxes and tips; and all breakfasts, plus three dinners and two lunches (not including alcohol). All food provided will be vegetarian or pescatarian (no seafood/non-kosher fish).

**Deadline for applications and deposits is 7 February 2025. If the numbers aren’t viable, you will be informed and refunded by 12 February. Once the trip is confirmed, the deposit is non-refundable.

Please note that although Jewish Renaissance is arranging this trip, the travel company you are contracting with is Travel Counsellors, who are making all the bookings within the above package and providing your package protection (IATA and PTS registered and bonded) – this covers all elements of the tour as described above, but does not include issues caused by your flights or individual circumstances. It is highly important that you also arrange your own individual travel insurance.

We will be spending Shabbat in Jersey, where the hotel is within a 20-30-minute walk of the synagogue, but across tough terrain. We will offer coach transfers, but if you are Shabbat observant, please note that you will need to be confident in your ability to cope with a strenuous walk.

This is a high-end tour, in both comfort and quality, however Jewish Renaissance has partially subsidised the single supplement to help lower the cost and overall has set the price as low as possible, so that cost isn’t a barrier. If you would like to support this tour or JR’s work with a voluntary contribution, please donate here.

Please note, this tour involves a substantial amount of walking. If you have mobility or accessibility issues, please contact us via tours@jewishrenaissance.org.uk before booking.

ARE YOU A SUBSCRIBER?

JR Tours are open to subscribers only. Subscriptions start at £28/a and can be purchased at subscribe.jewishrenaissance.org.uk.

RESERVE YOUR PLACE

Please complete the form below to reserve a place on this tour. If you require assistance completing the form, please contact the JR office on 020 7794 5254 or tours@jewishrenaissance.org.uk. Once your form is received and your JR subscription confirmed, you will be contacted regarding payment for your deposit.