Being a traveling Jew can be difficult at times. Picture yourself strolling down a busy marketplace in Thailand or Vietnam. Imagine yourself in a place in the world where the street food is as much of a tourist attraction as their historical sites are. Isn’t it tempting to grab a bite or two? Unfortunately, you can’t have a taste of it because the food is not kosher. Instances like that are one of the many hardships that Jews face when traveling to countries that aren’t known for having a sizeable Jewish community. Unless they’re traveling with a Jewish trip company, they’re probably going to encounter these little problems along the way. Is the Restaurant Really Kosher? On many occasions, you might have encountered restaurants that like to promote that they serve kosher food at their establishment. Unfortunately, they couldn’t be any further from the truth. Sure, they don’t have pork or seafood dishes. But the rules of kashrut aren’t only about the types of food being served. The preparation is just as important. Ensure first that the restaurant is really under kosher supervision before ordering anything. Are they willing to share how the animal has been slaughtered? Are the utensils they use for preparing meat dishes separated from the ones they use for dairy? Does the Supermarket sell Kosher products? If a market claims that they sell kosher products, then their packaged goods should have the symbols that indicate they are. For places that have a kosher section, all their products in that area should be kosher. Kosher and non-kosher products can only be displayed with each other if they are both in their original casings and are unopened. If they don’t actually sell any kosher goods, then the foodstuffs you can buy will be very, very limited. Solutions You Can Take Fortunately for us, there are a few options that we can take to lessen the trouble of keeping kosher. One is to search for Chabad houses in the area you’ll be headed for. Most of the time, they offer accommodations and serve kosher meals. And if they don’t, they’ll be happy to point you in the right direction. Another is to sign up with Jewish tour companies, like those that have kosher riverboat cruises. Not only will you get to eat kosher food to your heart’s content, but you can also join their other activities if you want. And the last option is to cook your own meals, but that’s just not as fun, isn’t it?
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Italy birthed the Renaissance cultural movement. Machiavelli, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Petrarca spearheaded this "rebirth" movement during the revival of classical art and intellect of Ancient Rome. It's only fair that you visit at least one of Italy's many renaissance museums. Here are some of the breathtaking museums you can visit on our Kosher Europe Tours: The Vatican Museums Founded by Pope Julius in 1506, the sacred grounds of the Vatican houses Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, Raphael's Rooms, and several Renaissance artists Caravaggio’s, Da Vinci’s, Giotto’s, Lippi’s, and Perugino’s masterpieces. This is easily the most visited museum in the whole of Italy. The 43,000 square meters of this museum holds a multitude of intriguing exhibits, popular exhibits being the archeological sites Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis and Excavations of St. John Lateran. Address: Viale Vaticano, Vatican City, Rome Operational hours: Monday to Saturday -- 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. (closed on Sundays and other religious holidays) Last call for entry: 3:00 pm. Entrance can be booked every 30 minutes. On-line reservation fee: 5 euros per ticket. Accademia Gallery Famous for its collection of artworks by Michelangelo, particularly the giant "David" sculpture, and Galleria dell’Accademia. They recently updated their exhibits. Their most recent edition is the Museum of Musical Instruments which holds artworks by Stradivari and Bartolomeo Cristofori, creator of the piano, commissioned by the Medici family. Address: Via Ricasoli 58-60 – near Piazza San Marco. Operational hours: Tuesday to Sunday-- 8:15 am to 6:50 pm. (closed on Monday) Last call for entry: 6:00 pm. Entrance fee: Tickets vary Leonardo da Vinci Science and Technology Museum The largest science and technology museum in Italy is a fan favorite among children. The Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Technologia Leonardo da Vinci has the best selection of exhibits enjoyed by young children and adults alike. They vary from the original illustrations of Da Vinci himself to interactive labs and even an entire space devoted to science for young children. Address: Via San Vittore, 21, 20123 Milano Operational hours: Tuesday - Friday: 9:30 - 17:00 Saturday and holidays: 9:30 - 18:30 (Closed on Mondays) Last call for entry: 30 minutes before closing time Entrance fee: 10 Euros, 7.50 Euros (concession), 4.50 Euros (School) National Archeology Museum of Naples Commissioned by King Charles II in the late 18th century, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli is home to the grandest collections of Greek and Roman antiquities, gems, mosaics, sculptures, glass and silver work, and a collection of Roman erotica from the ruins of Pompeii—many of which were excavated from Herculaneum, and neighboring archaeological sites. Location: Piazza Museo 19, 80135 Napoli Operational Hours: Wednesdays to Mondays 9:00 - 7:30 pm (closed on all Tuesdays and January 1, May 1, December 25) Last call for entry: 6:30 p.m. closed Tuesdays and Jan 1, May 1, Dec 25 Embark on our river cruise and explore Italy's museums with Kosher River Cruises. For more information on our tour schedules, feel free to contact us. We will be more than happy to help you.
For the Jewish traveler who’s searching for luxury while on an exotic adventure, there’s nothing quite like hopping aboard a kosher river cruise ship as it meanders down the waterways of the great Amazon River. These cruises often boast that they have something for everyone, so what are some of the features and activities you can expect while traveling on these riverboats? Exploring the Rainforest and the Wildlife Part of their itineraries often involve an immersive tour through the regions of the Amazon, like the Rio Negro and the Solimoes. That means you can have the chance to go trekking through their rainforests, letting you have a firsthand view of their natural wonders. These will be complemented with onboard shows and lectures by guest naturalist speakers to enlighten you further. If you’re up for something that will give you a rush of adrenaline, you can try swimming with pink dolphins, watch caimans, go bird-watching, or maybe fish for the world famous (and deadly) piranhas! The best part of all these is at the end of the day, you can head back to the comfort of your luxury boat’s cabin without a worry in the world. Meeting the Locals Don’t just get immersed into the rainforest — why not get in touch with the people who live there? Cruise tours will also give you the opportunity to visit the many indigenous villages that dot the region. Let yourself be amazed at their ability to make a living in the Amazon River and gain an appreciation for their culture. Onboard Synagogues and Kosher Meals Kosher cruises aren’t called kosher for nothing. Expect the riverboat to have its own synagogue complete with daily davening with minyanim and Shabbat programs. Your meals will all also be completely Glatt kosher, as they will be strictly supervised by the boat’s Rav Hamachshir. The chefs might even surprise you with kosher versions of local cuisine. Let’s Go on An Adventure of A Lifetime Want to go on an exciting luxury kosher cruise this year? Cruise lines like KRC and Kosherica are offering trips to the Amazon and other breathtaking destinations around the world, so feel free to get in touch with them anytime! Are you planning on going on a Jewish vacation to Europe? You might be having a hard time deciding between going solo or joining a group for with a kosher touring service. After all, they each both have their own advantages and disadvantages. So let's help you weigh your options, shall we? Go Solo When: You Want Complete Freedom The freedom to go and do whatever you want during your trip is one of the biggest draws of traveling by yourself. You can stick to a strict schedule that you've made for yourself, or go with the flow and do what you feel like doing for the day. Or maybe you'd prefer to stay in your hotel or your Chabad house lodgings. The choice is yours. However, you should also keep your budget in mind. Tours tend to cost more upfront, but you might find yourself saving more money in the long run. You may think that you're being thrifty by staying in cheap accommodations, taking public transportation, or cooking your own food instead of searching for a place that serves kosher meals. But if you don't watch your spending carefully, your travel allowance could dry up sooner than you'd think. You Want Alone Time Many travelers use their solo trips as a time for self-reflection and character building. Many profess that they have learned a lot about themselves and what they can do while traveling alone. However, if you are someone who isn't used to not having a constant companion, this type of traveling can get you lonely very quickly. Go For Group Tours When: You Want Everything Planned Out for You If you don't have the time or simply don't want the headache of planning your itinerary, accommodations, or your transportation, then joining a tour is your best option. You most likely won't even have to worry about your meals either, especially if you'll be going on a cruise tour. You also have the option of not joining the guided tour and just having the rest of your trip planned out. Another plus is that traveling by group is usually cheaper since you can avail group discounts that you normally can't when on your own. You Want Safety in Numbers Although solo traveling is not as dangerous as many people make it out to be (as long as you act smart), group travel can offer you better security-- and put worrying relatives' minds at ease. Should you get lost and feel uncomfortable, you'll have people out there who will look out for you. Another side perk is that you'll have an experienced tour guide at the helm to show you the best places and bargains in town. They have insider knowledge that you might not get if you were on your own. So, what will your decision be? Will you opt for a Europe kosher tour, or will you be going off on your own and explore the great continent by yourself? Whatever it may be, don't forget to have fun on your trip! |
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