A Guide To Planning Vacations in Kosher

It is understandable that you might be a bit overwhelmed with the task before you which involves finding a great place to bring your family during your Jewish holidays. After all, you will need to ensure that everyone will have a great experience during your vacation without worrying too much about whether their food is kosher or that there will be no access to an orthodox synagogue and the like. Just to give you an idea of what destinations you may want to consider, here are a few kosher vacation ideas that you might want to consider.

If you want to be in the lap of luxury during your kosher vacation, booking a cruise with Kosherica Kosher Cruises is a good option to consider since they have a fleet of five-star ocean liners that will take you to stunning destinations around the world. Expect to be served Cholov Yisroel, Gourmet Glatt Kosher, as well as Pas Yisroel food that are prepared fresh every day by their five-star kosher chefs who are under the strict supervision of Maritime Glatt Kosher or MGK. Aside from that, there will be lectures onboard the cruise from the top speakers within the Jewish community, as well as Daf Yomi’s, Minyanim, Mixers, as well as constant entertainment that will fill your days on the cruise.

Another option to consider for your kosher family vacations is the Latin America Kosher Safaris which is the second oldest company within the Gourmet kosher safari groups. It started in 2001 under Rabbi Yoni Isaacson’s brand which is the “Africa Kosher Safaris” and was quick enough to become highly popular in the Jewish community who are searching for a luxury kosher tourist company. The Gourmet Kosher Safari that is being offered by LAKS is not just your ordinary kosher and Shabbat themed way of traveling to different countries, but it offers a luxurious experience of enjoying stunning landscapes, and the chance to seeing wildlife up close. Expect a kosher chef to handle your kosher travel meals to ensure that they meet your expectations and beyond. Whether you want to experience Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, or explore the largest rainforest in Brazil, LAKS will take care of your needs from start to finish.

The Mediterranean Sea is home to beautiful cities, amazing archaeological sites, antiquities, as well as stunning beaches that it’s too good to pass up if you are looking for kosher vacation ideas. The countries that are part of the Mediterranean add more character, language, and culture to this trip that your kosher summer adventure is going to be one for the books. Among the countries that you will be visiting are Italy, Spain, France, and Portugal. A Kashrut supervisor will be on board the ship to ensure that your meals are prepared accordingly. Shabbat services as well as kiddush are included in the itinerary so you won’t be missing your services even when you are out enjoying your vacation with the whole family.

When it comes to your kosher vacation, Glatt Kosher Vacations can help you out. Among the kosher vacations that they are offering include Punta Cana in Dominican Republic which is fast becoming a favorite tourist hotspot. Guests of Glatt Kosher Vacations chose this spot not just because of the tropical wildlife or the stunningly clear waters but also because of the kosher resorts that are available here. Kosher meals are offered here as well which will fit with your tradition.

Exploring Jerusalem with Glatt Kosher Vacations is guaranteed to give you a one-of-a-kind experience in this country. You can enjoy the natural springs at Gan Hashlosha which is located at the bottom of Mount Gilboa where King Saul was killed during the battle with the Philistines. Explore the old city and get a chance to visit the tomb of King David which is found on Mt. Zion. There is also the Jaffa Gate, Mount Herzl, as well as the Holocaust memorial too which is very much part of the country’s history. By immersing yourself in this old country, your kosher vacation will be more meaningful.

If you will be bringing the whole family with you, you may need to consider looking for a kosher vacation that is not only following your traditions, but where everyone can have fun regardless of their age. That said, if you are wondering where to bring your family for a fun and exciting adventure, here are a few options you might want to consider.

Who would have thought that when it comes to kosher family vacations, Disney World fits the bill? Dubbed as “the most magical place on earth”, you can expect kosher food being served in restaurants here provided that you book a reservation for your food to be prepared according to strict kosher guidelines in advance. There are counter service locations within this theme park where you can get your kosher meals without the need for a kosher restaurant reservation. If you will be renting a car, your source of food that are kosher will definitely expand especially when you check out Chabad of South Orlando because they have an extensive listing of kosher restaurants as well as grocery stores that offer kosher products.

If you are a fan of both the amusement park and chocolate, there is one destination that you can head out to and that is Hershey Park. This is considered as the “sweetest place on earth” which is not surprising given that here is where the best chocolate can be found. Even if you are on a kosher vacation, you’ll still be able to enjoy your trip here because there is on-site kosher concession where there are plenty of food choices available like salads, sandwiches, and snacks just to name a few. You can even a kosher pizza delivered here too. While you are in Hershey’s Chocolate World, you can make your own candy bar because they have OU kosher certification plus, there are dozens of kosher chocolates that you can snack on while you are here.

When it comes to planning your kosher vacation, you will also need to consider where you will be staying in. Fortunately, Kosher Passover programs are being offered in several countries to cater to the Jewish community who wants to take their Pesach vacation to a whole new level. That said, here are a few hotels and resorts that are worth considering.

This luxury resort is part of the Waldorf Astoria Collection and sits on 356 lush acres that feature shaded pathways that wind around the resort with history and tradition mixed in between. They have hundreds of guest rooms as well as suites to accommodate their guests from all over the world. Onsite you’ll find a pristine private beach, championship golf course, clay tennis courts, as well as their high-end fitness center just to name a few. Their award-winning chefs ensure that all guests will be served tantalizing dishes that will make please your palate and honor your traditions. And if you are staying here for Pesach, trust that kosher food will be prepared and served accordingly.

Located in Palm Beach in Florida, PGA National Resort and Spa is a AAA 4-diamond luxury resort that is worth adding to your list of hotels to stay in during your kosher family vacations. Just a 15-minute drive from West Palm Beach airport and about 50 minutes away from Ft. Lauderdale airport, you’ll find multiple deluxe guest rooms as well as luxury suites that will make you feel right at home.

The facilities as well as recreational areas are available to use with their golf courses worth using. You can also take advantage of their religious services from a full children’s program, lecture series, as well as live entertainment during Chul Hamoed. Gourmet cuisine is served under the supervision of ORB to ensure that all dishes are kosher^[5].

If you are looking for kosher vacation ideas, you can use this as your guide to discovering more fun and interesting activities that you can do for your vacation. This way, you will be able to make your kosher Passover vacations more meaningful with these options.

[1] Totally Jewish Travel; Passover Programs.
[2] Kesher Kosher Tour; Summer Kosher Vacation and Tours.
[3] Glad Kosher Vacation; Yeshiva Winter Break 2020.
[4] The Sprouse Eats; Get Out Of Town: Your Guide To Kosher Travel, Miri Rotkovitz, July 17, 2019.
[5] Leisure Times Tours; PGA National, 2019.