Kosher?
Fresh
or Frozen?
Chalav
Yisrael?
About
Traveling with Kosher Exotic Tours
Judaism
& Kashrut
Prayers
During the Trip
Observance
of Shabbat
Kashrut
Solutions by Destination
What type
of kosher food does Kosher Exotic Tours offer?
We offer the strictest glatt kosher meals anywhere in the travel industry.
This is not ‘kosher style’ meals. Knowing and understanding the
uncompromising requirements of the kosher consumer, we have established and
cultivated relationships with many of the top glatt kosher caterers across
the globe. We have worked with many of these caterers for our groups for more
than five years already.
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Are the meals fresh
or frozen?
That depends on the destination and nature of the group. In many destinations
we have relationships with caterers and restaurants and the meals are freshly
prepared accordingly. In destinations without caterers or restaurants, the
meals are prepared by the nearest kosher caterer and shipped to the respective
destination(s).
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Do you offer Chalav
Yisrael?
Upon request, we can offer Cholov Yisroel items in most destinations. However,
please note that most countries outside the US, Israel, and the UK do not
have Cholov Yisroel milk.
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About
Traveling with Kosher Exotic Tours…..
• Kosher Exotic Tours is committed to providing you with the highest-quality,
professional tours for the discriminating kosher traveler, accompanied by
the most Tour Escorts. We ensure that you always get the best and always more
than you pay for. Throughout the years we have circled the world with over
5000 satisfied travel-enthusiasts, among them many observant Jews from Israel,
Canada, Great Britain and the U.S.A. Our specialty is high-quality tours specially
designed for the religious traveler
• Our Tour Escorts are not there just to take you around -- they are
also experts in their field – often a professional lecturer with extensive
experience who can share with passengers their knowledge about the historical,
cultural and religious aspects of the destination.
• The delicious meals served on all Kosher Exotic Tours are strictly
kosher, prepared in all-kosher kitchens worldwide.
• Accommodations are in First Class or Deluxe hotels in all destinations.
• Extra services are always provided, such as: Extra activities, according
to
location and VIP luggage service (porterage) on the entire trip. You never
need to touch your luggage!
• All of the Kosher Exotic tours are suitable for people of all ages.
Older people need not worry – there is not too much physical activity
on a daily basis.
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Judaism
& Kashrut
Kosher Exotic Tours designs its programs around Jewish sites
in the countries visited. We are frequently hosted in Jewish communities,
eating Shabbat meals with the local community, davening in the synagogues,
visiting the Jewish cemeteries, listening to lectures given by community leaders
about the history of the Jewish community in that specific country, the present
situation in the community and its connections with the State of Israel.
Kosher Exotic Tours works hard to ensure that participants in its tours will
also get to know the countries they are visiting through the local cuisine.
Food is part of all local cultures and we do our best not to miss out on any
part of this aspect of culture, without giving up any aspect of Kashrut, one
of the major foundations of Judaism. We serve the religious community in its
various factions -- always making sure that the Kashrut
of our meals is on the highest level in each country we visit.
Most of our meals are Kosher Gourmet, of the best quality. Our meals are varied,
prepared from the freshest and richest food, and served in the most aesthetic
manner.
Our tours abroad are based on the desire of our travelers for a traditional
Jewish lifestyle and atmosphere, one that is organized in regard to daily
prayers, Kashrut, Shabbat observance, and other religious requirements. A
great deal of planning is involved with this very important aspect of every
tour.
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Prayers
During the Trip
For the majority of trips, we try to spend Shabbat in cities, with close proximity
to a synagogue and Jewish community (when possible) . In these places, we
go to synagogue on Shabbat and also arrange meetings with the heads of the
local Jewish community.
On all the other days, we always have services with a Minyan, three times
a day – for Shacharit in the morning, Mincha in the afternoon, and Ma’ariv
in the evening.
But not every departure includes ten men who participate in such a Minyan.
If there are not ten men on the trip, then it will not be possible to pray
as a Minyan. While a Sefer Torah will always be available on Shabbat, its
availability for Monday and Thursday Minyanim will depend on whether there
is a Minyan on those days.
If a person is obliged to say Kaddish for a relative during the year of mourning,
it is extremely important that there be a Minyan for prayers, since it is
not possible to say kaddish without one, and this should be taken into consideration.
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Observance
of Shabbat
On Fridays, we will always reach the hotels at least two hours before the
start of Shabbat in order to allow time to prepare for Shabbat. Shabbat prayers
are always a festive occasion, held together with the group, and, if possible,
in a nearby synagogue. Every Shabbat includes three meals. We’ll have
“Melave Malka” at the end after Havdala together before continuing
the sightseeing or visiting according to the program.
For Shabbat, we always reserve rooms on low floors, so that guests will not
be dependent on elevators. In order to open room doors which are controlled
by electronic cards, we arrange in advance with the hotel management to have
regular keys, if this is possible, or if not, then a local non-Jew will be
available to open doors for the group as needed (a “Shabbos goy”).
Same solution will apply when and if use of elevators is necessary.
Shabbat will be spent in a warm, homelike Jewish atmosphere.
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Kashrut
Solutions by Destination
China –Meat dishes and kosher products are provided by Chabad. For other
foods, we depend on permitted products from hotels, such as fruits and vegetables.
On days when it will not be possible for food to reach us, such as in outlying
cities, the food will be prepared at the hotel, using kosher fish and under
the supervision of a mashgiach.
South America – Meat dishes and kosher products are provided by kosher restaurants (glatt kosher) in Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, and for other places, food preparation will be as described for China (above).
Russia – All meals are provided at Chabad centers.
Vietnam and Cambodia – All the food in Vietnam is flown in from Chabad in Bangkok During the days when the tour will be in Cambodia, fish meals will be provided.
Croatia and Slovenia – All the food is provided by Glatt Kosher international caterers under supervision of R. Schwartz of Vienna..
Morocco – All the food is provided by the local Jewish community.
India and Nepal – In the large cities,
the food is provided by Chabad and in the more outlying regions, fish meals
will be prepared.
Please Note:
All food, whether supplied by outside caterers or prepared in hotels, will
be freshly cooked, gourmet-style and delicious – no “airline meals”
will be served!
This information is intended to provide answers to most of the questions that
are generally asked.
