Exotic Kosher Tours FAQ
If you are looking for a worry-free tour of exotic places, a rich and varied itinerary, and the pleasure of enjoying it with a compatible group, Eddie’s Kosher Travel is here for you.
Imagine going to a foreign country with a tour manager to look after all of your needs- accompanying your group 24 hours a day. You get up in the morning and do not have to worry about where you can find kosher food because it’s waiting for you in the dining room and you don’t have to plan your day because local experts have not only selected the most interesting colorful sites, but they also have figured out the best order and best routes so you spend more time at the sites and less time on transportation. Imagine having a guide who will explain the context of what you are seeing and the history and culture of the country. You will enjoy folklore programs, meeting local people and visiting them in their homes, meeting their children and forming bonds of friendship. At the end of a full day of activities, you will enjoy a freshly prepared kosher dinner.
On our tours you will share all of this with a group of friendly people who become like family- helping one another shop and bargain, photographing each other, and singing and joking together.
We at Eddie’s Kosher Travel together with our Tour Operator partners have decades of experience and travelers who have been traveling with us multiple times. We enjoy serving our travelers and providing unforgettable tours.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE
With exception of Group flights from Tel Aviv, all our tours are sold as “land only.” You may choose flights that are convenient and those which offer you benefits. If you would like us to arrange flights for you, please contact our office for assistance.
When you arrange your flights to our tours, please keep in mind that you should arrive before 2 pm local time the first day and should arrange to leave us no earlier than 7 pm the last day. Should you require special airport transfers or extra hotel nights, before or after the tour, our office is able to arrange them for you at an additional cost.
FLIGHTS
Air transportation is based on airfares applicable on any IATA, Charter or participating airlines as of 1.1.2013. Airfare is subject to the rules and regulations of the carriers. All fares are subject to change without notice and are subject to availability.
We mostly stay at four star or five star International standard hotels. Many of our tours take our travelers to places that are not highly commercial that offer an authentic experience of the country, there are not always four star hotels available. We then use the best hotels available in those locations. Of course, because of our 100% commitment to kashrut, we are limited in our choices as the majority of hotels will not accommodate our bringing in our own foods or preparing food in their kitchens. We, of course, find the very best hotels that will serve our needs.
HOTELS
Accommodations are in first-class hotels or superior first class on some destinations. Selected superior tourist-class hotels may be necessary for the convenience of Shabbat or due to the remoteness of the area. All accommodations are in double occupancy, with private bath or shower. An attempt is made to reserve lower floors for Shabbat, but cannot be guaranteed. Hotels are classified according to each country’s official standards. Facilities and services provided may vary from those in other parts of the world and are often local in style. Triple room requests are usually accommodated with a rollaway bed. Availability of triple rooms is limited. Note that single rooms in European hotels are generally smaller than twin-bedded rooms. Substitute hotels may be used at certain times and will be of similar standard whenever possible. Special room requests such as smoking/non-smoking, adjacent or connecting, must be requested at time of booking and cannot be guaranteed they are based on availability at the time of check-in.Room distribution is made by the hotel and the Organizers do not have the authority to interfere. A list of the Hotels on the tour will be given before departure in some case there might be last minute changes which are beyond our control or responsibility.
MEALS AND KOSHER FOOD
Food served on our tours is freshly prepared and NOT airline meals! We try to offer lots of fresh fruits and vegetables depending on the season and availability in the country we are visiting.
In most locations we provide a breakfast consisting of cereal, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, bread and butter and jam and of course coffee and tea. We supplement our meals with food supplies brought from Israel and when possible prepare omelets or pancakes.
At breakfast, we provide materials to prepare lunches including such items as tuna, cheeses, bread, hard boiled eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables.
We provide delicious, tasty, freshly cooked, warm dinners often with meat as a main course and sometimes with fish. We enhance the flavor of our meals with spices that we bring from Israel. Occasionally, for logistical reasons, we may have our main meal at lunch.
Our food is supervised by our qualified tour manager whose primary responsibility is to ensure that all food that is served is 100% kosher. All of our food is prepared according to halacha.
All food that is cut, is cut with our knives on our cutting surfaces. All food that is cooked, is cooked using only our utensils. Food is prepared only on our cutting boards and surfaces using our knives and kitchen equipment. We use locally acquired fruits and vegetables. Vegetables that require checking are checked in the kitchen before preparation. All of our food is prepared under the constant supervision of our guide, a Jew who observes halacha. When we eat meat, it is always meat with a strict hashgacha and the fish are checked according to halachic requirements. The preparation of the meals is done by local chefs and so the food is an authentic representation of the local palate.
Tours include the following kosher meals per day: continental breakfast at hotels, provisions for lunch boxes and dinner served at a kosher restaurant or Jewish community centers under the supervision of the local Orthodox Rabbinate or Chabad. Where kosher food is not available locally, vegetarian dinners are prepared under the supervision of our Tour Escort. Breakfast and in some cases dinner will be served on disposable dishes. Beverages are not considered part of the meal and usually results in an extra charge. Passengers can be accommodated only for special vegetarian meals througout the tour, only, if requested at time of reservation.
Our guides are experienced and have wide knowledge in the country in which they guide. They guide multiple times each year and are there to see to all of your needs, both for information and for comfort. Our guides are on duty 24/7. They stay with you in the hotel and accompany you on internal flights and train and bus trips. They are with you to solve problems, answer questions, and to give you any advice you may need during the course of the tour. They also work hard to create a happy, spirited atmosphere so that you enjoy getting up each morning and looking forward to a day full of adventures and surprises!
Professional and experienced Shomer Shabbat English speaking tour escorts will accompany you throughout your trip. Our escort is at your disposal for any information or assistance. He/She handles the logistics and preparations of your tour and in many countries is your guide.
Selected professionals have been chosen as scholars-in-residence to join some of our tours in conjunction with tour escorts. Our scholars who are educators and lecturers have been chosen for their depth knowledge about the culture and the history of the tour destination.
All prices mentioned are per person in us dollars in twin room occupancy and are based on current tariffs and exchange rates of the US dollar, and are subject to modification without notice. In case of alterations in any of the tours, the passenger will be obligated to pay the difference before any tour service is provided.
All local taxes and tips to drivers and local guides are included. You may acknowledge any special services that you received with additional tipping.
Air port tax, air line fuel charge, passport or visa fees, insurance of any kind. Personal expenses of any kind such as laundry, rooms service bills, cables and telephone calls. Additional meals or beverages, are not included in the price of the tour and will be at the passenger’s expense. Tips to the Tour Manager and local service providers are not included. Optional tours are not included in the tour price, a list and pricing of the Optional tours will be provided before tour departure.
Any item not mentioned under “included in tour price”.
We strongly recommend passengers to purchase comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking to protect you against the risk of cancellation or interruption, loss of baggage, medical expenses and travel delay.
Reservations are confirmed, only upon receipt of a $500 per person deposit, which must be made at the time of booking. Final payment is due 45 days prior to departure. Failure to comply with above requirements may result in automatic cancellation and forfeiture of a portion of the deposit. Late payments may result in higher airfares and additional charges. There is a $25 processing fee for bookings made within 30 days of departure.
Air ticket cancellation charges will be incurred in accordance with the rules and regulations of the individual airlines involved. Group fares are non-refundable or have cancellation penalties.
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