If you’re Orthodox, chances are that you have rules about your religion that you have to follow and adhere to. Although this might seem like a limiting factor, it is actually a great way to live a more meaningful life. This also applies when it comes to traveling. You can still have fun and enjoy yourself.
Here are some tips for making your vacation more fun and comfortable when you have to follow stricter rules and guidelines than other tourists.
Find the right hotel
The best way to find a hotel that will meet your needs is to contact them ahead of time. There are many hotels that offer kosher food and have kosher kitchens where you can cook your own food. Tell them what you need—they might be able to do it for you! If they don't, ask for a list of nearby stores or restaurants that can accommodate your needs.
Plan your meals in advance
If you are not sure when and where you will be eating, it’s a good idea to pack some snacks to keep in your bag. You can also bring tupperware with you if you are planning on packing leftovers or want to bring home food from the place you go out to eat at.
Try not to fill yourself up so much before bedtime if it will be awhile until your next meal. Also try not to eat too much on an empty stomach; this is because for some people, eating more than usual can cause discomfort or make them feel sick.
Have a checklist of the rules that you must follow and stick to it
Before you leave the house, make sure that you have created a checklist of all the rules that must be followed and thoroughly inspected your things for any possible issues. If you stick to this routine, it will prevent any mishaps from occurring throughout the course of your vacation.
This checklist should include everything from how often you need to fill out your logbook to what kind of food or drink is allowed. Anything that would affect your mood or behavior should be included in this list so that it can be easily referenced whenever necessary.
In addition to creating a list for yourself before leaving the house, you should also make sure there's one at home as well if something happens where someone else needs access while you're gone (e.g., if they need money).
Make sure to know what the rules are before arriving at your destination
You should know the rules of your destination. For example, if you are flying to a different country and will be quarantined for 14 days, know how long those 14 days are. Are there any activities that you can do? Does the hotel have a pool or a gym where you can exercise? Is there anything to look forward to other than a walk outside for fresh air? Depending on your specific protocols, these things may be off-limits.
If traveling abroad, make sure to research what the weather is like at that time of year. Is it cold enough to require a jacket or scarf? Or maybe even gloves and boots? What kind of clothing is appropriate in those places; modest or just casual clothing will suffice? Will nice shoes ruin on cobblestone streets or grassy hillsides while walking around and exploring new places?
Think about comfortability as well when sleeping. Will you need your own towels and sheets or will they provide them for you? Will you need an air conditioner/fan if traveling during winter in Israel and summer in Europe?
Be mentally prepared, don't be shocked if you have to do things differently than on a normal vacation
Before the trip, mentally prepare yourself. You’re going to be doing things differently than on a regular vacation, so you may have to step out of your comfort zone a little and do something unexpected. Being mentally prepared will help you enjoy the trip more and not let anything ruin it for you.
If you are already upset about not being able to eat what you want or go swimming in the hotel pool, it’s going to be hard to be on vacation. Don’t let the rules interfere with your enjoyment of the trip—if you can’t go swimming in the hotel pool, then find another activity that is more enjoyable for you instead.
Don’t think about what other people are doing on their vacations or how they are relaxing differently than you are because everyone has a different idea of what relaxation means to them. As long as your vacation is helping you relax, do whatever works best for YOU!
Learn some phrases in the local language.
One of the best ways to be able to communicate with the locals is to learn some phrases in the local language. Learn how to say “hello”, “thank you”, “please” and “goodbye” in the local language. You could also learn how to ask for directions and simple things like what their favorite restaurant is and what their recommendations are when it comes to attractions.
If you don't do this, you might get lost or have a hard time communicating with your taxi driver if for instance there was an emergency.
Learning how to say "I don't understand" will also come in handy because some people might try explaining things using words that are more difficult than usual.
Bring food and water with you instead of buying it on the road.
It's always a good idea to bring food and water with you instead of buying it on the road. It's more convenient, it's cheaper, and it's easier to find kosher food if you bring it with you. You can also eat whenever you want so there will be no need to worry about finding kosher restaurants. By bringing food with you, you could even save money by not buying food outside of your home!
Plan activities for when you have to stay local, but also plan if you are going to a place where a lot of fun activities are allowed.
Plan activities for when you have to stay local, but also plan if you are going to a place where a lot of fun activities are allowed. Planning activities in advance will make your vacation easier and more enjoyable. It can also save you money because booking tours ahead of time is usually cheaper than buying them on the spot. Plus, planning ahead can help you avoid crowds—otherwise, it might be hard to find something for the kids to do!
Have an emergency kit just in case something happens while you are away.
The last tip on this list is to have an emergency kit. There's nothing like having a vacation on vegan holidays ruined because you got hurt and didn't have the necessary supplies to keep yourself safe. When traveling somewhere new, it's always good to be prepared for anything that could happen, whether it's a bee sting or a broken ankle. Be sure to pack:
- band-aids
- bug spray
- sunscreen
- hand sanitizer
- first aid supplies (gauze, tape)
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