KOSHER ADVENTURES

Puerto Rico: Weather: Mid 80's. Beautiful and sunny. Transportation: We used Uber. It was NOT cheap. It probably would've been cheaper to rent a car.  Most of our activities were over an hour away from San Juan, and each way was around $75-$100. Also, Uber is not available in some areas (i.e. Toro Verde) so you need to call taxi companies and they only take cash.  Super Taxi: (787) 938-7584 Luis Rosa: (787) 448-7967 Fajardo Taxi: (787) 513-7685 Mario: (939) 529-5663 Jireh Transportation: (787) 439-6099 / (787) 361-9741 Accomodations: AC Hotel San Juan Condado   - Clean and nice hotel. Part of the Marriot chain. It wasn't cheap, but it was the cheapest of the decent hotels.  They give you complimentary drinks from the bar if you're over 18, but there are restrictions on which drink you can get.  You can get soda there too, if you're not a alcohol girl;) They charge you for water from the lobby shop, but #lifehack go to the gym on the penthouse level - there are ...

Panama City, Panama: Weather: Mid 80's, mostly sunny with short rainstorms scattered. Transportation: Uber Uber Uber! The typical fare for a 20-30 minute ride was around $3 to $6. Accomodations: Residence Inn by Marriot - So cheap and so clean, around $110/night. Best location! There is a massive supermarket INSIDE the hotel, Super Kosher, which has everything you can possibly want, plus a cafe where you can order breakfast style food. Just a block away are a few Kosher restaurants. Chabad is a few minutes away, as well.  Kosher Food: We went to the following places. For a list of all Kosher options, check out this page on Chabad's website. Super Kosher - Massive supermarket inside Residence Inn hotel. Full of Israeli imported food. They have a cafe inside, MetsuYan, with a full breakfast/lunch menu. Jeffrey's Bakery - Chalav Stam sit-in bakery. Great place for breakfast. Their pizza is Chalav Yisroel and it's divine. Aroma -  Upscale dairy restaurant. We asked the staf...

Portugal: Weather: Low 60's but rainy the entire time. Transportation: We rented a car for our stay. Make sure you don't rent a stick-shift by mistake! In regards to a driver, Chabad recommends Mr. Nuno +351 918 355 667. Kosher Food: We ordered Shabbos meals from Chabad in Cascais. 25 Euro per person (includes baguette, main dish, 2 side dishes, and dessert). Bottle of wine is 10 Euro.   There are two small kosher grocery stores: Portuel  and  Kosher in Portugal   We bought bread, cheese, dips, and meat products from  Portuel .  In Lisbon, the El-Corte-Ingles supermarket, located on Av. Antonio Augusto de Aguiar 31 has a small kosher section. You can find frozen chicken, some cheeses and a few other products. There is an American store called Liberty on Largo de Sao Sebastiao de Pedreira 9, which carries many products with an American Kosher certification. In all these locations, please look for a reliable kosher certification.  For Shabbos meal o...

Berlin: Weather: High 50's, low 60's. Sunny. Light jacket needed. Transportation: We used public transportation, Uber, Bolt, and scooters. Everyone seems to bike in Berlin. No need to rent a car. Kosher Food: Brammibal's Donuts  - Cutest donut shop. They have branches all across the city. Absolutely loved the Salted Caramel Hazelnut and White Chocolate with Strawberry donuts. The Bienenstich donut was...interesting. Süßfein Brunnenstraße  - Adorable ice cream shop. Check labels on each flavor to see if it's vegan, kosher parve, or kosher dairy. Unser Cafe  - We were told to check the chalkboard hanging in the store to see which pastries are Kosher. We had sourdough bread with rosemary. Delicious. Hummus & Friends  - Israeli cuisine restaurant... All kinds of hummus with pita, but ironically, no falafel. Shoutout to our waiter, Pescal! Lots of tequila on the house. So much food for so cheap! We were 5 friends and the total was around $75! B-Cyc...

Nassau: Weather: Mid 80's. Wear lots of sunscreen! Transportation: We hailed taxis wherever we went. Each driver made up his own pricing.  Within the resort, we used the shuttle, walked, and once hitched a ride in an employee's golf cart;) Accomodations: Coral building at the Atlantis resort - It was not super expensive and we had so much to do within the resort that we barely left.  Kosher Food: Cinko Asian Latino Grill  - At Baha Mar resort. Interesting cuisine. It was more on the expensive side... Around $200 for two people. (Meat) Knosh Food Truck - At Baha Mar beach. They sell sandwichs, flat breads, cheese fries and a few more items. (Dairy) Ben and Jerry's - In Marina Village at the Atlantis. Attractions: Aquaventure - Waterpark within the Atlantis resort. You can easily spend 2 days there. There is a super cool transparent slide that you see sharks swimming around you. Marina Villaga - We walked along the marina at night time. Quaint shops selling souvenirs...

London: We had a 24 hour stopover in London. This is what we squeezed in: Weather: Cloudy, bit drizzly. No surprise there;) Transportation: Our local friend drove us around a bit but for the rest of the day, we used the Tube. Kosher Food: There are so many Kosher restaurants, but we didn't have time for more than 2 in one day! Bagels Bar  - We had late breakfast there. Filling food, served on dishes with actual silverware. I think it costs more to use disposables! (Dairy) Novellino Bistro   - Upscale restaurant. Very friendly waitress and the food was delicious. (Meat) Attractions: Buckingham Palace - We came the week of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee so we couldn't get too close. But we did get a glimpse, if that counts. Hamleys - The world's oldest toy store.  Harrod's   - Not every store is crazy expensive. We actually walked out with a Harrod's bag:) Thames River -  We walked around the Thames River and saw the Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, London Eye and oth...

Israel: Weather: Mid 70's, clear blue sky. Transportation: Bus, Light Rail, Taxi, Car, Hitches Be careful with the taxi companies. Don't hail one off the street. We used Bar Ilan, Ramot, and other Jewish companies. Kosher Food: Kashrus is complicated in Israel, certifications are always changing.  Check with a competant LOR. Mister Chips  - On Yaffo. Nothing beats Chips with Sweet Chili sauce. Hello Teiman - By the Gas Station at Knisah L'Ir. Delicious schwarma. Big Apple Pizza - On Paran. Such good pizza.  Katzefet - On Paran. Best smoothies ever. Cafe Rimon - At Mamilla. Shoutout to our waitress, Sharon! Everything was amazing. 5 stars. (Dairy) Zalman's - By Shaarei Revacha. Fast food, kinda feels like McDonalds with the red and yellow branding. So good though! Cofix - The best iced coffee in Israel. Hadar Geulah - On Malchei Yisroel. The place to be for a Thursday night chill with Cholent, Kugel, and Coke. Burger Bite - Shefa area. We ate their lefto...

 Los Angeles: Weather: High 60's, low 70's. Sunny. Transportation: We rented a car for our stay. Kosher Food: Mensch Bakery - Delicious brunch place. They have a full menu of sandwiches, salads, pastas, fish, etc. (Dairy) Charcoal Grill & Bar  - Israeli style restaurant. Amazing cocktails. (Meat) Fish Grill - Malibu. I'm not a fish-lover but it was GOOD. Outdoor dining with a view of the water. La Gondola  - Italian upscale restaurant. You. Must. Get. The. Avocado. Eggrolls.  Thank me later. Pizza World  - Typical pizza store. Kinda gave me camp dining room vibes with the wood paneling.  Jeff's  - Best. Burgers. In. The. World. You must try the Wild Western burger. To die for. Attractions: Tubing, Wakesurfing, Waterskiing, & Wakeboarding - On Castaic Lake. Click here to book. Urban Light - By the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Cool photo shoot at night time. Hollywood Sign - What's a trip to LA without a picture near the iconic Hollywood...

San Diego: Weather: Low 70's.  Transportation: Ubers. We actually snagged a Tesla Uber for no extra price. Accomodations: Wyndham Garden near SeaWorld - Thankfully, no one asked if we were 21. The people staying down the hall seemed a bit sketchy, so we kept a low profile. Kosher Food: Ralph's - Supermarket with Kosher food. We actually won $20 in the lottery machine. My first time buying Uncrustables. I've been hooked ever since! Botanic Burgers - In La Jolla. Vegan and Kosher restaurant in the JCC. Burgers tasted like meat and were very tasty. The dessert, Malabi, was interesting... Not my style, but I guess Middle Eastern people must love it. Attractions: SeaWorld - Spent the whole day at SeaWorld. Loved seeing the dolphin show. UTC Westfield Shopping Area - Outdoor shopping mall, love the night vibes. Boogie Boarding - At Mission Bay Boardwalk. Rented chairs and equipment for $10. Belmont Park - Beachfront Amusement Park. Balboa Park - We pulled up near Visitor Center...

Grand Canyon West: Weather: High 80's, low 90's. Wear sunscreen. Transportation: We rented a car in Vegas and drove out to the Canyon. Once we got to the reservation, we got onto a shuttle to take us to the Skywalk. Accomodations: Wander Camp - One of my best experiences yet. Glamping near the Grand Canyon. It was a bit complicated to find the place, but we followed their instructions and figured it out. We actually had phone and (weak) internet service, contrary to the warnings. It was so peaceful and clean. Attractions: Grand Canyon   West - LOL that's about it. We got tickets to the Skywalk - a glass walkway over the Canyon. You cannot take your camera or phone with you on the Skywalk.  We paid for a native to take photos of us, and they came out beautiful!   Scottsdale/Sedona/Phoenix: Weather: High 90's, low 100's. Wear sunscreen and stay hydrated!! Accomodations: Beautiful Airbnb in Scottsdale. The hostess was beyond nice and accomodating! There are board gam...

Las Vegas: Weather: High 80's. Need to wear sunscreen! Transportation: We rented a car. We did need to pay for parking when walking down the Strip. Accomodations: Sunrise Inn - We weren't 21 yet, (I know, waste of a trip to Vegas!!) so we couldn't stay at any casino resort. Our Airbnb was an epic fail. We booked a room in a cozy home, but apparently, the hostess and creepy boyfriend were home with us. We quickly feigned an emergency and left. It was $132/night after taxes and all hidden fees. Kosher Food: Ariella's - Pizza shop with delicious mozaralla sticks. Hummus Vegas   - I haven't been there, but a local recommended it. To quote her, she said, "It's a hole in the wall small place near the strip with the best Schwarma." Jerusalem Grill - Also, never been there, but to quote our local friend, "It's a great sit down restaurant." Burnt Offerings - "Great, too." -ibid.  Cafe Express - "Amazing, but some items are Chalav St...