Five Visa-free Travel Destinations

Acquiring a passport is difficult enough; sometimes you stand in line for hours on end and wait weeks for it to be processed and delivered to you. A visa is just as, if not even more, of a hassle to acquire. Depending on how strict the consulate is, you could wait a few months or even be denied completely!

Worry not! There are still some great travel destinations that don't require you to get a visa. KRC makes sure to make Jewish travel as easy as possible for its guests. Down to the last detail of looking for Visa-free travel destinations for American, Canadian, and UK citizens.

The Philippines

This gem of southeast Asia is more often than not overlooked. The Philippines has beautiful beaches to explore, and scenic mountain ranges hike up. If you enjoy the juxtaposition of urban and rural life, then this should be your next travel destination. Plus, the people there are great. They say they're the friendliest people in the world. American, Canadian, Australian, and UK passport holders/citizens can stay visa-free for 30 days.

Barbados

East of the Caribbean Island, this cruise-ship port is an independent British Commonwealth nation filled with beaches, botanical gardens, and caves.

Contrary to popular belief, Barbados is a safe travel destination favored by celebrities for a quiet weekend getaway to be far away from the paparazzi's watchful eyes. There are fish festivals every Friday; it's an undying Barbados tradition that you shouldn't miss out on.

Canadian, American, Australian and UK citizens can stay visa-free for up to 6 months.

New Zealand

There's more to New Zealand than the cleanest water in the world and a surplus of farm animals; it's also home to extreme sports and adrenaline pumping activities. They're famous for bungy jumping, sky diving, river rafting, and the likes. But if you'd rather stay in the safe-zone, there are activities like star gazing or exploring Middle-Earth (yes, from Lord of the Rings!).

Canadian and American citizens can visit New Zealand visa-free for 90 days. UK citizens are granted six months.

Israel

Holy land to the Christians, Muslims, and the Jews, this sacred place is an eye-opening experience to the travelers who are on a soul searching hunt. Though most travelers come here as pilgrims, don't let it trick you into thinking that Israel is a somber place to visit. It's full of life and color, especially during the festivals and the public market on the daily.

Canadian, American, Australian and UK citizens can stay visa-free in Israel for three months.

Romania

Why visit? High-speed wifi. All jokes aside, Romania is a fan favorite among digital nomads because it's a cheap tourist destination and it's easy to work while on the go. Travel bloggers, in particular, have featured Romania in many of their posts because it's so underrated but so picturesque. Rumor has it that Romania has no wrong angle, you could shoot from anywhere and your pictures turn out beautiful.

Australian, Canadian, American and UK citizens do not need a visa to enter into Romania and can stay up to 90 days.

Traveling doesn't always have to be difficult. Visa-free doesn't necessarily mean hassle-free, but it does save you plenty of time and effort processing documents. Just like traveling with Kosher River Cruise, it's fun, easy, and convenient.

Hotel Hacks You Need to Know

Think of anyone who isn't in for an insider scoop on how to make staying at a hotel easier for them. Can't do it? Well, that's because everyone is into little tips and tricks to make their lives easier especially when you're living out of a suitcase.

Here are some of Kosher Riverboat Cruises expert hacks for the frequent traveler:

 

Request for a Corner Room

We don't always have the budget for a penthouse suite, but there is a way around getting the most out of the standard rooms that you paid for, and that's asking for the corner room. The odds of you getting an upgrade without it being so in-your-face get higher, and corner rooms usually have more space.

Book Directly on the Hotel Website

You save a ton of money by making a direct booking with the hotel. Notice that doing it on booking websites cost around 20 to 30 percent more? Well, that's because they earn on a commission basis, and to make up for the loss in profit, hotels have to up their prices on third party booking providers. The next time you're booking a hotel, don't be fooled by the pop-up with that screams 75% off.

Choose the Same Hotel

If you travel to the same place frequently, it's better to book the same hotel over and over again. You'll soon become a household name. For sure, there will be some upgrades coming your way. Think of it as a loyalty award but with a Jacuzzi in your bathroom.

Tip the Housekeeping Staff

When tipping the housekeepers, place the money under a pillowcase with a note attached to it. Otherwise, they'll think you accidentally left your money behind. This is a dying practice; it's about time we bring it back. Cleaning up after guests isn't easy, and they do it round the clock.

Take Advantage of the Buffet Breakfast

Ordering a continental breakfast sounds fancy, but in truth, the ingredients used are a day away from going bad. You'll get your money's worth out of the breakfast buffet which usually comes free with the room you booked, and paying a few extra dollars for the buffet to accommodate more guests is still cheaper than getting a stale continental breakfast.

Don't Touch Anything in the Bar Fridge

Hotels are catching up; there's no escape from the soda can that your children snuck out of the fridge in the middle of a midnight snack. They come with sensors now, as soon as the sensor detects that an object was touched, it's charged straight to your hotel room.

It's so much cheaper to buy drinks at a grocery or convenience store; there's no need to open the fridge unless you want to keep ice in it.

For more information on our accommodation choices feel free to contact us. We'll make sure that your Jewish travels are as easy as can be.

Best Places to Shop in Paris

Home to some of the most notable couture gods, Paris is a dream come true for every shopaholic. There's treasure to be found in the luxury store brands and the flea markets if you're willing to look through piles and piles of vintage designer handbags. You may just bag a Birkin for 10 Euros if you're lucky. But be warned, nothing in Paris comes cheap. 

Here are some of Kosher Riverboat Cruises top picks for the best shopping districts in Paris:

Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elysées

This avenue is for luxury-loving shoppers. You'll see the most expensive and get a look at the rarest finds in the world. Swarovski crystal encrusted YSL clutch? Sign yourself up! Legendary designers like Chanel and Dior are standard destinations for shoppers there.

Socialites gather to take a look at the newest releases and bid for the items fresh off the runway from Paris fashion week, which happens to be the most glamorous couture event in the world.

Rue du Commerce

After trying on all the couture you could get your hands on, move your shopping journey to Rue du Commerce which is popular for its makeup and skin care.

French girls are known to have the best looking, most radiant skin—may as well give this fountain of youth a crack. Their secret? Ampoules. These tiny, anti-oxidant rich skin essences are known to stop the aging process in your skin by loading it with a ton of nutrients. You might want to take some home with you.

Saint-Ouen Flea Market

Luxury brands aren't really your scene? Check out Saint-Ouen Flea Market. You can find anything from antique decor to vintage fashion pieces in Paris' oldest and longest-running flea market.
You can put anything you want in your cart without checking the price. What would cost you hundreds of Euros in the designer avenues you could get for less than ten at Saint-Ouen.

Avenue des Ternes

This is the hidden gem of Paris. Here you will find books, old movie posters, records, and films—an art lover’s paradise, they say. Don't think twice about going to Avenue des Ternes. You get equally as interesting finds and less than half the amount of people at Saint-Ouen Flea Market.

If you're the kind of person who considers shopping a big part of your trip, book a tour with Kosher River Cruises on one of our Jewish trips. We promise we will not disappoint.

For more information, feel free to contact us. We'll be more than happy to assist you.
 

How to Relax on Vacation

If you're the one who planned the vacation, then odds are you're always on your toes. But the point of a holiday is to relax, isn't it? With Kosher Touring, relaxation is effortless. Pun intended.

The First Thing You Should Do When You're on Vacation Is to Unplug

It's hard to relax when you have email notifications buzzing every five minutes from work.

Turn them off during the duration of your cruise; it's not healthy to do work when you're supposed to be resting. And as much as possible, if you don't need your phone, don't use it.

Make use of the time you have with your friends and family to have meaningful conversations. Make memories on your trip, don't stay glued to your phone.

 

Don't Be Guilty About Staying Idle and Doing Nothing

You need to give yourself time to reset and reprogram, and that can't happen if you're always on overdrive. Sleep in if you want to, lay on a pool lounger and let your mind wander, do anything but think.

Go Into Your Vacation With the Right Mindset

You're just going to spoil your and everyone else’s time if all you can think about is how things will go wrong. You and your travel companions should encourage each other to have a fun time. Things may not turn out perfectly, but at least you can enjoy the vacation together.

Be spontaneous now and then. Sure, it's good to have a plan. But if you impose a schedule on yourself, it's like you're dragging your work life into your vacation. Go where the roads take you for a change. You'll come back from your journey with some interesting stories to tell.

Stop Trying to Take Control of Everything

It's just going to stress you out unnecessarily. On Kosher Cruises, we do the work. If you have any problems prior to or on the trip, don't hesitate to inform us.

Our goal is to make sure that you have a pleasant time on our tours. We will arrange everything for you, so all you have to think about is what to pack and what to wear. Food, accommodation, transportation—that's all on us. Let us take care of you and your needs.

Are you looking for Jewish heritage tours?  Check out Kosher River Cruises. For more information, feel free to contact us. We’ll be more than happy to entertain your queries.

Best Kosher Restaurants in Paris

When you’re onboard Kosher River Cruises, you'll have no culinary limitations since we exclusively serve Kosher food. But if you want to explore the culinary wonders of Paris, it might be a bit of a challenge. To make things easier for you, we’ve compiled our picks for the best Kosher restaurants in the city of love.

Fine Dining

1.    Kavod

This French Steakhouse is located along the Champs-Élysées on 26 rue Jean Mermoz. It boasts a 4.3-star rating on Google and 4.0-stars on TripAdvisor. You'll have to make reservations before dining at this luxurious restaurant since it's so high in demand. If you're in the mood for authentic French (and Kosher!) food, don't miss out on the Kavod experience.

2.    La Citadelle

Known for its intricate plating and generous servings, La Citadelle is found at 21 rue Mederic, just a 10-minute walk from the Arc de Triomphe. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.1 stars from Google and TripAdvisor. Much like the previously mentioned restaurant, this place is on the pricey side, but it's worth every Euro. You wouldn't expect less from a fine dining experience.

Midrange

3.    Minzon

True to the nature of a Jewish lifestyle, Minzon is closed on Friday evenings to pay respects to the Sabbath, but is open from Sunday through Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. Ranked number 23 of 126 Quick Bites in Paris, this restaurant has vegetarian, vegan, Kosher, and gluten-free options. It's perfect for anyone who wants to grab a late night bite. Minzon can be found at 22 rue des Ecouffes, just two minutes away from Le Marais.

4.    Schwartz's Deli

This highly "instragrammable" brunch spot is just around the corner from Minzon. Schwartz's Deli is an American style diner that serves up some jaw breaking burgers. This spot is popular among the younger crowd. It must be because of their avocado toast, which is, by the way, a best seller that you definitely want to try.

Cheap Eats

5.    L'As du Fallafel

For a taste of home, this falafel place is located at 34 rue des Rosiers, just a two-minute walk from Le Marais. They have huge portions that serve up to three people for one order, so bring a friend or two, you're going to need them.

6.    Murciano Patisserie-Boulangerie

Looking for something to pair with your afternoon tea? Head on over to 14 rue des Rosiers; there you'll find a beautiful display of authentic French pastries. Ranked number 33 of 126 Quick Bites in Paris, France this patisserie boasts a 4.5 rating on TripAdvisor. What can we say? Nothing smells better than freshly baked bread.