Portable Kosher Snack Foods for your Future Travels

 It’s getting cold, isn’t it? The end of the year is often chilly, what with the advent of winter and all. Such times call for warm clothes and warmer meals, as the snow begins to fall and the winds begin to bring the winter’s cold. Times like these would have called for a vacation to somewhere warm. Sadly, Jewish trips of that sort wouldn’t be advisable until this pandemic has weakened and the world has sorted itself out. With that said, being prepared for a future trip can be quite exciting. What better way to kick out the blues of staying indoors than by imagining a future vacation to a warm and lush locale, like the Amazon river. Such a trip would require a good number of snacks to keep you nourished on your tours. Here are some kosher snack suggestions that you might like. Hey, if that trip is a few months away, why not prepare them now for your indoor picnics? 

The Spruce Eats’ Israeli Pita Bread

Bread! One of the first vegan foods that humanity has ever produced. If you want something that’s easy to prepare for but quite scrumptious and versatile, then this Israeli pita bread is just for you. Not only can you enjoy it as a side snack while traveling, you can also use it for falafels or other such dishes. 

Get it here: https://www.thespruceeats.com/israeli-pita-bread-2121767 

Jamie Geller’s Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars 

Have you ever gone on Jewish tours with a somewhat empty stomach? Maybe you were craving something sweet as you basked in the history and heritage of your walks and travels. Well, with a great granola bar, your energy and enthusiasm will never be out of fuel again! 

Check out this delicious and portable kosher dish here:
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/chewy-chocolate-chip-granola-bars/ 

What to See on a Kosher Trip to Normandy

 Away from the bustling city of Paris, Normandy is a quiet, middle-class area northernmost of France. This region is filled with a quaint but mysterious charm, with its cobblestone pavements, specialty shops, and distinct Northern French architecture that seems to preserve the face of France from as far as the medieval times.. But more than its sandy beaches, gardens and grand castles, Normandy also has something special: a rich history with the Jewish community, one that’s still thriving among the region’s biggest cities.

Let’s take a look on how the Normandy countryside could be the destination of your next kosher holiday.

Pay Tribute to the Remnants of Jewish Heritage During the War

Once you’ve visited the shores of Normandy,You can almost envision the Allied soldiers disembarking on the 50-mile stretch of sand, leading to the eventual liberation of Western Europe. This feat is not possible without the help of almost 65,000 British Jews serving in WWII. There are several memorial landmarks to pay respects to this historical achievement, such as the Battle of Normandy Museum in Bayeux, the Caen Memorial, the Utah Beach Museum, and the oldest Jewish heritage site in all of France - the Maison Sublime in Normandy’s biggest city, Rouen.

Explore the Growing Kosher Food Community

While kosher preparations in restaurants around these areas are still sparse, there are hidden kosher food gems spread out across Normandy, especially in the picturesque town of Deauville. This place has been an increasingly popular destination among kosher travelers in all of France. There’s some along the Avenue de la République; and some hotels like the Akhotel and Ak Resto Halavi.

There’s no other way to explore the beauty of Normandy, including the Seine, then booking glatt kosher tours on a riverboat cruise. Aside from the tours, there are meaningful activities to be done aboard to give you a holiday that you’ll definitely want to come back to. 

Temple Run: A Look to the Beauty of Khmer Architecture

 Perhaps one of the most unique architectural styles to exist in the world is the Khmer or Angkorian architecture. Most likely adopted from the Indian cut-rock architectures, these designs are put into emphasis specifically on temples or religious buildings since these structures are the only one made out of stones. This is compared to other dwellings and houses that are usually made of perishable materials such as wood. 

If you want to see this remarkable art and experience the real “temple run” on your next Jewish trip, Siem Reap in Cambodia is certainly the place to go to. Here are the places you surely have to visit:

The City of Temples, Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat, which translates to City/Capital of temples, is a complex of temples and is considered to be the largest religious monument in the world in terms of land area, measuring 162.6 hectares or 1.626 sq. km. 

This UNESCO World Heritage site is originally made to worship Vishnu, the Hindi god that protects and sustains the world, and in turn, the Khmer Empire. However, towards the end of the 12th century, the temple was slowly turned into a Buddhist temple, and because of this, it is also referred as a Hindu-Buddhist temple. 

It houses hundreds of impressive monuments ladled with intricate designs of bas relief. This ancient temple exemplifies the Khmer’s glorious heritage, culture, and religion. 

The Great City, Angkor Thom

If you are planning to go to Siem Reap for your next kosher vacation, you should not miss out on the great city.

Angkor Thom is not just called a great city because it is huge, it is called the great city because it was the last and the most enduring capital city of the Khmer Empire. established by the  late King Jayavaman VII during the late 12th century. 

In the middle of Angkor Thom is its most notable temple, Bayon, which is a state temple of Mahayana Buddhism. Just like Wat, Bayon is riddled with monuments, and features smiling and serene stone faces on the towers. It also has two bas reliefs that represent the cultural mythology of the Khmer and the history of the empire.