✈ Keeping Kosher in Belize

Contributed by: Karen Kest | Last Date of Visit: January 2008

Kosher Info: Almost all the supermarkets have kosher American products, except for meats and cheeses. You can find almost anything including yogurts, cereal, crackers, bread, pickles, and tons of snacks to munch on.

Tourist Info: If you are looking for a gorgeous seaside vacation, the Cayes of Belize are the place to go. Ambergris Caye is an island in the Belizean keys in the Caribbean Sea. It is the largest of the islands, thus there are more resorts, and it is easier to get to. Rest assured, however, that this is not an overbuilt resort city like Miami. Any resort not directly in town will offer solitude and beauty. The other islands are even more quiet and isolated, but there may not be as much to do (i.e. daily diving excursions, etc.) The Ambergris Caye is a picture post card setting with white sandy beaches, a clear turquoise sea, and palm trees with coconuts.

The best relaxation of your life can take place on this island but if you’re worried you may be too relaxed there are many fun activities that one can do. I highly recommend going snorkeling or scuba diving at the barrier reef (the largest reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest in the world after Australia). You will see exotic sea creatures including sharks. Yes, sharks swimming right below you! DO NOT FORGET YOUR WATER CAMERA. If diving the ocean floor isn’t for you, there are many different water sports which can keep you busy, or, you can rent a bike or golf cart (the principle mode of transportation on the island) and check out the island.

I recommend staying in a hotel that has private cabana thatched huts on the sand, it is a unique and enjoyable experience.

If you’re wondering how to get to San Pedro from New York one must make a stop over at Miami International and then fly to Belize City (about a 1-1/2 flight from Miami). Once in Belize you will have the option to take a 2 hour boat ride or a 10 minute plane ride to the island. I did the boat ride one way and the plane the other. I recommend taking the plane, but just to warn you it’s a tiny plane with approximately 6-7 seats including the pilot.

One last recommendation…go to Guatemala while you’re already in Belize, it’s only a 2 hour drive from Belize City.

Jewish Info: Nothing at all…

✈ Keeping Kosher in Guatemala

Contributed by: Karen Kest | Last Date of Visit: January 2008

Kosher Info: Kosher products, as well as any actual food products, are a rare commodity in Eastern Guatemala. However, fruit (which is all unbelievably delicious), steamed vegetables, rice and beans are available, and in abundance. Many of the restaurants/huts that serve food only cook vegetables, rice and beans (no meat or dairy) in separate pots allowing one (who eats kosher) to enjoy these hot dishes.

Tourist Info: Once in Guatemala one must go to Tikal, one of the largest area of Mayan ruins in South America. The hotel you are staying likely will be able to set up this day of hiking through the narrow paths of the jungle and climbing of the Mayan ruins. Viewing and climbing atop the ruins requires a hike through jungle terrain; hiking shoes/boots are highly recommended, as is bug spray, food, and water. And of course, don’t forget your camera!

Jewish Info: (See Comment by Tina Pollack)

✈ Keeping Kosher in Nice, France

Contributed by: Abbie Rosenbaum-Braha | Last Travel Date: January 2008

Kosher Info: Nice is fairly small and just about all of the kosher places are reachable by foot from each other, the train station, and the Mediterranean. What was really great about Nice is that somehow, outside of Chabad, nobody spoke English or Hebrew, so I got to give French a spin.

• Chez Arthur (13 rue Auber) – This steakhouse offers good food in a nice ambiance. I was only disappointed to discover that if you missed the lunchtime plat du jour, the menu offers no French food.
• Restaurant Leshem Chamaym (22 rue Rossini) – This wonderful dairy restaurant is run by and attached to Chabad. It was a most pleasant surprise. The generously portioned food was delicious and the ambiance was great. The staff spoke Hebrew and English.
• Le Kinneret (37 av. Georges Clemenceau) – We ate here a few times becuase the food was French and delicious. It is the only place open during the hours of 2 pm and 7 pm when once cannot get a kosher meal (or any meal) in a restaurant in Europe. It is not actually a restaurant but a bakery and a take out place, but they do have 2 tables where we spent many hours smelling the wonderful aromas, enjoying our food and watching the locals.
• Supermarche K’GEL (18 rue Dante) – We shopped for kosher products here because it was right down the block from our hotel. They pointed us to a boulangerie down the block where we could purchase baguettes. This was the highlight of our trip.

Tourist Info: Nice is a fantastic getaway destination. The weather is sunny and warm about 350 days a year, the sea is truly azure and kosher dining is plentful. What we didn’t expect were Nice’s other attractions, beautiful gardens and villas, to be enjoyed in the warm breezy air. We particularly enjoyed the Villa Rothchild and its gardens just a short trip by bus up the coast. There are also many other gardens and villas open to the public in that area. Nice also offers a host of museums, catering to almost any interest. We visited the Matisse Museum, which is really only of interest if one is a Matisse fan and the Chaggal Museum which is of interset even if one is not a Chaggal fan. The museums are situated within a 20 minute walk – I recommend first heading to the Matisse, unless one much prefers walking uphill.

Jewish Info: (coming soon)