We took a Silja Line ferry (more like a cruise) from Stockholm to Helsinki. We had our own private room and shower since it was a 16+ hr trip.
The ship was clean, the staff was friendly, and the views in the archipelago leaving Stockholm are amazing. The ship has a Playstation video game room for teens or the kid at heart.
While there is no readily available kosher food on the ship, the restaurants were happy to help heat our frozen meals up for us. They also stored our remaining meals in their freezer since we did not have access to one in our room.
The ship also provided some fun nightlife. In addition to a small casino, they also have an after dinner time show, which is typically followed by a live band and an open dance floor.
The only downside to this particular trip was the abundance of non Anglophile passengers. Speaking English to random people in either Stockholm or Helsinki was easy, but on this ship barely anyone knew English. Thankfully we were able to speak to the crew.
We also took the 2 hr ship from Helsinki to Tallinn. This ship does not provide you with a room, but is very comfortable with couches and coffee tables. It also has a few duty free shops for some snacks.
Silja Line / Tallink gave us an overall pleasant experience.
Contributed by: Mark Medetsky | Last Date of Travel: May 2008
Kosher Info: The lights, the nightlife, the attractions, the casinos. For a person who has never been to this region of the U.S., it is very easy to get lost while taking everything in. Where to start? Where to go with families? Shabbat accommodations?
I’ll start with the “strip” itself. The main strip in Las Vegas is where majority of all the casinos and hotels are located; so you will not find any kosher food on this strip. It is best that you hail a cab and take a few minute drive to Adar Kosher Pizza located at 318 West Sahara Ave. 702-385-0006, good pizza, large menu and has a lot of different things that would interest kids such as baked ziti, lasagna, etc. Prices are reasonable.
If your in the mood for meat, one of my favorites is a Middle Eastern place called Sababa. It’s a 15 minute drive but well worth it. The best falafel outside of Israel hands down!!! And they do deliver to the hotels (as does the pizza store). Sababa is located at 3220 S Durango Dr. 702-547-5556.
If you find yourself staying in Las Vegas over Shabbat you can order food from a local kosher restaurant or I recommend ordering your food from a local supermarket that carries kosher food. One of them is Albertsons: they have a kosher take-out section with all salads, appetizing, roasted chickens, challah, wine, etc. Buy all your Shabbat needs here. Ask them to double wrap it, and when you get back to the hotel room service can pick it up and heat it at any designated time and bring it to your room when you are ready to eat! Albertsons is located at 2550 S Fort Apache Rd. 702-242-1138.
Tourist Info: Go up and down “the strip”. Enjoy the evening rush, the pirate show which is showcased by Treasure Island, which usually runs every hour or so in the evenings only. Walk from there to the Venetian which is located across the street. Here you can see the beautiful artwork in the hotel. You can go on a gondola ride or check out the hot nightclub called Tao located inside the Venetian. All along the strip each hotel has its own unique theme. Take your time to see each one.
Besides for these themes which can take a entire night to go through, you can enjoy a nice show. Treasure Island offers Cirque de Soleil playing most nights. Tickets are available inside the hotel or you can find cheap tickets at the mall across from Treasure Island. Other hotels offer magic shows or comedy acts for your entertainment. If none of these satisfies your need for entertainment you can always sit down by the roulette table and let it all ride on 18!
Jewish Info: If your staying on the strip you aren’t going to find any synagogues there. If you want to go away for a Shabbos and get a feel for the Las Vegas Jewish community you can try the Young Israel of Las Vegas located at 9590 W Sahara Ave. 702-360-8909. There are approximately 19 synagogues of various denominations in Las Vegas.
Submitted by Dani Klein | Last Date of Travel: June 2008
Kosher Info: Stockholm’s only kosher store is a market called Kosherian located at Nybrogatan 19. You have to go through a gate to find this address. It isn’t directly on Nybrogatan street and you may go through security to get into the building. While Kosherian’s website (www.kosherian.se) says you can get sandwiches made there, there was no such service being offered on my last visit. The store is small an offers over priced Kosher products, mainly Israeli, majority of which was useless without a kitchen.
There is a kosher list of products found in Stockholm that the chief rabbi has available online.
Many kosher Stockholmers will eat at a local vegetarian restaurant as kosher eateries are non-existent.
Tourist Info: Stockholm is undeniably one of the world’s most beautiful cities. The city is clean, diverse, and rich in culture, history, and flavor. The city has a great cosmopolitan vibe throughout each of the many islands that make up Stockholm. Its metro system is fast, efficient, and clean, while its buses are hot and more complicated to use. Sweden is known for its architecture and its capital does not disappoint with both modern and historical buildings filling the skyline.
Stockholm is filled with plenty of tourist sites and about 100 museums. Each island of the city has a few places to visit or just hang out. Having said that, not every museum is exciting as one would hope. Some are better than others.
On Djurgarden you’ll find beautiful parks, cafes, gardens, museums and port-side markets. The Vasamuseet (ship museum), Aquarium, and other large museums on culture and ships.
Skeppsholmen is a small island home to a few museums such as the Modernamuseet (modern art museum) and the Arkitekturemuseet (architecture museum) next door. These are a short walk south of the city’s main island and east of Gamla Stan, the old town, which is quaint and has its own unique flavor.
There are many more locations worth visiting when in Stockholm. You could easily spend a week or more around the city and its surroundings. Outside the city you can find a royal castle and the beautiful archipelago.
The locals in Stockholm are not the friendliest in the region. Stockholmers are known to have a “nose-in-the-air” attitude. In our few days there we had people bump into us without apologizing, and we had numerous people rail on why America is bad. On that note, we also passed by an anti-American rally staged in the city center which was mainly attended by Muslims, and some Swedish locals. Despite this, the city is extremely safe.
Jewish Info: The Jewish community is a mixed bag, some friendly, some not. They do have a decent sized Jewish community, although most of it is dispersed. The Chabad of Stockholm is extremely friendly and inviting. We ate our Friday night meal with his family and other locals and visitors. Shabbat lunch and Shlosh Seudot we ate with the rabbi and the rest of the community in the shul (Adat Israel). There are 2 orthodox shuls. We went to Adat Israel located on Sankt Paulsgatan 13 (Right entrance). The closest subway stations are Slussen or Mariatorget. It isn’t so easy to find because it isn’t marked (on purpose I bet). There are multiple entrances so be aware.
The other shul is located closer to the downtown area. Adat Jeschurun is situated on Riddargatan 5. If this entrance is closed you can also enter through Nybrogatan 19 (The Jewish Center). The closest subway station is Östermalmstorg.
