With Seder preparations barely complete you may find yourself wondering if there is a way to keep the enjoyment of Passover while eliminating the backbreaking work. Reading the pages of The Jewish Link is a fine way to orient yourself to some of the Passover vacations and getaways that are available. The question then becomes: “How do I choose a program that is right for me?” It is never too early to think about planning for next year.
Some people consider leaving home for a holiday to be almost sacrilegious. But there are many advantages to going away—especially for extended families. Instead of spending time cooking, preparing and cleaning up after the meal, families leave that to others and can spend time together.
The first step is to identify the people who will be going. How many will there be? What are their ages? Do they prefer warm weather or cool? Are they able to travel out of the country? This critical first step can help narrow the list of programs to look at and make the task more doable and less daunting. And, of course, inquire about kitniot, gebrochts, Ashkenazi, Sephardi or Hashkama davening.
Are there on-site playgrounds or water parks? Very important if traveling with children, possibly less so for groups of adults. Or maybe just as important.
Knowing more about your group preferences can be helpful. For example, is there a day camp offered? Very few programs offer day camp programming for infants and/or offer a teen program. Unless you are considering providing activities each day, inquire about the hours of the camp program and the ages covered. If programming is offered, will the child attend? In a multi-generational family group, would grandparents prefer to watch the grandchildren and spend time with them? Or would adults prefer to use the time to do something themselves?
Are there activities available that the adults are interested in? Are there local museums and/or athletic options? Shiurim and/or guest speakers? Ask about the type of “crowd” the program usually attracts. If you are a small family it may be uncomfortable to be part of a program that hosts many extended families and vice versa. In the event of inclement weather, is the lobby (or other indoor common areas) large enough to accommodate the number of people that would be confined indoors over Yom Tov? Are there local activities to enjoy during Chol Hamoed?
If you have limited vacation time, you will likely require a Passover program at a maximum of a few hours away by air. Programs in Europe and South America tend to be less expensive than ones in the United States, but often require more expensive flights and longer travel times, making them appealing to those with more available vacation days. It is obviously not recommended to travel to your destination on Erev Yom Tov. There are so many reasons a flight can be delayed and prevent you from reaching your destination. In many cases, the cost of an extra hotel night is offset by your peace of mind.
Once you have narrowed your choices to a half dozen or fewer, create a spreadsheet listing the pros and cons of each location, the costs of flights or other transportation, and prices for various room options. Speak with the program operator about what the various room options would be for your group. You may be surprised to find that a large suite or villa may cost less per person than multiple double rooms and provide more privacy and luxury.
How many years has the tour operator been in business? Ask to speak to some prior guests and find out about their experiences. Does the operator have repeat customers year after year?
Another tip is to go on tripadvisor.com or other Google search tools and look at the hotel property. A well-kept resort with friendly staff can overcome many program weaknesses. One of my favorite Passover programs was at a lovely hotel with beautiful grounds and many walking trails on their golf course. Operationally, the program was not great. But the lovely premises and friendly fellow guests made for a pleasant week. (Rest assured, that operator ran the program only that one time about 20 years ago and never returned.)
Be sure to pack your adventurous spirit and positive attitude. Focus on the memories you will make and the time spent with family. Over the years Passover experiences have included making loads of new friends from around the world, a spontaneously said Kaddish at an abandoned Jewish cemetery on a Greek island, elephants surrounding our jeep on an African safari, non-English speaking international crew members singing and pantomiming Chad Gadya to end a Seder while on a cruise, surviving a 7.9 magnitude earthquake, swimming with sea turtles and more. How many memories can your family make?
Deborah Melman is a staff writer at The Jewish Link.
