All Over the Map; Navigating the World of Passover Programs
The van pulled up to what looked like an oasis. We had been driving for an hour, practically zombies. The kids, out like a light and snoring, and me, stretching my eyelids open as much as I could manage along the way in an effort to take in the Greek European scenery. I did everything I could to manage some cordial chit chat with our friendly local driver. Two plane rides- the second of which we almost missed, way too many in-flight movies (I’m pretty sure my youngest can recite all of the words to the Paw Patrol movie), 4,000,000 “how much longer,” and 10,000 bathroom trips, but we were finally at our hotel. Ragged, exhausted and desperately-in-need-of-a-shower, we pulled up and gazed upon the beauty of a bright cream sun-kissed building, adorned with bright green smiling palm trees. A flurry of uniformed, smiling valets opened up the back door of the van and loaded our luggage onto the bellmens carts. We quickly checked in and were greeted with the glorious scent of freshly-ground espresso beans, a beautifully dressed table, cascading with colorful petit four and fruit. Children bounced a beach ball across the open, sun-filled lobby, as freshly made lattes were being sipped. Some guests were making their way downstairs for lunch and some, wearing sunglasses and flip-flops, were on their way for a dip in one of the pools before Chag. We were finally here.
Having experienced American Pesach programs before, it was clear I wasn’t in Kansas—–I mean America anymore. I was on another continent, and in a new country, but in terms of the vibe of the program- things just felt new. Clearly, my surroundings were different. The air, ocean and landscape were gorgeous and a pleasure to take in.
We were then escorted to our suite by the hotel staff. As the doors of the elevator closed, we immediately heard a mother, speaking to her children in Hebrew, letting them know that after lunch, they would be going to the beach and then straight to take a bath before Yom Tov. Then two best friends, possibly sisters, shared a few comments back and forth in French.
Turns out that one of the things you’ll encounter at a European program is a mix of Jews from all over. Over the course of the program, I learned, from the fashion, the languages and the abundance of lamb, that the program had attracted guests from everywhere from Los Angeles, Lakewood, New York City, Miami, Mexico, France, England, Italy, Israel, Australia and beyond. Different destinations and Passover programs attract different attendees.
Something I learned from Passover programs is that when choosing a Passover destination, people have preferences regarding a number of options, from type or mix of religious crowd, to types of food, activities, climate, hotel tier and so forth. On passoverlistings.com, you can select from a number of search filter preferences to focus your search such as 5 star properties, beach front, mixed crowd, ultra Frum crowd, separate swimming, Gebruchts, non-Gebruchts, takes over entire hotel and more. The more details that prospective guests have, the more informed their program choices can be, ultimately and hopefully leading them to the best Pesach experience possible.
At my European Passover program, while there wasn’t separate swimming at the main pools, the program runners ensured that there were separate times for men and women to enjoy the normally-mixed spa pools. On Shabbos or Yom Tov, it was totally normal to spot some guests in shorts and tank tops grabbing a coffee while on their way down to the spa or pool, and equally typical to observe guests meticulously learning with a sefer or in a chavrusah in the lobby or on the ocean-front terrace. Some attendees prefer a specific crowd and some enjoy seeing the mix of Jews blending together. I personally, thought it was beautiful to see a mixture of Jews enjoying together, especially during impromptu late night kumzitzes or when we all collectively davened for the hostages to be returned.
The food was also different than what I had experienced in the states. While the “tea rooms” in Europe seemed more modest, the meals themselves offered more exotic flavors and tastes. There was also always a served bar and pastries and fruit available. The program had a true mix of Ashenaz and Sephardic guests, and as such, offered a mix of Mizrachi, Mediterranean and American gourmet spreads. Kiddushes were flowing with herring, ceviche and gribines. Highly desired items were available in abundance, such as steak and lamb, and the wine station, with servers available to make recommendations and pour were enjoyed.
American programs tend to what America does- go big. Passover programs like Kosherica pull out all the stops when it comes to entertainment. Their lineup includes performers such as comedian Yohay Sponder and singers like Gad Elbaz. Insane. California’s Upscale Legacy will be hosting the Moshav Band, cigar and chocolate nights, chopped competitions, mechanical bull riding… Honestly, the list goes on and on. American programs want you swimming in entertainment, perusing lavish tea rooms and being wowed by the variety, novelty and excitement they curate.
European programs, while showcasing themed nights, casino nights, magicians and many other types of performers and activities, know that you are there to explore; to see, hear, taste, touch and smell a new experience. Leisure Time Tours in Santa Margherita, Portofino, Italy offers excursions like touring Florence’s famous Ponte Vecchio bridge, holding up the leaning tower of Pisa for a photo or taking in the sites of Portofino and the Italian Riviera from aboard your own private boat. In Greece, you can tour ancient ruins and jet ski on the Agian sea. In Spain you, find your way through warm and inviting Barcelona, with it’s famous Portaventura Park and the Museu Picasso, the museum featuring the works of Pablo Picasso. In Portugal, enjoy Serra do Buçaco and Buçaco National Forest, with its lush forests, tranquil walking trails, and breathtaking views or Albufeira da Barragem, a reservoir surrounded by hills, perfect for water adventures. In a new place, a new country and with a new perspective, you can explore and adventure, or relax and enjoy the literal change of scenery. Either way, you can find what makes you happy.
Aside from physically being somewhere new, the hotel staff speaking another language and the electrical sockets being round, there were other cultural differences. Though it may seem obvious that not everything would be available with English translation, it hadn’t occurred to me that the benchers, hagadas and siddurim may not all have any English in them.
Another major difference is the price point. We can dance around it, but for one reason or another, European programs generally cost less per room than their American counterparts, and sometimes it can be challenging to acquire pricing specifics. Passover Listings has developed a mechanism to help smooth out this process. The site’s pricing tool allows users to plug in the number of guests per room and find a range of Passover programs and prices that meet their group needs. Prospective guests should keep in mind that while the lower ticket price of European programs may be appealing, they should also factor in flight costs to get their best chance at comparing apples to apples.
Speaking of flights, for Americans flying to Europe, it is important to calculate door to door time in order to make sure you arrive in time for chag and return home in time for any commitments such as work or school, as well as alotting for jet lag adjustment time. When we arrived in Europe, it took my young children a few days to acclimate to the time change. It all worked out in the end, but it did cut into our Chol Hamoed and activity time, as well as throwing off sleep schedules, which can be tricky for kids and adults alike.
In the United States and Europe, these Passover programs have one goal – for you and your family and friends to have an amazing experience; to enjoy the holiday, try new and exciting foods, experiences and adventures. The people who attend these programs are all coming from different places and lives, with different wants and needs. Some are eager for adventure and some want to lie on a beach. Some are bringing newborns and some older family members. What’s great about the spectrum of options is that whether you are staying put to enjoy the vast array of in-hotel entertainment and activities or touring and exploring uncharted adventures, there is really something for everyone.
By Evey Leibow
