If you’re eager to experience the breathtaking beauty of Norway but don’t want to “go it alone” or investigate and arrange all the aspects of the trip yourself, you definitely should check out the Norway trip this summer offered by Dani’s Kosher Outdoor Adventures.
Dani’s Kosher Outdoor Adventures’ Fjords of Norway trip, July 2-10, enables participants to experience glacial walking and the FjordSauna, hike the fjords, ride the Flamsbana Scenic Railway (in 2014, Lonely Planet described this as the best train journey in the world!) and fjord ferries, and enjoy awe-inspiring views of mountains, narrow canyons, raging waterfalls and alpine lakes. The trip offers three walking/hiking levels with certified local guides and accommodations at VIP lodges in the heart of Sognefjord.
Kosher Outdoor Adventures is an Efrat-based initiative providing kosher vacations in Europe, North America and Israel. They offer an outdoors “on your feet” approach to sightseeing for shomer-Shabbat and kosher-observant adults aged 45-plus who are interested in affordable access to amazingly beautiful places. Bringing years of experience in running Jewish educational programs, Rav Dani Epstein of Efrat offers people the enjoyment of good company and a thrilling week of rejuvenation, discovery, fun, excitement and relaxation, while exploring the vistas and panoramas of the most beautiful national parks in the world.
All Kosher Outdoor Adventure trips include regular minyanim, with a sefer Torah, Glatt Kosher healthy meals, inspiring Shabbat experiences, and group social experiences in memorable settings.
In the Fjords of Norway trip, participants will get to meet the Vikings at the Gudvangen Viking Village, take in the Stegastein Viewpoint over Aurlandsfjord, hike the Aurlandsdalen Valley (known as Norway’s Grand Canyon), visit the Norwegian Glacier Museum in Fjaerland and enjoy Jostedalsbreen National Park, experience Jostedal Glacier Lake, and much, much more.
But don’t just take my word on how well-rounded and well planned this nine-day trip will be. Listen to the reviews of people who have already traveled with Kosher Outdoor Adventures.
David Popper shared: “My hiking trip to the Fjords of Norway with Danny Epstein and Kosher Outdoor Adventures was an unforgettable experience—well organized, breathtakingly beautiful, and full of spiritual meaning. The variety of hike levels made it accessible to people of various fitness levels, and the accommodations, food, and guides were all top-notch. What made it truly special was the warm group, the religious atmosphere with three daily minyanim and frequent divrei Torah, and the deep sense of connection to Hashem’s creation throughout.” Popper is a 72-year-old retired gastroenterologist and his wife is a 70-year-old retired accountant. They split their time between Bay Harbor Islands, Florida and Yardley, Pennsylvania.
Tova Yellin of Teaneck, a pediatrician in Fair Lawn, stated: “I cannot say enough good things about Kosher Outdoor Adventures. I went on their Norway Fiordland trip last summer. The scenery was stunning. The activities were all done on three levels, all with wonderful scenery and activities. However, the intensity and skill level was different for each group. Some people flowed between groups and others stayed with one intensity level. Everyone enjoyed it and felt that they did not miss out on anything. The trip was extremely well organized. We had Israeli chefs who made unique and wonderful meals every night. If you are an observant Jew who doesn’t want to sacrifice seeing beautiful nature and outdoor activities, all the while being in a totally observant environment, this group is for you!”
Brenda and Bill Weiner of Fair Lawn are both retired: He was a financial analyst on Wall Street working with several brokerage firms including BNP and Credit Suisse, and she was a senior managing director for Sterling National Bank. Brenda shared: “Dani ran one of the most organized tours we’ve ever experienced. He assessed every member’s strengths (and weaknesses) in terms of picking the correct trail. The three levels (advanced, intermediate and beginner designations) were perfectly appropriate for each group and proved to be a wonderfully rewarding experience. While the group was diverse, somehow Dani managed to accommodate everyone’s needs in terms of hiking, dining and providing leisurely and enjoyable entertainment when hiking was limited. His team was experienced, empathetic and a pleasure to work with. ”
Harriet Cabelly of West Hempstead, a social worker who participated in a trip with her husband, Alan, commented: “Dani Epstein’s trips check off all the boxes. If you love nature and you want to be active and you want something off the beaten path, out of the main cities, this is it! And his trips are so very accommodating to people’s food needs.”
Dena Levie of Teaneck remarked: “I went on my first trip with KOA to Chamonix, France, the French Alps in the summer of 2021 and loved the people, magnificent scenery and kosher food. I have run missions to Israel for the past 13 years and I knew Dani was running a great program. Joining his team was a natural match for me. Dani’s love of the outdoors, appreciation of Hashem world and ability to organize is a perfect combination. Dani makes sure everyone on his trip is enjoying, eating well, and appreciating the world around them.”
Gwenn and Orrin Davis, formerly of Fair Lawn, now living in Florida, said: “We thoroughly enjoyed traveling last summer to Banff with Dani Epstein, Dena Levie and Nava Hyman, the very able tour operators of KOA. They provided a shomer Shabbos environment with kosher food and daily minyanim. KOA is a flexible, time-efficient, well organized tour company dedicated to their clients. Providing three hiking levels, knowledgeable guides, comfortable accommodations, great food and endearing camaraderie within the group, made our trip an accessible dream come true.”
Joan Sprung of Fair Lawn, shared: “The Canadian Rockies had always been high on my bucket list. This trip surpassed all my expectations. The scenery was magnificent—a real testimony to Hashem’s wonders. Good choice of hiking trails accompanied by very knowledgeable guides. The food was excellent and plentiful. The chef was successful in accommodating different dietary restrictions. Shabbos was lovely—inspiring shiurim, beautiful zemiros, and time for a nature walk and discussions. Everyone was extremely friendly and by the end of the trip we were like one big family.”
Sharon Wenger of West Hempstead shared: “This past July was my second trip with KOA. The Canadian Rockies has been on my bucket list for a while and KOA ran an unbelievable trip. All I had to do was book my flight, and they took care of everything else. The week was truly amazing. The scenery and views were absolutely breathtaking. The hiking was exhilarating and we had wonderful hiking guides who made sure to accommodate for the various levels of hikers and walkers. The food was absolutely delicious and plentiful. What a treat to be able to travel knowing that your food is taken care of, and knowing that you will have a real Shabbos to share with others. Though I knew a few people going into the trip, I met many new wonderful, very warm and inclusive people. I highly recommend KOA’s Canadian Rockies trip—worth every penny!”
Daniel Schwartz of Teaneck said: “My wife Jamie and I went on a hiking trip to Norway with Kosher Outdoor Adventures in July 2024. We went with trepidation not knowing if the other attendees would be experienced hikers or if the food and accommodations would be acceptable. While we were 76 and 72 years old at the time, we remain physically active and outdoorsy, and most of our vacations are centered on active hiking, but not with a group such as KOA.
“To our pleasant surprise the trip was amazing. Norway was breathtaking, the hiking outstanding, the accommodations very comfortable, and the food was delicious and healthy. The other attendees really made the trip special. If you enjoy the outdoors and are comfortable with challenging physical exercise, this trip is not to be missed. The program was finely tuned and every detail covered. Our best review is that we are going on another KOA hiking trip this year.”
For more information on the Fjords of Norway trip, July 2-10, please see: www.kosher outdoor adventures.com.
Harry Glazer is the Middlesex County editor of The Jewish Link. He can be reached at [email protected] and he welcomes reader feedback.
