Adventure Vacations Rich in Jewish Heritage

By Marci Cooke

Have you ever been on a "Jewish vacation?" This doesn't necessarily refer to a Jewish singles weekend or a trip arranged by a tour company for members of your synagogue. This does not even necessarily mean the typical trek to Israel that many of us eventually take.

In this case, it does mean an adventurous trip for both the young and young-at-heart to places rich in Jewish history. And just because this summer's tan hasn't yet faded, it’s not too early to begin planning your next holiday and the chance to discover Jewish heritage across the globe. We’ve discovered two trips worth a lifetime of education and memories.

An Active Option:

For the physically fit, consider a cycling tour through Tuscany, Italy. The majority of Italy is Roman Catholic, but like other European countries, Italy has a history rich in Jewish culture.

Historical Cycling International is your guide as you pedal through breathtaking Italian countryside dotted with a Jewish heritage dating back to the middle ages. Visit the town of Sorano, an Italian Jewish community with a newly restored synagogue. Walk through an ancient Jewish cemetery and taste kosher Italian wine made by residents of the nearby Jewish ghetto. It’s a fine chance to discover a Jewish culture other than your own.

HCI also sponsors cycling tours to the Jewish communities of the Czech republic as well as the Provence region of France.

Rides cover between fifteen and forty miles daily and you can ride at your own pace. They accommodate vegetarian diets and Sabbath observant riders. A bike is also provided so there is no need to schlep your own. Those with sore muscles can hitch a ride in the support van. The price for European cycling tours are approximately $2,750 and include most meals.

For more information, call toll free, 1-877-Pedal-18 or visit their website at www.historical-cycling.com.

The Exotic Alternative:

If touring the hills and dales of Europe on a bicycle isn’t your kind of vacation, you may want to try an African Safari with a Jewish flavor.

Imagine this: The silhouette of a twisted cedar tree fades into the landscape as the sun sets over Africa. You step out of your luxurious tent, cleaned up from a day of touring a wildlife refugee. You take a seat by a campfire and observe herds of elephants, gazelles and giraffes making their way to the nearby watering hole. The sun sets below a deep purple sky. A lion roars in the distance as a meaningful Havdala service begins on the Serengeti Plains.

For the last eleven years, the husband-and-wife team of Larry and Sue Broder have been escorting "Jewish" safaris through the African plains. Side trips to wildlife refugees and game parks are planned as well as a trip to Nairobi where you’ll enjoy Shabbat services in the country’s only synagogue. You’ll have an opportunity to meet the Jewish residents of Nairobi and explore a Jewish culture much different from your own.

The approximate price is $4,400 per person including airfare from Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, San Francisco or Seattle. For more information, contact the Broders at www.seanet.com/~lbroder/safari.html.

So start planning early for your next vacation adventure and discover more about your Jewish heritage.

Marci Cooke is a freelance writer and photographer living in New Jersey.