Author Topic: Pesach program in Europe  (Read 5869 times)

Offline Srsy

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Pesach program in Europe
« on: December 22, 2014, 09:24:42 AM »
Has anyone been to a pesach program in Europe?  Can anyone give me recommendations?  How would I know what kind of crowd the orogram gets?

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #1 on: December 22, 2014, 09:26:57 AM »
Has anyone been to a pesach program in Europe?  Can anyone give me recommendations?  How would I know what kind of crowd the orogram gets?
Not personally, but my in-laws usually go somewhere in Europe. Seems that a lot of programs are Israeli.
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Offline Menachem613

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2014, 09:27:27 AM »
I don't have a direct answer, but I found that in general, if you take a look at the speakers, you can get an idea of their target crowd.

Offline coralsnake

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2014, 09:27:38 AM »
How would I know what kind of crowd the orogram gets?
Ive never been to one in Europe but you can find out the crowd by asking the tour operator.

It's a frequently asked question.
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Offline Srsy

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2014, 09:34:06 AM »
Hard to know European speakers if you live in the US.  It's not like a US program that you know the speakers.

Offline Menachem613

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2014, 09:38:24 AM »

Hard to know European speakers if you live in the US.  It's not like a US program that you know the speakers.

True. But look at their title. If the main speaker is Rabbi Brian Friedman or Rabbi Meilich Ungarisher (both made up names for illustration purposes) you can make certain assumptions about the target audience.

Offline coralsnake

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2014, 09:39:59 AM »
True. But look at their title. If the main speaker is Rabbi Brian Friedman or Rabbi Meilich Ungarisher (both made up names for illustration purposes) you can make certain assumptions about the target audience.
What about Rabbi Dovid Schwartz? What does that tell you?
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Offline Menachem613

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #7 on: December 22, 2014, 09:42:47 AM »

What about Rabbi Dovid Schwartz? What does that tell you?

Nothing. I would then look at the entertainment being offered, whether there are separate pools/pool hours, as well as whether Gebrukts is served and so on. You should be able to determine what type of people they are trying to attract.

Offline Srsy

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #8 on: December 22, 2014, 09:58:02 AM »
I saw pictures at a program at a different location that has shmurah matzah and non gebrochs and  the crowd did not look too religious.  Men were not wearing kappas and ladies in shorts.

Offline Menachem613

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #9 on: December 22, 2014, 09:58:37 AM »

I saw pictures at a program at a different location that has shmurah matzah and non gebrochs and  the crowd did not look too religious.  Men were not wearing kappas and ladies in shorts.

May I ask which program?

Offline coralsnake

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #10 on: December 22, 2014, 10:05:11 AM »
I saw pictures at a program at a different location that has shmurah matzah and non gebrochs and  the crowd did not look too religious.  Men were not wearing kappas and ladies in shorts.
Im pretty sure Rabbi Meilich Ungarisher gave that heter.
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Offline Srsy

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #11 on: December 24, 2014, 11:14:57 PM »
I prefer not to answer but the program wAs not in the US

Offline Srsy

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #12 on: January 02, 2015, 07:53:53 AM »
Had anyone spent pesach with Tour Plus or Maagalim?

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #13 on: January 02, 2015, 09:19:50 AM »
I went once and my family in Europe and many friends of mine have gone to Pesach programs in tuscany that were always highly regarded.
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Offline G11600

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #14 on: January 03, 2015, 04:36:40 PM »
I have been on 2 programs in Europe for family. I thought both were excellent, though different crowds etc.

We went to Shainfeld in Crete (www.shainfeld.com) 2 years ago. Crowd was mostly modern orthodox and chareidi modern, plus a few traditional. All Israeli (for better or worse - means I can keep 1 day YomTov as Israeli..).
Hotel excellent, really 5 star. Very nice island. Food was excellent and extremely plentiful, especially salad + desserts were amazing though meat was also very good, with carving stations at all meals and all food replenished regularly. Plenty of soft drinks and wine. Staff (hotel and program) very helpful. All meals apart from breakfast are fleischik, and all-day tearoom only has hot drinks, water, cookies and fruit. Davening was a bit long for me on Yom Tov as there was Chazanut.
Entertainment was mostly religious - Shiurim, concerts etc - he brings well-known chazzanim and musicians, if that's your thing.
Tiyulim very good (if you speak hebrew..) but long days.

Went to Spain last year (www.passoverspain.com). This was much less religious - mostly traditional (not shomrei shabbat) though there were a smattering of modern orthodox + few chassid. Kashrut was from Gibraltar and Madrid.
60% of guests French, 20% from UK and 20% Spanish/Gibralater/Ceutta (which gave it a more authentic feel). No Israelis at all (apart from Israeli/American rabbi, who was very nice).
Again, hotel was really excellent, I am sure they got a good rate as off season. Meals were very good  - mostly french food. Highlight for me was meat, which (coming from Israel) was superb - fresh BBQ every day with huge and thick french steaks, lamb/veal chops etc. Much better than normal stuff we get in Israel! I also liked the french cheeses. Food was plentiful and tasty, but I would rate slightly below Shainfeld (apart from meat). He had both dairy and meat lunch avaialble with lasagne + various hot snacks + pizzas available all day long in dairy restaurant which was nice. Good excursions - we went to Seville for holy week + Cordoba etc.

This year we will be in Dubrovnik,Croatia (mother in law treat!) www.vered-holidays.com . I think this program is about 60% Israeli with the rest European (UK/Belgium). Hotel sounds very nice (and gets good reviews) and I have wanted to go to Croatia for a while.

I also found all of these pretty good value for money - Spain last year was around Euro 3,500 inclusive for 4 of us (2 adults + child + infant) in a 2 room suite, full board for 10 days including transfers from airport. Croatia this year is around Euro 8,000 for 5 of us (4 adults + child) including 11 days/10 nights full board (Thursday morning - Sunday evening) and including flights from Tel Aviv + transfers in 2 superior rooms. All rates include tax, tips, service etc so no more to pay (apart from outings). Not cheap, but Pesach never is...
Worth noting that it's quite a bit cheaper than a 4 star mediocre hotel in Israel at half board for 8 nights for the family, but includes full board + 2 more nights + flights + much better hotel.
The other main options from Israel this year are tour plus who have programs in Spain and Crete - they have a good reputation but are normally a bit pricier - maagalim (have no information, but should be OK) and asiatravel.co.il, who have a hotel in Sochi, Russia. Shainfeld is in Rhodes this year.
There are many other options from Europe (both cheaper and more expensive) - you need to look at the crowd, many are mostly French and you may find it hard as english speaker. Also look at Hashgacha - if Bet Den Paris (or local) supervision, it is probably a non-religious crowd. Some also include Kitniot so watch out (unless you're Sefardi!).

« Last Edit: January 03, 2015, 04:44:19 PM by G11600 »

Offline Srsy

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #15 on: January 04, 2015, 08:49:39 AM »
Thank you G11600 for your helpful post

Offline Menachem613

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #16 on: January 04, 2015, 09:08:23 AM »

Thank you G11600 for your helpful post

Amen. We need more of these.

Offline Srsy

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #17 on: February 09, 2015, 11:50:59 PM »
Anyone else went to Greece or Spain for Pesach?

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #18 on: February 10, 2015, 08:42:03 AM »
Anyone else went to Greece or Spain for Pesach?
My in-laws were in one of those locations recently i think.
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Offline Srsy

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Re: Pesach program in Europe
« Reply #19 on: February 10, 2015, 05:03:28 PM »
Marco Polo Can you ask then which program they went to?