BY CLAY LARROY
Traveling
can be a great way to meet new people and experience other cultures. New
friends are waiting to meet you in places you have only dreamed of traveling. It
can be a wonderful way to see all that the world has to offer. Travel can be a
hobby and an adventure that will lead you to unexpected places. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!
Academic Study
While many people choose to
incorporate their heritage tour into a traditional vacation as one important
part of a varied itinerary, some people choose to concentrate solely on
studying their Jewish heritage on their trip and take what is often called an
Academic Study Jewish Heritage Tour.
An academic study tour will
be much more concentrated and educational than the common Jewish Heritage Tour.
Emphasis will be on education and discovery, and leisure time is minimal. For
those who wish to gain as much as they can from their tour in a short period of
time, an academic study tour may be the way to go.
Choosing a Heritage Tour and
Guide
If the idea of a Jewish
Heritage Tour peaks your interest, but you are not sure where to visit, ask
yourself some questions and discuss these issues with your travel consultant to
find a trip that best fits your expectations.
Are you interested in the
history of your personal ancestors? If so, you should consider visiting those
places from where your family originated. For example, if you know that your
relatives emigrated from Russia, you may consider doing a heritage tour in
Russia.
Is there a particular area of
the world you have always wanted to see, regardless of the Jewish heritage
found there? Why not visit a long desired destination while discovering the
history of the Jews who lived there in the past and the culture of the Jews who
live there in the present. Examples might be a trip to the Great Wall of China
coupled with historical spots, or a luxury vacation in the Mediterranean with a
short heritage tour in Italy.
Are you someone who feels
very disconnected to your religious roots? Consider a visit to Israel, where
the history of Judaism is the deepest. Or perhaps you are interested in
learning more about this faith, even though it is not your own? Immersing
yourself in the culture is a great way to do this, so visiting one of the main
locations of Jewish culture may be a good choice.
Once you’ve chosen your tour
destination, you need to pick a specific tour.
Your travel consultant will
assist will choosing an appropriate Heritage Tour. Many agencies and tour
guides specialize in these tours, and booking your tour with a specialist is
the best way to ensure that you will get an authentic, educational,
comprehensive tour of this kind.
If you know which area of the
world you would like to tour, your travel consultant can compare the prices and
the itineraries of the tours to see which best accommodates both your budget
and interests. Some agencies offer customized tours with personal tour guides.
A travel consultant will also know a tour organization’s reputation and
legitimacy, which is paramount in selecting an operator.
Independent Travel
While going through an
established tour organizer is probably the best way to go on a Jewish Heritage
Tour, there is always the option of having your travel consultant assist you
with planning and booking an independent tour. There are many books available
that will guide you through a particular region, pointing you to the areas of
interest for those on a heritage quest.
Some advantages to planning
your own tour include the ability to completely customize your tour, change
your plans on a moment’s notice, and take advantage of the opportunity to spend
as much (or as little) time at any one place as you wish. A Jewish Heritage
Tour can be very emotionally taxing. Some people may wish to leave a
particularly disturbing stop on the tour (such as those locations associated
with The Holocaust) quickly while others may be fascinated and wish to spend
more time there to really absorb their emotions. Creating your own tour gives
you that freedom.
A word of caution for the
do-it-yourselfers: There are many regions of the world where a traveler is much
safer traveling with a tour group than without. An established tour will not
only take you to the best points of interest, it will keep you away from unsafe
locations for foreigners. If you are making your own plans, make your safety a
priority and know where it is safe to go and where it is best to stay away -
researching current travel advisory and safety considerations is another part
of the planning where your experienced travel consultant will be invaluable.
Making the Most of Your Tour
How do you make the most of
such a remarkable experience? First of all, document it. Take pictures and
video. One tip for making sure you keep track of what you photograph is to take
pictures of signs with descriptions on them before you take any photos in the
area. Even if it is just the name of a building, you will be able to identify
the places in your pictures much more easily this way. When taking video, tell
the story of the place as you are filming.
Keep a journal. If you are
filming video, your narration will be one type of journal. However, thoughts
and emotions can build up during the day, and spending the time to write them
down in the evenings once you’ve retired to your room will help you get the
most out of each day’s experiences - and remember them more easily. Yes, you
will be tired, but reflections on what you learned and how it affected you are
best written when fresh. These records will be invaluable for you as memories,
and may also help to contribute to your family’s narrative.
When in Rome (or Israel or
Poland or China) do as the Romans do. Experience the culture by taking part in
their local activities. Try the foods of the area - it’s easy to imagine that
common Jewish foods in China will be very different from the cuisine in New
York City. Wear the traditional dress when appropriate. Immerse yourself in the
experience.
A Jewish Heritage Tour will
be unlike any vacation you’ve ever taken. You will visit places that will break
your heart, and you will meet people who will make your heart soar. You will
learn history, connect with your roots, and have a deeper understanding of your
faith, all within the few days of your journey. You will be changed.
REFERENCE SITES:
http://www.travelresearchonline.com/
"If you don't know what you're living
for, you haven't yet lived.”
– Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of blessed
memory
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