Israeli social media personality Yona Kapach traveled with her family to Larnaca, Cyprus, for a holiday that had to fit kosher rules and Sabbath preparations soon after landing. Their flight arrived on Friday, so time was tight, but Kapach said careful planning made the trip manageable and stress-free.
The family rented an apartment in a building right next to Chabad of Larnaca, which solved the Sabbath logistics immediately. Because of the location, they were able to order Shabbat meals in advance and ensure mehadrin kosher food. Kapach said the proximity meant they could avoid worrying about Friday cooking while they settled in.
Kapach also packed some kitchen basics from Israel, including cooking utensils, pasta, tomato paste and oil, so she could make simple breakfasts for her daughters, such as omelets and pasta. Later, she said that in hindsight much of that was unnecessary because the Chabad center had a small store stocked with products from Israel. The family also bought local fruit and vegetables, and visited Jumbo, where they purchased a new toaster and enjoyed hot toast for dinner.
Her most notable travel tip was to skip an expensive resort stay and instead rent a car, explore the area, and use a day pass at a nearby hotel. By paying only for a daily pool entry, she said travelers can enjoy resort facilities without spending thousands of shekels, especially when hotel dining is hard to use because of kosher restrictions. Her experience, she concluded, showed that comfort and kosher observance do not have to conflict if the right apartment, Chabad store and a toaster are in place.
