The JPost Podcast - Travel Edition: Recent Episodes
Jerusalem Post Podcasts
Welcome to a very special edition of The Jerusalem Post Podcast – Travel Edition, coming to you live from Netanya in front of a wonderful audience as we celebrate five years of journeys, discoveries, and unforgettable conversations.
Over the past half-decade we’ve travelled far beyond the departure board – exploring the Jewish and Israeli story across the globe, and meeting the people who make every destination come alive.
In this anniversary episode we look back at some of our most remarkable stops: from the soaring skylines of the United Arab Emirates to the layered history of Poland, from vibrant Panama to the crossroads of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, and of course the endlessly surprising landscapes of Israel and Europe.
Pack your bags – this is a journey through five years of travel, culture, and connection.
Our podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Moldova is one of Europe's most delightful surprises. Blessed with rolling vineyards, picturesque countryside, welcoming cities, and a fascinating blend of cultures, this small nation offers visitors an authentic and unforgettable experience.
Renowned for producing some of the world's finest wines, Moldova is also home to a remarkable Jewish heritage that spans centuries. From the elegant boulevards and lively markets of Chișinău to ancient monasteries carved into the cliffs of Old Orhei, this journey uncovers a country where history, tradition, and hospitality combine to create one of Eastern Europe's most captivating destinations.
This time:
• Discovering the contrasting sides of Chișinău, from lively markets to elegant parks and boulevards.
• Moldova's Jewish community and learning about Jewish life today.
• Exploring Chișinău's unique Jewish Cemetery Museum project.
• Visiting three renowned wineries, including Carlevana, a producer of outstanding kosher wines.
• Exploring Old Orhei and its solitary cave-dwelling monk.
• Learning about Orhei's Jewish heritage and historic cemetery.
• Experiencing the Eurovision Song Contest the Moldovan way.
Mark and David were assisted by the National Tourism Office of Moldova.
Our podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Vienna isn’t just grand palaces and classical music—it’s a city layered with stories, ideas, and unexpected discoveries. In this episode, we explore a more thoughtful side of Austria’s capital, weaving together a powerful Jewish story with fascinating museums and a standout culinary experience. From philosophy and identity to language and innovation, this Vienna journey offers something genuinely different.This time:* A powerful visit to the Viktor Frankl Museum — exploring meaning, resilience, and life’s deeper questions * Discovering the newly reimagined Vienna City Museum and its take on the city’s past and present * Stepping into a world of globes and exploration * Esperanto, where language meets idealism * A culinary highlight at Tian Restaurant Wien — a Michelin-starred vegetarian experience that surprises and delights
Mark and David were guests of Vienna Tourist Board.
Our podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Step into the flavors, stories, and nightlife of south Tel Aviv as Mark and David explore the vibrant Levinsky Market by day before heading out for a lively pub crawl after dark. From old-world delicatessens and fragrant spice shops to trendy gazoz drinks and buzzing bars packed with locals, this episode captures the unique mix of tradition and modern energy that makes the Levinsky area one of Tel Aviv’s most fascinating neighborhoods. This time on the podcast:• We're just wild about Harry
• A visit to a traditional Turkish deli filled with Balkan and Ottoman flavors
• Exploring a Persian spice shop overflowing with aromas and history
• Fresh baked treats from one of Levinsky’s beloved bakeries
• Herring and chrayne - classic Ashkenazi comfort food
• Creative modern gazoz soda drinks inspired by a forgotten classic
• Discovering the remarkable synagogue that never opens on Saturdays
• Avital may possibly have the world's best job
• A nighttime pub crawl through the lively streets around Levinsky Market
• Meeting both young Tel Aviv partygoers and longtime locals enjoying the nightlife.
• David, the busspotter
Mark and David were guests of Harry's Baked Israel Food Tours and D-TLV Pub Crawl.
Our podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Budapest is a city that constantly reinvents itself—where grand imperial history, cutting-edge culture, and world-famous wellness experiences exist side by side. From sprawling green parks filled with architectural wonders to underground caves that tell the story of centuries past, and from historic castles to modern-day spa innovations, the Hungarian capital offers a journey through time unlike anywhere else in Europe. In this episode of The Jerusalem Post Podcast – Travel Edition, Mark and David explore a city where every corner reveals a new layer of discovery, blending heritage, resilience, and relaxation into one unforgettable experience.This time:
* Liget Budapest City Park – Discover one of Europe’s most ambitious urban cultural developments, where lush parkland meets world-class attractions, including striking new museums, the Budapest Zoo, a historic castle, and even a traditional circus—all in one vibrant setting.
* Budapest Castle & the Caves of Buda – Learn about the fascinating cave system under Buda Castle, uncovering stories from medieval times through the communist era, and discover how this historic area is being carefully restored and reimagined today.
* Ensana Thermal Spa, Margaret Island – Experience the cutting edge of wellness in a serene island setting, with unique treatments such as red cord therapy, menthol ultrasound therapy, and therapeutic salt caves, all rooted in Budapest’s legendary thermal spa culture.
Mark and David were guests of Visit Hungary.
Our podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Snow-capped peaks, world-class skiing, and a rich cultural tapestry—Slovakia’s High Tatras offer far more than just a winter (and year-round) escape.
In this episode, Mark and David explore breathtaking alpine landscapes, glide above the mountains on ski lifts, and uncover the region’s fascinating Jewish history.
From historic spa traditions and modern thermal resorts to a luxurious stay at the iconic Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras, this journey blends adventure, heritage, and indulgence in one unforgettable destination.
This time on the podcast:
* A scenic ski lift ride over the High Tatras
* The geography, beauty, and stories of Slovakia’s majestic mountain range
* How skiing began as everyday transportation
* Preparing Slovakia’s national dish
* Explore Kežmarok’s former synagogue and Jewish cemetery
* Experience AquaCity Poprad, a cutting-edge thermal water park and spa complex
* Reflect at the Holocaust memorial at Poprad’s train station
* Marvel at stunning ice sculptures high in the mountains
* Hear the latest updates on flights connecting Tel Aviv to the High Tatras region
* Step inside the luxurious Kempinski hotel and discover alpine elegance at its finest
Mark and David were guests of Slovakia Travel.
Budapest is a city where history, indulgence, and rejuvenation flow together—quite literally. Built atop a network of natural thermal springs, Hungary’s capital has long been a sanctuary for those seeking relaxation and inspiration. From grand bathhouses steeped in centuries-old tradition to vibrant culinary hotspots and stories of Holocaust resilience that echo through generations, Budapest offers a rich tapestry of experiences that captivate every traveler. In this episode of The Jerusalem Post Podcast – Travel Edition, Mark and David dive into the very essence of this unforgettable city—where healing waters, heritage, and modern flair meet.
In this episode:
* Ensana Hotels, Margaret Island – A peaceful Danube island retreat blending spa luxury with Budapest’s famed thermal waters.
* Unicum & the Zwack Family – A unique tasting paired with a powerful story of resilience and survival.
* Time Out Market Budapest – The city’s top chefs and flavors, all under one vibrant roof.
* Széchenyi Thermal Bath – Iconic outdoor pools and grand architecture at Budapest’s most famous bath.
Mark and David were guests of Visit Hungary and Ensana.
This episode continues our journey through Jewish China alongside the descendants of Jews who found a home here nearly a century ago. Shanghai was not just a stop on the map; it was a lifeline. As we explore the city’s cultural highlights, our focus remains firmly on the human story that still echoes through its streets. From refuge to renewal, memory to modern community, this Shanghai chapter reminds us that Jewish history here is not only something to be remembered, but something still being lived.
In this episode, Mark and David explore Vienna’s Jewish story, one marked by resilience, rupture, and remarkable renewal. From a vibrant medieval community centered around Judenplatz, through centuries of flourishing intellectual and cultural life, to the devastation of darker periods that nearly erased it, Jewish Vienna has continually rebuilt itself. Today, the city reflects a quiet but powerful resurgence, where history is preserved, memory is honored, and a new generation is once again shaping Jewish life in Austria’s capital.
In this episode, Mark and David explore the beauty and grandeur of Budapest, where the Danube divides the historic hills of Buda and the lively boulevards of Pest. From castle views to riverside promenades, the Hungarian capital blends elegance, history, and culture at every turn. The journey also takes them to leafy Margaret Island, home to the famous Ensana spa hotels, where Budapest’s legendary thermal waters promise deep relaxation in the heart of the city. Along the way they explore Jewish heritage, taste Hungarian flavors, and uncover some unexpected surprises.
Exciting news for travelers departing from Tel Aviv! Slovakia is becoming easier and more appealing than ever to visit, opening the door to one of Central Europe’s most enchanting destinations. In this episode of The Jerusalem Post Podcast – Travel Edition, we journey to a gorgeous region filled with dramatic castles, deep Jewish heritage, and vibrant culture — including a city shining on the European stage as a European Capital of Culture in 2026. From medieval fortresses perched above the Váh River to stories of Jewish life that once flourished in the region, Slovakia reveals itself as a destination of beauty, history, and unexpected discoveries.
Mark and David were guests of Slovokia Travel.
If Beijing was the beginning of the journey, Harbin is where memory takes hold.
In the third episode of our China series, we arrive in Harbin—the unlikely northern city that became home to one of the most vibrant Jewish communities of the 20th Century. In the 1920s and 1930s, more than 30,000 Jews lived here, creating a full and flourishing Jewish world far from Europe: synagogues and bakeries, hospitals and soup kitchens, schools, businesses, and cultural life.
But the story of Harbin’s Jews is not only about survival or community—it is also about transformation. These Russian- and Eastern European-born Jews were among the driving forces that helped turn Harbin from a remote outpost into an industrial and commercial powerhouse, shaping the city’s modern identity.
In this episode, we walk in their footsteps. We visit the physical remnants of Jewish Harbin: a former synagogue, the old commercial center, a historic hotel, and the Jewish cemetery. Each site is layered with absence and presence, silence and echoes.
The journey becomes deeply personal as seven Israelis—children of Harbin Jews—return to the city their parents once called home. For some, it is a first visit. For all, it is an emotional reckoning. There are tears. There is laughter. And there is the powerful realization that Harbin is not just a chapter in Jewish history—it is a hometown.
This is a story of belonging in unexpected places.
Of loss, legacy, and return.
Of where our parents walked—and where their footsteps still linger.
David was the guest of the the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and the Chinese Enterprises Association in Israel.
Our podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Bavaria is more than just Oktoberfest. In this episode, we leave the big cities behind and head deep into rural Bavaria, where alpine beer huts perch on mountain slopes and medieval towns hide centuries of stories behind their cobblestone streets. It’s a land where tradition meets hospitality, and every corner seems to hold a surprise.Along the way, we roll up our sleeves on an organic farm, meeting the pigs, sheep, and chickens that call it home. We learn the old-fashioned art of making butter, twist our own brezels, and, of course, sample Bavaria’s world-famous brews. Join us for a journey that blends history, flavor, and a touch of Alpine magic.
This time:
From breakdown to breathtaking: hiking the Alps
Tongue-twisters and tasty wheels
The beer capital you’ve never heard of
Landsberg am Lech: where history hugs the river
Behind bars, Hitler picked up his pen
How to get there, what's kosher and FAQs galore
Meet the pigs living the good life
Baaad move: the great sheep escape
From cream to gold: churning our own butter
Learning the twisty art of brezels (and maybe a challah)
Mark and David were guests of the German National Tourist Board.
In this episode we head to Tianjin in search of the traces left behind by the city’s once-thriving Jewish community in the first half of the 20th Century.
From forgotten addresses to unexpected discoveries, we explore what remains—and what has vanished—of a remarkable chapter of Jewish life in eastern China.
We visit the former synagogue, taking in its blend of traditional and non-traditional Jewish architectural elements, and reflect on what the building reveals about a community shaped by both heritage and place.
Along the way, we speak with Israel’s cultural attaché in China, go mezuzah hunting in a quiet residential neighborhood, and hop on the high-speed train from Beijing to Tianjin.
As always, we bring you practical travel insights, including transport tips, climate, accommodation options, and local food to look out for—plus much more from a city that continues to surprise.
David was the guest of the the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and the Chinese Enterprises Association in Israel.
Welcome to our latest episode, where we’re taking you straight to Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay — the private island escape that’s all about thrills and chills. From heart-pumping adventures like North America’s tallest waterslide and a helium balloon ride soaring 450 feet above the ocean, to the laid-back luxury of overwater cabanas and the crystal-clear lagoon, CocoCay has something for every kind of traveler. Whether you’re here for the adrenaline rush or the perfect beachside unwind, this island truly lives up to its name — a perfect day.
And we hear from the Israeli exec who makes it all happen!
Mark and David were guests of Royal Caribbean.
Our podcast is also available on* Apple Podcasts and Spotify*.
Every great journey needs a starting point. For The Jerusalem Post Podcast – Travel Edition’s new three-part special from China, that is Beijing—not as a chapter in Jewish history, but as the place where the story begins to unfold.
In the first episode of the series, we land in China’s vast and dynamic capital, taking in the city’s scale, symbolism, and spectacle. This opening chapter is about orientation: to the country, to the journey ahead, and to the people who will help guide it.
At the heart of the episode is the group’s host and sponsor, the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). We hear from Guan "Jorge" Jiaxin, a warm and committed bridge-builder—someone with a deep affection for Israel and a genuine belief in people-to-people connections. His presence sets the tone for what follows: travel rooted in relationships, curiosity, and mutual respect.
From there, the episode unfolds as a first encounter with Beijing itself: Tiananmen Square, Jingshan Park, the Olympic Park and the Great Wall, of course.
This installment is about arrival. About seeing. About standing at the threshold of a much larger narrative.
David was the guest of the the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and the Chinese Enterprises Association in Israel.
Our podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Join Mark Gordon and David Harris in conversation with Hassan Madah, the international marketing director of The Israeli Ministry of Tourism.
Edited by Shifra Jacobs.
Step into Nuremberg, a city where sweetly-spiced lebkuchen and sizzling sausages share the stage with medieval alleys, centuries of Jewish life, and the heavy weight of modern history. Wander through the reconstructed old town and its bridges, fountains, and castle, pause at sites that recall Jewish heritage, and confront the haunting legacy of the Nazi rally grounds and the war-crimes trials in Courtroom 600. In this episode, we explore Nuremberg’s flavors, stories, and scars—discovering how a city shaped by both joy and tragedy continues to speak to visitors today. This time: * Traditional vegan??? Sausages in the city gate * Old Town, new stones * Tasty toppings on monks' wafers * The silence of Nuremberg’s Medieval Jews * Dürer’s brush with Nuremberg * How to get there, climate and other FAQs * Inside Courtroom 600 * Of Albert Speer * Reconciling history * Justice Across Time * Hitler's colosseum * Kristallnacht and the Nuremberg vase * Farewell to bittersweet Nuremberg but we hope to be back soon
In the lush, misty highlands of Boquete, Panama, Rabbi Yakov and Hana Poliwoda have created something extraordinary. Perched in the remote cloud forest, they’ve built a vibrant Chabad center that warmly welcomes both locals and Jewish travelers exploring the region’s breathtaking hiking trails, world-renowned coffee plantations, and its iconic volcano.
From a beautifully-appointed dairy kosher restaurant and meaty meal deliveries straight to hotel rooms, to a picturesque synagogue, lively community events, cozy guest rooms at the Chabad House, and even a pristine mikvah - Boquete’s Jewish oasis offers everything a visitor could need, all in one of the world’s most scenic settings.
Join Mark and David for an in-depth, heartwarming chat with the remarkable Poliwodas.
Join Mark and David as they wander through Munich’s surprising mix of culture, history, and flavor. From the city’s buzzing contemporary arts scene to the quiet street where Albert Einstein once lived, they uncover stories that bring Munich alive in unexpected ways.
Along the way, they step inside the Jewish Museum to explore the city’s layered Jewish heritage, and, of course, dive into the tales of Munich’s world-famous sausages.
With their trademark warmth, curiosity, and humor, Mark and David connect the dots between past and present, giving listeners a Munich experience that’s equal parts inspiring, delicious, and unforgettable.
Think Orlando is all mouse ears and rollercoasters? Think again. In this episode, we flip the script—literally—inside WonderWorks’ upside-down building, soak in the charm of Lake Buena Vista, and raise a glass (or three) at City Works Eatery and Pour House, home to a jaw-dropping 100 beers on tap. It’s Orlando like you’ve never tasted, toasted, or tumbled through before.
This time:
Room service, reinvented
When your first stop is an upside-down house, you know it’s gonna be a fun trip
Shaken, stirred, and storm-chased at the hurricane shack
Burn calories, not your enthusiasm
Want to visit Orlando - hear the travel tips
All the Disney vibes, none of the queue lines
When your pint tastes like a peanut butter latte
Orlando on tap—Literally
When most travelers think of Czechia (or the Czech Republic), Prague steals the spotlight. But venture a little further east and you’ll find Moravia—a land of vineyards, hidden caves, elegant mansions, and stories that blend history with legend.
In this episode, we head to Brno, explore a centuries-old synagogue, sip local wines, wander through mysterious underground caverns, meet Romeo and Juliet in an unexpected setting, and step inside a stately Moravian mansion. Join us as we uncover the side of Czechia that goes far beyond Prague.
This time: * Double the name, double the fun: Czechia or Czech Republic? * Mark & David let Karen off the leash * Uncovering Jewish Czechia * Brno—where the missing vowels went on holiday * Karst and found: adventures underground * Meet rock legends Romeo and Juliet * FAQs at your fingertips * Czech Into the fairytale: Lednice Chateau * Vine and dandy: tasting Czechia’s whites * Karen 2 - the movie. She seems to think so
Welcome to Bayreuth, a city where baroque beauty, rich brewing traditions, and deep cultural heritage come together. Famous for its beer and Franconian wines, Bayreuth is also home to magnificent architecture, leafy squares, and a story that reaches far beyond its world-renowned opera house. From sipping a local brew in a centuries-old beer garden to standing before the restored old synagogue that bears witness to the city’s Jewish history, Bayreuth offers travelers a journey through taste, time, and tradition. We also hear how the German National Tourist Board presents heritage and modernity in one attractive package.This time: * This isn’t Beirut…it’s Bayreuth: where synagogue, steins, and stunning streets await. * Where Aperol spritz flows, piazzas come alive, and Bavaria takes on a taste of Italy * Bayreuth’s Old Synagogue — a quiet survivor that whispers the city’s Jewish story through its walls * German tourism's leading woman — shaping how the world discovers Germany * Bayreuth: Blending heritage, culture, and hospitality to shine on the world stage * Savor the flavors of Franconia as we sample the region’s finest wines * Wagner’s circle silenced Jewish performers — today, the Bayreuth Festival raises its voice to honor them * FAQs at your fingertips * Take a city beer tour through Bayreuth — from centuries-old breweries to frothy steins that tell the town’s story * Raise your glass to the Beer Queen — where hops, heritage, and a royal toast come together. * A joyful welcome, brass and drums setting the soundtrack to dinner * Michelin-starred chef Alexander Herrmann is larger than life — in personality, passion, and unforgettable plates * A farewell to spoons
🎙️ Beyond Iconic: Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas! Join The Jerusalem Post Podcast – Travel Edition, Episode 113, as we set sail on one of the world’s largest cruise ships. From unforgettable family adventures to dazzling shows, cocktails, and cuisine, discover how this Icon Class marvel is redefining travel at sea!
Panama City is a vibrant crossroads of cultures, where colonial ruins and gleaming skyscrapers frame a city shaped by the legendary Panama Canal and centuries of global trade. Its culinary scene blends Afro-Caribbean, Spanish, and Indigenous flavors—best experienced in the bustling markets or over a plate of sancocho in Casco Viejo.
This time:
Walking the city by night and day
Get to know a people by their food market
It might be the easiest way to legally buy a Cohiba Havana cigar
The Panama hat: It ain't what you probably think
From Columbus to the present day
How to get there? Where to stay? And all the other FAQs Lula kosher delights in the heart of the old town
IMAX, YOUMAX, MORGAN FREEMANMAX
Going kosher at the canal
The only man to swim the Panama Canal - was that a crocodile?
You can Blame Kiki but she is kosher
Is that an empanada or are you just pleased to rub my back?
Montenegro is a jewel on the Adriatic Coast. This Balkan gem offers sun, sea, skiing, history, great food and wine, and a whole bunch of surprises. Mark and David used the Dukley Hotels and Resort as their base, as they discovered Budva, Cetinje and much more besides. This time: 1. They do sound hungover 2. Breakfast with a view 3. Golf carting in historic Cetinje 4. What's the Montenegro story? 5. Wine? Thank you very much, sir 6. A chat with Montenegro Tourism Minister Simonida Kordić 7. How to get there, the weather and more FAQs 8. Yugoslava is not a spelling mistake 9. Narrow alleys and great views from Budva old town 10. Buoyancy with Bojan at Sea
We travel deep into a tropical cloud forest in stunning Boquete, Panama, where we meet armadillos, sample the world's most expensive coffee bean and visit a small but thriving Jewish community center. This time: * Landing on David: Not as painful as it sounds * Morton's: A kosher bakery and café in paradise * In the footsteps of pumas, pumpkins and CROCS!!!!!!! * How to get there, where to stay and the kosher lowdown * The world's most expensive coffee. Go on, take a guess! * Meeting the cloud-forest rabbi and rebbetzin * Bees, butterflies and honey
Mark and David were guests of Promtur Panama.
On the shores of the Bay of Budva, on Montenegro's Adriatic Coast, sits the wonderful Dukley Hotels & Resort. Mark and David sample the delights of this vacation paradise, with its private beaches, tip-top amenities, and yes, a year-round kosher restaurant and synagogue. This time: * It's an early start for the boys * Great kosher breakfast. Phenomenal cheeses. * Meet the chef with a story to tell * It has to be Chabad: Inside the Budva Jewish Community Center * What does Dukley have to offer? * Learning the laws of Shabbat and kashrut * How to get there? What's the weather like? And more useful tips * The jacuzzi and the sea view suite * A restaurant on the beach * Reflections on a great Dukley Shabbat
We're delighted to welcome three guests on this episode of the podcast: We quickly stop in Taipei and a small airport in northern China before meeting Olga Bokhonovskaya from Your Jewish Heritage Guide as she takes us on a whistle-stop tour of Regensburg,
The UNESCO-recognized only authentically-preserved large medieval city in Germany. We learn of the general sites and Regensburg's fascinating millenia-long Jewish story.
Beyond its canal, jungle and rainforests, Panama is manna from heaven for travelers who keep kosher. There are some 50 top-notch kosher eateries to try, the vast majority of them in the capital, Panama City. There's Japanese, steakhouses, fancy bakeries plus one of the largest kosher supermarkets outside of Israel. Mark and David also take you on an unforgettable journey beyond the fine dining and into the 15,000-strong Jewish community to meet its leaders and members. This time:
* Dutch robots versus humans
* Soft landing into the Adama (earth)
* Now that's a pleasant Aroma (not what you are thinking!)
* Audio perfection in the synagogue
* One impressive study hall
* Why Panama? Why Jewish?
* How to get there? Where to stay? And all the other FAQs
* Our man in Panama
* All about the rabbi
* A different kind of Aria
* The wonderful Ceci
* Spice up your life - Japanese style
We've all got some great travel stories to tell. This time Mark and David asked listeners, friends and one or two famous travelers for their funniest, most loveable anecdotes...
This time:
* The Amateur Traveler on what to do between flights
* The Two Flying Boys have a haircut
* Suhair and the adventures of a giant teddy bear
* Everything melts in Karen's presence
* Warren flies a TransAtlantic classic
* Colin's penchant for Beethoven causes trouble
* Is Dinesh dying in Melbourne?
* Stanley takes his tefillin everywhere
* From panic to singing highs with Irena
* Mark and David add their own tales of bombs, rabbis and you-know-what at 36,000
Most of us meet rabbis in synagogues, wedding halls, or cemeteries. But in this episode, we hit the road with two rabbis who have taken their faith far beyond the pulpit. First, we meet Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft, affectionately known as "The Traveling Rabbi," who has spent decades serving far-flung Jewish communities across Africa. Then, we head to London Heathrow Airport with Rabbi Hershi Vogel, one of the world’s few Jewish airport chaplains, to learn what it means to offer spiritual support in one of the busiest transit hubs on Earth.
Our latest episode takes you around the world in luxury, unless of course you'd prefer to work below decks.
This time we get the VIP treatment with Celebrity Cruises, we meet an old friend in a new Far East location with Royal Caribbean International before we go behind the scenes and learn what it's like to work on a cruise ship with Jobs on a Ship.
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is very different from glitzy Dubai, up the road. Podcast hosts Mark and David discover the beauty of the Middle East's largest mosque and unity in the Abrahamic faiths before heading into the Empty Quarter for some desert fun with Costa excursions. This time:
Is it a mosque or a shopping mall?
* The marble, the mausoleum, the majesty
* World-record breakers
* How to get there, where to stay and kosher options
* Where Muslims, Christians and Jews come together
* It's not just a yeshiva thing!
* What can I do in Abu Dhabi?
* 4x4 off-roading through the desert
* David gets a little too close to his camel friends
* He's so dizzy, his head is spinning like a whirlpool
* Belly dancing time - surely Mark and David aren't about to...?
In four years of podcasting, we've visited a lot of Jewish communities, some of them in places you'd perhaps least expect to find a minyan! In this tour de force, we take you to 10 Jewish locations around the world through chat and music - among them: Salt Spring Island, Canada; Baku, Azerbaijan; Mallorca; Spain; and the very appropriately-named Bridgetown, Barbados.
Listen. Enjoy. Share!
The theme is definitely Italian as Mark and David head for the high seas aboard the Costa Smerelda. This time: * Boarding in Abu Dhabi * First impressions of a Costa Cruises ship * Safety first * The fabulous food offering * What to do on board * A show in the Colossuem (No lions) * Dancing the night away * The morning after the night before * Getting to know the Costa ethos * What a 360°-view off Dubai * A design museum on a ship! * From Chianti with love - wine tasting on board * Acrobatics in a colosseum (Still no lions) * Reflections
Despite all the predictions from experts, friends, families and social-media critics, we've made it to episode 100! In typical Mark and David celebratory style, we bring you the highs and lows of four years of podcasting including looks back at hazzanut in Uzbekistan, kosher gumbo, Chinese street performers and hot-air ballooning in Lithuania.
Listen. Enjoy. Share!
Ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau on Jan. 27, Mark and David present a special episode of the podcast from Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. They take you behind the scenes into the new Collections Center and sit down for a frank, in-depth conversation with Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan.
What is the role of Yad Vashem and Holocaust education 80 years on?
Jaffa really is the original Tel Aviv, literally in the Biblical sense. Join podcast hosts Mark and David as they explore the historic and modern in this old-world port city.
This time:
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Underground, overground
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Traveling the new light railway
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What do Phil Collins, Rihanna and Barbara Streisand have in common?
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Clash of the Maccabi-Hapoel titans at The Bloomfield
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How to get there, where to stay and eat and more helpful tips
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From jail time to clock time
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"Please touch" in the fabulous Na Laga'at Center for the sensorily impaired
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The boys take in some art - Sunset by the Mediterranean
We take you to what some believe is the world's oldest synagogue and it's right next door to the homes of podcast hosts Mark and David in Modi'in, Israel.
This week's adventure takes in the Hanukkah story, a fabulous museum and oily baked comestibles of course. This time:* A donut breakfast * The world's oldest synagogue? * The hip Maccabean graves * A donut lunch * Useful travel tips for Modi'in * A great little gem of a museum * Modi'in gets its first hotel! * Surely not a donut dinner?
Just a two-hour flight from Tel Aviv, Thessaloniki is everything a tourist would want: ancient ruins, UNESCO monuments, great food, a gorgeous boardwalk, theaters, excellent boutique shops and of course our travel podcast hosts Mark and David. This time:* Strolling the beautiful downtown and seafront * Why is it called the White Tower if it isn't...? * City walls with stunning views * When to visit, how to get there, where to stay and kosher details * From peacocks to Baptisms * Brunch like no other * She sells olives but we want the booze * One of the oldest churches, with a Jewish twist * Sounds funny but why is it called Moldee?
Join us for 2,700 years of history at the Tower of David.
We reveal insider stories about Donald Trump, Tony Blair, Nicolas Sarkozy and other world leaders from their stays at the King David Hotel (Who had a thing for dressing gowns?) And we take you to meet Elvis Presley in the Jerusalem hills.
Join Mark and David for a bumper edition of the podcast.
Join Mark and David for part three of their Chinese odyssey. Beijing tells a story that is three thousand years in the making. Our podcast brings it to you in just under one hour.
This time:
* On the Shanghai-Beijing bullet train
* The truly Great Wall of China
* How to get there, when to travel and where to stay
* The making of a Peking Duck
* The Buddah of the rickshaw
* Top tips for travel to China -
* Wonderous acrobatics
* Where emperors prayed alone
* Mark and David become the stars of Tiananmen Square
* Welcome to the Forbidden Ci
* The fruit stinks. But we'll eat it anyway
Mark and David host The Jerusalem Post Podcast – Travel Edition. They were the guests of The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC)
Jewish community member and guide Hella Kounio-Matalon takes podcast hosts Mark and David on a whistlestop tour of more than 2,000 years of history, in a city where Jews were the majority for five centuries.
This time:
* Alexander the Great's Jewish entourage
* They came in their thousands from Spain, Portugal and Italy
* Inside today's community
* A musical trip into the surviving pre-Holocaust synagogue
* When to travel, getting there, lodgings and food
* Tracing the past: the excellent Jewish museum
* Europe's largest cemetery is no more
* Of Thessaloniki mansions
* There's got to be a Chabad restaurant
With COVID behind us, we thought travel and tourism would return to normal. But in Israel, that hope was short-lived. On Simhat Torah, October 7, 2023, Israel was dragged into a war on multiple fronts. Podcast hosts Mark Gordon and David Harris look at the industry a year later, in the company of EL AL's Chief Counsel Sharon Brownstone and Kim Melchior, the co-CEO of IGT - Israel & Global Travel.
Join Mark and David for part two of their Chinese odyssey. Shanghai is one of the world's great cities in every sense: population, food, business, skyscrapers and yes, Jewish history.
This time:* In friendship with Israel * Fancy a drop of port? * Nanjing Road is just wall-to-wall people * Michaelangelo in China? Well, in cocoa butter, anyway * Tnuva and China? * We take you down Chinese memory lane * How to get there, where to stay and more great travel advice * How 50 companies are doing big business in a China-Israel innovation park * Think tank thanks * Sailing on the Huangpu * The wonderful Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum * Top tips for traveling to China * Farewell at 350 km/h
Mark and David host The Jerusalem Post Podcast – Travel Edition. They were the guests of The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).
Krakow is already gearing up for the 34th edition of its international Jewish Culture Festival scheduled for summer 2025. Our podcast hosts Mark and David attended festival #33 from where they bring you the sounds and sights of this wondrous city and introduce you to the people behind one of the world's largest Jewish arts gatherings.
This time:
- Krakow for Kulture
- Janusz has done this 33 times and he isn't even Jewish
- Not just Klezmer in Kazimierz
- The Muslim macher
- A side trip to the Galicia Jewish Museum
- Everything you need to know about a visit to Krakow - flights, hotels, kosher food and more
- It's a small Jewish world after all. Mark has a friend!
- It's all pants with David
- Listen to the music: Israeli, klezmer, African and Asian
We take you into the Caucasus Mountains in Azerbaijan to visit what is said to be the last living shtetl in the world outside of Israel. We learn the history of the "Red Village" and visit its working synagogues. Then, we go deep into the countryside of this beautiful country that borders the Caspian Sea.
This time:* What is the "Red Village" aka Qırmızı Qəsəbə? * A tour of the amazing Jewish museum * Mountain Jews' synagogues * Where Jews and Muslims live side by side * How to get there? Where to stay? * Overlooking Shamakhi * The tombs of great past leaders * A blacksmith takes us behind the scenes * Fine wines from saplings to samplings
Mark and David were guests of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board and Azerbaijan Airlines.
Shenzhen is the remarkable embarkation point for Mark and David's Chinese odyssey. The city has strong links with Israel, particularly in the world of technology. By 2035, transport chiefs say there'll be drone helicopters ferrying passengers above the city's burgeoning skyscrapers. Join the boys on this special voyage of discovery.
Mark and David host The Jerusalem Post Podcast – Travel Edition. They were the guests of The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC)
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 87
Mark and David host El Salvador's Ambassador to Israel Milton Eduardo Umaña Acevedo to learn about the great things to do and eat in this Central American paradise.
Then, travel writer Jessica Mudditt pops in to talk about her time in Tibet, how to get there and answers the question: Do you have to be physically fit to enjoy a trip to this spiritually- and topographically-elevated nation?
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 86
Mark and David hit the road in Upper Silesia. They take in the main city, Katowice, before heading out to mountain-top villages, Jewish heritage sites and a whole lot more...
This time:* Working at 320 meters below ground * The deepest pub in Europe - cheers! * The remarkable Jewish museum in Gliwice * Where miners once lived * What does Katowice have to offer? * How to get there and other travel tips * All about skiing in summer * Drenched. Utterly drenched * Cheese, wool and lace thongs! * Which country are we in? * Beautiful Cieszyn
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 85.
It's finally happened. Podcast hosts Mark and David actually went on vacation with their own families. How did they each cope without their respective recording buddy? Mark reports on a trip to Eilat and a fully-kosher Mano Cruise sailing from Haifa to Larnaca, Cyprus. Meanwhile, David reflects on a week in Tuscany, Italy, beyond Florence and Pisa. The pair bring you details on where to stay, what to eat and how to make the most of your trip.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 84
Located on the Caspian Sea, the world's largest lake, Baku has everything you could ask for in a city vacation and that includes great kosher food and daily synagogue prayers - right in the heart of a secular Muslim state. The capital of Azerbaijan is a mix of East and West, Asia and Europe, historic and modern. Just three hours from Tel Aviv with up to a dozen weekly flights, what more could you ask for? Mark and David report from Baku and dish up the highlights in their latest podcast. This time:* At 30,000 feet with Azerbaijan Airlines * Baku, its food and fountains by night * Suleyman the guide speaks magnificent Hebrew! * It's got to be Chabad - meet Chief Rabbi Shneor Segal * Take off my shoes when I go into shul? * Who are the Mountain Jews? * A kosher restaurant in the heart of the city * The lowdown on how to get here, where to stay and what to eat * Azerbaijan, the big picture * Baku is very walkable * The incredible Heydar Aliyev Center * Is that an Israeli flag? * Flames, Highland Park and what a view (yes, we know this is audio)
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 83
Waterfalls, walks and wines await visitors to the Ajara region of Georgia. It's just a half-hour drive into the lower Caucasus Mountains from Batumi airport. There are also fortresses and botanical gardens to keep happy visitors of all ages.
Podcasters Mark and David serve up the sights, sounds and smells in their own inimitable way.
This time: - Heading into nature
- Tales to Jason and the Argonauts
- A garden with a view
- I thought Petra was in Jordan
- Move over The Three Tenors, Georgian singing is truly unique
- Waterfalls in peaceful oases
- How to get there? Where to stay?
- The oldest wine in the world?
The boys are joined by Moldova's ambassador to Israel Alexandr Roitman, who just penned a book on his country's Jewish history.
Then, Gil Travel's Iris Hami serves up the best of Argentina: From Boca to Bariloche.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 81
Some people in the Israeli tourism sector are really angry with Tourism Minister Haim Katz. Mark and David found out why at this year's International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) in Tel Aviv, In this episode you'll also hear from the tourism chief in Azerbaijan and Air India's new man in Israel.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 80
Some people just go to a seaside destination and stay in the hotel - the pools, restaurants and glitzy casino. Batumi in Georgia can be just that. But it's a whole lot more once you head out of the lobby's revolving door. Mark and David discover a small but thriving Jewish community, traditional music, great food and a whole lot more.
Mark and David were guests of Visit Batumi.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 79
Mark and David visit two of the many wineries in the hills to the west of Jerusalem. They meet the founder and winemaker of Domaine Du Castel before heading for the vineyards of Nevo Winery. Along the way, they hear the unusual stories of the founders of both wineries, visit the bottling rooms and cellars and drink way too much wine in the great visitor centers.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 78
Today, April 1st marks the return of British Airways flights to London. Mark & David took a trip to London with British Airways to stock up on tea bags and find out more about the airline, its history and about the best city in the world. (Mark & David were born there – enough said!) This time: - Saying hi from the All New Club Suite - A royal ride on the Elizabeth Line - Flying back in time at The Speedbird Centre - The only Israeli Tour Guide from his English village - A British Classic Explained - From Hebrew Class to First Class - Lounging around with Concorde This episode was created prior to October 7, 2023. Flight times and aircraft may differ. Club Suites are available on more than 60% of British Airways' long-haul routes from LHR, including 10 of 26 direct US routes.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 77
Mark abandons David and heads to Edinburgh for its world famous fringe festival. The pair reunite to learn all about the Jewish history of Barbados and discover the best things to do, see and eat on the Caribbean island.
This episode was created prior to October 7, 2023.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 76
While cruising from Haifa will be very limited in 2024, there are huge oceans out there waiting to be explored. We bring you all the latest cruising news plus interviews with representatives of MSC, Cunard and Princess. We also learn about Haifa Port's plan to bring back the tourists and finish with a hilarious quickfire conversation with two of the funniest women on the high seas.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 75
Mark and David take you to Małopolska, or Lesser Poland, for a taste of Michelin-rated food, great walks and more than a pinch of salt. Please tell me they are not really literally licking the walls. Oh, and this really is one for Star Wars lovers. This time: * How on earth do you pronounce the letter ł? * "I thought Shaft was a TV show." * Welcome to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site * 130 meters (426 feet) below ground * On to Zakopane and the Subcarpathian Tatra Mountains * Of beautiful wooden homes, a famous cemetery and a long-gone Jewish community * Jack Finch is George Lucas approved * The masseuse with the most * The best restaurant in Poland?
Mark and David were guests of the Polish Tourism Organization and Małopolska Tourism Organization.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 74
Gone are the days when kosher travel meant restricted travel. PJS Challenges offers adventures and expeditions to some of the most scenic, remote spots on earth and it's all kosher. And for those seeking an easier paced trip, we'll be hearing about what there is to see, do and eat in the beautiful Belgian city Antwerp.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 73
The former Polish capital Krakow is one of Europe's most beautiful cities. Aside from the beauty of the protected Old Town, Krakow offers delights for connoisseurs of all art forms - painting, music, modern architecture, Japanese manga and dozens more. Oh, and then there's a fabulous food scene.
This time:
Polish 101 - Mark and David get tongue-tied
Getting the lay of the land
Da Vinci and Rembrandt
Sustainable modern building alongside a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The sounds, smells and tastes of the Christmas market
Modern art graces Krakow
Wait, it's called Fiorentina but it's not Italian?
A cultural mecca
Mark and David were guests of the Polish Tourism Organisation and Małopolska Tourism Organisation.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 72.
This episode was recorded prior to the events of October 7, 2023.
Mark and David travel to the Baltic Sea and Latvia's port city Liepaja to meet members of the Jewish community before heading to a glorious beach town and majestic stately home.
This time:* Go West, young men * The Jews of pre-War Liepaja * Personal accounts of Holocaust salvation * Reconstruction of a community * The finery of Rundale Palace * Tragic tales are never far away - the story of Rumbula * The beaches of Jurmala * Taking stock of Latvia of then and today
Mark and David were guests of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Radisson Blu Ridzene and Air Baltic.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 71
Following October 7 and its aftermath, Israelis are slowly returning to travel, to breathe, to relax. In this episode our travel duo Mark and David head to stunning Krakow in Poland to sample 21st-Century Jewish life in a city that has a Jewish history dating back a thousand years. They visit the tourist sights but also take you behind the scenes to learn about the community's contribution to the city and find out what it's like to be a Jew today in this former Polish capital, particularly given the new reality back in Israel.
This time:* A remarkable Jewish festival * Visiting the city's Jewish sights * A practical guide ahead of your visit * Inside the Jewish Community Center * What to do with an abandoned synagogue?
Mark and David were guests of the Polish Tourism Organization and Małopolska Tourism Organization.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 70
In this second special wartime episode, Mark Gordon and David Zev Harris speak to experts about the tourism situation in the aftermath of the Gaza war. When will foreign airlines return to Ben Gurion? Will there be cruises out of Haifa port in the next 12 months? Which destinations will Israelis shun and to which will they flock in 2024?
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 69
A month after the Hamas invasion, we look at the war's impact on every aspect of tourism to, from and within Israel. Mark and David speak with experts from the government, hotel and travel agency sectors to find out how bad the situation is and how long it might take to recover.
They also hear about Bar Tomer from the Elkonin Hotel in Tel Aviv, whose life was tragically cut short on October 7th at the Supernova Music Festival. This episode is dedicated to her.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 68.
With direct seasonal flights from Tel Aviv, the Trnava region is proving to be hugely popular with Israeli visitors. A famous spa, historic city, old synagogues and much more are putting this delightful region on the map. This time:
* Getting our bearings in Piešťany, a beautiful spa town
* Remembering in the former labor and concentration camp and Holocaust museum in Sered
* Piešťany, the jazz mecca
* Time to bathe - in mud
* Can Mark and David rock?
* Inside the Vrbove synagogue
* Trnava's House of Bones
* Synagoga - beautifully restored in Trnava city
* From bees comes honey, honey wine and honey beer
* It's tasting time
Mark and David were guests of Experience Trnava Region and Visit Piestany. Flights provided with support from World Jewish Travel.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 67
You have to feel for Mark and David as they force themselves to try the high-quality gins, vodka and bourbon at Thinkers Distillery - it's a tough old life. Meanwhile, Mark gets jealous, as David samples the delights of Venice.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 66
Bratislava lies on the majestic Danube. It's a compact capital city with something to please everyone: two castles, great food and lots of fascinating Jewish history - and not just the story of the Hatam Sofer (Rabbi Moses Schreiber).
This time:* Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a choo-choo train - sort of * Historic Bratislava Castle * Meeting the city's Jewish community * The gallery literally in the middle of the Danube * Devin: Where castles, rivers and daring escapes all meet * A real UFO. Honestly * The restaurant with the best view in town * The remarkable story of the tomb of the Hatam Sofer * Bratislava synagogue and the amazing testimony of a Holocaust survivor * Jewish wrestlers, swimmers and the creator of krav maga
Mark and David were guests of the Bratislava Tourist Board. Flights provided with support from World Jewish Travel.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 65
Kosher travel has come a long way since the heyday of the Catskills, a couple of Jewish hotels in Europe or a trip to or in Israel. The world is now the Jewish traveler's (kosher) oyster! Mark and David speak to three experts in the field who tell the story of the development of kosher vacations and offer hot tips on what's available today - from Latin America, via Africa, to Asia, alongside some old favorites - and don't forget cruises on the high seas.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 64.
Mark and David travel to Riga, the compact, beautiful capital of Latvia on the Baltic Sea. Hear the city's story, including that of its Jewish populations through times good and bad. This time:* An introduction to the city * The tragic story of the Riga Ghetto and uplifting moments in the Holocaust museum * UNESCO-protected art nouveau at its finest * The gorgeous old town * An appointment with city hall * Inside the wonderful downtown Peitav Shul - Riga Synagogue * The story of righteous gentile Janis Likpe * Chabad is everywhere
Mark and David were guests of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Radisson Blu Ridzene and Air Baltic.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 63.
Hong Kong tourism is back in full swing after the three-year hiatus. So, we ask Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific airways what makes the destination so special. Then we're off for a one-of-a-kind visit to the home of reggae and one of the world's unique synagogues - tropical Jamaica.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 62
Join Mark and David as they sample the delights of two of the latest hotels to open in Israel - Teatron in Jerusalem and Elkonin in Tel Aviv. Both are members of the MGallery Collection of exclusive hotels. While very different, the pair offer great amenities, terrific food and the coziness of home.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 61
Some call it The Shuk, others Mahaneh Yehuda. Either way, the market has seen many changes in recent years. Mark and David take you on an audio feast that will arouse all your senses as they take in the sights, sounds, smells and, most importantly, the tastes of this Jerusalem landmark. This time: So what are our favorite Jerusalem attractions (other than food!)?* Meet the most colorful of tour guides and guess the accent * Why is this night different from all others? * Sweet or savory? All the way from Morocco * Holy crepe! * The chef. The vision. * Turkish delight, followed by, erm, Turkish Delight * The Great Debate: Is there such a thing as Jewish food? * From Lebanon with love (and spice) * Getting a French lowdown on Middle-Eastern Manna! * Surely they can't eat any more? Mark and David can - just for you * A South-American farewell.
Mark and David were hosted by tour guide and author Joel Haber.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 60
We hear about two magical countries from women who've left their hearts in Asia. Author and journalist Jessica Mudditt talks about tourism and living in Myanmar. While diplomat Abby Ya-Ping Lee offers some great tips on vacations in Taiwan.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 59.
The Eastern Mediterranean is now a major hub for many international cruise ships, with Haifa at its epicenter. Mark and David learn about sailings from Haifa and internationally in the company of senior executives from MSC, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and Israel's own Mano Cruise
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 58.
Mark and David meet up with some of Brazil's top tourism ambassadors to learn about some of the country's offerings including Rio de Janeiro and the breathtaking Iguazu Falls. Then the Philippines' ambassador to Israel talks about the special connection between his nation, the Jewish People and Israel, while giving us an insider's view on the best things to do in his home country.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 57
Mark and David examine the cost of a vacation including flights, accommodation, food and entertainment. They also look at tourism in Israel post-COVID and ask if things are back on track. They tackle the success of the Abraham Accords or otherwise and chat about the ongoing controversy surrounding sending Israeli kids on Poland tours.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 56
Mark and David take you around the "Manchester of Poland." It has had to change with the times - from cotton powerhouse to post-industrial entertainment center via World War II and communism. They discover how the city's Jewish community contributed to Lodz' significant growth.
This time:
We're here but have no idea how to pronounce the city's name!
What Lodz has to offer the visitor
Turning a huge cotton mill into a 21st-Century paradise Who was Izrael Poznanski?
The Arthur Rubinstein story
When is a power station not a power station?
Remembering Lodz's Jews in one of Europe's largest Jewish cemeteries
From 19th-Century fabric center to ultra-modern museum
Welcome to Hollywooj - one of the world's great movie meccas
Mark and David were guests of the Lodz Tourism Organization and the Polish Tourism Organisation.
Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 55
This time, Mark and David learn of the delights of two great tourist destinations. Charming Slovakia is the perfect European getaway with so much to see and at really reasonable prices. Then it's on to Colombia, which offers six distinct regions, including coastlines on two oceans, the Andes and the Amazon.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 54
With direct flights from Tel Aviv, Poznan is a very affordable destination for a city break. It has a small Jewish community and a fascinating old town. Mark and David wandered its historic center and surroundings before heading out of town on a nostalgic journey... This time:
* When is a brewery not a brewery?
* Playing a barrel organ isn't too easy, as Mark discovers
* Jewish history meets applied art
* Face to face with a pair of rambunctious goats high in the sky
* Is that word Hebrew, Yiddish or Polish?
* The home of the St Martin's croissant
* Poznan's "New" Synagogue
* Why is the Golem of Prague in the middle of Poznan?
* Discovering the secrets of the Enigma Cipher Center
* Europe's youngest castle
* Among 112 headless people
* A journey back in time
* Konin, home of the inventor of a very useful object
Mark and David were guests of Poznan Tourism Organisation, Wielkopolska Tourism Organization and the Polish Tourism Organisation.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 53
Mark and David head to Bucharest, the capital of Romania to find out why it's become such a tourism center in recent years and learn there are plans afoot to develop it a whole lot more, with the old Jewish quarter at the very heart of its future. This time:
* The story of one of the world's largest buildings - Ceausescu and The Palace of Parliament
* We're off to City Hall to get the lowdown on tourism in Bucharest including the old Jewish neighborhood
* A private audience with the opera's artistic director (oh, and he's Israeli)
* We visit Therme, a gigantic swimming-pool-cum-spa-cum-kids-slides-cum-gastronomy-hub wonderland
* Keeping Jewish and Yiddish theater alive and well in 21st-Century Europe
Mark and David were guests of Bucharest City Hall, the Embassy of Romania in Israel and Tarom.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 52
Mark and David travel the silk road between two of the most important cities in Uzbekistan. This time:
* Magical Bukhara by night
* An early start and a great train journey
* The finest Islamic architecture
* The importance of numbers
* Who was Amir Timur?
* One of the world's finest squares
* A famous musician and a sound like no other
* An insider's view
* To biblical Daniel's tomb
* An incredible 700-year-old way to see the stars
* Meeting the Jews of Samarkand
* A Jewish hammam (Turkish bath house) in the middle of nowhere
* Bringing the ancient Silk Road into the 21st Century
* Departing from the brand-new airport with a vision for the future
Mark and David were guests of Uzbekistan.travel, Tashkent International Tourism Fair, Uzbekistan Airways and Air Marakanda.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 51
No, not that Georgia. We're off to the Caucuses to hear about khachapuri and the world's oldest wines. Then we ask a leading expert to name her top three vegan destinations. Which are yours?
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 50 Remarkably, more Israelis visit Bucharest than people from any other county. As soon as you land, it's clear to see why it's such a popular destination: some of the top restaurants are run by an Israeli chef, the old Jewish area is rich with culture past and present and there's a burgeoning art scene to cap off a great visit. This time: Where art thou, Mark? Is it a synagogue, opera house or both? The wonderful Zambaccian art collection Hear the most unusual, historic sounds of the Cajal Jewish Museum What on earth is urban anthropology? Food at last, with the top Masterchef judge Mark, please get off the phone, you have a plane to catch! Mark and David were guests of Bucharest City Hall, the Embassy of Romania in Israel and Tarom. Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 49 Mark and David fulfill a lifetime ambition with a trip to Uzbekistan in Central Asia to meet the friendliest of nations including today's leaders of the country's ancient Jewish communities. This time: Parting is such sweet sorrow Happy birthday Catherine The Tashkent International Tourism Fair - the big launch Music and dance, Uzbek style A dip into magical Khiva Gold embroidery, from Bukhara with love Uzbek wine is pretty good Reunited at last 1,250-year-old mikvah in a Jewish cemetery The Bukhara Jewish leader has quite the voice An ancient synagogue The Zoroastrians were here Sabina, the Hebrew-speaking flying-carpet saleswoman The most beautiful square on earth? Mark and David were guests of Uzbekistan.travel, Tashkent International Tourism Fair, Silk Road Samarkand, Uzbekistan Airways and Air Marakanda. Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 48 We join skipper Warren Marland as he embarks on a new enterprise - kosher yachting in the Mediterranean .Then Mark regales us with tales from his recent journey through India. Join the boys for a half hour of travel adventure and their own particular brand of humor. Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 47 Mark and David drop in on Scotland's capital to learn about the Festival, Castle, Royal Mile and more, with a Jewish twist and maybe a little haggis. Then David reports on his recent trip to Newport, Rhode Island and Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, with a low-down on the kosher and vegetarian scenes. Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 46 ZOYA Health & Wellbeing Resort lies between mangroves, a golf course, flamingo lake and The Arabian Gulf. It's the perfect place to relax, have the latest high-tech treatments and delicious calorie-controlled food and as Mark and David discovered far more besides. This time: Mark and David decide it's time for a lifestyle change! Of waterbeds and waterjets I've got a toothpaste kinda feeling Breathe slow, breathe deep - or just open your windows The Israeli yoga master in Arabia A diagnostic test like no other Mr. Oz is wizard A kitchen snack sneak peek An appointment with Dr. Sindy "I'm not putting those on." Did Mark really fall asleep during a deep-tissue Thai massage? Venus gets up close and personal with David Keep young and beautiful Until the next time Mark and David were guests of ZOYA Health & Wellbeing Resort Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 45 Dubai's Emirates is widely recognized as one of the world's top airlines. As the carrier launches a second daily flight between Tel Aviv and the UAE, Mark and David take you behind the scenes to learn what makes the airline so special... Getting there is half the fun (when you're down one) Emirates - the view from the top From chauffeurs to champers - traveling in style The business lounge offering The boys are airborne - but will they behave? Creating the on-board entertainment experience It's always time for food Meet the chef Dining kosher with Emirates and in the United Arab Emirates Happy ever after Mark and David were guests of Emirates. Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Tel Aviv is arguably the vegan capital of the world with plant-based eateries for every taste and budget. From spicy street food to chef restaurants of the highest calibre, the city is a Mecca for foodies, many of whom specifically come to Israel for its vegan offerings while others enjoy a slap-up meal without even realizing they've gone vegan for the evening. Join Mark and David as they chow down on a fun-filled vegan walking tour. Mark and David were guests of Be Tel Aviv Tours. Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 43 It's more than 1,000 years since the first Jews arrived in Prague. While much was destroyed through the ages, there is still so much to see of what once was in the Czech capital - including what is arguably it's crown jewel - the oldest synagogue in Europe - still active today. Mark Gordon and David Zev Harris take you on a journey through Jewish Prague in the latest episode of The Jerusalem Post Podcast Travel Edition, including: · In the footsteps of Albert Einstein · The earliest Jewish settlement in Prague · The incredible Jewish Museum · The Pinkas Synagogue - a remarkable Holocaust memorial · Perhaps the world's most famous Jewish cemetry · The Golem of Prague and the Old-New Synagogue · Why Franz Kafka wanted to burn all his books · Ronald Reagan, China and the Jews of modern Prague · Getting tipsy on the very best kosher slivovitz · The non-Sephardic Spanish Synagogue · Hatikvah or not? Mark and David were guests of Prague City Tourism and Czech Tourism. Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 41 In this episode : The very naked truth of the bare essentials Marking the Shoah in the heart of the city David Hasselhoff: From Baywatch and Knight Rider to Berlin-Wall hero Putting gourmet food in the heart of an Israeli-German Prism Putting a new face on a royal palace What was life like over the Berlin Wall in the communist East? Berlin's latest virtual-reality experience Ever wondered how a TV tower restaurant rotates? Auf wiedersehen from the top of the world Mark and David were guests of Visit Berlin and the German National Tourist Office. Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
With the whole world to choose from, where's the best place for a romantic post-wedding vacation? Among the contenders: Tokyo, Japan; Tunis, Tunisia; Quebec City & Montreal, Canada; and The Maldives. And if you're not planning a honeymoon anytime soon, how about a visit to San Diego, California? Get the low down on places to visit, Jewish historic sites, recommended hotels and kosher food options. Join Mark and David as they seek the best holidays worldwide. Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify .
Prague is probably the fairytale capital of Europe. A thousand years of history in four distinct towns that eventually merged to create the capital of the Czech Republic. In this episode Mark and David bring you the sounds, sights and smells of this wonderful city. Including: In the four-poster beds of Mozart and Casanova Via the Vlatava Kings of the Castle Unique outdoor dining venue Czech out what’s beyond Prague Getting into a tub of what? Inside the famous astronomical clock Roof with a view Fine dining in a Field In an upcoming podcast, Mark and David will dive into Jewish Prague. Mark and David were guests of Prague City Tourism and Czech Tourism. Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 38 It may come as a surprise, but Berlin has a burgeoning Israeli scene with great hotel and food options. The city's Jewish history is fascinating and very different from that of countries in Eastern Europe Join Mark and David as they journey through the city's Jewish past and Israeli present. This time: A sustainable beginning A hotel with a Latin-Israeli touch The roots of Jewish Berlin Saving Berlin's Jews From Kanaan with love Telling the story of German Jewry A musical journey Bringing Noah to life Mark and David were guests of Visit Berlin and the German National Tourist Office. Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 37 One of the beautiful sections of The Grand Tour of Catalonia takes you from Figueres via Girona to Barcelona. It takes in the hometowns of Salvador Dali, Nahmanides (aka Ramban) and Antoni Gaudi. Click here for more on Barcelona and Gaudi. In this episode, Mark and David take you from the crazy, surrealist world of Dali to the kabbalist Jewish center that was Girona - now a wonderfully-preserved old Jewish quarter. This time: A hotel with a history An introduction to Salvador Dali What on earth was Dali thinking? Dali's weirdest relationships Dali and Israel, Jews and Aliyah! Getting around Catalonia Gorgeous flower show Unique peek into a historic Jewish home Along the original city walls Protecting Jewish heritage in Girona Nahmanides, Spain and the Inquisition Mark and David were guests of The Catalan Tourist Board and Patronat de Turisme Costa Brava Girona Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify .
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 36 We're off to the Caribbean islands Cuba and Curacao. We meet those in love with the islands who are also helping retain their Jewish heritage. We learn of the islands' histories, culture and food and delve into their Jewishness. Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify .
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 35 Mark and David sail on Royal Caribbean International's Wonder of the Seas as it makes its European debut. From giant slides and fabulous shows to a veritable Wonderland of taste sensations, they bring the top 20 things to do on board the world's largest cruise ship. Join them on their latest fun-filled adventure. Mark and David were guests of Royal Caribbean International. Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition is sponsored by World Jewish Travel.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 34 It's the home of the Kabbalah, great rabbis and modern artists. Learn all about the city with the longest uninterrupted Jewish presence, Safed, in English, or Tzfat, in Hebrew. Then Mark and David take us to multicultural Sarajevo in Bosnia, where East meets West. It's also home to the famous Sarajevo Haggadah. Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition is sponsored by World Jewish Travel.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast with Yaakov Katz and Lahav Harkov. Lahav calls in from Casablanca, where she talks to interfaith activist Jeremie Dahan about Jewish life in Morocco. Yaakov and Lahav talk about the death of Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh and how Israel could have handled it better. Our podcast is available on Google Play, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 33 People who keep kosher often scratch around to find a destination that can meet their dietary needs. Many return to the same hotel each year because it's the place where they feel comfortable keeping kosher. As Mark and David discover, there's a new kosher kid on the tourism block. Dubai offers excellent options for the kosher traveller, alongside a burgeoning Jewish community that calls Dubai home. This time the guys visit kosher venues and meet the chefs, rabbis and hotel teams that have opened a multitude of possibilities for the kosher visitor. This time: Welcome to Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection Meet executive chef Nicholas So what are we having for lunch? Is La Perle the world's greatest show? Not just kosher. Iftar too! The kosher breakfast buffet Meet the rabbi who blazing the kosher trail The Kosher Place and chef Shimon What do the locals think about the changing Jewish landscape of Dubai? Armani style meets kosher - in the world's tallest building Getting down to business with one of the first executives to embrace kosher in Dubai. Mark and David were guests of Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection. Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition is sponsored by World Jewish Travel.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 32 The best in destinations, hotels, food, guides and attractions! Mark and David are joined by World Jewish Travel's CEO Jack Gottleib as they go in search of some of Israel's best tourism offerings: Meet World Jewish Travel - A Jewish Tripadvisor Israel's ethnic restaurant story with renowned Israeli food critic Gil Hovav Off to Akko/Acre for crusaders, hummus and a Turkish hamam Who is Norman fromTel Aviv's The Norman Hotel? The favorite haunts of tour guide Arthur Koll ANU - A museum born anew Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition is sponsored by World Jewish Travel.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 31 Mark and David go on a trip that was impossible just two years ago – to the glamorous modern metropolis of Dubai. They travel back in time, visit the future and have a lot of fun in the present too. This time: Say hello, wave goodbye to Expo Framing the view from up on high Bringing the future into the present What the butler saw in the Royal Suite The best Indian food is not necessarily in India Connecting with Dubai’s past Bouncing across the Arabian Sea The swingers club Mark vs David – Racing revenge with 400 horse-power Mark and David were guests of Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing and The Address Hotel Downtown, part of Address Hotels and Resorts. Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition is sponsored by World Jewish Travel.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 30 Journalist, writer, former TV anchor and now museum director Danielle Spera is our guide to the world's first Jewish museum located in Vienna, which has been revived under her stewardship. Then, Jewish travel maven Ben G. Frank introduces us to his must-see destinations throughout France. Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition is sponsored by World Jewish Travel
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 29 It's Purim and St. Patrick's day this week so Mark and David are in festive mood for this Irish special. We take in Dublin, Belfast and much more with our guides, award-winning travel writer and broadcatster Fionn Davenport and travel editor Sarah Pickering. Sláinte! L'chaim! Cheers! Our podcast is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 27 Mark and David put on their thermals and head to the far east of Turkey to discover World Heritage, spectacular views, furry friends and plenty of local music and dance. This time: Dawn at Istanbul’s super airport Getting goose-bumps with a musical lunch A trek through snowy Kars Kars by the fireside The only Jew in the UNESCO village Riding on a horse drawn sled Something fishy in the frozen lake Turkish love for music rap battles Our podcast is available on Google Play, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Mark and David were guests of Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency and Turkish Airlines.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 26 Author Annika Hernroth-Rothstein regales us with her time living on Djerba, a Tunisian island in the Mediterranean, including the amazing home hospitality offered by the local, vibrant Jewish community. Mark and David then head to Chicago where historian Ed Mazur introduces them to the first Jews of the city and recommends the best kosher dining in town. Our podcast is available on Google Play, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel EditionSpecial Christmas episode David and Mark get festive and go ho-ho-ho in the snow, snow, snow. They pop in to the Old City of Jerusalem to visit Santa Claus in his grotto to tell him what they want for Christmas. Then, in search of snow and inspiration, they travel to Park City in Utah to hear about a ski in/ski out Friday night synagogue service.
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 22 The Jewish history of Barcelona and Spain in general is front and center in Mark and David's latest travels. They taste out-of-this-world cocktails and the best kosher food in Europe and even touch the hallowed turf graced by Messi at FC Barcelona. This time: Welcome to Barcelona, capital of the Catalonia region A soccer pilgrimage with a VIP behind-the-scenes tour EXPOSED: The secret recipe of a great Catalan cocktail Inside the oldest occupied building in Barcelona - It was in Jewish hands and is today too! Inside the ancient Jewish quarter Where Nahmanides disputed Where the Inquisition left its mark Up in the sky with Antoni Gaudi Mark tastes the very best of kosher Photo: Casa Mila designed by Gaudi
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 21 Virgin Atlantic has proved extremely popular with Israelis and Americans via its London hub. We hear how the airline creates remarkably-different flying experiences and take in its Clubhouse lounges. Then it's over to Charleston, South Carolina to learn about one of the United States' oldest Jewish communities. Photo credit: Courtesy
The Jerusalem Post Podcast - Travel Edition, Episode 20 Mark and David lead a magical tour of Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, located in Eastern Europe but with a strong Scandinavian vibe. They take you back hundreds of years to the Jewish heyday, enter a little-known independent republic within Vilnius and then head for the skies in what Mark describes as "a picnic basket." This time: An intro to Vilnius, Vilnus or is it Vilna? A 360-degree tour of the city Turn thrice and your dream may come true The old Jewish quarter The Genius of Vilna - the Vilna Gaon Digging into our Jewish history - literally Sitting in the middle of a river Learning more of the Jewish past, present and future of Vilnius A different country within Lithuania? With the BEST constitution EVER A trip to the geographical center of Europe A live view into yet another state To the skies we go in a picnic basket Join in a traditional hair-burning ceremony Magical Trakai castle The Karaites of Trakai An artistic farewell