Editor's note: What a magical story by Sam Spector, the wandering rabbi. For more of his writing, click here to visit his index. And if you enjoy it, please help support The Royal Tour via our Patreon page. In case you are not aware, September and October are the months when rabbis reconsider all their…
The role of apples in societal lore is well documented. From the snake in the Garden of Eden encouraging Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge what has come to be thought of as an apple to Johnny Appleseed and his pot hat spreading seeds all over America to my own Jewish tradition of…
It is hot here on an early October day, made more so by the need to wear my mask when other people are around, which many are since it's a Saturday morning and Covid has closed all but one parking area here on the east side of Pinnacles National Park. We are about ninety minutes…
This fall, I was vaguely planning a trip back to Thailand. I was there several years ago, part of a cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong, spending two days in Bangkok and a day on Koh Samui. That introduction was enough to tell me I wanted to go back. And then Covid happened and all…
Editor's note: another fun story from Christian Grand, our national park-obsessed writer! To read more of his work, click here. Over the course of my lifetime, I intend to visit every national park. I hope you’ll forgive me, however, when I tell you that this article isn’t about a national park. My intentions to drive…
Bongiorno e benvenuto in Italia! Hello, and welcome to Italy! Tonight we are going to explore this amazing country here from home, through eating, learning, and doing. Italy is one of the most visited countries in Europe. Highlighted by extraordinary cities like Rome and Venice, iconic structures like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and amazing…
Editor's note: join Sam, our traveling rabbi, for this amazing look into Kenya. For more of his wonderful writing, click here. Before I even met my wife, I saved my travel points with one idea in mind: one day, I will treat my wife to the honeymoon of her dreams and it will all already…
You know we're going to Surf City 'cause it's two to one / You know we're going to Surf City, gonna have some fun Jan and Dean - not The Beach Boys, as is normally thought - pump through my brain as I exit the 405 freeway and head down toward the Pacific in Huntington…
One of the common misconceptions many Americans have is that countries we think of as "third-world" have little to offer in terms of either food or culture. Especially when it comes to sub-Saharan Africa, we - myself included - tend to know little, thinking of these countries only as destinations for a safari. This week,…
San Diego is called "America's Finest City" for good reason. Warm, moderate weather, a plethora of cultural activities, stunning beaches, and good food are just some of the reasons to visit what is, in my opinion, the gem of the West Coast. I lived in San Diego from 1999 to 2003 when I was a…