How One Mom's Israel Foodie Dream Turned into Burgers, Pizza... and a Happy Family

I remember the morning Millie emailed me, bubbling with excitement.

She and Josh had been dreaming about their family trip to Israel - three kids, ages 9, 12, and 14, a perfect blend of wonder and chaos, all inside a two-week trip.

Together, we crafted a dream itinerary: a mix of bustling Tel Aviv markets, water hikes in the Galilee, desert thrills, Jerusalem history - and, of course, a full-on culinary adventure.

Millie was a huge foodie. She had lived in Israel for a year after high school and was absolutely convinced her family would fall in love with the food just as she had.

She had visions of them nibbling on freshly baked pita, savoring shakshuka, and exploring hidden street food stalls and restaurants. She wanted me to book restaurants for dinner every night.

I'd seen this movie before.

So I gently begged her to book just one or two "must-have" restaurants and leave the rest of the evenings flexible.

So, as the days unfolded, you won't be surprised to learn that a familiar refrain echoed through the hotel room, from the back seat of the rental car and, incredibly, even halfway through dinner: “Mom, I’m starving.”

It turns out, while Millie was savoring each bite of an intricate tahini-spiced falafel, the kids just wanted a slice of pizza.

And, after a long morning of touring, a burger from a kosher McDonald’s seemed like heaven to four (please don't tell MIllie) of them.

I felt for Millie, because I know how much she wanted those memorable meals, but I also knew how important it was to meet the kids (and husband) where they were.

So we changed the plan instead of fighting it. A couple of nights, the kids enjoyed their pizza or grabbed something quick at the hotel, and Millie and Josh snuck away for a peaceful dinner on their own.

As a result, one evening Josh tucked into a perfectly cooked steak, the kids demolished burgers and fries without a single complaint, and Millie finally got to try the lahmajun she'd been talking about for weeks. (Google it).

We found balance. The foodie experiences still happened, but nobody was dragged somewhere they didn't want to be.

That's one of the biggest secrets to planning a successful family trip to Israel. The best itinerary isn't the one packed with the most amazing restaurants or attractions. It's the one that works for the people taking it.

Sometimes that means a gourmet tasting menu. Sometimes it means kosher McDonald's.

The real success is knowing which day needs which.

If you're planning an Israel trip and want help deciding where to invest your time, your budget and your energy, I'd love to help you create an itinerary that's right for your family. You can reach out via my contact form

More Thoughts on Meaningful Travel in Israel

• Coming to Israel for the Chagim? Don’t Leave Chol Hamoed to Chance

• How One Mom's Israel Foodie Dream Turned into Burgers, Pizza... and a Happy Family

• "We Only Eat Badatz!" Or Do We?

• The Best Israel Memories Don't Always Come with the Biggest Price Tag

• Coming to Israel? Here's What you Can't Plan For

• They Arrived in Israel . . . And Had Nowhere to Stay

• Visiting Israel? It's the Little Things That Can Catch You Out

• Frum & Coming to Israel? What I Wish I Had Known in Advance

• Is Now the Right Time to Come to Israel?

• A Missile Alert; A Change of Plans and a Beach Day

• When a Booking Is More Than Just a Booking

• ChatGPT? Why Your Dream Tour Needs a Human Touch

• The Biggest Mistake Families Make Planning an Israel Itinerary

• Choosing The Right Hotel

• The Day a Tour Guide Proved Me Right

• We Don't Need a Guide; We'll Manage Alone

• Why You Should Book Your Israel Hotels Through an Experienced Agent

• Hotel or Apartment? The Israel Vacation Dilemma Many Families Face