3 Keys to a Halal Trip

بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Planning a trip that is Muslim-Friendly has more to do than just the country you plan on going, here are my 3 keys to a 'Halal Trip':

1. Location, Location, Location

Even in Muslim countries, especially ones that have a lot of tourists, certain areas are not ideal for a Muslim family, and some places are just better than others, so make sure to use the address or landmark near your possible accommodation to do your research before you book. Use Google Maps 'nearby' feature and toggle between walk or drive distance:

• Mosques - Being close to a mosque is important and brings much joy and peace to your travel, and the great thing is that most of the countries we recommend have Mosques or Musallahs all over, but it's good to check to make sure how close. Having a mosque within close walking distance enhances the experience and helps you get to know the locals and the community.

• Food - Grocery stores and restaurants. If you don't have a car, this is very important as the last thing you want to have to do is walk 20 min to get milk and bread every day. This is an extreme case, but it can happen so better safe than sorry. Also, when it comes to restaurants, you can research if they serve alcohol and what the menus look like to see if your family would enjoy the selection.

• Bars and Pubs - Make sure there are NOT many of these around where you are staying, as if so you might not enjoy the area especially with kids. Having bars and pubs around means more tourists looking to party, immodest dressing, and likely less comfort for your family.

2. Check on your accommodation

Look at the reviews and ask questions to the property or host. In some Muslim countries, they list 'Muslim only' but most won't say that. Keep in mind:

• Are pets allowed? If so, most likely dogs are allowed, in which case cleanliness will be an issue.

• If your place has a kitchen, it's probably a good idea to pack at least one small pot and pan and some utensils just so you can at least cook a basic breakfast at home. Going out to eat for every meal will be expensive in most places.

• Read the good and bad reviews. The last thing you want is a dirty hotel or home. The reviews are there for a reason, so don't look just at the rating, concentrate on the last 3-5 most recent reviews, and comb through some of the bad reviews to make sure that you will be comfortable.

• Also look at the pictures properly and ask questions to make sure you have some privacy. Yes, there may be a garden or balcony and even a nice view, but might be shared with another guest.

3. Halal Authority Research

Do your homework before finding out about the halal authority so you don't waste time at your destination. Just because you are in a Muslim country, doesn't mean that everything is halal. Most have some kind of labeling standards that will make it easy. We generally only eat zabiha hand-slaughtered, locally sourced, and no alcohol establishments. Whatever your standards are, try these tips:

• You can Google search the Halal Authority and its standards. You can also email or call them. This has been very helpful to us in many situations.

• Ask your friends or family - There may be a contact someone has that can give you direct insights from experience

• Download the Google Translate App and learn how to ask the questions you want to ask when you are there.

• If you are visiting one of the countries we have been to, feel free to email us. We would be happy to give you some advice based on our experience.

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Please see our list of blogs to learn more, and you can contact us directly at muslimfamilynomad@gmail.com for any questions and even set up a live consultation.

** Disclaimer: We are compensated for some of the links provided in this article if you purchase something, but we only recommend what we have used and found successful or we have done some research to find. This blog should not be used as financial advice and we are not travel agents, we are just letting you know our opinions from real life experience. May Allah bless you and your family on your travels!