First Day Tour: The city of Safed and the Tchelet Park
Safed is the capital of the Galilee and during the last years it is slightly forgotten, especially because of the rise of the ultra-orthodox Jews in the city. Its' pedestrian mall is longing for the tourists who used to fill the city but the essence of the city remained the same, Cabbalist city, ancient synagogues, Hasidic Tombs and an active Artists Quarter.
The city lies 800 meters above sea level and is snowy almost every year, enjoying a short brief of tenderness. Nevertheless we think the city deserves a visit. It is recommended to wander around the picturesque alleys, enter the active synagogues and visit its Artist's Quarter. You should also not yield and dine in one of the restaurants of Jerusalem Street, which seem like time passes above them and they remained in the 70s.
The Safed Tour will be according to the route written by tour-guide Tirtza Niv, 052-2473188
Touring the city of Safed is possible all year long, during the wintertime you can enjoy the snow and during the summertime, the ancient city will be a cool trip fills with festive atmosphere, spirituality and supremacy.
Every visit in the Old City of Safed takes us into a world where time stands still; the alleys, ancient stone houses and synagogues. The stories of the thriving times of the city, its hardships and celebrations, the people who lived in it hundreds of years ago, their spirits and influence, all seems like they still accompany the city.
During the tour we'll walk down from the City Park, nearby Safed Academic College, after a nice observation on the surroundings, to the Jewish Quarter of the Old City.
We'll walk down the Bar-Yohai Street on our way to Hameginim Square. We'll meet the artist David Friedman, whose works influenced from the Cabbala and who is ready to speak about it, and stop by the Mashiah Alley where Yocheved Grandma used to wait for him every evening with a cup of tea.
At Hameginim Square we'll have a short brake and be impressed of the fine houses all around us and realize that this is, in fact, the main square of the Old City. Afterwards we'll go down to the Issac Luria (ARI) Yard. You'll be able to sit on the stone stares and imagine the days when the Rabbi used to go out to embrace the Shabbat. From here we'll continue to visit the Issac Luria Ashkenazic Synagogue, in which we'll learn how its figure influenced the city of Safed and the Jewish world from the 16th century and forward.
In Beit-Yossef Alley we'll find out about the good changes has been made in the Old City. Most of the ruined old houses became very pleasant galleries, cafés and diners and the surface has dramatically changed. In here we'll be able to visit the different galleries, observe the arts and the wonderful stone houses with their inner yards with wells and fig trees, roof top view points over the Galilee, ancient Ritual Bath and more.
After that we'll continue down to the Abohav Synagogue, one of the most beautiful ancient synagogues of Safed. A wonderful legend accompanies the establishment of the synagogue and the ancient Scroll of the Law lies in its Torah Ark.
We'll walk back up to the galleries street. It is possible to continue and visit the Karu Synagogue, also ancient, special and fill with environment and of course, tells the story of a multifarious person who lived in France during the 16th century.
It is possible and recommended to combine a visit in the Beit HaMeiri Museum and/or HaMeiri Dairy / Kadosh Dairy / Safed Candles or continue and wander around the Artists Quarter which developed over the former Arab Quarter.
Comments and clarifications:
Bring modest wearing in order to enter the synagogues and make sure you have enough time so you can observe the special environment of the city. If you have more than one vehicle, park one at the end of the tour at HaMeiri parking lot. If you don’t have, order a taxi to take you back nearby the college where you left your car. The walking lovers can, of course, walk back to the cars.
From the city center we'll continue to the Tchelet Park:
From Jerusalem St walk north toward Haazmaut Boulevard and turn left to Tchelet Park.
Tchelet Valley Park
This park is the perfect continuing to the Safed tour and is restoring ancient views.
The park, built by the JNF and the city of Safed, is spread over 150 acres. The park has springs and orchards and within it herding deer, ibexes and addaxes.
The JNF has paved walking trails across the park for you to discover the flowing springs and the olive and pomegranate orchards.
The park has two main trails. The short one is to the Tchelet Spring (Ein Tchelet). On your way you cross several small bridges and small springs that flow along the way.
The second trail is the steep trail (for fit walkers) which reaches a small waterfall that falls into a shallow pool.
In front of the park raises Mount Meron.
The park is designated for walking only and it is forbidden to make picnics or BBQs.
Notice the opening hours; during the weekdays, Sun-Thu, the park close at 15:00, Fri close at 12:00 and it is close on Saturdays.
Second Day Tour: Celebration of Views in Hidden Roads From the Coastline to the Mountaintops
The tour was written by tour-guide Amnon Goffer who specializes in Galilean Culture, 054-6549191
The Galilean roads are all pretty, but some are beautiful. And the most beautiful ones are the hidden ones. The ones mostly used by the local people. So here you have a road trip, in case you wish to rest from the 20km you hiked the other day, or in case it’s a bit rainy, or you just want to watch allot of views through the windshield. By the way, many people laughs at as, Galilean people, that every third sentence of us starts with "when there's a good sight…". Excellent Nira Russo once wrote there're maybe two or three days a year with good sight, and she is absolutely right. The thing is, those days are just now – sunny winter days after the rains, when the air is clear and skies are blue. That is the thin different that makes it all so special. So there you have some extra-special roads, with several eating-and-viewing spots.
Getting to starting point:
For comings from Eilons travelers hotel, take a right when exiting the Kibbutz and go straight to Kabri junction.
For coming from Gesher HaZiv travelers hotel, take a left when exiting the Kibbutz (towards Nahariya). At Nahariya's main junction take left again towards Kabri and drive straight to Kabri junction.
From Kabri junction: go south at road 70 (a right for those who comes from Gesher HaZiv and straight for those from Eilon) about 9km to a traffic-lighted junction with a left towards Joullis.
In the ravine
Trail starts at Yarka village. From Joullis junction we'll climb east towards the village (road 8533). At the village's entrance we will notice a Peugeot car stands proudly in the middle of a traffic circle. This car was entirely hewn in stone, in German precision made by the Druze artist Khar'ubi Fadul of Peqi'in. The car's body is one piece of Atzmon rock – the hardest Limestone in the Galilee, and the wheels, flashlights and the big ball the car stands on where made from other kinds of stones. It is recommended to park and have a look.
Yarka village is developing massively the last years. It western slopes becomes neighborhoods of mansions and villas and side to the road climbing to it private malls were opened, selling brands in fair prices. And so Yarka became a magnet for those who wants to buy clothing and footwear almost half price on Saturdays (for crowd lovers – that’s the place). After finishing measure, finger and compare prices will climb to the village center. Those who are interested can park their cars nearby the new fancy council building, built upon what was once the village water pool and the heart of Yarka village, and visit the tomb of "Khushi HaArci" – a loyal friend to King David and called "saint Joseph" by the locals.
From there we'll go to Majnuna Wadi (or Beit HaEmek Wadi). Approaching the wadi is easy to find – you take a left circling the council building and go straight towards the end of the road leading to the wadi (you can ask the locals about the way to Jatt through Majnuna wadi).
Going into the wadi in the narrow asphalt road must be driven carefully. Driving this road is like a meditative journey into magical views. The scenery is amazing, but must not forget to look on the road as well. After crossing the wadi (the road is actually CROSSING the wadi) we'll climb through the orchards and olive trees until getting to the nearby civilization (this time it called Jatt village). The village is hidden between olive groves, far from any main road and bustle, and if there weren't a road from it to the Druze village Yanu'ah and Mitzpe Gitta, no one would have known it exists.
The road crossing the village (8721) allows climbing from the coastal plains to the Western Galilee ranges towards Yanu'ah and Kefar Veradim. The road is wide and comfortable and it is recommended to stop every once in a while and take a look west to watch the sea and Haifa Bay almost in the touch of your hand. Yanu'ah village is well signed and it's easy to find your way out, about 1km, into the houses of Kefar Veradim. Stopping at Yanu'ahs' center won't take more than five minutes of wandering around the well preserved alleys and glimpsing the two oil presses in it.
Kefar Veradim is a good refreshment stop – you can find comfortable toilets and a caf'e at the commercial center. From Kefar Veradim we continue eastwards. You can visit the Tarshi'ha market (open on Saturdays) or wander around between the galleries and the artist homes, but this time our goal is to reach almost to the pick of the Upper Galilee, therefore we better be on our way.
Between olives to Sami'ya
From Kefar Veradim we'll take the Teffen-Ma'a lot road (854), turn left towards Ma'a lot and after few hundred meters we take a sharp right turn to the road passing through the forest nearby. This road has no name, and is a bit controversial, but for now (and probably forever) it is a popular shortcut to Kisra and Sami'ya villages. We drive a few kilometers between the natural vegetation and the beautiful olive groves, enjoying the evergreen scenery - and again – be careful and patient. For in one hand we might find ourselves stuck behind a tractor and on the other hand a careless teenager might pop in front of us driving at the speed of light. The road takes us to the outskirts of Sami'ya village we drive down the alleys (take a peek into the well maintained yards) to the main road. You can turn right to Kisra'r beautiful rock park (interesting rocks, views and a good Lebanese restaurant nearby). You can also turn left and drive down to New Peqi'in, from there to the outskirts of Peqi'in and from there to Hossen junction and to road 89 (Nahariya-Zefat).
Why fight?
On road 89 we drive to Horfesh. The village houses are beautiful and this place is worth the time investment in order to visit all it sights but you can satisfy in visiting the memorial room for Colonel Nebi Mar'ee, who was killed in the Western Wall tunnel opening riots at the southern front, and touch a bit the blood bond between the Israeli people in their Druze comrades. If you have some time, it is recommended to stop by at Nebi Sablan, one of the most secret places for the Druze community, a beautiful place with crazy views 360 degrees, and can also visit Nimer Nimer for a meal, good talk and funny stories. Back to the hidden roads, we have now two options. One – crossing the village to its eastern exit and just after the patrol station turn right to a provisional looked road, called "dispute route ", memory of an old conflict between the locals and the authorities.
The road climbs to the beautiful village of Beit Jann (1050 meters above sea level) and is passing near streams, nice spring, gravel roads overlooking beautiful landscapes, cattle, goats, donkeys and olive groves. At the very beginning of the road, with nature all around, there is a monument for Sergeant Fadi Kezamel, from Beit Jann, who was killed in the Helicopter Disaster, 20 years old. It is worth the stop also to honor him and to enjoy the beauty of the sight.
The road ends at the high village Beit Jann which known as "Israeli Switzerland". We recommend to visit "Aya Natural" factory for perfumery and natural cosmetics, and to enjoy an outstanding Druze meal at "Armon Melech HaEru'ach" with Menal As'ad, an excellent chef and a perfect hostess, and her husband Nejach, a master painter who also a tour guide for the village's alleys (04-9805260,0509285167). By the way, it possible and recommended to drive this road from Beit Jann to Horfesh but it will take allot of questions to find the beginning of it.
Matat El
Other option is to drive from Horfesh to Matat. At the village center, after passing the statue of Pacher-El-Adin riding a horse with a knife in his hand, we'll reach a left turn at a junction once was the home for a restaurant called "HaMirpeset" (The Balcony). The restaurant is no longer there but the balcony is and also a postal office at ground floor. This road connects the village of Horfesh to the Northern Road (899).
There is nothing like this road to make you forget the great metropolis, therefore it is recommended to approach it slowly and let the eye and the soul get their right amount of authentic Galilean view. The end of the road is nearby the outskirts of Mitzpe Matat but I recommend to choose between two options were to finish – the Summit Trail at mount Adir or a short visit at Pa'ar cave.
They're both easy to reach, the Summit Trail at mount Adir is a circular trail of maximum half an hour (including panting brake in front the Lebanese views) and to Pa'ar cave it is a two minutes drive and you'll get to see a nice sinkhole covered by hornbeam and oak trees which gives the place a magical and romantic touch. Adventurers can turn on a flash light or light a candle and walk trough shallow waters inside the sinkhole.
Third Day Tour: Horfesh, Beit-Jan and Peqiin – The Druze Center of the Galilee
Our journey begins in the Druze town of Horfesh, to which we arrive with the 899 road. For those who come from the east (Metula and Malkiya), drive west on the 899 road toward Shlomi. About 1km after the village of Matat there's a turn right to road 8944. For those who come from the Western Galilee (Gesher HaZiv and Eilon, drive east on the 899 road until the left turn to road 8944.
The 8944 road is a beautiful road which goes through Moshav Elkosh (populated by immigrants from Yemen and Kurdistan) and joins highway 89 where it's crossing the Kziv Stream (you can stop by and walk the few meters to the old bridge).
When reaching highway 89, take a left into the village of Horfesh.
Travel the Village of Horfesh, written by tour-guide Hassan Amar 050-8676768
We'll park the car in the village and walk to the main western-square of the village. The walking tour starts in the alley north to the village square and into the heart of the village, between the ancient stone houses. The tour is almost circular if you follow this order:
The Lacemakers House – an early 20th century building which is used today for a unique project, made by women from the village, to ancient traditional Druze handcraft. It is possible to arrange a meeting and explanations with Affaf Ghanam, manager of the project, about the lace making process. The place displays and sells the product and serves herbal tea. Paid entry.
The ancient Arches house – the house used to serve the women of the village for arts and drawings but nowadays the place is closed due to conservation works.
The walking trail between the old houses that leads to an ancient church – the church is held by the catholic Christian community who lives in the village and is not in use, not decorated with a cross and absent a bell tower on its' roof. The church is named after Saint Miriam Al-Buardi, a Christian nun from the village of Aeblin of the Lower Galilee, who used to work in the village of Horfesh. The church is probably built over the ruins of an even more ancient church of the Byzantine Period (324-638BC).
Al-Amir Museum – the ancient Head of the Village House. The Druze Religion Heritage Museum is located in the former house of the head of the village during the 50s of the 20th century. The museum holds ancient agriculture tools, old radio devices, traditional wears and more attractive items that characterizing the Druze everyday life and that were in use during the first half of the 20th century. Paid entry.
The Druze Praying House – the Arabic name of the house is "Kalwa". This is an early 20th century building, partly hidden, with no architectural features; a modest house with a blue door, decorated with the Druze flag.
The House of the Wealthy – the house was owned by Abu Hassin Hassan Mustafa, one of Horfesh's wealthiest residents during the early 20th century. Before he died he contributed the house Druze Wakf.
We'll continue south and turn eastward (left) to the Colonel Nebi Marii Memorial Site. The visit includes watching a documentary about his life, his military career and his death during the 1996 Temple Mount Riots. Free of charge.
From the memorial site we'll head back westwards (trail's starting point) and back to the parked cars.
In order to reach the tomb of the profit, we'll turn left in the roundabout to the road climbing up to Nebi Sablan Tomb, through the veterans' neighborhood of the village of Horfesh. While driving we'll look over the promenade that is built in ancient style out of the stones of the houses that used to stand in the middle of the village. We can also notice the modern roof tops of the young Druze couples of the neighborhood.
The Nebi Sablan Site
We'll enjoy the views from the balcony of the site: the tomb lies about 900 meters above sea level. Northward we can see Mount Adir in the distance and behind it the Lebanese village of Binth Jbel. Above it, the Israeli village of Matat and underneath it there's the Matat Police Station, used to be Sasa Police Station. Continuing with the range leftwards and further ahead we'll see the village of Zarit. The hill with the antenna is the Biranit military base. All of the lands south to the military base are agricultural lands of Horfesh village and you can see the building expanding north, into those lands.
Makam Nebi Sablan (which is not his tomb), on Mount Zevul of Horfesh, is one of the Druze profits holy places. This is the second most important place to the Druze people in Israel, after the Nebi Shuaieb (Jethro, priest of Midian) Tomb at Karnei Hitin. According to this tradition, Sablan espoused modesty and asceticism as a lifestyle and dedicated his life to worship god. He went out of Egypt to Hebron in order to persuade the idolaters to embrace the only god but because of their defiance he was forced to run away to the Galilee, and so he sat in a cave on Mount Zevul, where he dedicated his time to learning and teaching the Holy Scriptures and living in asceticism. The people of Hebron tracked him down but on their way they needed to cross the Kziv Stream which surrounding the mountain. And then a miracle had happened – the stream's flow has risen and blocked their way. Since that event, this part of the stream is called "Wadi Habis" (The Barrier Stream). According to tradition, Sablan has built with his bare hands a room on top of the cave and lived there while continuing teaching and spreading the religion. In his twilight days he moved to the village of Baha on the Druze Mountain and that is where he passed away.
When entering the place, you need to take off your shoes and cover your head, due to respect to the place. If calling in advance, you can hear a detailed lecture about the site, by Sheikh Kassam Badder who maintain the site. Please coordinate your visit in advance by calling 052-9511550. Entrance is free of charge; however you can leave a donation in the holy grave's money box.
It is recommended to end the visit in the house of tour-guide Amir Hassan, who provides delicious authentic Druze meals. The food is made by his wife, Maha, in their home kitchen. You can also enjoy a short lecture about the Druze people, their beliefs, traditions, legends, combining in the Israeli society and more. The house and its well cared inner garden are located on top of Mount Zevul, in the veterans' neighborhood, about 1km west to the Nebi Sablan Site. The house watches over lovely views. The lecture and meal are with separate payment and are subject to calling in advance to 050-8676768.
The way to Beit-Jan:
We'll drive across the entire village and exit from its eastern side. Just after the petrol station there's an unmarked right turn to a half-paved road. This road is called "The Argument Road", and is a remnant of a past conflict between the residents of the region to the authorities.
The road climbs to the beautiful village of Beit-Jan (1050 meters above sea level). This road goes through magical views of streams and orchards, mountains and springs. At the beginning of the road there's a monument in the memory of Sergeant Fadi Kazamel, resident of Beit-Jan, who was killed in the 1997 Israeli Helicopter Disaster. It is recommended to stop by both to honor the place and to enjoy the lovely place.
The road is suitable for all vehicles but drive it carefully.
The road arrives the northern part of the village and just after entering the village there's Dr Dabor Visitors Centre, including medicinal plants garden, combination of old and new, technology and authentic Galilean tradition, herbal infusions, natural dermo-cosmetics products, window to the production room and more.
After the visit we'll climb toward the exit of the village and realize why the village got his title "Switzerland of Israel" (impressive altitude, mountains and evergreen scenery…), at the gate we turn left and follow the signs to Bahaa Al-Din (Hebrew: בהאא אל-דין). When reaching the site we turn left to the mountaintop and arrive to the Mount Ari Viewpoint parking lot. Caution! The parking lot ends with a steep cliff!
After watching the spectacular views we'll head back to the exit of the village and drive left toward Peqiin. When meeting the 864 road we'll turn right to Peqiin and drive all the way to the village.
Peqiin: Peqiin is a place that it's easy to fall in love with and travel it for more than one day.
When entering the village we'll look on our right the "Cave Restaurant" (Hebrew: מסעדת המערה), where it is recommended to park the car and continue by foot.
After parking the cars we'll see a sign with explanation about the village, and from this point there's a way to the Rashbi (Simeon Bar-Yochai) Cave.
The paved trail goes down to the entrance of the cave, beneath the carob and fig trees. According to legend, Rabbi Simeon Bar-Yochai was hiding in the cave with his son for 13 years from the Romans who wished to kill him. A miracle had happened to them and god created a carob tree and a spring for their use, and so, by learning Torah and eating carobs they passed the time. Some claims that in this place Rabbi Simeon wrote the Zohar Book of the Kabala. Actually, many researchers say that Peqiin of the bible is not the Peqiin of nowadays, but this fact does not prevent the Rabbi Simeon followers from arriving and sanctify the place.
From the cave we'll go left and walk aside a gate with a Star of David on top of it. It is the home of Jewish Dutch couple that as for today is half of Peqiin's Jewish community. The other half we'll meet further ahead at the Zinati House. We'll continue down between the houses and while walking we'll see the Mediterranean flat roofs of the village with the vine bowers that colors the village in green during the summertime.
When we reach a narrow road we'll turn right and curve with it until arriving to the Spring Piazza.
At the village center there's the Spring Piazza. The spring, heart of the village, was the villagers' water source. The trade took place in the piazza and it was, if not still is, the place for the people to sit around and chat. From the piazza you can go on a walk between the alleys of Peqiin. Not far away are the ancient synagogue, Druze pray-houses and a church.
Not far from the piazza we'll find the Mukhtar Divan, a place that throws us several hundreds of years backwards. You open a small door on a small street and enter a magical world, built from stone arches, spring, ancient street fill with carpets, lampshades, pillows, pitchers, decorations, jewelries and soaps. Everything is oriental. You can sit at Kamals' for a cup of tea and even meals and stories.
Afterwards we'll continue to "Soaps of Granma Jamila", who won the honor of lighting a torch during Independence Day, and to the Pita-Bread of Raya. After the visit we'll head back to the cars.
From Peqiin we'll drive on the 89 road to the meeting with route 8944, where we turn right and after few km we'll reach the starting point of our trip.
Fourth Day Tour: Traveling Between the Waterfalls, written by tour-guide Tirtza Niv
When the winter begins great with an impressive amount of rain that is the time to travel north to the land of the Jordan River origins, enjoy the blossoming sights and listen to the joyful sounds of flowing waters in the streams and waterfalls.
My recommendation is to tour the Galilee Panhandle and to skip from one stream or waterfall to another.
We'll start in Ayun Stream with a 1.5-2 hours trail between Metula and the Tanur Waterfall. Entrance is north to the village, with a small fee to the Nature and Parks Authority. In this trail we'll pass over the Ayun's four wonderful waterfalls: Ayun Waterfall, HaTahana Waterfall, Eshed Waterfall and the Tanur Waterfall, or we can take only the short route to Tanur Waterfall and back. This trail was recently renovated and is now very comfortable to walk on with wooden bridges, stairs to the waterfall and a short possible extra to the observation spot.
If it is a rainy day you can enjoy the sight of HaTahana Waterfall while driving your car. Drive to Ayun Stream entrance road, north to Metula village, and take the village's peripheral trail. On our left we can observe the waterfall in full power.
We'll continue to the Northern Garden (Gan HaTzafon – a shoping and dining compound between Ma'ayan Baruch and HaGoshrim), where we'll step out of the cars to watch the powerful flowing of Hazbani Stream and its meeting with the Ayun and Dan streams. The Ayun waters are brownish and the Dan is crystal clear. When flow is extremely powerful and the stream is overflowing it is recommended to observe from the McDonalds' balcony.
We'll continue north towards Saar Waterfall, which flows powerfully and will get even bigger if rains will continue. You can walk a short circular trail to a spectacular lookout over the waterfall and above it and enjoy the amazing views around it, such as Nimrod Fort and Mount Hermon slopes.
For dessert I will recommend an easy walk in the "Ami Trail" promenade, between Sede Nehemya and Kefar Blum, where you can walk even if it's rainy. Most of the time, the trail isn't muddy and is adjustable for baby carriages. Over the promenade you can find sentences from the bible with mentions of the Jordan River. You can also observe a strongly streamed waterfall and maybe some brave kayak paddlers
