When planning a vacation in Israel, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv usually come to mind. History and museums combine with nightlife and beaches to make up what is considered to be “The ultimate Israeli experience”, a bit of everything and something for everyone. But what if we told you that these two magnificent cities are only the tip of the iceberg of all that Israel has to offer?
A scenic 2.5-hour drive from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, will find you in the midst of the Hula Valley. A short trip, transporting you from the hustle and bustle of urban central Israel to the peaceful Upper Galilee, where the sweet scent of blossoms fills your lungs.
The rivers, brooks, creeks and springs of the area along with indigenous flora and fauna and 500 million water birds, birds of prey and songbirds stopping over during migration, create a pastoral atmosphere. Year round animal lovers and bird watchers are invited to the Hula ecological lake, located in the midst of the geological phenomena that is the Great Rift Valley, to view the wildlife in their natural habitat, and if they happen to chance upon a visit during the Crane migration season, they will find themselves in the center of one of the most magnificent National Geographic episodes possible.
The entire area is a nature lovers delight and a heaven for hikers and bikers, with greenery for as far as the eye can see and an opportunity for adventures galore, but what about luxury and culture? Can the Hula valley compete with the finesse of the big cities? Undoubtedly, and then some.
Kibbutz Kfar Blum, on the northern side of the Hula Valley, was founded in 1943 by a group of pioneers. They were intent on drying out the malaria inducing Hula swamp, in order to cultivate the rich marshlands, dreaming of creating a self-sustained, agricultural based life for their families. Neither the disease that rampaged through the Kibbutz nor the hostile encounters with neighboring Arab villages would stop the dream, and orchards and fields were planted, chicken coops and cowsheds built and a community came to life on the stunning banks of the Jordan river.
It didn’t take long for the locals to understand the tourism potential of the region, and they built a small guest house that grew and metamorphosed over time, into what is now the cultural and hospitality center of the Galilee, the Pastoral Hotel.
The hotel itself consists of 193 state of the art, spacious, Tuscan styled rooms and suites, in the midst of the green meadow, with either direct access to the vast grounds or a balcony overlooking the beautiful Galilee and majestic Golan Heights.
The Olympic sized seasonal pool offers a cool escape from the heat of the Israeli summer and the adult-only spa area, a perfect place to relax and rejuvenate, with dozens of body and cosmetic treatments, a Turkish Hammam, Finish sauna, rain cave, tipping bucket and gym for visitor enjoyment.
The food in the region rivals the top restaurants of Tel Aviv. In the near vicinity are several wineries and visitor centers, restaurants and farms, offering a delectable taste of the Galilee, a true farm to table experience. The kosher restaurant at the Pastoral Hotel combines the best of Israeli and Galilee cuisine, with sensational seasonal buffets filled with all that the heart can desire – fresh salads and antipasti, meats, side dishes, and an amazing selection of desserts, all accompanied by local wines from nearby wineries.
During the winter season, the adult oriented cultural programs offered by the hotel are diverse, with an emphasis on concerts, lectures, operas and shows. For more than 20 years, top named Israeli performers, musicians, creators and intellectuals have drawn in crowds of people seeking a cultural experience come holiday, couples who understand how the unique setting intensifies the experience and enhances the enjoyment.
Over school holidays the hotel offers unique children oriented cultural experiences, such as guided philharmonic concerts, pop culture musical lectures, musical literary shows, workshops, moonlit hikes and activities, combined with the many available hikes and secret bathing spots, mountain climbs, self-driven ATV action packed rides, open air historic museums, kayaks and white water rafting, horseback riding and more that are available in the Hula Valley, for a family fun filled vacation with that little bit extra, to make it unforgettable.
Partnered with the Pastoral Hotel
