Splendour of a seaside succah
THERE IS nothing quite like celebrating Succot in the Holyland, sleeping under the stars inside a hotel succah and waking refreshed for cultural activities in the warm Mediterranean sunshine. Israel is perennially popular with British tourists at Succot (this year, October 17 to 25) and there are some good deals about. Among them are stays at the Dan Hotels chain, in Jerusalem, Herzliya and Caesarea. A high proportion of guests return every year and Rafi Baeri, vice-president of sales and marketing, attributes this to the food, service and “good family fun”.
Jerusalem’s Inbal Hotel is also a hit with the Brits. Rony Timsit, general manager says: “They enjoy our cuisine, which features international and modern dishes, prepared using the freshest ingredients. Guests can select from celebrating the holiday and dining in a private succah, or in our more social and public succah.”
Anglo tourists also flock to the spectacular Ritz-Carlton Hotel, in Herzliya Pituach’s marina. Here there is “an emphasis on personalised, familyfriendly services with English-speaking staff members,” says Ned Capeleris, general manager. “We offer a terrific succah experience, with the hotel succah on the outdoor terrace, which can hold up to 200 guests. And we can create private succah balconies as well.
“This year we are excited to offer children ages four to 12 years old our new Ritz Kids programme. It is a fun and educational experience, which includes arts and crafts, storytelling, iPad games and even gardening, where the children learn how to grow stuff. These activities run throughout the day.”
Visitors who love art and music should consider the Elma Arts Complex Luxury Hotel in Zichron Yaakov, near Haifa.
“We feature not only large rooms and distinctive culinary experiences in our restaurants but also, as an ‘art’ hotel, we have more than 500 pieces of art on displaythroughoutthecomplex,”saysBruno De Schuyter, the general manager.
“We also feature a world-class concert hall, where our guests can be entertained by noted local and international musicians.” HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS Zichron Yaakov itself was founded by Baron Edmond James de Rothschild in 1882. Visit the original Carmel Winery (also founded by Rothschild), then stroll along the Midrachov, the street lined with coffee houses and boutique shops.
Tel Aviv is holding its biggest cycling festival, Sovev Tel Aviv, from October 21 to 23. There will be four cycle tracks through the city’s boulevards and along the coastline, which can be enjoyed by cyclists and rollerbladers alike. You can easily rent a bike for the day if you want to join in. The city will also feature a 1. Yes 2. b) A series of several blasts, often around nine, blown together 3. Two 4. Selichot 5. Unetaneh Tokef (“Let Us Speak of the “four spices” festival and communal
(post-Simchat Torah dancing) in Rabin Square.
In Jerusalem, the always-fascinating Mahane Yehuda fruit and vegetable markethasalsobecomeoneof thecity’s trendiest night spots, with bistros and beer bars led by Beer Bazaar Jerusalem, which serves more than 100 different kinds of Israeli craft beer made in microbreweries all over the country, as well as producing two of its own. In the evenings, it complements these with New York-style sandwiches including salt beef with pickled cabbage and allbeef hot dogs.
If you simply want a relaxing day on the coast, hop aboard an air-conditioned Israel Railways train in Tel Aviv and buy a ticket to Haifa, Akko or Nahariya. In Haifa, the train makes its first stop at the entrance to the Hof HaCarmel beach, where you can enjoy a dip in the sea and grab a bite to eat at a nearby mall. Akko offers historical tours, as well as great shopping in colourful outdoor markets and Nahariya has a beautiful beach, as well as restaurants and shops.
The hotel succah on the terrace holds up to 200 guests’