Hanging out
Thrilling things to do in the Western Galilee
The Western Galilee, mostly known for the historical monuments and museums in Acre and its beautiful coastline, is slowly turning into an attraction hub offering extreme activities, such as off-road driving, rappelling, wall climbing, zip wire, cycling and, the latest attraction – a bungee jump!
We were based in the Travel Hotel in Gesher Haziv, and within a 15-minute-drive radius we found all we needed for a perfect family action vacation, including fun activities, beautiful scenery and excellent restaurants. Let’s start with the action!
The Extreme Park – Acre
The Extreme Park was opened recently and the most exciting and unique activity offered here is the bungee jump. It’s a moderate version – a free jump from a 32-meter high tower (10 stories) that is regulated by a special mechanism that lets you fall freely at the beginning and then slows you down and brings you to the ground safely. Don’t think for a moment that it’s a kid’s game – it’s awfully scary!!!
Additional exciting activities here are a climbing wall, the highest in the country, two “sky tracks” (a 15-meter high obstacle course) and a zip wire. All the activities here are controlled by very experienced instructors and there are also climbing areas for the little ones.
Prices start from NIS 20, and it is NIS 130 for 3 hours all inclusive.
Information: www.pex.co.il (Hebrew), Phone: 1-700-55-60-70
Off-road Tour at Traktoronei Hatzafon – Ya’ara
The Kroparo family from Ya’ara has always been connected to nature and to the open landscapes of the Galilee. Now they want travelers to enjoy it too. They offer different off-road tours, starting with an hour of coffee or tea break, and up to half-day tours with a meal.
We took the short buggy tour around Ya’ara. We drove the all-terrain vehicle RZR, whose driving is very similar to a regular car, except there is no power steering. The RZR suits a family of four comfortably. There are also other buggies that are more sportive. We drove around Ya’ara, went off the road via the avocado orchards and stopped for tea at a viewpoint overlooking the coastline while the guide gave us an explanation about the landscape and pointed out points of interest such as famous caves and mountains. The ride was a lot of fun – noisy and dusty with the wind gusting in our hairs. The teens loved it!
Make sure you bring your driver license and be ready for some dust!
Prices: From NIS 150, ask for discounts.
Information: bit.ly/yaara-rzr (Hebrew), Phone: 052-528-2660
Rosh Hanikra – cable car, caves, and cycling
Rosh Hanikra is the one of the most famous sites in the Western Galilee. A steep cable car ride takes the visitors to see the sea-carved grottoes. A short movie presents the history, geography and wildlife of the site. Besides visiting the grottoes, one can walk via the old train tunnel (which was exploded during the 1948 war) and go out to the promenade of the nature reserve that Rosh Hanikra is part of. Here you can rent bikes or a golf car, or walk along the beautiful coastline.
Prices: Entrance NIS 36-45, NIS 72 with bikes
Information: www.rosh-hanikra.com
Dining
With all this action, one gets hungry. There are many options to dine in the area at different price levels. We ate at three venues that we can highly recommend: Adelina, a chef restaurant in Cabri; Penguin, a family-run moderately-priced restaurant in Nahariya; and Angusry in Ein Hamifratz. If you want something cheap, fast, but very tasty, go to Angusry across the road from the Extreme Park, they serve high quality Angus hamburgers and sandwiches for really good prices.
Adelina
Adelina is located in Kibbutz Cabri in the country settings of an old building overlooking the valley banana plantations and Western Galilee coastline. Adelina’s chef, Rushdi Dawkarb studied at Le Cordon Bleu. The food here is high-end Mediterranean cuisine with a Spanish-Catalan touch.
The best way to start the meal here is with a tapas tour, a set of tapas plates for two. The tapas include seven cold and warm starters served with warm bread and dips. There are also other starters and soups. The main courses here include beef, poultry, fish, seafood and vegetables. They are a work of art in the combination of fresh ingredients, herbs and flavors, and they are also experts with the desserts. In my opinion, Adelina is one of the best restaurants in the country and gives a hell of a fight to the wellknown chefs here. RSVP as it gets full here on weekends.
Sample prices: Tapas tour for two NIS 132, main courses NIS 56-140.
Information: Adelina, Cabri, not kosher, www.adelina.org.il (Hebrew), Tel: 972-4-952-3707
Penguin Restaurant – Nahariya
Decorated with photos of historical Nahariya, Penguin has been serving quality food in mid-range prices for the last 77 years and has never closed, even during wars. Penguin has been a family-run business since 1940, run by Amir Oppenheimer, a fourth-generation immigrant from Germany. During the years, Penguin became famous and earned loyal customers from all over the country making it the ideal place for travelers and locals to dine, us included.
The restaurant has a wide menu, from pastas to steaks, fish, salads, sandwiches and good desserts. There are children meals and it is suitable for families looking for good food for fair prices in a casual-pleasant atmosphere. The apple strudel here is one of a kind. A must have!
Sample prices: Mmain courses, salads, sandwiches: NIS 42-96.
Information: Penguin Restaurant, 31 Haga’aton, Nahariya, not kosher, www.penguin-rest.co.il, Tel: 972-4911-9239
TravelHotel at Gesher Haziv
The perfect home base for this trip is the Travel Hotel in Gesher Haziv, an upgraded kibbutz accommodation with lovely renovated Greek-styled rooms. Apart from the small bathroom that will remind you where you are, you would think you’re in a Greek village thanks to the wonderful room décor. There are different types of rooms, from double to large family rooms, and breakfast is included. The staff will provide you with the area’s travel booklet and information, and there is free access for the village guests to the nearby Evron Country Club (remember to bring towels).
Travel Hotels is a chain of hotels especially suitable for budget travelers and families. The chain has hotels in Eilon, Malkia, Metula and Sde Nehemia. They are dog friendly.
Prices: From around NIS 400-800 for a double room depending on the season. Special Christmas deals.
Information: Travel Hotel, Gesher Haziv. www.travelhotels.co.il/eng, Tel: 04-688-3040.
For more information about the Western Galilee see: www.bgalil.co.il
The author was a guest of the Western Galilee Tourism Association and the sites mentioned in the article.