Love the Galilee

The Bein Hakramim Festival at Marom Galil offers many activities, concerts, good food and fine wine.

By NERIA BARR
Galilee (photo credit: Courtesy)
Galilee
(photo credit: Courtesy)
There are many reasons to go to the Galilee these days, but one good reason to plan a short vacation is the Bein Hakramim (among the vineyards) Festival. The annual festival takes place this year August 1-3 and is bigger than ever.
Organized by the Marom Galil Regional Council, Bein Hakramim is always timed to coincide with Tu Be’av, the Jewish version of Valentine’s Day.
The festival features moonlit concerts, nighttime tours, wine tastings, a farmers’ market, grape harvesting, family events and plenty of food.
This year the theme is music.
There is a family musical tour at the Birya Forest at sunset, an adventure-filled walk downhill that includes a visit to an ancient synagogue, a short harp concert, many activities and a musical tale near a spring.
The main attraction this year is popular singer Rita, who will give an open-air concert on Wednesday at 9 p.m., after which the audience is invited to a nocturnal visit to the Birya Forest.
Other attractions include grape picking at sunrise in the Lurie vineyards (052-525-4570); a farmers’ market at Kerem Ben-Zimra; an arts and healing fair at Amuka (052-241-4783); and many events at the numerous vineyards.
To name but a few of the participating businesses in the area, don’t miss the the Adir Winery and Dairy visitors' center, ((04) 699-1039), which is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
There is a short film on the history of the dairy and subsequent winery shown in English and Hebrew. During the festival, the visitors’ center will host a Greek night, in addition to its regular operations.
Next door is the Rimon Winery ((04) 953-2424), where you can taste wines and other products made from pomegranate.
It will offer special reductions on its wines. And the Butterfly microbrewery offers a tour, tastings and food at special reduced prices as well ((04) 699-1079).
In fact, all 20 wineries in the area offer special tastings and activities worth checking out.
At Amirim, you can take part in the Kabbalat Shabbat ceremony (5:30 p.m) at Mitzpe Kinneret or have a delicious kosher meal at the Gili chef restaurant in the Amirei Hagalil Hotel ((04) 698-9815).
A well-known stopping point in the area is the Bat Ya’ar ranch, which offers horseback guided tours and an activity park for kids, as well as an excellent restaurant (call for reservations at (04) 692-1788).
A relatively new and recommended kosher restaurant is Roberg in Moshav Livnim, which will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner during the festival ((04) 671-5656).
The restaurants will be open at special hours during the festival and will offer reduced prices and extras.
To make the most of the festival, you can stay at one of the many guest houses in Amuka.
There is such a wide variety of prices and accommodation, that everyone can find one that’s just right.
The Bein Hakramim Festival, August 1-3. To find more activities, concerts, fairs and markets, as well as wineries, restaurants and places to stay, go to www.2beav.co.il. For tickets, go to www.eventim.co.il/galil or call *9066.