Along the Gospel Trail at Barbakfar Guesthouse
By TRAVELUJAH
06/10/2012 12:22
Barbakfar is a calm place to stay in an area full of things to do.
Barbakfar 300 Photo: Courtesey Travelujah
For further information on Christian tourism and Holy Land Tours contact Travelujah.
You've
decided to head up to the Galilee for a few days of off the beaten path
exploration that might include biking, or hiking the Gospel Trail or
perhaps other attractions in the area. Where to stay?
Here's an answer: Barbakfar
A
few kilometers east of the Gospel Trail within Moshav Sharona, lies
Barbakfar, a small bed and breakfast that offers very comfortable
lodgings, excellent food and tremendous service (including
transportation to and from the trail). The quaint property is the
brainchild of owner Nili Bar, an 11th generation Israeli. Her husband's
family also dates back many generations and they were founders of
Kibbutz Ein Gev and she grew up in Rosh Pina and then moved to Ginosar
where she went to school. For a number of years she worked as a tour
guide all the while dreaming of opening her own guesthouse with her
husband Dov. In preparation for the anticipated tourism boom for the
year 2000, they began planning their own guest house and eventually
opened their own guesthouse with six units. Over the years they've added
their private home to the mix, enabling Barbakfar to accommodate up to
40 people.
The guesthouse is set on 24 dunams and the setting is
reminiscent of Tuscany. The landscaping is lush and abundant and
visitors can lounge in the pool overlooking the vineyards while enjoying
the view of Mt. Tabor lying prominently in the distance. Grapes grown
on site are blended into a fine Shiraz wine that is produced under their
own private label, aged and produced on site. Approximately 3,000
bottles of year are produced at their winery on site.
The Bar
family is intimately involved with the day to day operation of the
guesthouse. Yuval Bar handles the front of the house operation,
graciously chatting with all the guests individually at breakfast as he
walks from table to table. If asked, he'll happily advise on how he
produces his wine and proudly takes those interested into his wine
manufacturing area. In the meantime, his brother, Uri, oversees the
kitchen where his mother's breakfast recipes are duplicated by their
cooks, who come from nearly Kfar Cama.
For travelers along the
Gospel Trail, Barbakfar is a wonderfully convenient and relaxed
location. Transportation to and from the Gospel Trail can be arranged
through the guesthouse at a nominal extra charge. Simply let Yuval or
Nili know that you will need to be picked up at the end of your hiking
day and they'll be there. And in the morning they'll take you back.
Barbakfar,
which happens to be rated quite high on TripAdvisor, offers romantic
units for couples, larger units for families that sleep four and one
huge cottage unit that sleeps four couples plus children. Each unit
contains a private enclosed terrace with a large jacuzzi, a television,
and an equipped kitchen area. A complimentary half bottle of wine,
chocolate and full, cooked to order breakfast is provided. Prices begin
at approximately $160 per night per couple.
Anyone seeking to explore the area of Mt. Tabor and nearby Tiberias will be quite content staying at Barbakfar.
Barbakfar, Moshav Sharon, 052-2262754 www.barbakfar.co.il
Travelujah is the
leading Christian social network focused on connecting Christians to
the Holy Land. People can learn, plan and share their Holy Land tour and
travel experiences on Travelujah.