A green winter up north

The farm, which overlooks the Golan Heights, was established in the 1960s by Yehuda Avni and his wife, Yona, whose dream it was to create a warm home for horses.

By MEITAL SHARABI
Specially equipped Tomcars stand ready to bring visitors to sites far from the beaten track (photo credit: MEITAL SHARABI)
Specially equipped Tomcars stand ready to bring visitors to sites far from the beaten track
(photo credit: MEITAL SHARABI)
Location: Galilee and Golan Heights
Type: Includes short walks, all-terrain driving with optional overnight
Length: Two days
Level of difficulty: Easy, appropriate for families
Season: All year
Details: Vered Hagalil Guest Farm: (04) 693-5785.
Price: From NIS 585 per couple weekdays, up to NIS 1,625 for a suite in high season.
If you’re in your 30s or older – like I am – then hearing the word Vered together with Galil probably makes your mouth water, thinking of some of their delicious chocolate. But today I’d like to tell you about another hidden jewel at Vered Hagalil: a guest farm. As a guest at the Vered Hagalil Guest Farm, one can forget about the work week completely and just enjoy some relaxation.
The farm, which overlooks the Golan Heights, was established in the 1960s by Yehuda Avni and his wife, Yona, whose dream it was to create a warm home for horses. When they moved to the area, they began preparing the ground, which was covered with rocks and thistles when they arrived. Their hard work paid off and now they are the proud owners of the farm they always dreamed of and happily welcome guests from all around the world to their home.
The Vered Hagalil Guest Farm is home to 30 wooden and stone cabins that are spread out over more than 12 hectares. Each cabin was constructed in a different style and is suitable for couples or families.
There are many trails around the farm that lead to quiet hidden spaces, an ancient winepress and fruit orchards.
And of course guests are welcome to go horseback riding in the surrounding hills.
Beginners and experienced riders alike will enjoy the rides. Guests are welcome to choose from easy or more challenging trails, and if you so desire, you can even participate in an overnight horseback riding trip to the Kinneret. If you prefer to go on a nature walking tour, there are plenty of trails that will take you past streams and forests without ever bumping into other people.
You can also treat yourselves to a delicious breakfast at Tibi’s, the onsite restaurant, run by chef Chaim Tibi.
THE BEST way to connect with the land while on holiday up north is by taking a tour through the fields where the strong smell of citrus will boost your mood right away. There are flowing streams you can drive right over in Tomcars. Tours pass through the Beit Saida valley and then continue toward the Jordan River, which joins up with the Hatzbani, Banyas and Dan rivers. Guests will enjoy seeing the Beteiha and Majrasa nature reserves, the watershed of the three rivers, and hidden lagoons. The 75-minute tours are geared toward couples as well as families and participants are welcome to drive the Tomcars themselves.
Price: NIS 360 for a two-seater car; NIS 560 for a four-seater car. Coupons available online. Details: 052-222-0054.
AFTER ENJOYING the wonders of nature, it’s time to indulge in a nice meal, and I recommend dining in Yosef and Rachel Lishinski’s garden, which is located in Moshav Almagor. The Lishinskis have lived on the moshav since 1972, when they began growing mangoes and avocados. Then, 20 years ago, following a terrible fire that burned down their orchard, they decided to change direction and planted seedlings of all kinds of unique fruit trees that hail from around the world.
The charming orchard is open to visitors all year long, and Yosef offers guided tours in which he shares with visitors bits of his great wealth of knowledge. Next to each tree is a sign with the name of the species in Hebrew and English, as well as the date it was planted. If you visit there in the coming weeks, you’ll find pitaya, marula, canistel, ice-cream bean and citrus trees with a full complement of fruits on them.
Tours last 90 minutes, and if you have time to spare, you can ask Yosef to tell you about his experiences in the Nili underground, as well as the story of his grandfather who was accused of treason by the Ottomans and was hanged in Damascus.
Tours require pre-registration. Price: NIS 50. Details: 052-538-5757.
IF YOU’D like to visit a winery, Bazelet HaGolan Winery is one of the most veteran wine-making establishments in the region. Established in 1998 by vintner Yoav Levi in Kidmat Zvi, the winery offers tours that include a short film about the wine production process, Bazelet HaGolan wines and their strong connection to the land.
On the wine label appears the portrait of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, since a connection to him has been found in archeological excavations in the region. In addition, the winery received recognition in 2014 for its corks, which had an Israeli flag imprinted on them.
Price: NIS 25 for wine tasting and tour. If you purchase a bottle of wine, the entrance fee is reduced from price. Cheese tasting: NIS 35. Pre-registration required: (04) 696-5010, 052-869-1292.
Translated from Ma’ariv, with alterations, by Hannah Hochner.