Tu Be’av, the festival of love

The celebration of Tu Be'av, the Jewish holiday of love – starting at nightfall on Sunday, August 10 – is a great opportunity for young and old couples to get out and rejoice in the many activities on offer for the occasion. Wine for lovers The Bein Hakramim (Among the Vineyards) Festival will take place this month in Merom Hagalil, with concerts featuring romantic music under the light of the moon. On Tu Be'av eve, there will be a special performance by Idan Raichel, and David Broza will perform with the rising sun. The view over Lake Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee) and the Golan Heights from the concert area is absolutely breathtaking. In addition, on Tu Be'av eve as well as on the days following, take tours of nearby wineries and vineyards, where you may taste the wines and homemade foods in a pastoral setting. August 11-16. Details: www.2beav.co.il Love in the White City For the fourth year in a row, the Society for Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites will be holding “Love in the Big City” in celebration of Tu Be'av. The series of events will take place in a variety of heritage sites throughout Tel Aviv, and residents can hear some of the greatest love stories involving our country's founders. Thirteen museums and heritage sites will offer shows and exhibitions for everyone who loves romance. Yoram Taharlev and Dalit Kahana will tell stories and sing at Beit Ben-Gurion; at the Irgun Zva'i Leumi Museum, individuals whose parents were members of the Stern Group will talk about their childhood; and at the Jabotinsky Museum, people whose parents helped build the State of Israel will tell fascinating tales. Sunday, August 10, 6 to 9 p.m. A romantic sunset The sea and romance have always gone well together – what could be more romantic than sitting together to watch the sun set over the water? Sunset lovers are invited to come to Dor Habonim Beach to join a peaceful sunset hike. The trail, also appropriate for families with kids, crosses the nature reserve (the blue cave and the charming coves). As you walk, the guide will tell short anecdotes and love stories related to the sea. Monday, August 11. Cost: NIS 35 to NIS 45. Details: *3639 The blue hills There's nothing more romantic than spending the night sleeping out under the stars, so the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel is organizing a romantic full-moon night hike in honor of the holiday. Couples are invited to join the walk, which will take place at Nahal Hakovshim near Beersheba; along the way, you will be entertained with tales of southern Israel, water sources and nocturnal creatures that live in the area. At the end of the hike, guests will be treated to a romantic kumzitz (bonfire) with musical accompaniment. Thursday, August 14 from 8 to 11:30 p.m. Free; preregistration necessary. Details: 057- 200-3030. Cycling on wheels of love Riding bicycles can be very romantic, especially if your destination is a tasty picnic in the shade of trees. If you're looking to really connect with the origins of Tu Be'av but want to celebrate it with a modern twist, the full-moon night ride with Ran Ganor in the Ben-Shemen Forest might be the perfect match for you. At the end of the trail, which is just one event in the Summer Nights in the Ben-Shemen Forest series, Ophir Akiva will treat you to an evening of comedy. Akiva will regale guests with love stories involving nature and ancient sources, and will even offer advice on how to improve your relationship with your loved one and reignite the passion. Distance of bike trail: 25 km. Level of difficulty: Medium. Cost: NIS 75. Bring your own bicycle; preregistration necessary. Details: 050-777-6477 Love in the grottoes Mitzpe Ramon attracts a large number of people who prefer to commune with nature over hanging out among the masses. There's nothing more romantic than watching the sun set slowly over the mountain, seeing how the sand changes from one shade to another. If you're looking for something new to do, you might want to join the SPNI on a night hike to Nahal Nikrot in the Ramon Crater. Listen to the voices of animals that only come out at nightfall, and climb on ruins where merchants once sat hundreds of years ago. The view of the white hills along the way is absolutely magnificent. Monday. Cost: NIS 55. Preregistration necessary. Peki'in nights Past, present and future come together in this walking tour through the alleyways of Peki'in. Just as the sun begins to wane, tour guide Amnon Gofer will lead participants along the sculpture promenade, where you'll be able to look out over the Upper Galilee. Next, the tour will continue on to the Rashbi Cave, then double back to the narrow streets of the village and wind through the Jewish Quarter and the magical spring. During the walk, you will be regaled with stories from village elders; at the end, you may stop and have a coffee in one of the area's pastoral cafes. Today at 7:30 p.m. Cost: NIS 75. Preregistration necessary. Details: 054-654-9191 By the light of the moon How often do we get the chance to make time slow down, and lean back and count the stars? Young couples love to get out of the city and find a quiet place to relax and stare up at the sky. As part of the fifth annual Arava Moon, Stars and Love Festival, Timna Park is inviting couples to participate in a special event about the lights of the heavens. Guests will be able to look through a telescope, take a night walk under the full moon or participate in guided workshops; romantic music will be played throughout. Monday at 7 p.m. Cost: NIS 69. Details: 1-800-225-007 Translated by Hannah Hochner.

Tu Be’av, the festival of love

It's a great opportunity for young and old couples to get out and rejoice in the many activities on offer for the occasion.

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