The pool is shaded just at the right height, surrounded by hotel buildings that form a kind of protected inner courtyard. The kids are jumping into the water, laughing, and we’re sitting on the side with a glass of wine in hand. No stress. No pressure. No “what do we do with the kids now?” Just enjoyment. That’s where we realized why the Galilion Hotel has managed to create something different.
The Summer Camp – How Does It Actually Work?
Galilion is located in the Upper Galilee, in the heart of the pastoral landscapes of the Hula Valley. The hotel has 120 rooms and suites, and even at full capacity, it doesn’t feel crowded — a wide range of activities disperses guests throughout the beautifully maintained grounds.
The hotel includes a spa with a sauna and Turkish hammam, a restaurant with a rich buffet, a pool bar, and a variety of activities for all ages. The location also allows for outings to local attractions — from flowing streams in the Galilee to stunning sites in the Golan Heights.
During the summer months of July and August, the hotel runs a special concept called “Summer Camp” — a coordinated activity program designed to solve the biggest challenge of a family vacation: How to entertain both kids and adults.
The idea is simple but brilliant: Instead of kids being bored and adults being stressed, there are parallel activities that take place close to each other. While the kids are at a face painting workshop, adults can enjoy wine tasting. While the kids are watching a movie, the adults can relax in the breeze. Everything flows, everything is coordinated, everything works.
This year’s theme is “Around the World in 80 Days” — kids experience different cultures through creative activities, performances, and films, while adults enjoy their own pampering at the same time.
A Welcome That Starts Things Off Right
It all started the moment we arrived at the hotel. Instead of entering a standard lobby with travel-weary kids, we were greeted by a table laid with tasty cookies, fresh fruit, and cava. It may sound simple, but something about it immediately calmed all of us — just before settling into our room.
Right after check-in, while we were getting settled, the kids were already drawn to their first face-painting station. That was the first bit of magic — we didn’t need to figure out what to do with them. The activities just flowed naturally.
The Pool That Became a Second Home
Next, we headed to the pool — and there we discovered why Galilion works so well. It wasn’t just a place to swim — it was the hub of the vacation. The kids instantly felt at home, and the pool became the place they kept wanting to return to.
The location of the pool — shaded and surrounded by the Upper Galilee landscape — created an atmosphere that both children and adults could enjoy. We didn’t have to choose between what we wanted and what the kids wanted.
Activities That Connect Seamlessly
On the first evening, there was a wine tasting workshop. Meanwhile, the kids were busy with their own activities, and we could enjoy a moment of adult indulgence. After a wonderful dinner in the dining room, there was a bonfire for the kids, where each child got to roast a marshmallow skewer. A musical ensemble played nearby, adding a magical vibe to the evening.
What was special was how smoothly everything flowed — we didn’t have to plan or stress about what to do next. The activities were built one upon the other in a natural rhythm.
The next day we spent relaxing by the pool — exactly what we had dreamed of for this vacation. The kids were happy in the water, and we could read a book, have a normal conversation, and truly unwind.
The pool bar offered schnitzels, burgers, ice pops, and drinks — exactly what you need when you don’t want to move from a good spot. We didn’t have to get dressed or go search for food; everything was right there, accessible and easy.
In the afternoon — more wine tasting for us, and a dance and music workshop for the kids. Again, we felt how the hotel had managed to create the perfect balance — everyone got what they needed. The evening ended with a live music show and a screening of Minions with popcorn. The kids were delighted, and we felt like we had truly had a great time too.
Day Three: Workshop and Heading Home
On the final day, we participated in an arts and crafts workshop — a lovely activity where the kids created beautiful dreamcatchers. At this point, there was a bit of a dilemma: Should we explore the free nature reserves and local attractions offered by the hotel, or go back to the pool? The kids made the decision — back to the pool.
What made this vacation special wasn’t just the activities themselves, but how they flowed one after the other. We didn’t need to plan, stress, or figure out what to do with the kids. Everything was there, at the right time, naturally.
The kids were busy and happy, and we could let go and enjoy ourselves. It sounds like every mom’s dream — and at the Galilion Hotel, that’s exactly what we got.
Is It Worth the Money?
With prices starting at NIS 1,750 per night for a family, it may seem expensive at first glance. But when you factor in that it includes accommodation, all meals, all activities, and all additional services — and when you consider how much a family vacation abroad costs — in the end, it doesn’t feel like a rip-off.
We left the hotel with a feeling we hadn’t had in a long time: We came back from a vacation truly relaxed. The kids left with great memories, and we left with the sense that we enjoyed ourselves too — not just made sure they had fun.