realtelaviv.com

If you’ve been reading my blog in the last few weeks you probably understand by now that I love Tel Aviv. I can’t see myself loving any other city like I love this city. I love the energy, the vibe, the people, the food and even the noise and the air pollution…

However, once in a blue moon (or when the holidays season arrives), even a true Tel Avivian gets tired of the city and needs to find refuge in a haven outside of the hectic city life.
Here are a few good reasons to make the effort, get in the car, pack up the dog and leave the safe boundaries of the Tlv.

Tzimmer in the Galil
The Tzimmer (which means a room in German, but some how made its way into the Hebrew jargon) industry in the north of Israel is an extremely developing and flourishing market. It has become a very popular and high class solution for a quiet weekend out of town. There is a huge variety of Tzimmers starting with wooden cabins in the middle of the forest, a Japanese styled room with a panoramic view of the Sea of Galilee, or a fancy and romantic estate with a swimming pool in the back yard just a few minutes away from Achziv beach. Anyone can find the right Tzimmer for them and the prices range from very moderate to extremely expensive. The Tzimmer experience is a very Israeli experience and is a great way to get acquainted with the beautiful sights of the north and its amazing and relaxing atmosphere all from the terrace of your own private chosen Tzimmer. Don’t go to a Tzimmer during the holidays(Passover and Rosh Hassana especially), be smart and make reservations for the week right after when all the Israelis have gone back to work…

Camping trip in the South
All you need are some friends, some firewood and a lot of food and alcohol and you’re all set. Drive down south either to the Ramon Crater or to the Arava area, find a quiet off road night parking spot, and start the party. You will be able to enjoy a great bonfire, some outdoor barbecuing and most of all an unbelievable amount of shining stars that fill the skies. If you drink enough it will help you stay warm, because the southern nights are always, even in the summer, freezing cold. In the morning, choose one of the many walking trails in the area and do some old fashion hiking. At the end of the road you will usually have a funsurprising waiting, an ice cream truck! So enjoy your popsicle and head back to Tlv.

Ahava Music Festival at the Dead Sea
Every Passover (right around the corner) the famous Ahava Music Festival (http://www.dead-sea.org.il) takes place at the Dead Sea, and it’s definitely a meeting between some of Israel’s best musicians. All the known bands play here, and they usually work together and create combined shows; The results are spectacular! The event includes all kind of other attractions such as horseback riding, Bedouin tents and moonlight walking trails. Although this is a big event with a big crowd, it still somehow has am intimate and ethnic ambience, and it’s one of the only things that gets me out of Tlv annually. This year make sure to catch the lovely and enchanting girl group, Habanot Nechama, guest hosting Shlomi Shaban an extremely talented young musician.

Winery Tour in Ramat Hagolan
Even though Israel is surely no France or Italy when it comes to fine wine, in the last few years wineries have been popping up like crazy all over the country, and especially up up north, in Ramat Hagolan. Each winery has its special touch and unique blends, some of the wineries are bigger and more established, like the Ramat Hagolan Wineries, others have a more of an indie feel like the Pelter Winery, and some are very fancy and stylish like the Chataeu Golan Winery. Some have an organized tour and tasting, and those who don’t are usually willing to show you around and give you something to drink anyway. The whole experience is a very cultural and uplifting one, so choose a few representatives and start drinking up.

Hummus in Abu Gosh
Sure there are a lot of great Hummus joints in Tel Aviv and Jaffa, but for the real deal and full adventure of the Hummus you must travel east towards the Israeli Arab village of Abu Gosh. Here the hummus is wrapped with tradition and covered with good vibes, the view is beautiful, the air is clear and the weather is always a few degrees lower then in Tlv. The best part of it all is that it’s only a half hour drive from Tlv so you won’t have separation anxiety. The selection of restaurants is pretty large so just get there and walk into the first place you see, you can’t lose! Bon Appetite!