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TOURISM
Summer with the
Kids
OK, so you want to spend quality time
with the kids this summer. Whether you live in Israel or are coming for
a visit with the family, summer with the kids in Israel involves lots of
swimming, outings, and festivals.
by Yael Kalev and Yadin Roman
Summer programs for
the young have been part and parcel of the Israeli tourism scene since
the post-Six-Day-War euphoria. The Jewish Agency for Israel, Camp Ramah,
universities, kibbutzim, youth movements – you name them, they had a
summer program in Israel for the young. Most were for the high-school
and pre-college crowd and included hiking, swimming, touring, dancing,
and generally having fun. Running them was a nightmare and guiding them
was a Herculean task, but they were, and still are, a lot of fun and
provide teenagers with an experience they will remember for decades.
 Until
recently, the options for the younger set were more meager – they were
restricted to tagging along on family missions or on visits to relatives
in Israel who lived near a beach. Over the years, however, the local
tourism market has become more sophisticated, partly in response to the
Israeli obsession with family and kids. As a result, there are now tons
of ways to have fun in Israel with the kids.
In order to really
have a good time, it is important to follow a few important guidelines.
First of all, cut schlepping to a minimum. Distances in Israel are short
– there is no reason to change hotels every night. Plan a trip with two
accommodation sites: one in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, and a second in the
Galilee. If you are also traveling to the south, add a third in Eilat.
Try to select different types of accommodations. While the Tel Aviv or
Jerusalem stay warrants a hotel, the Galilee leg of the trip is the
perfect time to look for a good bed-and-breakfast establishment (called
zimmer in Hebrew). Thousands of them have sprung up all over the Galilee
over the last decade; prices range from NIS 150 a night for a room to
NIS 1,000 a night for a log cabin that sleeps five and has a jacuzzi,
private garden and amazing location. Prices are lower on weekdays and
most places offer a discount to guests who stay for more than a few
days. While the most popular way to make a reservation is through the
internet, be careful when doing so. Like most internet advertisements,
what you see is not always what you get – especially when it comes to
bed-and-breakfast establishments. The promised view might be blocked and
the nearby barnyard, with its constant cackle of geese and lowing of
cows (not to mention the smell), might not be mentioned. The best way to
check if a bed-and-breakfast is worth staying at is to get
recommendations from friends or to phone the local tourism board, which
can provide recommendations tailored to individual tastes and needs.
Fun walks and hikes
abound in Israel, but beware of nature walks that involve a long haul
before you get to see a spectacular view, gorgeous flower, or rare bird.
Kids like action, meaning sites that are easily reachable and have
interesting activities like crawling through tunnels, climbing up rocks
– preferably with ropes and ladders, wading through water, and exploring
caves and underground caverns. Fortunately, there are numerous options
for this kind of fun throughout Israel.
One final caveat –
don’t forget that kids have to be fed. And, amazingly, spicy ethnic
food, cooked slowly in a special oven, is not their idea of good food.
They prefer French fries, hamburgers, pizza, and spaghetti. Luckily,
Israeli kids have similar taste and so many restaurants offer such fare
on their children’s menus. When making a restaurant reservation, don’t
forget to ask if there is a children’s menu and what exactly that means.
Apart from the
above, everything goes. The ERETZ staff has collected a few suggestions
for fun things to do with the kids in Israel this summer. For additional
suggestions and advice, feel free to write to the “Ask
the Guide” section on the ERETZ website. Just don’t forget to
include your email address so that we can answer you.
NORTH
Along the Northern Coast
This short
5-kilometer hike includes a miniature train ride, a cable car ride, and
a short walk along a beach promenade.
Getting there: The
area can be reached by car from four different points. To reach the
northern end, enter by the Rosh Hanikra Holiday Village. To reach the
center, take the road to Bezet Beach that passes through the Liman
Campsite. To start in the south, enter from the Yad Leyad Youth Hostel
or from the Achziv National Park.
The hike: Only 5
kilometers of beach separate the Sullam Range, the northern edge of
Israel’s coastline, from Tel Achziv. But this is one of the more
interesting shorelines of Israel. The rocky coast is full of grottos,
underwater caverns, and little inlets (some rocky, others sandy), and
has a limestone range where some very rare plants grow.
 Start
from the Rosh Hanikra parking lot. After taking in the view of the
entire northern coastal plain all the way to Haifa, make your way to the
bus station, where there is a path that leads down the slope to the
beach. The path is an ancient one, the camel caravans of old would use
it when crossing the Sullam Range on the way to Lebanon.
The path descends,
with the aid of stairs, to a track that used to be part of the
Haifa-Beirut railway. March north about 100 meters and climb the steps
leading up to the limestone ridge. The path at the top of the steps
leads to a small inlet and an observation point that overlooks the
shore. In the center of the observation point is an ancient rock-carved
olive press. The site also has benches and drinking fountains. A little
further on, there is an additonal observation point.
You are now nearing
Betzet Beach, an official swimming beach that is manned by lifeguards
during the summer. The promenade continues south for another 3
kilometers until it reaches the riverbed of Nahal Kziv – the longest
riverbed in the Galilee. On the other side of the riverbed is the Achziv
National Park, the end of this route.
Kibbutz Rosh Hanikra
operates a “mini train” which consists of a number of trolleys pulled by
a tractor. The train makes the trip from Rosh Hanikra to Achziv and back
at various times during the day. The first train leaves at 10 a.m. and
the last departs at 5 p.m. The train operates from mid-July to
mid-August.
The Gesher at Nesher
This is a fun
half-hour- to hour-long adventure on a rope bridge that leads across a
deep ravine in a forest full of trails and observation points. The
70-meter-long rope bridge swings and sways as you cross it.
Getting there: From
the new road to Haifa University, turn left at the traffic light in the
direction of Ramot Yitzhak. At the square, turn left into Haharuv Street
and continue until you see the sign for JNF Park-Nesher. From the
parking lot, follow the path for about 15 minutes, in the direction of
the signs leading to Nahal Katia.
Top Rope: The Kfar Blum Adventure Park
The Top Rope
facility has 20 rope bridges of different kinds, difficulty levels, and
heights. Plus there is a 90-meter omega into the waters of the Jordan
River and a climbing wall. The site is at the end of the Kfar Blum kayak
route on the Jordan, but can also be reached by car. The bridges and
ladders are for children over 5 years of age. Children under the age of
8 must be accompanied by an adult on the rope bridges. Of course, a
kayak trip along the Jordan can be included in the visit. The site is
swamped in summer, but a lot of fun.
To order tickets,
call 170-050-6611 (tickets are cheaper when purchased in advance). For
more information, see www.kayaks.co.il
Manara: The Highest Cliff in Israel
The Manara cliff
looms 800 meters above Kiryat Shemona. The attractions here center
around the three stations of the Manara Cable Car, which rises from
Kiryat Shemona to a height of 740 meters. The first station on the cable
car route offers a trip in mini-jeeps along the Manara cliff, a bungee
trampoline, and an extreme 1,200-meter-long mountain slide.
The middle station
offers rock climbing and rappelling, a 200-meter omega, and a climbing
wall.
At the upper
station, there are two options to hike along the cliff with a local
guide. In the summer, visitors can join in the apple picking in the
orchards of Kibbutz Manara. The top station also includes a park of
inflatable slides, a swimming pool, and workshops for children. For
details, call (04) 690-5830. More information is available in Hebrew at
www.cliff.co.il
Haifa Extreme
A new extreme sports
park recently opened in Haifa. The park includes a climbing wall, a rope
bridge park, an 80-meter-long omega, three paintball venues, and more.
For details, call 054-522-4281. More information is available in Hebrew
at www.xpark.co.il
JERUSALEM AND THE
JUDEAN MOUNTAINS
The Mysterious Ein Zova
The spring of Ein
Zova emanates from an underground cave that can be reached through a
tunnel. Hundreds of these systems were built in the Judean Hills during
the Roman period.
Getting there:
Kibbutz Zova is in the Jerusalem Mountains, not far from the Harel
Junction on the main Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway. Enter the kibbutz,
cross it, and drive for about 800 meters along the old road that once
led to the kibbutz. Park in the small parking area near the gate leading
to the spring.
A 40-meter-long
tunnel leads to the cave with the spring. The kibbutz members have put
lighting into the cave and tunnel and open it to visitors for a small
fee. The entrance to the tunnel is low, but as you continue it gets
higher, leading to a cave in which you can stand up.
Near the parking lot
there are two things to see – the crusader castle of Zova and a grand
old oak, one of the oldest in the country. The site is open in the
summer from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kiftzuba at Kibbutz Zova
The amusements at
the Kiftzuba park at Kibbutz Zova include air-filled slides,
mini-motorcycle rides, bumper cars, and a mini-train. There is also a
games hall filled with every game you can imagine. Finally, there is a
small petting zoo for kids who want to get their hands on something less
plastic than a joystick.
For details, call
(02) 534-7952. More information is available in Hebrew at
www.kiftzuba.co.il
Ein Handak
Ein Handak, another
of the tunnel-fed springs of the Judean Mountains, is near the Hadassah
Hospital in Jerusalem’s Ein Kerem neighborhood. The area surrounding the
spring hasn’t been developed, making this a lovely natural site.
Getting there: Drive
from Hadassah Hospital along the road to Even Sapir. Continue 500 meters
past the hospital parking lot and turn left. Follow the road for 200
meters to the parking lot.
Equipment: Bring
flashlights, wading shoes, and bathing suits.
A flight of steps
leads down into a large pool. The pool is 30 meters long and 3 meters
deep, with water flowing into the pool from two separate tunnels. The
tunnel on the left has two branches, the right branch, the longer one,
is 30 meters. The tunnel opposite the steps is even longer.
The tunnels are
dark, so use flashlights when exploring them. The water in the tunnels
is about 1 meter deep. Be careful as you walk along the longer branch of
the tunnel – it has an underwater step.
After exploring the
tunnels, walk down the ravine, heading away from the parking lot for 5
minutes, until you reach a 9.5-meter-high terrace, built out of massive
stones that looks like a miniature version of the Western Wall. The
terrace is ancient, probably from Roman times. A terrace of this size
constructed out of such huge stones has yet to be found in any other
place in Israel.
Mini-Israel
Like many other
places in the world, Israel has a miniature park with elaborate,
detailed models of the most important and interesting buildings and
sites around the country.
Getting there: The
park is near the Latrun Junction, off the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway.
Follow the signs from the Latrun Junction to the park.
Mini Israel is one
of the biggest attractions for kids and grownups in Israel. The spacious
park includes 360 models on a 1:25 scale. The site also offers various
activities for kids. For details, call (08) 922-2444 or see
www.minisrael.co.il
JERUSALEM
The Time Elevator
The Time Elevator is
an interactive, multimedia show that takes visitors on a journey through
3,000 years of Jerusalem’s history. Narrated by Haim Topol, the Time
Elevator includes moving chairs and other special effects. Even though
it sounds very touristy, the presentation is original and highly
recommended. It’s a great way to introduce the family to the history of
Jerusalem. For details, call (02) 624-8381.
The Bloomfield Science Museum
The museum’s
hands-on exhibits introduce visitors to a myriad of scientific
phenomena. For the older kids (and adults), the Einstein exhibit
provides a glimpse into the world of E=MC2. This summer there is a
special exhibition that will answer questions about wind, what it does,
when it is beneficial and when it is destructive, how it can create
electricity, and more. For details, call (02) 654-4888 or see
www.mada.org.il
The Herzl Museum
Recently opened to
replace a tiny, stuffy, old exhibit, the brand new imaginative and
innovative exhibit on Theodor Herzl is a must see. The lines are long,
but it is well worth the wait. The whole family will enjoy this site.
Advance booking is imperative. For reservations, call (02) 620-2330.
Chain of Generations
A fantastic exhibit
just opened by the Western Wall that explains the chain of generations
of the Jewish People, from Abraham to the present. It features glass
sculptures, music, and lights. The exhibit is located in the tunnels
that run underneath the Western Wall plaza. This site is appropriate for
older children and, of course, for adults. For details, call (02)
627-1333.
Davidson Center – Southern Wall Excavations
The Davidson Center,
located at the Southern Wall Excavations in Jerusalem, includes an
informative multimedia presentation on the Temple. The guides, exhibits,
and explanations may make the center seem slightly more appropriate for
a school outing, than for a vacation activity, but it is a worthwhile
learning experience for families interested in activities with
substance. For further information and details, phone (02) 627-7550.
The Ramparts Walk
Take a jaunt along
the walls of Jerusalem and peer into backyards, hidden courtyards, and
churches. The ramparts offer fascinating views ranging from the Wall to
the desert to the modern city. The entrance is by the Jaffa Gate. There
are two routes – the route from the Tower of David to the Zion Gate is
the shorter route and recommended for families.
Dig into History
Visitors to the Emek
Zurim Park can participate in a special kind of archaeological dig:
sifting through the debris taken out of Solomon’s Stables under the
Temple Mount. In the shade of a large tent, visitors wash the debris and
sift through it to find ancient artifacts. So far, many exciting objects
have been found, from Second Temple pottery to Crusader ceramics, not to
mention an inscription or two, coins, and all types of other things that
were thrown into the cisterns under the Temple Mount platform over the
last 2,000 years. This is an easy, fun, and very exciting activity.
Come for an hour, a day, or a week – you will find yourself washing dirt
like crazy and enjoying it. For further details, call (02) 626-2341 or
fax (02) 627-4365.
CENTER
Caesarea
In the past two
years, Caesarea has been upgraded and has transformed from a stuffy
national park into a fun site. Today, you can take a swim in the bay,
talk to laser-generated characters from Caesarea’s past, watch a
multimedia presentation, and put on a snorkel and mask to participate in
an underwater archaeological tour. The site also offers a variety of
restaurants, art stores, and, of course, antiquities.
Tel Aviv Port
The in-place in Tel
Aviv in the summer is the port, with its huge wooden deck over the sea.
The deck is a place to bike, roller skate, catch an outdoor performance,
dine at a restaurant, have coffee and cake at a café, or wander through
the 30 or so stalls exhibiting the work of local artists, that are
spread throughout the port. Ride Club, a shop at the entrance to the
port, rents out bikes.
Tel Aviv Bike Trail
Rent a bike at the
port and set out on the Yarkon Bike Trail along the river. The trail
takes riders past bridges, amusement parks, a climbing wall, a small
zoo, a bird safari, a mini-golf course, a lake with boat rides, and many
more exciting surprises.
SOUTH
A
Night at Solomon’s Pillars – Timna
During the summer,
the Timna Park is lit at night and offers two evening and night tours.
One starts at 5 p.m. and includes a short tour of the park with dinner
in the Bedouin tent near the Timna Lake. At 7:30 p.m., there is a night
hike through the park. The night tour also ends with dinner and drinks
at the Bedouin tent near the lake. For details, call (08) 631-6756.
Dolphin Reef – Eilat
The Dolphin Reef is
a nice, well-tended beach with an enclosed bay in which the nine
resident dolphins swim. You can swim with the dolphins in the water or
just sit on one of the wooden floating docks and watch them frolic
around you. The reef also offers detailed explanations about dolphins, a
diving school, and more. For details, call (08) 637-1846 or see
www.dolphinreef.co.il
This
article
appeared in ERETZ Magazine 104. To subscribe to ERETZ Magazine,
click here.
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