עברית
10 Suggestions For A Romantic Day Out in the Galilee
Suggestion 1 – Romantic Akko
There’s nothing like a romantic getaway in Old Akko, one of the most beautiful cities in Israel, if not the world! Get two options to start your morning:
Option 1: Lotus Restaurant on the Roof of the Akotika Hotel
Photo: Aya Ben Ezri
On the roof of the main building of Akotika is the Lotus Restaurant, which serves a delicious traditional Akko breakfast and a pampering brunch every morning. At the Akotika Boutique Hotel, you can also combine a pampering spa treatment with accommodation in the perfect suites that you won’t find anywhere else! But we’ll talk more about that later.
Option 2: Turkiz Restaurant in the Alleys of Old Akko
In a beautiful little restaurant in the turquoise alley, Samir serves hearty breakfasts, fresh fish, pastries from the taboon, vegetables from the market, and some of the best knafe in town!
After a luxurious breakfast, we recommend a stroll through the colorful alleys of the Old City.
And as we said before, if it’s romance, then go all the way! Book a night at the romantic Akotika Boutique Hotel and don’t miss out on a pampering body treatment.
Inspired by travels in Nepal, India, and southern Italy, and after falling in love and captivated by the charm of ancient Akko, the couple Tamar and Meir Dodson decided to develop an urban tourism city that combines an authentic experience of accommodation in luxurious and modern rooms in beautiful, renovated ancient buildings integrated into the cultural and human fabric of the old city.
Or in one of the designed suites at the unique and historic Arabesque Boutique Hotel.
A boutique hotel and artist center located in the heart of the Old City in a renovated ancient Ottoman building. The hotel also features a rooftop bar, an intimate courtyard, and an entrance lobby that hosts arts and cultural events.
Suggestion 2 – A Heavenly Couple's Experience
It’s a good idea to start the day with coffee and a pastry at Lechem Tenne in Kibbutz Gesher HaZiv. A rural bakery in a natural forest, known for its excellent breads, and in particular for all the pastries baked there every morning. A relaxed start to the exciting day that awaits you. It’s recommended to purchase from the variety of pastries for a picnic afterwards.
The TOP-IL company offers you a couples workshop on rappelling with or without the climbing experience. A different and unconventional way to travel and experience nature sites in Israel and throughout the Western Galilee in particular, in a challenging manner and with guided and professional accompaniment.
The activity takes place on adapted sites approved by KKL-JNF and the Israel Nature & Parks Authority based on your personal choice. You can combine a preliminary trip or arrive at the spot directly by prior arrangement.
Rappelling can be done at well-known sites in the Western Galilee such as Keshet Cave, Dalton Cliff, Alma Cave, and Hota Cave (especially for extreme enthusiasts), and anywhere approved for rappelling without harming nature.
Each session is secured by a guide.
After rappelling, you can take a walk in the selected area and have a picnic with a basket of delicacies for an additional fee.
Must Book In Advance
Price: 1500 NIS per couple
Suggestion 3 – Nature, Recycling & Creativity
Skip between the villages of the Galilee, between evergreen mountains, and open the morning in the colorful Tin-Time Studio in the village of Gilon. After that, continue to the village of Yodfat, where you can treat yourselves to a meal at the Yodfat Cafe and, if you wish, go shopping in the Boacha Yodfat complex.
The Tin-Time Studio in Gilon is a design studio using recycled materials. It belongs to the artist Paula Rykin and is located in her house in front of a spectacular Galilean landscape. You can meet Paula, hear her story, try creating with reused materials, and sip a glass of wine. It is recommended to take a photo as a souvenir with the recycled creation you created. No prior knowledge is necessary and all you need to bring is imagination, creativity, and a little humor.
Price: 200 NIS per couple, including instruction and two glasses of wine
Where? Gilon
Book In Advance
Western Galilee Now Tip: Stop at the Michal Lookout in Gilon for a beautiful view of the Galilee!
Fine Galilean Food at the Yodfat Cafe
Fine Galilean food made with joy and love in front of a breathtaking view. In the cafe, you can find special dishes such as spelt crepes alongside favorite dishes such as shakshuka, breakfast for two, poached eggs, and pickled salmon. Soups, stews, pasta, pizzas, and even fresh fish dishes. The dishes will be accompanied by freshly squeezed juices, fine coffee or Malka beer on tap, and Galician wine. And don’t forget to ask about the Elisheva drink!
Sitting in front of the breathtaking view of Mount Ha-S’avi makes people eat more slowly and, above all, enjoy it more!
After the meal, you are invited to enjoy a stroll through the shops of the meticulous Boacha Yodfat shopping complex, which is abundant in boutique shops of artists and producers.
Where? Boacha Yodfat Complex, Yodfat
Boacha Yodfat — Galilean Tourist Complex
Boacha Yodfat is a pastoral Galilean entertainment and shopping complex, which includes 12 designed boutique stores and is located among oak trees. The place overlooks a breathtaking view of the Yodfat village and is open seven days a week and on holidays.
There you can find a variety of fashion and lifestyle design stores, a gallery, workshops, a delicatessen, a cafe, and a bakery.
Suggestion 4 – For Sweet Couples & Sweet Tooths!
Couples Chocolate Workshop at the Odette Chocolate Boutique in Regba
You are invited to an exciting and sweet couple’s workshop at the Odette Chocolate Boutique in Regba.
The workshop will start with fine wine, tasting pralines, and some interesting facts about chocolate.
During the workshop, you will make a bowl of various chocolate types. At the end, you will hear the exciting and inspiring story of chocolatier Shlomit Zamir, an engineer in the past, who will tell us about her life, and the great light and love that accompanied her in the greatest darkness.
Price: 700 NIS per couple
By Appointment Only
Kosher
From Moshav Regba, drive a short distance to Kibbutz Cabri and dine at the Adelina Chef Restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
Adelina Restaurant is a chef’s restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine and Spanish influences. The restaurant is located in a stone building that served as the kibbutz’s cultural center and overlooks the Western Galilee and the Mediterranean horizon. During the months of June-August, you can enjoy business meals on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 12 pm – 5 pm.
And for dessert, go enjoy the sunset in Old Akko, complete with a perfect dish of malabi at Tina Khativ’s Malabi House, the place where taste, tradition, and life story merge into an extraordinary culinary experience, or indulge in the sweet knafe (you can choose from a variety of flavors) from Kashash Sweets, a four-generation sweet institution in the Akko market.
Suggestion 5 – Creative Workshop & Romantic Galilean Meal
Start the day by experiencing a fun creative workshop and a fascinating meeting at Kibbutz Lohamei HaGeta’ot. If you are already at the kibbutz, it has two great cafes for breakfast or coffee before (or after).
Couple’s Creation Workshop in Koby Sibony’s Iron Wire Studio
Koby Sibony, a graduate of the Industrial Design Department at Bezalel, is an artist who has focused for 25 years on diverse works based on 1 mm thick iron wires. Koby will give you an experiential and fun workshop, at the end of which you will leave with an original creation of your own making. Koby is also a lovely person!
Hungry? We recommend Aluma ― an excellent and romantic chef’s restaurant in Tarshiha.
Aluma Galilean Bistro in Tarshiha
Modern cuisine with traditional touches is the living spirit of the bustling kitchen of Aluma. The highest quality cuts of meat from the Galilee, fresh sea fish, and freshly picked vegetables will be the heart of the meal.
The restaurant’s space is intimate and combines antique furniture pieces from Provence, creating an atmosphere of homely comfort and elegance.
All of this forms a wonderful setting for a particularly romantic dinner or lunch.
Suggestion 6 – Rural Romance
What do you think about a rustic breakfast in a kibbutz?
Alto ― A Rural Dairy in Kibbutz Shomrat
A communal pastoral spot, with a green lawn and a rich menu that combines the goat cheeses produced in the family dairy with pastries and breads produced in the local bakery.
Kosher
From there, go to Kibbutz Afek for a crafting experience at the Omanya Leather Studio.
The Omanya Studio in Kibbutz Afek is a place for leather creations founded by Eldad Bahar, an artisan and leather creator with over 25 years of experience. In the workshop, you can get a glimpse into a magical world of ancient art, experience professional tools, learn ancient and modern techniques of working with leather, and create an item of your choice. Enjoy a warm and inviting atmosphere full of charm and with Eldad’s accompaniment.
Price: Depends on the type of workshop
Suggestion 7 – Explore the Boutique Wineries of the Western Galilee
Get to know the boutique wineries of the Galilee.
At each of the wineries you can also order wine tastings, something delicious to eat, enjoy a pleasant atmosphere and a spectacular Galilean view and the opportunity to return home with renewed strength.
Pelech Winery – Wine, Scenery & Dreams in the Galilee
Boutique wine in the midst of nature, a breathtaking panoramic view, and a breeze that is found nowhere else in the country.
Kishor Wine – An Exceptional Boutique Winery that Combines Social Action with Skill
The Kishor vineyards and winery belong to Kibbutz Kishorit, a village for people with special needs. The winery includes a vineyard and visitor center that integrates the residents of the village into their daily activities.
Recommended in the Area: Tefen Fortress
Stern Winery ― A Family Boutique Winery in Kibbutz Tuval
Photograph: Itay Aviram
The Stern Winery, owned by Johnny Stern, a winemaker and chef, is a Galilean family boutique winery, which is located on one of the mountain peaks overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, in Kibbutz Tuval. Meeting Johnny is a recommended experience in itself.
Recommended in the Area: Tefen Fortress
The Julia Winery is a family boutique winery in Mi’ilya, which produces quality boutique wines from a selection of self-grown grapes and other Galilean vineyards. You are invited to tour the winery and participate in a tasting tour.
Recommended in the Area: a walk in the village alleys, a visit to the Chateau du Roi fortress
The Ofir Winery in Alon HaGalil
The Ofir Farm in Alon HaGalil is a family farm that includes a vineyard and a winery that wine lovers know by its previous name “Yiftah’el,” and an apiary. You can sit in the wooden cabin or among the oak trees and enjoy tasting homemade wine and honey.
Recommended in the Area: HaSolelim Forest Reserve & Tzippori Forest
Lotem Organic Winery in Kibbutz Lotem
The visitor center of the Lotem Winery is open all week and provides a unique experience that combines wine tasting, an open Galilean view overlooking the Sea of Galilee, and a varied food menu.
Recommended in the Area: Tzalmon River
Suggestion 8 – A Luxurious Vacation in Clil
Clil HaShahar — An Overnight & Relaxing Experience in Nature
A couples experience in a romantic mansion facing a spectacular Galilean view run by Hagit Lidror that includes accommodation, a selection of pampering treatments of your choice (massage, shiatsu, reflexology, and more), a breakfast basket ―whatever you choose.
It is highly recommended to sit down for a cup of coffee and cake, or a pizza from the tavern, right in front of the view, at the nearby Achu Cafe. Enjoy a great cup of coffee in the middle of nature.
And when you are on a couple’s vacation in Clil, which is a special, beautiful, and romantic town all year round, here are two additional recommendations:
- Natural Pharmacy Workshop ― with Tamara Herbs
An experiential and practical workshop. The secrets of natural pharmacy, where you will learn to concoct natural and healthy products from quality raw materials.
Chat - Achu Cafe
A coffee located right in the middle of nature. It is highly recommended to sit down for a cup of coffee and cake, or a pizza from the taboon, and enjoy the moment, nature, and abundance.
Chat
Suggestion 9 – Romantic Indulgence on the Mountaintop
How about a pampering, relaxing, satisfying, and heart-expanding day on top of the mountain in front of a spectacular Galilee view? In two words: Rom Farm.
The Rom Farm is a beautiful, pastoral, and green farm on Mount Kammon, in the heart of the Tzalmon River Nature Reserve, built entirely on the values of connection to nature, sustainability, and agriculture.
In the farm complex you will find everything you need for a romantic and pampering day. An alternative spa, an amazing chef’s restaurant (kosher), the possibility of tasting cheeses produced from the farm’s goat dairy and more.
Warm Recommendation: Book a place now!
Suggestion 10 – Romance as Extremes
And if it’s extreme, then properly so! Get two options for spending an extreme romantic day in the Galilee.
Option 1: Achziv Option
Romantic Jeep Tour with a Comfortable Jeep
This special day that awaits you, you will start with a romantic jeep tour in a comfortable jeep. Leor, the owner, will plan a route for you that can include stops along the way for a picnic in nature, or just a walk along the northern border, or in the Yodfat area ― it’s all your choice. Leor will also know how to tell you about the history of each place, and the stories behind the scenery. Get ready for a unique experience.
And when you return from the extremes of the whole day, and want to relax with a cup of fine coffee, fresh and fragrant pastries, Achziv Beach is in front of you, the perfect place to take in the sunset…
Tosha Bakery, that’s the answer!
Tosha Bakery is a cafe and pastry shop opposite the Achziv Beach. The place was founded and is run by two wonderful friends, Tomer and Shahaf, who managed to survive the war. In addition to a warm and personal atmosphere, the place also offers freshly baked pastries, salads, breakfasts and many, many good and tasty things made with lots of love.
Option 2 ― Ahihud Forest Area
A unique outdoor experience that combines extreme sports, breathtaking views, and wild nature in the Western Galilee. You can choose between 3 types of trails, of different lengths, that pass through the Ahihud Forest and the Mount Gamel area, at spectacular viewpoints, inside the forests, near ancient caves and other surprises prepared for you by Waseem, the owner.
Sweet Moments in the Village of Jat
We recommend that you end the day with a sweet treat in front of a spectacular Galilean view, at Nohad Bisan, a chef and pastry chef who hosts in the courtyard of her home in the picturesque Druze village of Jat. Nohad is a connoisseur of sweet Druze pastries such as knafe, Turkish baklava filled with cheese and pistachios, Druze cookies, and more. You can also choose a workshop to bake Druze sweets, or simply sit and relax in front of the view, with a delicious cup of tea and a plate of sweets. Life is indeed beautiful!
