Foraging trips, experiential visits to agricultural farms, ATV trips for adventurous families, and creative workshops that combine flowers, leather, chocolate, and more! Plenty of activities in nature for the whole family, couples, and friends.

To see all Tu B’Shvat events, click here. 

There is nothing like the holiday of Tu B’Shvat to go out into nature following ancient trees and giving them the respect they deserve. After all, the Torah teaches us “that man is the tree of the field.”

Let’s start with a recommendation for a trip courtesy of tour guide Amnon Gofer, following the ancient carob tree in Peki’in.

The planting of the carob tree symbolizes kindness and faith, its growth symbolizes resistance to difficult conditions and its fruits symbolize longevity. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai lived for 12 years on the fruit of the carob tree, which is known for its many healing properties, while he lived in a cave with his son in Peki’in.

The road to the carob tree leads to the entrance of the cave where Rabbi Shimon and his son Elazar were hiding. Among the other medicinal properties of the carob, you can find the use of carob honey as a remedy for mouth abscesses, in folk medicine it is considered to relieve breathing problems and more.

How to Get There:
After reaching the village of Peki’in, drive to its upper part on the road (towards the village of Rama). A clear sign in a small parking lot tells the story of the village of Peki’in and is right at the beginning of the path leading to the trees. You go down the stairs with oak and carob trees on both sides and reach the entrance of the cave with the ancient carob tree next to it.

Amnon Gofer recently published a new travel book “A Galilean Love Story”, the ultimate travel guide to the Western Galilee. Recommended for all lovers of travel and behind-the-scenes stories. The book can be purchased from the “Taste of the Galilee” shop at a special launch price until February 10, 2023. Please note: the book is written in Hebrew. Purchase here.

We will continue with the recommendation from the tour guide Ayelet Bar Meir for a trip following the blossoming of the almond trees, also around Peki’in.

Ayelet likes to explore where she lives and discover the nature that is right outside her door.

Tel Harashim is located between Mitzpe Harashim and Peki’in, at its feet runs the Peki’in RIver, and the road is full of blossoming almond trees.
Remnants of an ancient settlement and furnaces for iron processing can be found in the hill, hence its name and the name of the settlement next to it, Harashim, meaning craftsman in Hebrew.

And we’ll end with a nice story:
The Arab farmers usually plow the soil around the olives after the harvest, in order to condition the soil. The primrose bulbs that are found while turning the soil are foraged and planted near the olives. And in this case, the farmers go ahead and place the bulbs inside the trunk and see what comes out.

Enjoy 3 recommendations for trips following flowers and blossoms in the months between January to March, and recommended restaurants for those who are hungry after the trip…

Poppy Blossoms:
Poppies bloom in several colors! In the lower areas, the flowering starts in January, and in the higher areas in February.
Why poppies? Because they are as beautiful as a blushing bride!
Blossom Areas: Me’ona, Mount Meron near the Horvat Hamama parking lot.
Tip: In the Horvat Hamama area you can also see the blooming of hyacinths in January. And don’t forget to bend over and smell! You won’t be sorry!
Where to Eat: Hadaral’e Restaurant – a kosher chef restaurant at Monfort Lake in Ma’alot. Chateau du Roi – a crusader fortress with an Italian chef’s restaurant in Mi’ilya, and the Julia Winery, also located in Mi’ilya.

Cyclamen Blossoms:
Cyclamens bloom over a long period of time, which means there is plenty of time to enjoy the fun!
Blossom Areas: Forests. For example, in the Hanita forest – walk along a route called “Horvat Ein HaKovshim”. You will reach a spring that flows along the stairs. with lots of cyclamens around.
Where to Eat: Jullius Distillery in Kibbutz Hanita, although mainly drinks, but still worth a visit! You can visit by appointment. Mika – a pastry cafe in Kibbutz Eilon.

Catchflies (Silene) & Egyptian Honesty Blossoms:
Creates a magnificent purple and pink carpet mainly in olive groves!
Blossom Areas: at the entrance to Clil, between the olive trees. In Jat – it is recommended to park near Beit Chabad and walk to the left for about 5-10 minutes to the olive grove area.
Tip: Silene is also an edible plant. The leaves are used to fill Sambusak.
Where to Eat: Adelina Chef Restaurant in Kibbutz Cabri. Noor Restaurant – authentic Druze food in Julis. Sweet Moments – Druze home hospitality and dessert tastings in Jat.

Full List of Spring Blossoms in the Galilee

And in addition, our excellent tour guides have prepared recommendations for spring trips throughout the Galilee. Click here for the full list. 

There is nothing like spring in the Galilee to go on a picnic in nature. We have prepared for you a list of recommended picnic spots throughout the Western Galilee and to make it easier for you, we have also added recommended places where you can stock up on the quality products that will make your picnic perfect.

Click here for the full list.

Tu B’Shvat is not only Rosh Hashanah for trees, but also for honey! Here are two fun facts about honey:

1. Honey has many health benefits and is considered nature’s sweet medicine. Among other things, it is good for strengthening the immune system, has anti-inflammatory qualities, relieves coughs, prevents heart diseases, and more.
2. The bees are responsible for pollinating about 70% of the food we consume (that is not animal).

Click here to meet three Galilean beekeepers, and find the sweetest ways to celebrate Tu B’Shvat in the Galilee… with honey!

To purchase Galilean honey products from our beekeepers, head to our online shop here.