THE HEART OF THE WESTERN GALILEE

Trip through Peki’in in the Western Galilee

Noalush is located between Kfar Vradim and Tarshiha. Drive on the Galilean road from Kfar Vradim in the direction of Tarshiha and turn in front of it in the direction of Kibbutz Ga’aton.  

Tour in the Druze Village of Hurfeish with a Local Guide & Authentic Meal – Safta Maha

You are welcome to walk with the tour guide Amir Amer (Maha’s husband) among the alleys of the beautiful village of Hurfeish. The tour will focus on the ancient nucleus, the hysteria of the Druze village – Hurfeish. It is possible to combine a home meeting with creative Druze women, where you can hear their personal stories and their confrontation with the dilemmas of tradition versus progress. The tour is recommended to open or end with an authentic traditional meal at Safta Maha’s. The duration of the tour is between 2 to 4 hours. About Safta Maha: Safta (Grandma) Maha Amer and her husband Amir open their home in the beautiful Druze settlement of Hurfeish. Maha grew up in a village in a traditional home and like most girls her age, she graduated in eighth grade and stayed home to help her mother with the housework. Maha says that she always loved the preparation of the dishes and when there were many events in the village, she used to accompany the preparations and learn from the older women who prepared the food for the celebration. Come hear the moving story of Maha Amer, talk to her about the status of the Druze woman today and in the past, and of course savor breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Come and enjoy the fresh air, the view from the terrace, and of course the variety of authentic delicacies from the Druze cuisine.

Safta Maha – Druze Experience

Safta (Grandma) Maha Amer and her husband Amir open their home in the beautiful Druze settlement of Hurfeish. Maha grew up in a village in a traditional home and like most girls her age, she graduated in eighth grade and stayed home to help her mother with the housework. Maha says that she always loved the preparation of the dishes and when there were many events in the village, she used to accompany the preparations and learn from the older women who prepared the food for the celebration. Come hear the moving story of Maha Amer, talk to her about the status of the Druze woman today and in the past, and of course savor breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Come and enjoy the fresh air, the view from the terrace, and of course the variety of authentic delicacies from the Druze cuisine By prior arrangement, you will be served dishes such as shulbato, beef or chicken stew, grape leaves, stuffed cabbage, maqluba, mugrabi (a stew of chickpeas with meat, pumpkin, and burgul), or Druze-style breakfasts. You can also experience cooking workshops or combine all this goodness with a tour of the ancient village to be led by Amir, Maha’s husband, a certified tour guide. Suitable for families and groups of 6 people or more.

A Visit to the Safaa Visitor Center and Store

In the heart of Peki’in, near the old synagogue with a mountainous and green landscape, sits a workshop and visitors center, which eventually became a center of pilgrimage, a synonym for women’s empowerment and a one-of-a-kind fusion. The building where the workshop center is located is also the home of the old family and its story is woven into the story of Safaa. Its head in the sky and its roots are planted deep in the ground just like the ancient mulberry tree, which grows surprisingly indoors on the ground floor in the visitor center, rises up 3 floors and stretches until its head peeks out from the top floor. From its sweet fruits, Safaa makes jams that are known for their taste throughout Peki’in. In the visitors’ center – a store that sells the soaps and scented candles that Safaa produces and adds about 20 types of scents in a wide variety of colors and shapes. Each session at the Safaa Visitor Center begins with a tour of the large and spacious house and light refreshments, by prior arrangement: homemade cheese, arrangements of fruit trays, sambusak, manakish, homemade jams and of course coffee. In addition, the Safaa Visitor Center offers a tour of the picturesque streets of Peki’in and a meeting with the people of Peki’in and the hidden secrets, beyond the familiar and the known.

Safaa’s Visitors Center & Workshop

Safaa Khair is an entrepreneur, art instructor, and groundbreaking creator in Druze society. Safaa believes that through art and creation, women from all walks of life can start a business that generates income and meaning for them while maintaining a connection to their tradition and heritage. In the heart of Peki’in, near the old synagogue with a mountainous and green landscape, sits a workshop and visitors center, which eventually became a center of pilgrimage, a synonym for women’s empowerment and a one-of-a-kind fusion. You are welcome to visit Safaa’s Visitor Center and get acquainted with the variety of workshops, suitable for all ages, where you can learn how to make spectacular candles or handmade soaps combined with delicate herbs, or with a sweet fruity scent. Hear the wonderful stories of Safaa, taste the famous strawberry jam, and discover a new, different, surprising, and fascinating world of merging cultures, arts, and experiences that touches each and every one of us. Safaa is a traditional Druze woman who has poured into her life, through her many talents, new meanings for her with a broad impact on her environment. The building where the workshop center is located is also the home of the old family and its story is woven into the story of Safaa. Its head in the sky and its roots are planted deep in the ground just like the ancient mulberry tree, which grows surprisingly indoors on the ground floor in the visitor center, rises up 3 floors, and stretches until its head peeks out from the top floor. From its sweet fruits, Safaa makes jams that are known for their taste throughout Peki’in.

A Group Visit at the Mahalabia House

You are invited to hear the story of Tina, who is both a businesswoman and a single mother from Akko. The story is about female faith and empowerment. Her story will be accompanied by authentic black coffee and of course a taste of mahalabia (malabi). Tina says, “I am a person of creation and I realized that in order for the Mahalabia House to look and feel like myself I decided I would do everything with my own hands including renovating and designing. And so for a whole year right after I put the kids to sleep at night I kept working on my dream at night. Over time the Mahalabia House has undergone many changes but the main message remains as it was. The main message I want to convey here to the people of the country is a message of closeness, unity, and love. If my grandmothers were successful then we all can be. I believe that at the end of the day we all came here for a short journey and would like to live well and together. Happily, I am in a place that embodies this unity. The Mahalabia House represents to me a place that allows for variety and diversity, the dominant color in the place is turquoise and the message is that anything is possible under the sky.” For groups of 8 and up and by prior arrangement only.

Buildings & People – A Guided Tour of Fassuta with Rima House

You are invited to join a guided tour of the alleys of the city of Fassuta under the guidance of Rima Khoury. We will enter the magnificent Greek Catholic Church (which to this day belongs to the Pope), the local houses for warm human encounters, taste bread from the local bakery with labaneh and homemade hyssop. We will taste special and rich cakes that are considered “Bavaria of Europe” as well as traditional cookies that will be prepared especially for us and that can usually only be eaten during the Christmas period. We will visit Josephine, a widow for 25 years who cared for her 4 children and supported them to become academics contrary to local culture and social pressures. Josephine is a fascinating woman, she is also a believer in preparing the communion bread for Sunday Mass in the church. We will taste the roasted coffee in the alleys, smell and experience the local spices, we will drink Abu Ashraf’s squeezed natural pomegranate juice that can be obtained throughout the year, we will taste the Raida nuts, and more. Requires a minimum of 5 participants. Cost: The session lasts about two hours.

The Dowry & Ancient Tradition – Meeting at the Rima House

The traditional ritual of “deploy the dowry”. A meeting and workshop around the original dowry ceremony that has disappeared over the years from the countryside and in general. Before the wedding, it was customary to spread out all the dowry items outside the bride’s house, in front of the entire village – bedding, utensils, jewelry, and other intimate items. In addition, clothes, pillows, tablecloths, and more were sewn and prepared by the village women for the bride for the wedding. Rima collects from the old village women the dowry treasures they intended to throw away and creates an exhibition illustrating the ancient ritual from original objects. We will meet women who participated in the ceremony and hear about it in person and in connection with the original objects we will drink tea and taste traditional homemade cookies of the village women. If you would like to extend the meeting to a particularly colorful event, you can by arrangement arrange a full wedding meal including a bride and groom who will participate in the traditional attire. The meeting is by prior arrangement and requires a minimum of 5 participants.

Saturday Meeting – Art, Culture & Tasting at the Rima House

The Rima House is today a cultural, tourism, and art gallery center. The house is like going back in time to discover Galilean and rural Christian culture and tradition in the Land of Israel. This is a place of fulfillment and empowerment under the guidance of Rima Khoury, who hosts groups from Israel and abroad. Enter the world of  Rima House in a unique experience of “Saturday Meeting – Culture, Art & Tasting” The workshop will include a meeting and acquaintance with Rima Khoury and a personal conversation about the dream and the work at the place. You can enjoy and treat yourself to hot/cold drinks and a cake made by the talented women of the village. Every Saturday from 10 am to 2:30 pm by prior arrangement. Each tour is about an hour and a half. A minimum attendance of 5 people. The tutorials are held in Hebrew and/or English.

The Rima House Visitors Center & Workshops

Rima Khoury, is considered the “Peter Pan” of Fassuta, full of inspiration, joy for life, and giving without limits. The granddaughter of Eid Habib Khoury. After her grandfather passed away in 1983, his house, which at the time of the establishment of the state was the crowned house of Fassuta, was locked and Rima decided to bring life back to the house, through significant social and artistic endeavors with the girls and boys of the village. Being a creator herself and also an art and English teacher she saw fit to bring her worlds of knowledge and deploy them to the girls of the village and allow them to meet new worlds out of a strong desire to create social and cultural change, female empowerment, hope and horizon out of meaningful doing, discourse and giving for better tomorrow. Rima also founded the “Women’s Club” of Fassuta that connects not only the women of the village to a common and empowering cause but also many women from the area from all religions and sectors. Beit Rima is today a cultural, tourism, and art gallery center. The house is like going back in time to discover Galilean and rural Christian culture and tradition in the Land of Israel. A place of fulfillment and empowerment under the guidance of Rima Khoury, who hosts groups from Israel and abroad. In Beit Rima, peace dialogue meetings are held between the various communities in the geopolitical area, in addition to meetings for women and female empowerment through action, conversation, and meetings of various workshops and classes (some of them free of charge). In the field of workshops, you will find dance, the art of traditional sewing, creation through painting, preservation of heritage and customs through objects and stories, and more. Visitors are invited to hear the personal and local story of Rima as a child living in the Mukhtar village and a daughter and wife in Fassuta. We will meet and hear from the village women about the traditional customs, culture, and local holidays While placing special emphasis on the feminine and gendered aspect and the conduct in the private and public space in an Arab Christian village in Israel, from then until today. Beit Rima was established five years ago. It began by dreaming of a place that would allow for action in a neutral space, unaffected by the opinions and meticulous spirit of the local community of Fassuta. In a sense, it was to go in a new and different current, to march without fear and without hesitation and thus bring a fresh and special breeze that speaks and discourse of art, femininity, creativity, and development – a place that allows the female voice to be heard and resonate in space.” In addition, in the past year, a new project has begun in Beit Rima – a “giving from the heart project”, a donation of second-hand clothes and games. Everything was donated very generously from the local community – children, women, and men. All clothing is sorted by the girls and women in the village and donated to individuals and/or centers throughout the country, where required (regardless of gender or religion) in the belief that giving should be pure and genuine that sees the other’s pain and works to improve it in every way possible. Welcome.

La Chocolita

Ward Mohanna is a musician and software engineer by training. After graduating he decided to turn his interest in making desserts into a profession. For Ward, chocolate has always been a great love and he decided to travel to Turkey and Belgium to study with the leading chocolatiers in the field. He returned to his village, started a master’s degree in business administration, developed the family business, and never stopped striving and developing further. The Mohana family has always seen chocolate as much more than a dessert, for them, it is “a little taste of heaven, a romantic, pampering and extremely delicious moment.” Ward says: “Mom started making chocolates more than twenty years ago, using the most basic and authentic method. When I graduated I decided to take the field a step further, study in Belgium with the leading chocolatiers in the field and develop a menu of gourmet products that will take you to another world.” In the small factory they opened under the house you will find a variety of pralines, truffles, chocolate tablets, and indulgent handmade desserts in surprising flavors such as lemon elderberry cashew, almond butter and raspberry jelly, kaffir lime white chocolate, and many more delicious and unique flavors! It can also be combined by prior arrangement, a pampering workshop for making chocolate for adults or children, or a musical performance in the home garden.

Wine Deliveries from the Stern Winery

Stern Winery is a Galilean family boutique winery, located on one of the mountain peaks overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, in Kibbutz Tuval. The winery was founded by Johnny Stern in 2004 when he decided to fulfill an old dream and become a winemaker. Since then, Stern Winery’s wines have participated in and won many awards in local and international competitions. Name: Johnny Stern Business Name: Stern Winery Kosher: Part of the Wines are Kosher List: Kosher Wines:  Tuval – Blend of Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon 110 NIS The wine was aged for 12 months in French, American, and Hungarian oak barrels. Aroma – strawberry, sour cherry, green herbs, and white pepper Flavor – coffee, chocolate, slight green herbs, pepper cinnamon Delicate tannins. Suitable with: roast chicken, pasta in tomato sauce, or pulled brisket Syrah – This wine is made from 100% Syrah grapes from the vineyard in Kibbutz Tuval Was aged 12 months in France, Hungarian and American oak barrels. Aroma – pomelo, eucalyptus, pepper, wet forest earth, dark chocolate, and fruit Flavor – rhubarb, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and thyme Suitable with: roast beef and pasta in tomato sauce Petit Verdot – 100% Petit Verdot, 110 NIS Aged 12 months in French and American oak Aroma – plum, dark cherry, rhubarb and chocolate, dry hay and  saddle leather Flavor – apple, papaya and guava Suitable with: lamb, roast duck, and veal Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon 100%,145 NIS Aged 15 months in new French oak. Aroma – red licorice, black currant, celery root, parsley, and bay leaf, turmeric, and curry Flavor – tart, green bell pepper, earth, blend of spices including white and black pepper, curry, turmeric, and cumin Suitable with: grilled entrecote Cabernet Franc – 100% Cabernet Franc 110 NIS Aged 12 months in French and American oak barrels Aroma – cedarwood and spices Flavor – raspberry and cherry fruits on a background of tobacco and licorice notes Non-Kosher Wines Yonatan – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlo, Petit Verdot, 80 NIS This wine made of a balanced combination of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 10% Petit Verdot grapes, which were harvested at the Ramot Naftali and Tuval vineyards. The wine was aged 13 months in French and American oak barrels. Rotem – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlo, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, 90 NIS This wine made of a balanced combination of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot,10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot grapes, which were harvested at the Ramot Naftali and Tuval vineyards. The wine was aged 13 months in French and American oak barrels. Cabernet Franc – 100% Cabernet Franc, 100 NIS Aged 12 months in French and American oak barrels. Aroma – cedarwood and spices Flavor – raspberry and cherry fruits on a background of tobacco and licorice notes Syrah – 100% Syrah, 95 NIS Was aged 12 months in French, Hungarian and American oak barrels. Aroma – pomelo, eucalyptus, pepper, wet forest earth, dark chocolate, and fruit Flavor – rhubarb, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and thyme Suitable with: roast beef and pasta in tomato sauce Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 140 NIS Aged 15 months in new French oak. Aroma – red licorice, black currant, celery root, parsley, and bay leaf, turmeric, and curry Flavor – tart, green bell pepper, earth, blend of spices including white and black pepper, curry, turmeric, and cumin Suitable with: grilled entrecote Distribution Area: Until Ashdod in the South Delivery Fee: Included Active Days: All Week Type of Delivery: Straight to your home Minimum for Delivery – 6 Bottles Phone Number: 0723957695  

A Flower & Bee Tour in Nature with Tzuf

The bees are a miraculous wonder and their relationship with man is of the most importance and significance we have in nature. The bees are responsible for more than 70% of our food’s Pollination. Without the bees, our world would never be the same and our diet will be extremely dull. The beehive’s social and cultural behavior is beautiful and fascinating. We will take advantage of the gorgeous season of spring and will follow the bees into the Yehiam Wadi. We will watch the bees at work, learn about their lives and enjoy natural herbal tea sweetened with natural, pure, wildflower honey. Meeting & Ending Point – Clil Length of Tour: Around 1.5 hours Easy Walk Child-friendly

Tzuf – Health, Honey and Bees

After returning to the Galilee with his family, Tuvia Orr placed two Beehives on his land in the Ecological village Clil and began to produce organic honey. After giving friends and neighbors a taste of the honey, the connection was immediate and the beehive began to grow. Slowly the business grew and together with carefully picked beekeepers – Tzuf was established. At Tzuf they believe in doing good – Doing good to man through food Doing good to the bees while treating them with respect Doing food to mother nature and the environment The bees are a miraculous wonder and their relationship with mankind is crucial. The bees are responsible for more than 70% of the pollination of our food. Without the bees, our diet would have been extremely dull. Their social life and cultural behavior are fascinating and that is even before we talked about honey and its amazing nutritional values. Alongside the honey, Tzuf produces healthy, sweet spreads that are an excellent replacement for the over-sweetened spreads on the market today, believing our sweet food must be healthy as well. Today Tzuf Markets honey all over the country. Tuvia’s love for bees continues to fascinate him and he enjoys telling the story of the “queen of the sun”.

The Asal Alnor Workshops for All Ages

The Asal Alnor visitor’s center is engaged in the world of the bees and when visiting there, you can learn about their world and their great contribution to nature, the environment, and mankind. The visitor’s center, located in the old city of beautiful Peqi’in offers a variety of workshops for groups, families, and even independent travelers. come and enjoy the knowledge and the love for bees: 1. The Harvesting of the Honey workshop – In this workshop, we will harvest different kinds of honeycombs, we will cut, taste, and enjoy this raw sweet delight. 2 The Candle making workshop- In this workshop, you are invited to create a candle from raw beeswax, decorate them and enjoy the bees coloring book. 3. The science of honey- The children will learn how to check if honey is “real”, to see the honey through a microscope, to study the percentage of water in the honey, and more. A fun and interesting workshop for children. 4. The benefits of the bees- A lecture about the bee’s contribution to nature, the environment, and mankind.

Asal Alnor Group Tours

The Asal Alnor visitor’s center is engaged in the world of the bees and when visiting there, you can learn about their world and their great contribution to nature, the environment, and mankind. At the group visitor’s center, you can also learn about Ghassan Saleh fascinating research. You are welcome to enrich your visit with a fabulous workshop on the world of bees.

The Asal Alnor Gift Shop

In the Asal Alnor Gift Shop you can find a wide variety of beehive products: The Honey Collection – Wild Flower, Avocado. Citrus, Bitter honey, eucalyptus, and more. You can also find – Raw Propolis, Propolis sprays, Propolis and honey soaps, beeswax candles, honey and crackers, flavored honey spreads, bitter chocolate with a honey filling, and honey gifts. You are welcome to visit and enjoy the local Quality products.

Asal Alnor Visitors Center

Out of this love, Ghassan Saleh opened the Asal Alnor Visitor Center in Old Peki’in. The Asal Alnor Visitor Center is a center that deals with the study of the bee kingdom and where you can learn about the life of bees, their uniqueness, and their benefit to nature, the environment, and humans. The center offers a variety of enriching and experiential activities suitable for groups, families, and individuals of all ages. The place also includes a store for honey and its products where you can find a wide variety of products produced on-site – pistachio and nut spreads based on honey, honey with nuts, chocolate filled with honey, and more. Ghassan Salah has extensive knowledge in the field and is happy to share his knowledge so he started a home beekeeping course at the Asal Alnor Center.

Wine Tours of the Galilee

Jonatan Koren is a true man of the earth, a highly experienced and widely respected vigneron and winemaker. A graduate of Ohalo College in Northern Israel, Jonatan constantly expands his professional training, having completed numerous courses both in Israel and at leading vineyards and viticultural centers around the world. With expertise that encompasses the entire process of growing and producing wine, Jonatan’s particular passion is producing high-quality organic wines, and his original creations have met with international award-winning success. In 2018 he established the unique ‘Twin Wineries’ project, a partnership, and collaboration between Israeli and Portuguese wineries designed to promote the wine and culinary cultures of the two countries. “I love what I do — I make wine. For me, wine embodies the balanced combination of philosophy, sociology, geography, agronomy, physics, chemistry, and the spirit. The ability to put all this to work, and at the end of a fascinating process to put it all into a bottle, that’s magic. I like simple things, hard work, and quality materials. I believe that in order for something to be good, it needs to be precise.” Jonatan will take you on a private visit to some of his favorite wineries in the Galilee of Israel where you can taste the best of the award-winning boutique wineries. Meet the fascinating winemakers who have made the Galilee such a vibrant center for wine culture. Tour the vineyards — and of course, taste great wine and eat great food along the way!

Romantic Experience of Fine Dining & Wine