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See the Sights I Desert Getaway

Exploring the Negev 5 farms to discover this fall

Israel’s Negev desert embraces vast stretches of land that are mesmerizing to behold. The agrotourism farms that dot the region have transformed it into an agricultural hub and a holiday destination for nature-loving vacationers. From alpaca shearing to sleeping in a tipi – get ready for a desert break that’s full of surprises / By Orly Genosar

Photo: Eyal Izrael

Carmey Avdat Farm Hannah and Eyal Izrael established this one-of-a-kind eco-farm and winery 23 years ago, with the profound belief in the connection between man and desert. The farm’s eco-safari is a joy to experience, as are the eco-friendly accommodation options. A new wine cellar, coffee shop and workshop cabins for artists have recently been added, all gloriously surrounded by vineyards redolent of the region’s secular history of winemaking. The Israel Antiquities Authority has even bestowed on the Izrael family several ancient amphoras that evoke the region’s connection with the ancient past, when wine made here, was shipped off to Europe via the Port of Gaza 2000 years ago, as visitors who take the farm’s vineyard tour will discover. When the workshop cabins are not in use, they make for the perfect accommodation for a couple. carmeyavdat.com

Desert Shade Farm Photo: PR

Located in Mitzpe Ramon, this eco-campsite offers 25 eco-cabins made of wood and stone, though here they are referred to as eco tents. The cabins are of various shapes and sizes and are suitable for couples and groups of up to 8 people. The eco-tents are simple and beautifully designed, perfectly in tune with the landscape. The farm also boasts a large Bedouin khan, it too made of natural materials, bedecked with colorful rugs, mattresses, and cushions, as well as a stone gallery that has large, framed windows from which guests

can sit down and enjoy the view and/or breakfast, which is served every morning, and consists - in typical desert fashion - of hummus, labneh, olives, pita bread, etc. A short walk down from the sun terraces leads to a lookout point that offers a breathtaking view of the Ramon Crater. The farm also has its very own winery called “Nabato”, its name harking back to the ancient winemaking Nabatean people who inhabited these lands thousands of years ago. desert-shade.com

18 ATMOSPHERE NOVEMBER 2022