EL AL | Atmosphere

See the Sights I Hot Springs

When the wind and the rain start to get you down, it’s time for a trip to one of Israel’s many wonderful hot springs. There’s nothing quite like a weekend at a thermal spa when the cold hits and your batteries need recharging. Here are six of the hottest hot springs for some serious chilling \ By Ariela Aflalo Hot springs in the wintertime

When the cold sets in and it gets dark early in the day, many of us start to feel less energized and a bit low. A perfectly satisfactory remedy to this can be snuggling under a blanket in front of a raging fire if you’re lucky or, in most cases, in front of the television. But winter enthusiasts will tell you that this is actually the best time of the year to enjoy the outdoors, when the air is crisp and cool. This is precisely why we’ve gathered a list of some of Israel’s best hot springs, thermal spas, and mineral pools, perfect for a weekend of de-stressing, decompressing, and delighting in the magic of the winter. Dream Island, Sde Yoav Fun & games in the water Situated nearby the southern kibbutz of Sde Yoav, the Dream Island resort

is all about splashing about in the water and enjoying the (numerous) rides and slides. There are so many fun activities to choose from here, that there’s no other way to describe it than as a giant water amusement park for adults. The water slides and carousels will swish you about, body and soul, leaving you feeling completely rejuvenated. Dream Island is a great destination either for a daytrip or a 2 to 3 day stay (though it’s rather on the pricey side). The resort is spread across 15 acres of land, with great green expanses and 1,500 m 2 of swimming pools and water slides. The waterpark complex includes a thermal spa with saunas, Turkish baths, and luxurious treatment rooms surrounded by tropical plants; though the highlight has got to be the resort’s three hydromassage

pools: one with varying water pressure and temperatures, another with hydrotherapeutic waterfalls that help release tension in the head and shoulders, and the third with waterjets and an air bubbling system all around it. The outdoor area is situated beside a lake surrounded by lawns, with ducks waddling about adding to the pastoral atmosphere. Dream Island also offers heated swimming pools, watsu treatments, chill-out zones with hammocks and cozy nooks, yoga and Pilates classes, as well as workshops and talks about relationships and mindfulness. There are wine tasting sessions with a sommelier, food trucks with an abundant variety of food options including sushi, ice cream, baked goods, meat dishes, Moroccan delicacies, salads, and more. The

Dream Island resort I Photo: Ori Ackerman A Breeze over the Water I Photo: Mauro Risch

18 ATMOSPHERE JANUARY 2023