EL AL | Atmosphere

See the Sights I Eat, Travel, Enjoy

January fun: 7 winter escapades to enjoy with your loved ones this month From a luxurious spa weekend to a bike tour in the desert, a visit to the natural history museum, or a day picking strawberries with the family – here are 7 ideas for what to see and do during the cold wintry months / By Nava Marton

01 I Expanses of green The Nature reserves of the north are open again

park, and Tel Hatzur. Make sure you check the Nature and Parks Authority website before your visit. parks.org.il 02 | A cycling getaway New bike trails in the southern Arava The Eilot region in the southern Arava is particularly favored by cyclists, with its 350 km (the distance from Tel Aviv to Eilat) of single tracks of various difficulty levels. Perfect in the winter season, thanks to the lack of precipitation and dry land. Last month, a new 12 km bike trail was inaugurated inside Timna Park (with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and the KKL-JNF). It begins at Timna Park Lake and reaches Kibbutz Elifaz, passing through spectacular landscapes and rock formations, including the Sphinx Rock and Solomon’s Pillars. The trail is suitable for all levels. There are other trails in the area, including the family-friendly Solomon’s Pillars trail, and numerous single tracks inside Timna Park (for more experienced cyclists), as well as

This time of year, the north of Israel is a symphony of green expanses, natural springs and gushing waterfalls. Some nature reserves have recently

been reopened to the general public, making for a wonderful

opportunity to head over and enjoy all the breathtaking beauty. The Hula nature reserve is a major spot for the many waterfowl that pass through here every year. The three-floor observation tower allows visitors to observe the migrating birds in the area, and from the floating bridge above the reserve marsh, marine animals such as softshell turtles and catfish, can be observed, as well as the reserve’s restored lake, a remnant of the historic Lake Hula. At the “Oforia” visitors’ center, an interactive presentation gives visitors all the details about the reserve’s flora and fauna, its migratory birds in particular. Nahal Amud nature reserve has also reopened, as well as Achziv national

14 ATMOSPHERE JANUARY 2025