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Lifestyle I Weekend Getaway

Good times and relaxation: a weekend by the Sea of Galilee

Hotels and vacation sites are reopening their doors all around the Sea of Galilee, breathing new life back into this gem of a region. We spent a weekend in Kibbutz Degania Bet, a picturesque countryside haven full of fun family activities to enjoy and fill the heart with hope / By Lihi Ron

Photos: Moran Sarig

Spring is the perfect time to reconnect with nature and enjoy outdoor activities, as temperatures are still mild, and the flowers are in bloom. Israel’s beautiful north offers so many destination options. We chose Kibbutz Degania Bet, where the original, 100-year-old “Pioneers House” was recently refurbished into a guesthouse, after extensive renovations following its use as a temporary home for evacuee families. A countryside haven A 5 minutes’ drive away from the Sea of Galilee, Kibbutz Degania Bet is ideally situated. Though affordably priced, the quality of the hospitality here is very high. The family rooms are spacious, sleeping up to seven people, and are equipped with modern and

functional furniture, pampering bathrooms, cable TV, AC, and Wi-Fi. We spent the first night relaxing on the lawn, where a rich open-air buffet had been set up, brimming with delicious food catered by local chef Gil Green. As the drinks and music flowed, we enjoyed plates of roasted rainbow beets, smoked freekeh with fresh herbs and juicy brisket. From there, we moved on to the kibbutz pub, “Pensa”, a lively spot with a rich selection of draught beers. Breakfast with a view We awoke to blessed pastoral peace and tranquility, and made our way to the guesthouse refectory, which looks out onto green fields, and where an abundant breakfast awaited us, with a selection of local cheeses, fruit, vegetables,

baked goods, and homemade jams. Then, before setting off on a day of exploration around the Sea of Galilee, we took a walk around the kibbutz, which offers a range of fun family activities, such as tours of historical kibbutz sites like the old silo, the water tower and aqueduct, an escape room, and more. Degania Bet also has a chocolate farm, “Galita”, where you can not only taste delicious pralines, but also take part in workshops, as well as a delightful café called “Hannale’s”, that serves fresh homemade pastries and more. And aside all of this, there’s plenty of shaded seating areas, playgrounds, a swimming pool, and farm animal petting corners. Price: from NIS 850 per couple, per night, breakfast included. ˆ dganit.co.il

34 ATMOSPHERE JUNE 2025