EL AL | Atmosphere

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Where to stay Hotel Allegra, Ein Kerem

A lovely boutique hotel named in memory of a love story from the 1920’s between an Arab Christian from a wealthy Ein Kerem family, and Allegra, a Jewish girl. Their families were against the union, so the two eloped, and later returned to the village where they lived in the house that now houses the hotel, until Israel’s War of Independence when they fled. The hotel offers thirteen suites and rooms of varying typology, but all have vaulted ceilings, stone arches, and elegant modern furniture. Each room is named after a famous couple, such as Tammuz and Ishtar, the goddess of love, and Orpheus and Euridice from the Greek mythology. The hotel is surrounded by a pastoral garden with enchanting little seating areas. The kitchen is helmed by chef Ron Winkler who concocts fantastic breakfast spreads in the morning and delicious chef’s meals in the evening, when the restaurant is also open to non-hotel guests upon prior reservation. hotelalegra.co.il

Ein Kerem Legend - Pnina Ein Mor I Photo: Nofar Tagar

views of the surrounding landscape. (Entrance from the Hadassah Hospital parking lot; make sure to check opening hours in advance). “Ein Kerem Legend” A special tour with Pnina Ein Mor Pnina Ein Mor leads wonderful experiential tours of Ein Kerem, where she has been living for decades and leading guided tours since 1995 when she founded her company “Ein Kerem Legend” with her husband David. A tour with Pnina means experiencing Ein Kerem at a whole different level, as she takes you into the beautiful homes and gardens of other Ein Kerem residents, her friends and neighbors, often fascinating artists and artisans. Today, Pnina’s daughter runs the company which also offers private event services, such as Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremonies in the village’s ancient synagogue (ekl.co.il). Nature walks and hikes The Ein Kerem loop trail: This trail was created by Ein Kerem residents

who wanted to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the village which is of such great historical, religious, and cultural relevance. Eight kilometers long, the trail merges with the KKL-JNF Israel National Trail, passing through houses and alleyways, agricultural terraces, orchards, breathtaking landscapes, and secret natural springs. (Start and finish point: Mary’s Spring). The community garden: A beautiful garden entirely restored by village residents, with lush greenery, trees, and flowerbeds replete with fresh herbs and beautiful flowers. You can come here for a walk, have a picnic, sit on one of the lovely benches and enjoy the view, and let your kids play on the swings. On the weekends, free activities and workshops take place here and are open to all. Workshops and creative activities Ein Kerem is home to a huge number of creative people with a passion for sharing knowledge and experience.

Photo: PR

16 ATMOSPHERE FEBRUARY 2026