Like it or not - winter is here, and even if the Israeli winter does not always meet the definition in terms of precipitation and storms, there are quite a few places that are benefited by the cold.
There are many culinary gems hidden throughout the country, which can definitely do the job for those who are looking to go on a trip with their family, and combine an equal attraction with quality cuisine.
The food blogger Netta Salonim ("thefoodnett") has chosen for us some particularly delicious destinations from her restaurant map, ones that will suit more stormy days, but also for those when the sun has surprised us and came to visit.
Some of the destinations are in the heart of nature, so they will need to be organized according to the expected weather and the travel involved, and others are urban destinations that will only require finding parking.
Nature, landscapes and wine within touching distance
Sdot Winery is located in Sde Ya'akov in the Jezreel Valley, and is one of the most beautiful wineries in Israel.
The place is built of two indoor complexes, closed and heated, with large windows for a spectacular view of the vineyards, a water reservoir and the Carmel mountains.
For a moment you will feel as if you have jumped to Tuscany.
Sdot Winery, photo: Neta Salonim
In terms of hospitality, the winery offers a food menu that includes dishes that match the wine, but far beyond a cheese palette.
Among the options: beet carpaccio, caprese salad, smoked fish platter and burrata (special).
You can have a light meal in front of the view and accompany it with glasses of wine or bottles of wine, and with the meal you can also combine a tour and tasting.
The tour starts in the vineyard and continues in the production cellar, with a detailed explanation of the production process, the barrel room and the bottling room.
The length of the tour is about 50 minutes and the price is NIS 55 per person (the tour gives a discount on the purchase of wines at the winery).
It is recommended to reserve a place in advance on all activity days, especially on Friday.
Address: The Founders 5, Moshav Sde Yaakov ("Fields Winery" in Wise). Hours of operation: Sunday-Thursday 15:00-10:00, Friday 15:00-8:30. Phone: 052-8446228.
From the winery it is possible to drive not far (about fifteen minutes) to the self-harvesting site "Katofoti" in the town of Bethlehem in the Galilee, which includes an area of 40 dunams of various agricultural crops.
The fruits and vegetables on the farm change according to the seasons, and in winter you can enjoy picking strawberries and vegetables such as cauliflower, beets, broccoli, fennel and more.
Before picking, you will receive all the necessary knowledge and tools from the farmers managing the place about the nature of the different crops and their picking.
The cost of entering the complex and picking is NIS 50 per person over the age of two and NIS 40 for a family basket.
Usually one basket is enough for a family, and its contents are taken home.
During the winter, besides the picking, there is a maze for children, feeding goats and other changing activities.
There is also a free hot drink station for visitors to the complex, and a pita station in Tabun for an additional fee.
Address: Moshav Bethlehem HaGalilit ("Katofoti" in Wise). Hours of operation: Fridays and Saturdays (without prior arrangement), midweek by prior arrangement only. Phone: 054-5507480.
be a hunchback for a day
In the dairy located in Moshav Tal Shahar (about half an hour from Rehovot towards Jerusalem) you will find excellent goat cheeses and other delicacies, as well as attractions for a fun day with the whole family.
In the visitor center of the dairy and the farm, two main activities are offered: first, you can choose a concept that combines a tasting meal of the farm's products with a guided tour.
The tour teaches the story of the establishment of the family farm and the method of raising the goats, during which you go through the barn, the milking facility and the cheese production room.
The tour is about 45 minutes long and ends with a tasting of farm products, such as cheeses, yogurts and olives.
Another option is the cheese workshop, which begins with an introduction to the goats and goats, including feeding and petting in the barn.
After that, we continue to the workshop space, and during a demonstration, cheese is made (from fresh goat's milk) from 10 to 15.
reckless goat,
In addition to that, if you feel like being on your own, you can choose an independent tour of the barn (you can purchase a mixed bag and feed and pet the goats and goats), and combine a meal based on the goat cheeses and the other products of the delicatessen and the boutique store as you see fit - sourdough bread, wine, dips, jams , olives, honey, hot and cold drinks and other products, all produced by Israeli producers living in Mate Yehuda.
Among the surprising products you will find (locally produced) - goat's milk jam and organic soaps with the addition of goat's milk.
Address: Moshav Tal Shahar ("Aiza Paziza Parking" in Wise). Hours of operation: Sunday-Thursday 4:00-8:30 p.m., Friday 3:00-8:30 p.m. Phone: 052-2589900.
Nahal Alexander and the "Akhuppa" cart
Israel is not known for particularly many rainy days, and on Saturdays when it is cold and drizzly but not rainy, those that will actually make you want to get out of the house, enjoy the cold and the clean air - the Nahal Alexander Promenade and the "Akhuppa" coffee cart are a great option for the whole family.
It is recommended to direct the Wise to the "Alexander Creek National Park parking lot", and park in the regulated parking lot.
Start by climbing the stairs to the observation tower (you can't miss it) and a green, wide and impressive landscape will spread before your eyes, which includes orchards and agricultural plots, as well as the river itself.
Akhukapa,
Under the lookout you will find a small terrace adjacent to the stream.
This is the main residence of the soft-shell turtles of Nahal Alexander, the largest reptiles in our country.
Although in winter the turtles are less active, but if you arrive equipped with patience, you will probably be able to watch them swimming, peeking out of the water and walking along the banks of the stream.
This is a fun and very enriching attraction for children.
From this point you can start with a light walk on the Nahal Alexander promenade (accessible with a paved path that is also suitable for strollers, strollers and bicycles) towards the south.
The boardwalk is green and pleasant, and the stream flows from one side of it.
After about 20 minutes (less than 2 km of walking), and depending on the direction of the signs, you will reach the "Akhokpa" coffee cart. This is a fairly new coffee cart, less than a year old, located in the middle of the fields of Kfar Haim.
The cart offers coffee, pastries, sandwiches and toasts, and in winter the menu also includes tea infusions, hot chocolate, soups and more.
You can grab a table and sit, or just take something for the rest of the walk.
The cart is open with umbrellas and umbrellas on cold days.
On rainy days, or when there is doubt whether the cart is closed, it is possible and recommended to be updated on their Instagram, Facebook and mobile about the opening hours.
In any case, when the cart is open it is recommended to arrive early to enjoy the selection.
Besides these attractions, further along the boardwalk route there is a wide lawn for picnics, and along the way there are playgrounds.
Family day is not fun!
"Akhuppa", address: "Park Italia Parking Lot" - the closest parking lot to the cart, about a ten minute walk west on the boardwalk. Hours of operation: Saturdays and holidays 17:00-8:30, on rainy days you should find out if the cart is open by phone or on social media. Phone: 050-8564237; WhatsApp: 052-4399316
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Coffee and pastry at the Jerusalem institution and an independent food tour
If you were wondering how to turn spending time in Jerusalem from boring to "wow", then the answer is in Beit Maaf Yehuda.
The pastry shop of the Gagou family, a French-Tunisian family that immigrated from Paris (the other name of the place is Gagou de Paris), has existed in Jerusalem since 1992.
The place is a real French gem, and when you see the showcase everything will come together for you.
Yehuda Bakery, photo: Neta Salonim
There are beautiful desserts here that include French classics such as Pari Brest, eclairs, millefeuilles and macarons, and alongside these - the pastry section which includes a variety of huge croissants, coated and filled with various creams such as pistachio, salted caramel and pastry cream with fresh strawberries.
All are really excellent, and the dough is prepared according to the classic French rules.
Also, there are salty options for those who are not a fan of sweets in the morning.
There are seating tables outside and inside, so in the Jerusalem cold you should grab a table inside.
The warmth in the place is not only from the air conditioner, but also from all the family members who manage the place together with kindness and a smile every day.
After filling your stomach with morning coffee and pastries, assuming you were able to resist the other temptations in the display case, you can continue with a short walk towards Mahane Yehuda market.
The market is full of surprises at every corner and a multitude of things to taste.
Among the well-known stalls in the market: Marzipan Bakery, Burika, Khachapuria, Yehudit Beit Maafeh Yerushalmi, Basher's Cheese House, Azura, the juices of the etrog man and many more.
In addition to an independent tour, there are a host of guides and companies that take out guided and most delicious tours throughout the market.
Address: 14 King George St., Jerusalem. Hours of operation: Sunday-Thursday 19:00-8:00; Friday 8:00 until one hour before Shabbat. Phone: 02-6250343.
Hi south: a day in a Parisian atmosphere
The confectionary "Nachohot Haim" is located in Netivot, but is a focus of interest for "foodies" and carbohydrate lovers from all over the country.
This is the pastry shop of pastry chef Haim Demari, which offers a wide variety of products, from showcase desserts with a Parisian wink to fine pastries, cakes and breads.
There are a few seats inside, as well as an outdoor area (don't be afraid of rain - Nitivot experiences very few rainy days a year), so you can sit down for a coffee and a pastry (or pastries, because it will be hard for you to settle for just one), and of course - take it with you on the road.
The pistachio croissant, which is a hit that conquered the whole country, is also wonderful here, and is filled with a rich, airy and not too heavy pistachio cream.
Along with the modern ideas, you will also find here a fairly simple, but highly addictive, cheesecake.
On Friday it is recommended to arrive early.
Paris Center, photo: Neta Salonim
The visit to the Parisian atmosphere does not end here, because from "Scents of Life" you can continue for a day of shopping at "Paris Center", a shopping and entertainment complex in Netivot that took the shopping experience one step further.
In the center of the complex stands an impressive replica of the Eiffel Tower, very large and extremely exciting.
All the design here is European and very invested, and there is a large selection of clothing stores, footwear, make-up, accessories, things for the home and more.
If you still have room left in your stomach, you can enter the most Parisian boutique branch of the "Basher Promeserie" chain and enjoy a cheese platter, bruschettas and other locally made delicacies, alongside a glass of wine.
And all this, I remind you, in front of a view of the "Eiffel Tower".
For jaw-droppers: upgrade your day in Netivot with a culinary tour by Einav Levy, who founded the I Love Netivot project.
Einav, a resident of Netivot, promotes excellent small businesses in the city.
During the tour you will be exposed to the city's surprising cuisine, as well as its impressive culture and history.
"Scents of Life", address: Hagafen 23, Netivot. Hours of operation: Sunday-Thursday 8:00-8:00 p.m., Friday 2:00-7:00 a.m. Phone: 052-5807444.
"Paris Center", address: 203 Ba'ali Al-Malekah, Netivot ("Paris Center" in Wise). Hours of operation: Sunday-Thursday 22:00-9:30, Friday 14:30-9:00, Saturday 22:00-20:00.
"Basher" in "Paris Center". Hours of operation: Sunday-Thursday 21:00-10:00, Friday 14:30-9:00. Phone: *5906 extension 616.
Picnic and meeting the farm animals
The Halbrecht farm is a family farm, agricultural and organic.
In 2013, the family established "Ginat O'al", which over the years has developed and shaped.
Today you can experience and enjoy many activities that are suitable for the whole family at the "Halbrecht Farm - Food Garden", all in a magical and pastoral atmosphere.
The main and most popular activity is self-picking seasonally between the farm's beds, and the picking products can (and is recommended) be taken home.
On top of that, you can upgrade the experience with a private tour of the farm site, combined with a pampering and rich couple's picnic based on local produce (by reservation).
Halbrecht economy,
Here you will find a variety of attractions for children (mainly on Shabbat) such as feeding farm animals, a tour of beehives, picking citrus fruits and squeezing juices, creative activities such as decorating pottery, plays and more.
You will also find here a store for housewares, and a small nursery with house plants and a wide variety of succulents.
Address: Derech Habar, Beitan Aharon ("Halbrecht Farm Food Garden" in Wise). Hours of operation: Sunday-Saturday 15:00-9:00 (it is recommended to check on their website which activities must be coordinated in advance). Phone: 054-9952210.
Get lost in the sea of delicacies
Levinsky Market in Tel Aviv has long since become a real attraction, both culinary and cultural.
One of the prominent factors that make it such a hot and interesting destination is the combination of the old and the new.
Dozens of small and ancient businesses of spice shops, crackers and delicatessens - and next to them a completely modern cuisine, with the leading chefs and restaurants in Israel.
In fact, there is literally everything here.
The best time to go to the market is Friday morning-noon.
The place is busy, but bustling with life.
Dozens of people sit at the tables and on the benches in Levinsky pedestrian street, enjoying good food and a special atmosphere.
Among the businesses you will find spice shops, coffee and crackers, bakeries, delicatessens with cheeses, fish, sausages and a variety of products from around the country and the world, wine shops, pastry shops, flower shops and more.
You can leave here with an excellent and high-quality loot for the next hospitality you are planning at home, and if you came just to pamper yourself - you will find such a large selection here, that you will regret coming at all.
Because in all this abundance, how do you know what to choose and not get confused?
You can enjoy the special trimmings of "Cafe Levinsky 41", which is also a center of attraction for celebrities from all over the world, borax of all kinds and shapes (in one of the dozens of fine and popular borax houses that can be found here), an Italian ciabatta sandwich at "Centro", from a New- Yorkie at the "Society" cafe by chef Motti Titman, and the list goes on.
If you have exhausted the experience of the market and the rush, I recommend continuing with the delicacies you collected for a picnic in the railway park, a few minutes' walk from the pedestrian mall.
It is a fairly new park in the city, which cuts it from east to west - starting at Allenby Street and reaching the sea.
It has nice seating areas on benches or on the grass, and is also child-friendly - it has a large playground.
On a cloudy and cool day, but not rainy, the combination between the two is an ideal pastime.
Adjacent to the park is Beit Romano where there are many restaurants, drinks and beers, and at the western end - the station complex, where you can enjoy a variety of restaurants and shops.
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