The summer heat is best spent refreshing in cool springs and rivers. The Golan Heights is the perfect location for pleasant evenings in view of the Sea of Galilee and plenty of wet activities nearby.

Peace Vista: A Peaceful Vacation in the Southern Golan Heights

The Peace Vista Country Lodge

The winding road starting at the south of the Sea of Galilee alongside the Yarmouk River in the southern Golan Heights took our breath away. There is no doubt that it is one of the steepest and most exciting roads in Israel, providing an impressive view of the Yarmouk and its terraces, Hamat Gader springs and the country Jordan. A few moments of drive and we were already in the Golan Heights heading to our destination - Peace Vista Country Lodge (Mitzpe HaShalom) in Kfar Haruv. After a quick check-in we crossed two rows of wooden cabins surrounded by vegetation and arrived at our cabin in the first row facing an open view of the Sea of Galilee. The children had already found their way to the scattered hammocks while we were in awe of the view of the Sea of Galilee in all its glory from north to south.

The cabins here are spacious, they have a bedroom and a living room with a dining area, and a kitchenette equipped with a refrigerator, microwave and kettle. The bathroom features a huge Jacuzzi and the children have a gallery to which they climb the ladder. The cabins are suitable for couples and families. The resort also has a separate section for adults only with rooms for couples and pampering water suites with a Jacuzzi carved in front of the view. It is next to the Breeze over the Water center, a relaxation complex overlooking the Sea of Galilee with 3 salt pools of variable salinity where unique water treatments are offered, RSVP is required. I promised myself to book it next time I am there. For this time, we enjoyed swimming in the kibbutz swimming pool which is open to all guests.

Peace Vista Lodge

Breakfast is served to the room in a basket and includes freshly baked grain bread, omelets, salad, a selection of cheeses and spreads, juice and croissants. I loved sitting for breakfast on the balcony surrounded by greenery and of course facing the view if the cabin is in the first row.

Breakfast at Peace Vista

The resort is located right on the cliff and has a small boardwalk overlooking the Sea of Galilee. The view here is divine, and at the evening the guests gather to watch the sunset. After the sun goes down the mountains turn red and when the lights of Tiberias opposite come on, the sight is mesmerizing. We spent the entire evening outside, enjoying the silence and abundance of wildlife in the area, rock hyraxes on the cliff, a family of wild boars on the slopes of the mountain going down to Ein Gav, birds, and the sounds of frogs and jackals.

Peace Vista Country Lodge, Kfar Haruv, https://www.mitzpe-hashalom.co.il, 04-676-1767

WHAT TO DO?

Peace Spring

Right next to the cabins there is a gate leading to the Peace Spring. It takes 5 minutes to get there though 80 stairs have to be descended. The water is cool and clear and there is a sitting area. Every morning I walked to it before breakfast. On the second day I was alone there, the spring was all mine!

Peace Spring

Abu Kayak

One of the best summer activities is kayaking – it is a pleasure to spend an hour or two in the cool water of the Jordan River. The closest kayaks around are Abu Kayak located in the Jordan Park Reserve, where one can continue the day with a picnic in the park. Abu Kayak is especially suitable for families with small children from age three and a half and above. The activity starts in the heart of the Jordan Park to the inlets of the Sea of Galilee. The length of the route is about 4 km and it takes about an hour and a quarter including briefing.

Abu Kayak

A new attraction of Abu Kayak is a guided self-drive Trek Club trip in an electric golf cart. The trip takes about an hour and a quarter. The route starts at the park and passes through the wheat fields and mango groves of Almagor, crosses the Zachi river, continues to the Bethsaida reserve, the Israeli savannah route and back to the Jordan Park.

Abu Kayak offers services for groups including the aforementioned attractions and catering services of different types. There is a charming complex for groups here with a deck on the bank of the stream. The site has wardrobes, lockers, a kiosk, etc.

Abu Kayak, Jordan Park, https://www.abukayak.co.il, 04-692-1078, Closed Saturdays.

WHERE TO EAT?

Batzir 66

Batzir 66 is an affordable kosher brasserie located in the winery complex in Kfar-Tavor. In a stone country house surrounded by vegetation and vines, they serve dishes that combine French and local Mediterranean cuisine, such as Rumpsteak in pepper sauce, Chimichurri Asado, picanha steak fan, and more. The prices of the dishes are affordable - the starters range between NIS 39-41 and the main dishes between NIS 65-91. The business lunch deal is particularly worthwhile - for the price of the main course you get a starter, a main course and a drink; coffee and dessert are only NIS20 extra. The dishes are of a good size and they are very tasty. Along with the food, they serve fine wine from nearby Tabor Winery.

Batzir 66

Batzir 66 is a real bargain in terms of food and prices!

Batzir 66, Kfar Tavor, https://batzir66.co.il/ 04-8832665, Kosher

Marinado

Whenever we are in the area, we eat at the Marinado steakhouse. Marinado is a fine meat restaurant and the factory store of meat growers from the Golan Heights. The menu includes various starters such as beef filet Carpaccio, roasted eggplant salad, hummus, salads etc. Mains have a selection of cuts such as fillet, entrecote, sirloin, and special cuts on the bone, which I highly recommend. There are also chicken dishes and hamburgers. All the dishes are very tasty and the meat is superb - made precisely, juicy and tender. Desserts are also very good!

Marinado - starters

Marinado - steak

Marinado - burger

In addition to the excellent food, I can recommend Marinado's house wine and their unique branded beer. The restaurant pricing is fair with starters ranging from NIS36-52 and most steaks between NIS129-149. The service is fast and excellent.

Marinado Steakhouse, Ein Gev, https://www.marinado.co.il/, 04-655-8555, not kosher

Aleta Sea Lounge

Aleta is a sea bar restaurant on the Sheldag beach located nearby the Kinneret settlement. Aleta is a restaurant for celebrating a romantic or family evening; there are air-conditioned seats in the interior space or at the bar, and a pleasant Greek-style courtyard. The restaurant overlooks the Sea of Galilee and serves a wide selection of wines by the glass and jazzy cocktails. Aleta's specialty is primarily fish and seafood, but there are many meat and vegetable dishes so that everyone can find a dish they like. Prices range from NIS18-74 for starters and NIS78-196 for main courses.

Aleta

We especially liked the bites starters - Tuna bite on tapioca tuile and salmon sashimi bite on brioche, the Seabass Filet with potato gnocchi with confit tomatoes and asparagus in butter and white wine, and the Salmon on conchiglie pasta with asparagus, peas and herbs in lemon sauce and pecorino cheese. Desserts here are awesome as well – don’t miss them!