Ma‘alot Tarshīḥā

Day Trips

Begin your day with a gentle stroll through Ma‘alot Tarshiha’s tree-lined main street, stopping at local bakeries to sample freshly baked burekas. Admire the mix of modern architecture and historic stone facades as shopkeepers set out their wares. Chat with friendly residents over a cup of strong Arabic coffee to get insider tips on hidden alleyways.

Visit the city’s modern art gallery to view rotating exhibits by emerging Israeli and Druze artists. Wander through the adjacent sculpture garden that overlooks the valley, capturing panoramic photos. Stop at a small bistro for a light mezze lunch featuring labneh, grilled vegetables, and za’atar flatbread.

As the sun dips behind the Galilee hills, head to a rooftop café to watch the golden hour glow on the town’s rooftops. Savor a bowl of mujaddara or shakshuka paired with freshly squeezed pomegranate juice. Later, join locals in the central square for live folk music under string lights.

Take a short drive to a nearby Druze village and meet a local guide at sunrise. Learn about Druze traditions, customs, and faith in a welcoming family home. Taste fresh goat cheese while wandering through terraced orchards of olive and carob trees.

Participate in a traditional cooking workshop, preparing dishes like stuffed grape leaves (waraq enab) and mujaddara under the guidance of an expert cook. Enjoy your creations in a shaded courtyard overlooking rolling hills. Hear stories of Druze history passed down through generations.

Share a communal meal with your hosts, complete with soulful drumming and folk songs. Savor aromatic dishes flavored with wild mountain herbs and olive oil pressed just outside the village. End the night around a bonfire while sipping herbal tea and sharing tales with new friends.

Drive to the nearby Oak Forest Reserve and begin a guided hike along shaded trails. Spot native wildlife such as partridges and ibex among ancient oak and pine stands. Pause at a viewpoint to take in sweeping vistas of the Upper Galilee valleys.

Continue on a trail that leads to the hidden Maiden Waterfall. Cool off by the cascading pools and explore natural rock pools formed over millennia. Enjoy a picnic lunch on sun-warmed stones while listening to the rush of water.

Return to Ma‘alot Tarshiha for a restorative spa treatment featuring local herbal essences. Relax in a thermal pool or sauna and unwind sore muscles from the day’s trek. Cap the evening with a nourishing bowl of lentil soup (adash) at a wellness café nearby.

Set off for a day trip to the mystical city of Safed, the birthplace of Kabbalah. Meander through narrow, cobblestoned lanes lined with artists’ studios and galleries. Visit ancient synagogues adorned with colorful hand-painted murals.

Climb to the Safed Fortress lookout for panoramic views of Mount Meron and the Hula Valley. Stop at a local workshop to watch silversmiths crafting filigree jewelry in their open-air studio. Savor a pita stuffed with falafel and fresh salad while overlooking the city roofscape.

Return via a scenic road through pastoral villages, stopping at a roadside stand for organic honey and goat’s milk labneh. Back in Ma‘alot Tarshiha, dine at a family-run restaurant serving succulent lamb kebabs and aubergine salad. Enjoy a glass of local Galilee wine under a star-blanketed sky.

Depart early for the Mediterranean coast and the chalk cliffs of Rosh Hanikra. Ride the cable car down into grottoes carved by millennia of waves. Explore illuminated sea caves and watch turquoise waters rush through natural tunnels.

Enjoy a seaside picnic of fresh fish sandwiches and crisp salads at a beachfront café. Take a dip in the clear, calm waters of the northern shore or sunbathe on smooth pebbles. Walk along the coastal boardwalk to spot migrating birds and fishing boats heading out to sea.

Return inland for dinner at a seaside-themed restaurant offering grilled shrimp and calamari. Sip a refreshing mint lemonade as you recount your cave adventures. End the night with a leisurely stroll along the lit promenade, breathing in the salty air.

Travel northeast to the Golan Heights for a day of scenic discovery. Stop at Nimrod Citadel, perched on a rocky ridge, and explore its medieval fortress walls. Enjoy coffee with a view of the Jericho Valley and Mount Hermon in the distance.

Visit a boutique winery nestled among volcanic slopes for a guided tasting of local varietals. Pair your tasting with artisanal cheeses and olives grown on-site. Continue to the Banias Nature Reserve to see the lush pools and waterfalls fed by the springs of the Hermon Mountains.

Drive back through the olive groves to Ma‘alot Tarshiha for a farm-to-table dinner at a hillside bistro. Feast on roasted vegetables, herb-crusted goat cheese, and warm pita. Relax on a terrace overlooking the twinkling lights of the town below.

Head to Ma‘alot Tarshiha’s bustling outdoor market where stalls overflow with spices, fresh produce, and handmade crafts. Sample ripe figs, pomegranates, and date-filled pastries. Chat with vendors about traditional textiles and pottery techniques.

Join a hands-on workshop to learn intricate embroidery patterns used in Druze clothing. Create your own small keepsake to take home as you sip sweet mint tea. Explore hidden alleyways where artisans carve olive wood and blow glass beads.

Browse a night market set up under fairy lights in the town square. Taste street food specialties such as sabich wraps and grilled corn. Enjoy impromptu folk dance performances and local musicians playing oud and darbuka.

Visit a local farm where a Druze grandmother teaches you to pick fresh herbs and vegetables. Learn to knead dough for homemade flatbreads cooked in a traditional taboon oven. Taste labneh drizzled with olive oil straight from the press.

Sit down for a cooking class preparing signature Druze dishes: stuffed peppers, freekeh pilaf, and honey-soaked halva. Work side by side with family members, swapping recipes and stories. Enjoy your feast al fresco under a pergola shaded by grapevines.

Share tea and sweets with your hosts as the sky transforms into hues of pink and gold. Listen to tales of village life passed through generations around a warm stove. Leave with new recipes, heartfelt memories, and friends for life.

Escape to the nearby Carmel Nature Reserve for a gentle yoga session among cedar trees. Breathe in the fragrant pine-scented air as the sun filters through leafy canopy. Rejuvenate with a guided meditation overlooking a serene mountain valley.

Hike a scenic trail to a crystal-clear spring for a refreshing outdoor pool dip. Picnic on fresh fruit, nuts, and herbal teas gathered from the forest floor. Pamper yourself with a mobile spa treatment—choose from a fragrant oil massage or a revitalizing face mask.

Return to Ma‘alot Tarshiha for a light dinner featuring seasonal salads and grilled fish. Dine at a wellness café specializing in fermented drinks and probiotic-rich dishes. Cap the night with a moonlit walk through the town’s illuminated botanical garden.

Sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your guesthouse—fresh dates, honeycomb, and za’atar pastries. Take a final stroll through town to pick up locally crafted souvenirs and olive oil. Chat with friendly shopkeepers over cups of spiced tea.

Relax at a nearby olive grove with a guided demonstration on cold-press oil production. Sample various oil grades while learning about the harvest process and health benefits. Sit on a shaded hillside for a final panoramic view of rolling vineyards and terraced fields.

Conclude your journey at a hilltop lookout just outside town for an astronomy session with a local guide. Gaze through telescopes at constellations over the Galilee sky. Toast your ten-day adventure with sparkling grape juice as shooting stars trace the horizon.