Taly's Travel: Cool springs, vibrant valley nightlife in Ein Harod

The country lodge in Ein Harod offers much more than the familiar standard. Alongside fully renovated rooms, the complex provides a variety of accommodation options tailored for both couples and families.

The property features 55 accommodation units in total: 26 Classic rooms of various sizes (suitable for up to 5 guests) and 19 Deluxe family suites covering 40-50 sq.m., some of which feature a Jacuzzi and views of the Gilboa. Additionally, there are 10 family cabins of 40 sq.m and six romantic couples’ cabins with a huge indoor Jacuzzi facing the view.

In the past, we stayed here as a couple in the romantic cabins with the hot tub, and we were certain it was the absolute highlight of the place. This time, we arrived with our children and discovered the Deluxe family suites, which surprised us with the level of comfort and space they offer for four adults.

Outside the suite, a private green courtyard awaited us, complete with a large Jacuzzi, a picnic table, and an inviting hammock. After settling in and pouring ourselves a glass of wine from the bottle waiting in the room, we sat there for long hours facing the view of the Valley of Springs.

All units are equipped with air conditioning, cable TV, and wireless Internet. Every room is equipped with a kitchenette with a refrigerator, a microwave, and a coffee corner with a kettle, while the suites upgrade the experience with an espresso machine. The bathrooms feature a rain shower.

Breakfast at the lodge is served in the complex’s dining room, which is dairy and kosher but operates without a formal kashrut certificate. The buffet offers an abundance of fresh vegetables and salads, a large selection of cheeses, including gourmet options like Camembert, as well as a rich and varied hot buffet.

Alternatively, a kosher morning basket can be delivered directly to the room. We chose to eat in the dining room on Saturday and found a rich, hotel-level breakfast.

Ein Harod Country Lodge, 04-6486083, ein-harod.co.il

We started our Friday morning at the new pop-up bakery at Kimmel BaGilboa. For the past month, the venue has been operating on Friday mornings as a premium self-service and takeout bakery.

Kimmel, the chef restaurant of Shaul Ben Aderet and Ben Shaham, is housed in a brick building with huge windows overlooking the valley view, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of Tuscany.

A long line had already formed at the entrance when we arrived, and upon entering, we met Shaul Ben Aderet, who was overseeing an almost endless abundance of indulgent pastries: buns with egg or tuna salad, croissants stuffed with goat cheese and walnuts, chocolate pastries, crème pâtissière pastries, quiches, cookies, brownies, and much more. We loaded up a tray, ordered coffee, and sat down facing the open view. It had been a long time since we enjoyed a breakfast this much.

Kimmel BaGilboa operates as a bistro throughout the week, from noon to evening. It is a personal favorite of ours, and we visit on every trip. With consistently excellent service and delicious food, the international menu offers a wide variety of dishes.

For example, starters include salads, carpaccio, risotto, and roasted eggplant, alongside main courses such as fish fillet, gnocchi, pasta, thin schnitzel, spring chicken, and steaks. Every dish carries the chef’s touch, and the desserts are exceptional.

Kimmel BaGilboa, 04-6895566, kimmelbagilboa.co.il/, open for lunch and dinner daily, and the bakery is open on Fridays 08:30-noon. Not kosher (10% discount for Ein Harod guests).

Full and satisfied, we set out to spend the morning at Springs Park (Hamaayanot). Entry to the park is free, but private vehicles are not allowed, so the most convenient way to get around is by bicycle or golf cart, which can be brought from home or rented on-site.

You can rent two-seater golf carts, or carts for four or six passengers, as well as accessible vehicles for people with disabilities. The site also offers guided family tours on Fridays, as well as evening tours.

We picked up a golf cart, scanned the QR code with the park map, and hit the road. Our older children enjoyed driving along the park’s paths (driving is permitted for ages 18 and up).

During the tour, we stopped at springs scattered throughout the park, including Ein Shokek and Ein Moda. One of the most popular attractions is the Wet Trail, where you walk among the vegetation in knee-deep stream water, a particularly refreshing experience on summer days.

It is highly recommended to bring zipper bags in advance to protect your phone and valuables. From there, we continued to the Kibbutzim Stream, swam in the cool water, and slid down the pipe water slide built into the streambed.

Details: Park Hamaayanot, WhatsApp: 050-212-2564, nirtours.co.il (20% discount on rentals for Ein Harod guests).

For those seeking relaxation, the lodging complex offers the perfect setting to stay put, face the view, and enjoy the pleasant breeze while lighting a barbecue in one of the designated spots.

On Friday evening, we did just that and we walked up the kibbutz hill for a romantic sunset viewing. However, during the weekdays, the valley’s nightlife awakens, offering plenty of evening activities.

I was surprised to discover that the valley has quite an active nightlife. Beyond the restaurants that offer excellent dinners, some also host concept and DJ nights, like HaShuk 34 in Afula and Helena in Beit She’an.

The intense daytime heat has also prompted some attractions to offer evening activities. For example, Park Hamaayanot occasionally hosts full moon night tours, Gan Garoo offers sunset lantern tours, and the Bet She’an National Park hosts the “She’an Nights” tour.

One of the restaurants offering a lively evening is HaShuk 34 in Afula. The restaurant brings the colorful and vibrant atmosphere of the Mahaneh Yehuda Market to the Afula market complex.

The place is designed in an urban style with graffiti walls, offering indoor and outdoor seating. On Thursdays, they host a DJ night with plenty of alcohol!

The kosher menu is rich and varied, including excellent starters for sharing, such as hot pretzels with dips and the corn ribs, which we particularly loved. Alongside these, you will find hamburgers, smoked meats, buns, fish, salads, and a diverse cocktail and beverage menu.

Business lunches are served Sunday through Thursday afternoons, and rotating concept nights are held throughout the week: Mexican pop-up nights take place on Tuesdays in the summer, ramen nights in the winter, DJ nights on Thursdays, and on Fridays, you can enjoy fresh challah with schnitzel or fish patties.

Details: HaShuk 34, 052-6323233, IG: @hashuk34. Closed Sundays. Kosher (10% discount for Ein Harod guests).

A short 15-minute drive brought us to the Bet She’an National Park for the “She’an Nights” tour. We felt a slight thrill right at the entrance as the gently illuminated ruins of the ancient city unfolded before our eyes, creating a magical sight.

The night breeze made the experience far more pleasant than exploring during the day, when the valley’s heavy heat makes a prolonged tour difficult.

We started our visit with a short audiovisual presentation in the Roman Theater, and then embarked on a guided tour through the glowing ruins. Sound effects and video projections accompanied us along the way, breathing life into the reconstructed colonnaded streets and the ancient bathhouse.

There, we learned about the earthquake that destroyed the city in 749 CE. The unrestored areas left a particularly striking impression, with massive pillars still lying on the ground exactly as they collapsed centuries ago.

“She’an Nights” takes place during the summer on weekdays, for a fee and with advance registration on the Nature and Parks Authority website.

Details: Parks IL, 04-6481122, www.parks.org.il/