Ben Campbell , Canada , 01/11/2009

 

 

If you are looking to get off the beaten path and see things most travelers in Israel never see; if you want to get escape from busy tourist traps and people who want to extract as much of your money as possible; if you seek a warm, sincere and engaging learning experience: Alon and Galit are the people to contact.

Alon was very accommodating of my travel schedule and picked me up from my hostel in Tiberias. We drove all over the Galilee and Golan in a comfortable car furnished with various local delicacies and snacks, stopping at mountain lookoffs, trails, natural and historic sites.  At the day’s end we proceeded to his lovely family home, vibrant with the energy of young children and the smells of homemade food. Alon and his wife Galit will serve you delicious Israeli meals, and their daughters will make you and unforgettable homegrown herbal tea. In the evening we visited their friends’ nearby goat farm, where I tasted and learned about the production of their goat cheeses and yogurts. I spent the night in a comfortable room and was driven back to Tiberias in the morning.

Throughout his tours, Alon pieces together the story of the region – geological, ecological, cultural and political – and is eager to discuss and answer questions about Israeli life. I walked away with more than stories and pictures to share. I gained a deeper understanding of the land as a whole, and a lasting impression of a way of life which many in the north are striving for: living in balance with their surroundings.