Recommend November 2010 - (Page 44)

Green Vacations & Voluntourism Opportunities continued Still, with its quiet, pastoral atmosphere, clear mountain air, lush greenery, breathtaking views and the deep blue of Lake Kinneret, it’s a beautiful place to relax and enjoy a vegetarian lifestyle. At a height of about 1,970 ft. above sea level, Amirim enjoys the typical climate found in Israel’s hilly areas—dry and hot in the daytime and cool at night in transitional seasons and summer, and cold, sometimes snowy in winter. The village is situated on a southern slope, protected from northern winds by the Mt. Meron reserve, and exposed to the sun’s rays mainly from the east and south. Like its name, Amirim is the highest of these hills, overlooking the Lower Galilee, Lake Kinneret and the Golan Heights. The village has three hilly extensions and between them are the wadis that carry rainwater in wintertime to Nahal Amud flowing on to Lake Kinneret. Gamla, the “Masada” of the north and hike down one of the stunning basalt canyons. Usually they’ll overnight at a kibbutz hotel. In this area they’ll also probably tour Ka’alat Nimrod, followed by a hike along the stream to the Banias Nature Reserve, the Banias River being one of the three sources of the Jordan River. They’ll also enjoy the spectacular Banias Waterfall, view Mt. Hermon and experience Middle Eastern hospitality at a Druze village. During the summer, they’ll have the opportunity to kayak down the Jordan River. On their last day, they might drive through the Upper Galilee to the Western Galilee and hike Nahal Kziv or Nahal Betzet amid the lush green Mediterranean flora, before returning to Tel Aviv. Kibbutz Kibbutz stays are still another way to enjoy an eco-vacation. There are a variety of kibbutzim that would appeal to the interest of green enthusiasts, primarily because most reflect the use of resources within the area they’re located. Many—if not most—of the kibbutzim throughout Israel today, offer visitors hotel-style accommodations that reflect the original purpose of the kibbutz and range from holiday villages and country lodgings located nearly everywhere from the southernmost point of Eilat’s Red Sea to high up in the north near the snowy slopes of Mount Hermon. Nearly all are found in rustic countryside settings, but at the same time—because of Israel’s small geographic footprint—they are also near all the places of interest so guests can enjoy Israel’s famous contrast of modern and ancient, religious and secular, green valleys and golden deserts, sandy beaches and blue sea. Most importantly, each kibbutz has its own unique characteristics and can easily accommodate your clients’ personal preferences and budgets, in addition to providing a variety of options to suit their individual tastes. As a result, you can easily accommodate your clients’ interests and pleasures by selecting the accommodations or program that they prefer and you can even book them at a different kibbutz every night. In the Jerusalem area, for example, you can find kibbutz lodgings convenient to attractions like the Stalactite Caves in Beit Shemesh, King Solomon’s Pools and the range of wineries and monasteries in the area. In the Negev, a kibbutz stay means the opportunity to enjoy camel riding, bike trips, jeep tours and rappelling, as well as culinary delights with a variety of local Middle Eastern dishes with a desert touch. Along the Mediterranean, you’ll find kibbutz hotels located near Caesarea, with its impressive ruins and restaurants, as well as Zichron Yaakov, which has a number of notable wineries. The point is, clients can combine their eco-tourism interests with leisure options and, in fact, it was that interest visitors showed in the eco aspects of kibbutz life that prompted them to set up Eco-Tours There’s also a variety of Israeli tour companies in the country that offer a wide range of eco-tours throughout Israel, inviting visitors to “Come See Wild Israel.” These companies offer Nature and Adventure programs that involve tours of many places in Israel that feature unique ecosystems and programs that run from a day to a week and combine touring and accommodations tailored to client’s individual needs and desires. A typical 3-day Tour to Galilee and The Golan, for instance, might include a drive along the Sea of Galilee to the Gamla Game Reserve where they’ll see the rare griffon vulture and the story of I-10 recommend.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend November 2010

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk
Tour Talk
Medical Tourism Introduction
India: The Guest is God
Turkey: Investing in the Future
A Medical Tale of Two Latin American Countries
Quality Care in Taiwan
Uruguay's Making Waves
No More "Risky Business" in Colombia
River Cruising for 2011
Israel-100 Years of Green
South Africa With Style
Chicago: Nothing Second About This City
Jacksone Hole, Wyoming
Shining the Spotlight on Amelia Island, Florida
Koh Chang, Thailand
Barbados: Back to Work
Jamaica: Back to Basics
Acapulco on the Rise-Again
Re-Discovering the Wonders of the Yucatan

Recommend November 2010