Join our Druze Culinary & History Tour: Savor award-winning cuisine, explore ancient towns, and discover unique herbal products in Israel’s Galilee.
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Al- Muna Gardens - Our day begins with a visit to the beautiful Al Mona Garden where you will hear the incredible story of Naji Abbas, who created this gorgeous garden – which won 2nd place in a competition to find the most beautiful garden in the world - & dedicated it to his beloved parents, Mona & Rasheed. From his personal story, you will learn a bit more about the Druze community in Israel, his father’s unwavering support for the IDF way back in 1948 & learn about various aspects of Druze culture.
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Julis - Brunch will be at a kosher Druze restaurant established by Basma Henno in the center of Julis. The owner is an IDF war widow, who named it after her son Noor; breakfast is based on local cuisine & produce that is freshly picked from the surrounding fields & served in traditional dishes. You will enjoy Galilean Druze salads, eggs, cheeses, olives, falafel & more, served alongside freshly baked Druze pita, ending your meal with fragrant, black coffee.
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Gamila Secret - After brunch, we will drive to Grandma Gamila’s soap factory, where for over 30 years, Gamila Hiar has been using her knowledge of nature to create products made from fifteen healing herbs grown only in the Galilee along with a combination of pure plant oils - with no artificial colours or fragrances - to produce face oils, hand & foot cream, cleansing bars, candles & more. Gamila employs Druze, Muslim, Christian & Jewish women, & is a world leader in producing natural beauty products. There will be an opportunity to buy products if you wish
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Peki’in - Our next stop is to the ‘Cave of The Rashbi’ - Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai; he & his son, Rabbi Elazar fled from the Romans in the year 149 CE & hid in this cave in Peki’in, sustained by the fruit of a carob tree & water from a spring. It is said they did not leave the cave for 12 years
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Peki’in Old Synagogue - Our final visit is to the ancient town of Peki’in inhabited by Jews for 2000 years old, now sadly only one elderly Jewish woman remains. The visitor center tells the story of this community who fleeing the destroyed Temple in 70CE settled in Peki’in. Next door is the ancient synagogue, which has 2 plaques on the wall, recently carbon-dated by the Israel Antiquities Authority to the time that the Cohanim fled Jerusalem to escape the Romans - legend has it that these plaques were brought with them from The Second Temple.
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- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Lunch
Simon says: “Come dine with me on a Combo Druze culinary & history tour”
We will visit 2 Druze towns in the north of Israel, experiencing 2 businesses that have won awards - a beautiful garden & an amazing place where Gamila Hiar has been using her knowledge of nature to create products made from 15 healing herbs grown only in the Galilee along with a combination of pure plant oils - with no artificial colours or fragrances - to produce face oils, hand & foot cream, cleansing bars, candles & more.
For brunch you will enjoy Galilean Druze salads, eggs, cheeses, olives, falafel & more, served with freshly baked Druze pita & fragrant, black coffee.
Our last stops are to the ancient 2000-year-old town of Peki’in which has a population of Druze, Christians, Muslims & 1 remaining Jewish woman. There we will visit the old synagogue & hear the story of this ancient Jewish community. There is also the cave of Rabbi Shimon who hid from the Romans in 149 CE
Pick up from any location in Israel
- The time of the tour of 10 hours includes transportation times from your location to the attractions and return journey.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.