Mitzpe HaShalom – a view without end – Israel

Kibbutz Kfar Harov, located in the south of the Golan, may not be as famous as other B&B powerhouses in the Golan such as Ramot or Had Ness, but when it comes to the view, it won the jackpot. There is no other place in Israel from which you can look out over the Sea of ​​Galilee in its entirety and prove that our national lake may not be that big, but it is very, very beautiful. It is no coincidence that in front of this view is located Mitzpe Le Shalom, which provides one of the most beautiful views of the country. The observation deck is located on the edge of a cliff above the Sea of ​​Galilee, and from it you can see not only the Sea of ​​Galilee in its entirety, but also Tiberias and the Furia Range, the Harbel Cliff, Mount Tabor with its round dome, Susita National Park and the Jordan Valley kibbutzim with their orchards and fields. Right next to it, in front of the exact same view, is the Mitzpe HaShalom resort which is suitable for anyone who wants a peaceful and calm vacation in front of the view.

Sunset view from Mitzvah HaShalom Photography: Yaniv Schauer

Don’t let the concept of a holiday village fool you. Mitzpe HaShalom is not exactly a bustling resort full of activities, but rather a hospitality complex that once you enter you are enveloped in peace and don’t want to leave, even though there is no shortage of things to do in the area. The complex has two rows of wooden cabins that are suitable for couples and families, as well as beautiful rooms and suites in the first row with a view that are suitable for couples only. For an additional fee, you should choose the cabins that are in the first row to the Sea of ​​Galilee (although those in the second row are also inviting and pleasant). The wooden cabins have two floors – on the entrance floor there is a living room with a dining area and an equipped kitchenette, a bedroom and a bathroom with a jacuzzi. Wooden stairs climb to the second floor which is actually a children’s sleeping gallery.

You can look out over the Sea of ​​Galilee from the cabin, but on nice days it’s best to go outside, sit on the balcony and stare at the mesmerizing view. You can also do it from the hammocks scattered among the manicured lawns and the benches on the cute promenade of the resort. Don’t miss out on watching the sunset, from where it looks especially beautiful. Even in the early morning it’s beautiful here. Although you can’t see the sunrise from here, you can enjoy the soft morning light and feel the closeness to nature at its best. In addition to chirping birds and humming bees, we saw in the early morning a black scorpion crossing the path and sweet rock rabbits and in the Susita reserve at the foot of the accommodation complex jackals were observed from a distance.
If you want to meet nature even more closely, you can go through the small gate that separates the B&B complex from the Mitzvah (the guests of the resort are given a key). From the left side of the observatory, steps descend to the orchard path, leading to Ein HaShalom – a spring whose waters are stored in a rectangular pool. If you want to continue looking at the view, you can continue to the Haon Cliffs Promenade, which stretches along the cliff and reaches as far as Move Hama. Either way, you won’t have to get into the car.

The holiday cabins of Mitzpe HaShalom are scattered among manicured lawns Photography: Mauro Risch

Time to dip

As mentioned, it is so calm and beautiful here that there is no reason to go out. All that is missing is water to dip in in front of all this beauty. Lucky that Kfar Harov’s pool was blessed with the most beautiful landscape in Israel. To get to it (entrance is free for guests of the resort), you will have to walk about ten minutes or take a short car ride. The pool, like the resort, is beautiful, peaceful and well maintained and very inviting. On an afternoon at the end of August we were there almost alone. It has plenty of shade and a beautiful view and you don’t need more than that. The opening hours of the pool are particularly friendly – it closes at eight in the evening and twice a week there is night bathing.

If you want a different kind of immersion, in the Mitzpe HaShalom resort there is a wind complex on the water. In the complex there are three beautiful pools carved out of stone with warm water. One pool is a saltwater pool designed for flotation, and the other two are fresh water pools with flotation aids. Underwater music adds to the relaxed atmosphere. In these pools you can float, breathe and connect to the silence. It is possible to join an experiential session designed for three couples and includes, in addition to floating, an experiential treatment of a few minutes with a water therapist. Another option is to enjoy a personal water session designed for couples, and includes 45 minutes of treatment for each couple and half an hour of joint floating.

Floating pool in the Roach Al Hamei complex Photography: Mauro Risch

what are we eating?

To complete the relaxed experience, around nine o’clock in the morning, huge baskets full of goodies arrive at the cabins, so you don’t even have to leave the room for breakfast. The baskets are full of rolls and pastries, cheeses of various types, omelets, breakfast cereals for children, granola, yogurts and delicacies, Greek salad, tuna, tahini, jams and butter, a carton of orange juice and bags of chocolate for children. The quantities were generous so we could continue to enjoy the food at lunch as well.

In the evening, you should take this into account, the selection of options is more limited, most of the restaurants are meat and are located at least 15 minutes away by car. And the truth is, who even wants to go out? Lucky we found Shani, a resident of the kibbutz, who cooks twice a week vegetarian and vegan meals for the guests of the Zimmers in the area. Shani’s food is vegetarian, healthy and changes every week. The week we were there we tasted quinoa tabbouleh salad, Pad Thai and dumpling filling – an Indian stew of tofu meatballs with sweet potato and cashews in a coconut cream sauce, tomatoes and cashews and we enjoyed hosting a delicious and healthy evening in front of the Sea of ​​Galilee. We had chocolate fudge cookies made from whole spelled flour for dessert that made us happy the next day as well.
Additional details: Schnikri – home-made, healthy and vegan food – Tel.: 054-5676929

Breakfast can be eaten on the balcony facing the view or have a picnic on the lawns adjacent to the cabin Photo: Golan Tourism

More around

In addition to a trip to the Haon Cliffs Promenade and the path to the orchards for which you don’t need to get in the car, there are quite a few hiking trails and attractions in the area. In a short drive you can reach the shores of the Sea of ​​Galilee, Hamat Geder, Ein Peak, Eli Cohen Trail, Nahal Mitzer, Mahal El Al and more.

More details about the Mitzpe HaShalom resort by phone at 04-6761767 andthe website.