multi-generational travel

Why We Loved Einot Tsukim (And You Will, Too!)

October 17, 2018 by Yocheved Feinerman Leave a Comment

Mommy, what are we doing tomorrow?

Can we go on a water hike?

Dov, what are we doing with the kids tomorrow?

Let’s do something educational.

Yaakov, what are we doing tomorrow?

We need to find a place with a Sukkah.

Love, Love, Israel, what are we doing tomorrow?

Note to self: Next year make advance plans for Sukkot family trips.

Let’s Go to Einot Tsukim!

Bright and early the next morning, we set out for a Chol Hamoed family tiyul to Einot Tsukim.

Note to self: Leave earlier. Get gas the night before.

We arrived at Einot Tsukim, just north of the Dead Sea, in record time.

Note to self: When driving in Israel, ignore the shortcuts suggested by Waze.

Jumping out of our car, we were immediately wowed by the panoramic sights of Einot Tsukim.

Note to self: Do not get the car cleaned before a family tiyul.

Einot Tsukim Nature Reserve

Green vegetation growing in the wilderness.

Magical pools.

Flora and fauna species.

Remains of human activity.

Tranquility.

Note to self: Remove any expectations of tranquility from family trips.

Why We Loved Einot Tsukim

Educational ✅

Did you know?

Many sources claim that Einot Tsukim is the “en eglayim” referred to by the prophet Yechezkel in his prophecy about the Dead Sea (Yechezkel 47:10).

In the late 19th century, Scotish priest Henry Baker Tristram, “the father of fauna and flora in the Holy Land” and his scientific delegation spent two days exploring the richness of Einot Tsukim.

Between 1900-1914 the British Palestine Exploration Fund marked the levels of the Dead Sea. The rock used to measure the levels of the Dead Sea, the British Fund Rock, can be viewed today, from the road bordering the nature reserve.

In 1947, Einot Tsukim was marked as the first Israeli hiking trail.

View the significant changes that have taken place over the recent decades at the observation point at Einot Tsukim.

Note to self: Read the guidebook, before you try and teach your children about the area.

Hiking ✅

Marked trails led us on a nature walk around the beautiful riverbed.

The “under 10 crowd” had a blast splashing mud all over themselves, and anyone in their proximity.

Note to self: Next time, call ahead and book a tour of the “Hidden Reserve” llocated on the southern part of Einot Tsukim, where the springs rise.

Picnic Benches ✅

Hungry, and slightly muddy, we quickly chose a picnic bench shaded by palm trees. Close to the natural spring waters. Near a Sukkah.

Out came our sandwiches, cucumbers, peppers, potato chips, and bottled water.

Note to self: Bring a barbecue. Bring hot dogs. Bring steaks! Buy the yellow fan thing.

Sukkah ✅

Kol Hakavod, to the family, sitting near us.

Worried that there would not be a Sukkah, they shlepped a full-size Sukkah and rebuilt it at the nature reserve.

Rest assured, you can leave your Sukkah at home.

Einot Tsukim was fully prepared with multiple Sukkot, set up at different locations throughout the nature reserve.

Swimming ✅

Swimming.

Wading.

Floating.

Dunking.

Relaxing.

Note to self: Remain alert and avoid getting hit in the head by beach balls.

The big winner was the Tamar Pool.

Closely supervised by watchful lifeguards, this larger and deeper pool is open for swimming every day in July and August and on weekends and holidays from mid-March until the end of November.

Note to self: Avoid expulsion from the pool. Do not jump in.

Economical ✅

Chol Hamoed can be a bit pricey.

Einot Tsukim can be a relatively modest option.

Are you a member of the Israel National Parks?

Free!

Note to self: Renew our membership – so many places to visit.

For those, without a current membership, the entrance fee was pretty minimal.

Note to self: Always bring small change for ices, ice cream, and for Turkish coffee without milk.

High Energy Mom’s Packing List

Note to self: Save money by using your complimentary shul, mishloach manot freezer bag.

We Loved Einot Tsukim And You Will Too…

The hidden oasis.

The natural pools.

The hike around the beautiful river bed.

The history.

The quality family time.

Click here to plan your trip to Einot Tsukim Nature Reserve.

5 Tips for Planning Your Next Multi-Generational Family Vacation

December 19, 2017 by Yocheved Feinerman 1 Comment

By: Yocheved Feinerman

Have you started to think about your next family vacation? Whether it is Pesach or maybe you are already thinking about summer, I have some tips for you.

Over Chanukah, my family went on a quick getaway to Caesarea.

Staying at the Dan Caesarea – a three-generational win!

Tip #1: Location

How long can you spend in the car with your family?

56 minutes was the perfect amount of time for us.

The Dan Caesarea is located between Tel Aviv and Haifa.

Situated close to the ancient port on the Israel Mediterranean coastline.

Tip #2: Rooms

Our family was comfortable in the Ceasarea Room.

Each room included the choice of a king sized bed or a double bed and a couch with a pull out double bed.

The bathroom featured a spacious bathtub.

Trust me you will need it after you return from your “nature walk” through the aqueducts and swamps at Nachal Taninim.

With plenty of closet space, a television, and a view of the grounds, we were ready to move in for the week.

Tip #3: Food

When traveling with the family, I try and wake up early and sneak out of the room without waking anyone up (read: my five-year-old) in order to maximize the pleasure of a fresh cup of coffee and beautiful scenery

Coming down to breakfast at the Dan Caesarea was a pleasure.

The fully staffed dining room featured friendly waiters who greeted me with a bright smile and a delicious cup of coffee.

The dining room overlooks the scenic grounds and the pool.

The buffet was overflowing with generous servings of a traditional Isreali breakfast.

Fresh salads, aromatic pastries, eggs, and a plethora of cheeses.

Time for the Health Club

Soon (five minutes later) my kids came down and were excited to fill their plates with the delicious foods.

My kids (okay – me) loved the freshly made waffles, pizza, and toasts.

Tip #3: Activities

Our family enjoyed eating breakfast altogether.

But, after multiple spills and good-natured talking (read – yelling), we all needed some – (a lot) of space after the meal.

Our kids were content to spend some time with the experienced staff at Danyland.

Adult Time

No one under 16 allowed.

Some of the adults had time for a run on the treadmill at the health club.

Others were pampered with a Swedish massage at Whispa.

Tip #4: Grounds

After the adults had “adult time” and the kids “kid time” it was time for more quality family time.

As it was the winter, we were unable to swim.

Is there a room for me in July?

Both the kids and adults enjoyed the playground and a game of mini- golf.

The family athletes sweated on the tennis courts, soccer field, and basketball courts.

Some played ping pong.

Afterwards, we chilled on the hammocks.

Tip #5: Friendly Staff

Yes – the food was awesome!

Yes – the grounds were stunning!

Yes – I loved my massage!

But, what was really impressive to me was the cooperative and friendly staff.

From the moment we pulled up to the hotel, the staff aimed to please.

That is a smile from an Israeli Saba.

Refills of coffee, fresh lemonade and water were extended.

The Sufganiyah Story

We spent the sixth night of Chanukah at the hotel.

The lobby was festively arranged for candle lighting with a large Chanukiah (menorah), candles and plates sufganiyot.

My son was excited to light the candles.

Or eat 10 sufganiyot.

Under the watchful eyes of hotel staff members, Charlie was staring at the plates of sufganiyot.

I quickly removed my unhappy child from the plate of donuts and explained that he needed to wait.

A thoughtful member of the Dan Cesearea staff came over to where we were sitting and personally handed Charlie a sufganiyah.

Charlie appreciated your flexibility, and so did his family.

Great Getaway – Thanks

Our mini-break to Ceasarea was fabulous!

I hope my tips will help you plan your next multi-generational family vacation.

Thanks, Granny and Grandpa for treating us.

Special shout out to Galita Modi’in for dressing me! I loved my holiday outfits.

Kol hakovod to Dan Hotels for the terrific multigenerational family vacation.

Happy Chanukah

How did you spend Chanukah with your family?

What are your tips for planning a multi-generational family vacation?

Yocheved Pianko Feinerman is “leaning in” and embracing the harmony and chaos of raising four “spirited” children, juggling an active career as an educator, and writer while planning the next 24-hour getaway with her husband.

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If you have a scoop to share with High Energy Mom hit her up on facebook or twitter or shoot her an email highenergymom@gmail.com.

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Why We Loved Einot Tsukim (And You Will, Too!)