A booming tourist zone: not only Nahal HaShofet and Ramot Menashe. New and very attractive routes are being opened, as well as a culinary complex with a beautiful panorama and a series of shows and events.
By Chiquita Levov, text and photos
The Regional Council of Megiddo Megiddo is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the country, due to its beautiful and attractive natural treasure, especially in spring. It is located less than an hour by car from the center, which we could call the “near north” of Israel. The narrowing of the borders during the war led many to find in Megiddo pastoral tranquility, beautiful blooms and a variety of trails for walking, driving or cycling. UNESCO recognized it as a “biosphere reserve” and continues to preserve this precious corner, leaving natural spaces free of human intervention. In addition, the development of tourist areas continues and the new spring and summer season is renewed with numerous attractions that we detail here.
Lioz, Ayelet and Dana
To present the news Lioz Fridlander, Ayelet Taib and Dana Lishinsky The authorities and directors of the Regional Council organized a tour to which we were invited. They informed us that the Council offers a great deal of cultural content in the complex “Magda”, a brand that has established itself over the past 2 years as one of the most popular venues. It consists of an auditorium with 576 comfortable seats, a large cultural hall with pleasant corners and a brand new culinary complex surrounded by a spectacular panorama. All in the Council building. There they present great shows with the participation of stars such as Ehud Banai, Keren Pelles, Maya Belsitzman, Dikla and many more. The complex “Magda Events" it is
In addition to a conference centre and outdoor dining activities,
private or corporate events. More information: https://www.magdaevents.co.il/
El Megiddo Market is a new initiative to strengthen local businesses, inviting once a month dozens of producers, artists and creators, for an entertainment and cultural event. And soon the complete program of the event will also be announced.
The Magda Festival will take place in September. Along with an international music conference for new artists from the Hammagda programme, there will be an Artists’ Residency programme to create new materials and performances.
Itamar and Nir
We visited the “Magda Cafe and Yanek Burger”, the newest attraction of the Megiddo Regional Council. It is a culinary complex consisting of the “Food Truck Magda” run by Nir Tamir. A coffee cart offering coffee and hot drinks, desserts,
salads and much more. And the local “Yanek” a brand of burgers made with 100% homemade, high-quality meat ground on site along with excellent Israeli beer. It is
a collaboration between the Regional Council and Itamar Sharabi owner of “Yanek Burger” which has been successfully operating for many years in other locations. This project creates the perfect combination of cultural content and culinary culture.
A food court located next to the complex and most importantly, it overlooks the beautiful open landscape and offers a delicious selection of burgers. It operates throughout the week, including Saturdays. More information: https://www.instagram.com/yanek_burger/
Avni “Shvilito”
We met with Carmel Avni, known as "Shvilito”, a professional and knowledgeable guide who took us to the renovated parking lot of Oren Zamir, to Givat Harekafot (the mountain of cyclamens), to the winter pool “Ein Pirha” and to the Raz Shoham waterfalls. We admired the surrounding green fields and cyclamens. All this forms a perfect setting for hiking along lesser-known routes of Megiddo. More information: https://www.facebook.com/Shvilito.tours?mibextid=JRoKGi
Einat in her kitchen workshop
We appreciate the stream Nahal HaShofet one of the best known sites of Megiddo which flows into the Ramat Menashe Park which has been extensively renovated and turned into an accessible pedestrian trail. The Megido Trail, 66km long which circles all the Council settlements and the Dalia Trail are also popular, with beautiful recommended routes. And of course Tel Megido, one of the most important heritage sites in the world. After visiting nature we arrive at the magical home of Einat Erez at Kibbutz Dalia. Einat hosts delicious meals with creative dishes in her comfortable home. She also hosts a variety of culinary workshops with personal touches. We highly recommend a visit to her home.
Strauss and Cohen in “Galgamani”
The visit to “Galgamani”, a Tibetan “prayer wheels” workshop, was very special.
(“Prayer Wheels) at Kibbutz Ein HaShofet, the only workshop in the world that produces them
and is run by the charming couple Micha Strauss and Ayelet Cohen. During the visit, they tell us how they came to create this workshop. It is a kind of spinning top of various sizes, inside which are placed the prayers of all religions. It is believed that when it spins, they disperse throughout the world. https://www.holylandprayerwheels.com/
Ramot Menashe Wines
In Ein Hashofet we suggest visiting the “Slik”, a heritage site hidden in a Kibbutz gymnasium, where veteran Yishai Huberman tells the incredible story of the secret arsenal found beneath the gymnasium floor. And you can’t leave the area without first tasting the award-winning wines of the Ramot Menashe Winery, the first young and developing winery in the Megiddo area. Run by Noam, Ami and Lior, a trio of wine-loving entrepreneurs. https://www.ramotmenashewinery.com/
Magda culinary complex