A Return to Hamdiyah: Relaxation, Local Flavors, and Healing in the Galilee
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
The author and her husband revisited Hamdiyah, a hospitality complex in Ilania, 15 years after their first visit, finding it enhanced and serene. They enjoyed local produce, a "sweetness of doing nothing" atmosphere, and a historical walk through the moshav. The trip also included stops at a cafe in Sharona for apple pastries, a therapeutic hot tub session, a wine bar in Kfar Tavor aiming to destigmatize PTSD, and a creative gelato shop.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The author and her husband revisited Hamdiyah, an Ilania hospitality complex, finding it improved after 15 years.
- Hamdiyah offers a serene atmosphere with local produce, relaxation, and a historical context.
- The visit included stops at a cafe in Sharona for apple pastries and a wine bar in Kfar Tavor.
- A therapeutic hot tub session with Ela Sarugo was part of the experience.
- The wine bar "PTSD" aims to destigmatize post-traumatic stress.
- The trip concluded with creative gelato flavors at "Aysalon" in Kfar Tavor.
After 15 years, the author and her husband revisited Hamdiyah, a hospitality complex in the Ilania moshav, first experienced at its opening. They found the place, established by Atalia and Eli Turoa, even more beautiful than before, noting how some things age gracefully. The complex, originally a farmhouse in the historic moshav, has been developed over the years with stone houses, wooden floors, carefully chosen furniture, and a blooming garden, creating a Provençal enclave in the Galilee.
The author describes the "sweetness of doing nothing," or "Dolce far niente," as a challenging but essential experience at Hamdiyah. Guests can relax on lounge chairs, enjoy the sounds of water features, and savor a breakfast of local produce including eggs, cheeses, yogurt, jams, olives, and olive oil, alongside fresh bread.
Later, they visited "Ma'afiya," a small cafe in Moshav Sharona, known for its simple yet precise offerings and the aroma of butter and apples. They particularly enjoyed the "Chausson aux pommes," a puff pastry filled with caramelized apples.
In the afternoon, the author's partner experienced a hot tub treatment with Ela Sarugo, a holistic therapist from Kibbutz Gazit, who focuses on the connection between body and soul. Sarugo works with women during life transitions, integrating energy work and grounding.
The day also included a historical walk through Ilania (formerly Sejera), one of the first Jewish settlements in the Lower Galilee, established in 1902. The walk highlighted pioneer stories, ancient olive presses, and a cypress tree over 500 years old, with views towards HaShomer Farm.
In the evening, they dined at the "PTSD" wine bar in Kfar Tavor, co-founded by Eyal Gershoni, who has PTSD from military service, and Omri Alfia. The bar aims to destigmatize post-traumatic stress, featuring art by individuals with PTSD and offering a Mediterranean menu with wood-fired pizzas. They enjoyed roasted cauliflower, artichoke pizza, and local wines.
Dessert was at "Aysalon," an adjacent ice cream parlor and patisserie created by Adva and Shaiyon Barak-Liani, inspired by gelato experiences in Germany. The parlor offers creative, rotating flavors like pine nut gelato, with the couple having tried black sesame, salted caramel, and dark chocolate.
The article also includes promotional material for FLY CARD and a statement on Globes' ethical code regarding online discourse.