THE JERUSALEM POST . SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 2017 TRAVEL TRENDS 7 Summer fun at the Sea of Galilee TALY’S TRAVEL fun adventure. The water park is divided into four areas: • BY TALY SHARON The Family Park (ages 6 and up), The Extreme Park, The Kids’ Park (easy obsta- he Sea of Galilee is one of the top cles, ages 3-6), and The Olympic Park (for destinations in Israel. During the groups – volleyball, basketball, water polo, summer, this lake attracts young etc.). people and families who come to Visitors enter the park in sessions. Each Tenjoy the beaches and water activities. Here session is 45 minutes and it takes two ses- are a few of its attractions. sions to explore all the areas. But note that it is an effort, so unless you are very fit, I Nof Ginossar Hotel suggest starting with one session, and at Nof Ginossar has been a popular vaca- least getting some rest before the next one. tion resort in Israel for many years, since Website: www.aquakef.com Kibbutz Ginossar established it. This hotel Phone: 1-700-555-079 is the first kibbutz hotel in Israel, built Price: NIS 35 to95 in 1964. With a private beach, swimming Hours: Sunday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 pool, dining services and 650 dunams of p.m. (extended hours on some the days and groomed lawns and flora alongside the separate bathing for the religious commu- Tsalmon Creek, it is a vacation paradise. nity afterwards – contact Aqua Kef for info). Add to this the proximity to Tiberias and Children up to the age of 10 need in-wa- many of the attractions around the Sea of ter (paying) adult supervision. Life vests Galilee – and you have the perfect holiday mandatory for everyone, and there is a destination. lifeguard on duty. We came to Ginossar with two teens. We spent two nights there and quickly formed Gai Beach Water Park a fun routine – breakfast, water attraction, One of the well-established water attrac- lunch, museum, swimming pool, dinner tions in Tiberias is Gai Beach Water Park. and card games. This was a superb family With seven types of water slides, a wave retreat; our teens, who are often difficult to AQUA KEF (above) is an inflatable water pool and a 750-square meter kiddies’ world, park on the Sea of Galilee. Below, the Nof entertain, enjoyed it and did not complain it is the ultimate place for families. The Ginossar Hotel is one-stop vacation spot. even once – a major success! affiliated beach nearby offers water sports. (Taly Sharon) Nof Ginossar has two areas: a hotel and Well-organized showers on premises. village. The hotel is closer to the lobby, Gai Beach Water Park is well furbished, and suits couples and Address: 1 Eliezer Kaplan Blvd, Tiberias small families. The village is a separate entertainment programs. There is a play- Open: 7 days a week during the summer area, across the parking lot, and serves ground and table games such as table ten- 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. mostly families looking for simpler coun- nis, and basketball and tennis courts; and a Price: NIS 70 to 99 try lodging, yet enjoying all the services of new gym will be opened any day. Phone: +972-4-670-0713 the hotel. All the rooms of the hotel were Besides being a nice place to stay at, Gino- refurbished and are of high standard, with sar provides all the services and amenities Nahala Bateva (“Estate in Nature”) quality facilities and flat-screen TVs. The needed to make a vacation successful! Druse Experience newest rooms are the Delux rooms, suit- Prices vary, starting from NIS 600 for a The Galilee is one of the authentic loca- able for a couple+1 with some connecting double room off season, including break- tions to experience some Druse culture and rooms – very fancy. fast. cuisine. Nahala Bateva is a restaurant and We got a Grand Delux room. These rooms Nof Ginossar Hotel campsite featuring Druse hospitality with are spacious and have a small balcony, Website: www.ginosar.co.il ethnic food such as Makloubeh (upside- comfortable renewed bathroom, bathrobes Phone: 972-4-6700-300 down chicken, vegetable, and rice dish), in the closet for in-room use, and terry bath Mensaf (lamb stew on rice), stuffed vine towels. The room had a small safe and cof- Yigal Alon and Jesus’ Boat Museum leafs, local salads and other dishes. fee and tea-making facilities. Just off Nof Ginossar’s parking lot is the Seating is outdoors, under the trees where Settled, we went down to the pool. The Yigal Allon Museum. When the water of the children can roam around and enjoy a pool is open throughout the summer and the Sea of Galilee withdrew because of the playground and animal corner. We met Kas- is partially shaded. It is adjacent to the drought of 1986, something caught the The boat museum documents the exca- cafeteria and clean toilets. Boat rides on the sem and Farha, the owners. Kassem served beach and surrounded with eucalyptus and eyes of two fishermen from Ginossar: the vation and restoration, and presents addi- Sea of Galilee take off from nearby docks, so in the Israeli army and when he retired, he banana trees. remains of an ancient boat submerged in tional archeological remains found in it, the place may be very busy at times. built this farm with his own hands, until We ate breakfast and dinner at the hotel’s the mud. The boat, dating back to the days including original metal screws. Yigal Allon Center and the ancient boat, he fell ill and is now in a wheelchair. The dining room. The food was good and very of Jesus, was excavated in a complex oper- The Yigal Allon museum, in which the Ginossar farm was deserted for a few years, and he diverse, served in buffet style. Breakfast fea- ation and preserved. Rotem Yaakov, from boat museum is housed, is a museum for Hours: Saturday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 reopened it a few years ago. Farha, his wife, tured eggs and pastries, cheeses and vegeta- the boat’s excavation team, tells us that the memory of IDF commander and pol- p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. is in charge of the cooking here; everything bles, and local dishes such as shakshouka. this was a community operation that took itician Yigal Allon, a member of Kibbutz Website: bet-alon.co.il she makes is fresh and tasty. Don’t expect For dinner, there were many salads, and 12 days in which all the kibbutz members, Ginossar. Very small, it is visited mostly Phone: +972-4-672-7700 fast food here, just come to enjoy the fresh always a variety of fish, chicken and beef. including children, helped dig the boat out by groups of students as well as a meeting Admission: NIS 20 (including the muse- air and breeze. You are highly likely to meet There was also children-friendly food and from the mud with their bare hands, pull- place for Jews and Palestinians. It is best um and the boat). Kassem and Farha in person and find them an interactive stand with hamburgers. ing it out of the water while making sure it to visit there with a guide, but if you come to be good interlocutors. In the evenings, after dinner, there were did not collapse due to the weakness of the for a self-guided tour, I think the second Aqua Kef (Aqua Fun) Nahala Bateva is open all week all day; pric- singers at the bar, where light dairy meals old timber. floor is the most exciting, with a temporary Perhaps the newest, and for sure the hot- es are 45-90 for main courses. and varied beverages were served. The While there is no evidence that this was a exhibition of the Israeli radio “Kol Israel” test attraction today in the Sea of Galilee, is Facebook: www.facebook.com/kassem.ib lobby also features a large souvenir shop boat that Jesus sailed in, this is the type of and an exhibition of the artwork created Aqua Kef, an inflatable floating water park. Address: Tsalmon that reminded me of a museum shop – boat used for fishing and transportation two together in Jewish and Palestinian meet- If you like activities and find Wipeout excit- Phone: Kassem +972-50-309-5250 many nice articles and Judaica items. millennia ago. It is about eight meters long ings. If you are already in the building, ing, then this is the playground for you: The hotel also offers activities for families and is made of 12 different types of timber, don’t miss the panoramic view of the area obstacles, trampolines, jumping platforms, The writer was a guest of Ginosar, Aqua and children, such as a yellow bus tour with the original timber being the Lebanon from the upper-level balcony. There is also climbing areas, flips, slides and swings – all Kef and Nahala Bateva with the assistance of of the kibbutz, boat rides and children’s cedar, a very expensive type of wood. a large souvenir shop, an air-conditioned made to be conquered. It will take you on a Emek Hayarden Regional Council. Of Air Koryo and Turkish Airlines, despots and dictators have to be a lunatic to travel to North Korea. The fact 10. Garuda Indonesia food and also a fruit bar, all spread over two floors. THE TRAVEL ADVISOR that 5,000 Westerners – with almost 800 Americans – 11. Thai Airways You won’t starve, that is for sure. Also the quality of • By MARK FELDMAN visit North Korea every year shows that lunacy, while 12. Turkish Airlines the food is super fresh – it’s not even a buffet, it’s like a not rampant, does exist. In fact it took the death of an Israel’s main airport, Ben-Gurion, welcomes a quarter real chef is constantly preparing. American citizen, who died after suffering from a myste- of this list to its runways: Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Wondering what else you can do at the lounge? Here et’s imagine you’re planning an exotic vacation. rious brain injury while in detention in North Korea for Hainan Airlines and Turkish Airlines. Sadly, the world’s is a nice list of how to pass your time: Let’s assume you want an island vacation spot the US State Department to ban Americans from travel- air travelers after ranking 100 Top Airlines have not • Enjoy a real cinema with a fancy popcorn machine. Lwhere you can relax in splendor and catch up on ing to the country. The crime committed by the young found a place for El Al or any other Israeli airline. • Play some pool. your summer reading. American who succumbed to his brain injuries: he was Air Koryo does appear on a Skytrax list; in fact it • Try a few new books at the library. You’ve gallivanted through Greece, shimmied in the accused of stealing a propaganda poster from a hotel. holds the number one spot for the World’s Worst Air- • Play Golf (Yes a real Golf Simulator!) Seychelles, hung loose in Hawaii, knocked around on line. It’s the only airline with a paltry one-star rating. • Take a shower or two. Koh Samui, took time off on Tahiti. Your island destina- AIR KORYO is the national airline of North Korea, head- To be equitable, reviewers comment on a clean aircraft • Play the latest Play Station games such as FIFA or tion this time is situated in Oceania, the largest island quartered in Pyongyang. Its fleet of 18 planes consists with polite cabin attendants. In-flight entertainment Formula 1. in Micronesia. Bonus for those shopaholics – it’s an primarily of Soviet-made planes such as the Tupolev consisted of North Korean military-type music. Food is • Experience a Carrera racetrack, those with a remote unincorporated United States territory with plenty of Tu-204. Air Koryo has offices in only a few countries, usually a cold burger with a choice of water, coffee, control. Costco stores. We’re talking about Guam. primarily China, Russia & Thailand. Its sole office in tea or a soft drink. • Play in a kids’ corner, with heaps of toys! It’s no wonder Guam receives more than a million Europe is situated in Berlin. The lounge also providers lockers to put away your visitors a year. White sandy beaches, clear turquoise Turkish Airlines is the national airline of Turkey, head- I’VE WRITTEN in the past about the ethical dilemma of bag. You have a few nice couches to nap on while fol- waters, and a gentle ocean breeze welcome visitors quartered on the grounds of Ataturk Airport in Istan- flying Turkish Airlines, with a tin-pot wanna-be despot lowing news channels from around the globe or live from Korea, Japan, Russian, China and the US. Yet with bul. Turkish Airlines flies to 119 countries, more than spouting antisemitic remarks too often, couched as sport events. Of course I don’t need to mention that the entire spectrum of first-world amenities Guam any other airline. Its fleet of 339 aircraft, not surprising- anti-Israel assertions, but when Turkish Airlines invited fast Internet and a business center are also available. offers, it’s surprising mellow. ly, has no Russian-made planes. It is a member of the me on a flight to Luxembourg, my curiosity overrode On my flight to Luxembourg, the same detail of That is until their Homeland Security Department Star Alliance, which is a loose consortium of 28 airlines my ethics. It was my first time on what’s been consid- quality service was repeated. The dining part was what issued new guidelines for both residents and tourists. purportedly working in tandem. Each airline maintains ered for many years the Best Airline in Europe along stood out most for me. I’m always in awe these days – The fact sheet included such tips as: “Do not look at its own individual style and cultural identity, bringing with a visit to one of the largest and busiest airports in with airlines cutting out food options or charging a the flash or fireball – it can blind you” and “Take cover the richness of diversity and multiculturalism to the the world. This, coupled with my insatiable desire to king’s ransom for a soggy sandwich – when an airline behind anything that offer protection” if outside at the alliance. At the same time each airline shares a com- see one of the best lounges in the world, had me makes an effort to offer a full-service meal. Be it kosher time of a radioactive blast. Government officials stated mon dedication to the highest standards of safety and acquiescing for a 24-hour sojourn. or vegan, everyone was able to enjoy a quite edible it would take 14 minutes for a deadly weapon to reach customer service. My flight plan was simple: Tel Aviv- Istanbul- Luxem- repast. Upon my return to Istanbul Airport, I again was the island but of course those at the site of a nuclear Air Koryo is not a member of any of the airline alli- bourg, and 12 hours later the reverse. The flights able to while away the layover in their airport lounge impact would be killed instantly and all structures ances and has the dubious honor of having received themselves were quintessentially perfect. The planes, before boarding an Airbus A-330-300. This next-gener- would disintegrate from the power of the blast and some of the worst reviews of any operating airline. both Boeing and Airbus equipment were clean and ation aircraft features both flat-bed business seats as intense fire. That’s what is a called a major buzz kill. Skytrax is a United Kingdom-based consultancy com- spacious. The crew was both courteous and compe- well as 219 economy-class seats. Never have I stretched This originates in the wake of North Korea’s threat to pany that runs an airline review site. Skytrax conducts tent. Once airborne, our flight attendants offered a hot out so luxuriously, and I fell asleep the moment we launch a missile attack against Guam. The cherubic research for commercial airlines, as well as taking sur- towel service to all passengers. Newspapers and maga- reached cruising altitude. dictator of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, who consolidat- veys from international travelers to rate airports, air- zines were also made available and even on the short ed power by executing his Uncle and assassinating his lines, cabin staff and several other elements of air trav- flight from Tel Aviv to Istanbul a complete meal was IN LATE October, as El Al introduces her 787 Dreamlin- brother, is hell-bent on putting his stamp on the el. Their methodology is transparent, with the upshot served. Turkish Airlines economy service comes with a er on flights to Newark, Delta will be switching from world. While a total failure in economy reforms, his that their World Airline Awards are held in high esteem nice over-sized pillow. its 747 to this beauty. With United Airlines flying a 777, success in developing nuclear weapons can no longer for clarity of process and independence, with no out- Arrival in Istanbul was security conscious and as I the transatlantic competition on nonstop flights will be ignored and his threats on Guam have led to a war side sponsorship or external influence. Qatar Airways was transferring flights, there was no passport control become a whole new ball game. Don’t count out the of words with US President Donald Trump. has been named the 2017 World’s Best Airline with Sin- for me to enter, simply a body scan and X-ray of my European airlines as they fight hard to keep their mar- While Kim Jong-un wants to unleash a nuclear holo- gapore Airlines coming in as the bridesmaid. carry-on luggage. It was a good 10-minute walk from ket share, but when flying to JFK or Newark, the Big caust on Guam, another strong man, Turkish President The top 12 airlines of 2017 are as follows: security to the end of the airport where my own Turk- Three will easily dominate the skies. Recep Erdogan, who salivates to could control his 1.Qatar Airways ish Delight was waiting. I can make one more promise: One airline you won’t opposition like the North Korean leader, has urged 2.Singapore Airlines Turkish Airlines lounge at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul be seeing at any US airport in the short or long term is Muslims across the world to “visit” and “protect” Jeru- 3ANA All Nippon Airways is simply an amazing adventure. Eligible for all busi- Air Koryo. Or, as they say in whispers throughout North salem, slamming what he said was an “unacceptable” 4.Emirates ness class clients as well as any Star Alliance Gold Korea: even a monkey sometimes falls from the tree. infringement on Palestinians’ rights to a holy site. One 5.Cathay Pacific member, the Turkish carrier has the biggest flight net- despot wants to destroy tourism while another one 6.EVA Air work of any airline in the world and therefore Istanbul appears to be encouraging it. 7.Lufthansa is a big hub for transit passengers who appreciate a The writer is the CEO of Ziontours, Jerusalem. For It’s an axiom of the travel industry that politics and 8.Etihad Airways good lounge. When it comes to food the lounge offers questions and comments email him at mark.feldman@ tourism make strange bedfellows. Let’s be clear – you 9.Hainan Airlines a lot, Turkish specialties, a Chinese kitchen, Western ziontours.co.il