Relax At The Worlds Most Underrated Spa Destination

The Edge of Serenity: Galei Kinneret Spa on the Western Sea of Galilee - Amit Geron

A leisurely stroll along the Sea of Galilee seemed like the obvious way to start our first day as the sun rose to reveal the stunning stillness of the world's lowest freshwater lake.

Only a light breeze ruffled the tops of the surrounding palm trees, and since spring temperatures hadn't yet begun to rise every day, it seemed like a good time to slowly breathe in the balmy air. However, not everyone expected such a slow start to the day, including an energetic group of Texas Pilgrims on a local tour bus. As we passed, the air pulsed with excitement, his hips swaying and he spoke passionately of Nazareth and Capernaum.

The Lake of Galilee is many things: the place where Jesus is said to have walked on the water; A turning point for Islamic prophecy. and the final resting place of the great Jewish sages, but here we are drawn by more mundane interests, to experience the world's most neglected sanctuary.

Massage and mud baths may seem incompatible with the place defined by ancient spirituality, but on closer inspection, they go hand in hand. This pearl-shaped lagoon is a place to relax and recharge your body and mind, from biking along the coast and walking through the hills to healing waters in ancient hot springs, and that's just what we did.

Arriving from Manchester in the evening, we decided to spend our first night in Tel Aviv at Cytopia, a four-bedroom sustainable B&B in the Judean Hills, about half an hour from the airport, before heading two hours later to the sea. Leaving the mad city behind as the horizon opened up, the path finally descended into the shimmering waters.

Here at Galley Kinneret, we made our way to Villa d'Este on Lake Como, a hotel built by businesswoman Lotte Eisenberg in 1946, where we had an inspiration and a lovely lakeside stay. The hotel recently underwent a facelift thanks to designer Saar Zafarir, who clearly went to great lengths to capture the magic that hangs here, with pale, subdued decor and lots of natural materials.

The hotel itself is located in the old part of Tiberias, on the western shore of the water. It's a strange jumble of places, the black basalt remnants of ancient gift stalls forgotten in this hallowed city, but with the impenetrable waters of the lake, known locally as Kinenet, framing the horizon, all is fairly calm and unhurried.

A Poolside Afternoon at Amit Heron's Kennett Hall

The Sea of Galilee, for the most part, is not a vast expanse of sand. Instead, there are jagged "beach" bumps around the edges. You have to walk down a rocky path to get to the water, but it's worth the jog to get to the frozen lake, and there's little traffic save for the occasional tour boat cruising along the shore, and no waves or sandy beaches. sand. to attract vacationers. Hello, here it is.

It's a great place to walk, especially in the glorious (and wonderfully named) Swiss Forest in the foothills above Tiberias, but of course the main focus here is the water.

One of the oldest working hot springs in the world, 3,000-year-old Kinneret Hot Springs gushes mineral-rich, salty water out of the ground at about 60 degrees (it's a little cooler at this point. You can get in the pool , but it is mandatory. You should not spend more than 15 minutes in the water at a time).

Despite their age, the three purpose-built pools are somewhat similar to municipal pools, so for added authenticity, you might want to try Tiberias Hamat National Park, an open-air area filled with mosaics and ancient buildings. Including the beautifully preserved 18th century Turkish bath. There are three small pools with slight variations in temperature (30, 35 and 40 C) and here I wandered looking at the crumbling old ruins and broken teeth of the lagoon, even thinking of the much admired spa. The capital seems ridiculous in comparison.

The Sea of Galilee is a place where nature strives to give visitors a dose of natural renewal, inside and out. We left feeling completely rejuvenated and refreshed. Our fellow pilgrims in Texas probably felt the same way, even if we had never ridden on the tour bus. Love that.

Important

Angela Epstein has been a guest at Galei Kinneret (00972 4-670-7070), which offers double rooms from £167 per night, and Sitopia Living (00972 52702 6393), which offers double rooms from £360 per night, including breakfast. . direct easyJet flights from London and Manchester to Tel Aviv from £122 each way

Have you visited the Sea of Galilee in Israel? Tell us about your trip in the comments section below.

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