About a month ago we moved to Zikhron Ya’akov and we have already managed to try a lot of cafes (this actually is not very surprising because I really like them).

Happily, we discovered that there are a lot of good options here and that was another thing that made me realize that we made the right choice in moving here. LOL

Also on trips abroad one of the things that always made me fall in love with a new destination was when we would find good cafes in the area, so it was important for me to live in a place like this. I was a bit disappointed to leave Tel Aviv because it has great cafes, but I was surprised to discover that there are also many great options here and we live close to the pedestrian zone, so most of them are at a really short distance from our house.

The best coffee – Nichaoch Cafe

When I found out that the best coffee shop is a minute from my house I got really excited and after tasting it I was thrilled. Nichaoch Cafe is a small and simple cafe (with seating inside and out) and as soon as you pass by it you will smell the excellent aroma of roasting coffee beans and you will want to enter it right away.

So, yes, in this cafe the coffee is roasted and there is also the option to buy the coffee to prepare it at home. Plus there are pastries, cakes, and cookies (I really like the little bourekas they make and the chocolate balls). There are also savory pastries and toasts.

A little tip: if you live in the area, there is an option to purchase a ticket for 10 coffees and then get 2 free, which is really worth it 🙂

Address: Hameyasdim 61
Kosher place, not open on Saturday

Feel like in nature – Mataim Cafe in Ramat Hanadiv

Now with the situation of the corona, most of us prefer to sit in spacious places and outside, so when we went to Mataim I realized that it is a great choice these days, and the truth is that it is a great option in general because it’s really beautiful there and they offer great food and coffee.

Mataim is located in Ramat Hanadiv (a 10-minute drive from the pedestrian zone). You will find a variety of breakfasts there, as well as food like pastas, sandwiches, and salads.

I went there with my sisters for breakfast and we ordered the vegan breakfast (the vegan omelet was delicious), a quinoa salad with cauliflower (highly recommended), and the Sabich focaccia, which was also excellent.

On another occasion I went there with Roman for coffee and dessert (we ordered the Pavlova, which was light and tasty, but I’m not really a fan of Pavlovas :)).

Outside there are lawns, so it has both a beautiful view and allows children to be entertained, for those who come with their family. There is also the option to sit there on mats on the grass and eat, for those who want to feel like they’re at a picnic.

Address: Ramat Hanadiv
Kosher place, not open on Saturday

Instagram design and great desserts – Cafe Tamar

Kosher cafe and patisserie – Cafe Tamar, which opened a few days ago in one of the alleys of the pedestrian zone, is completely on the list of recommended cafes in Zikhron Ya’akov. At first you will want to take photos and upload them to Instagram because its design at the entrance is beautiful and colorful, and after you order coffee and dessert there you will fall further in love with it.

We ordered a cold coffee and a plum cake that really surprised me. It was an apple crumble-style cake, only it was with plums and it was excellent. We also tried the macaroons, which were delicious. Highly recommended.

Address: Hameyasdim 52 Leitner Yard
Kosher, closed on Shabbat

Great view – cafe restaurant Hotel Maimon

I really like to drink coffee in front of a beautiful view (well, who doesn’t like that?), and when my friend sent me pictures from there, I just knew we had to hop in for coffee, and the truth is now I want to go back every day. Why? There is a beautiful terrace with stunning sea views. Another advantage is that the place is open on Friday evenings and Saturdays (now with the corona situation and the care that there will not be many people, you should call beforehand and find out if it is possible to reach the hotel if you are not a guest as well).

We ordered a cold coffee there, which was fine, on Saturdays there is no espresso machine so the coffee was instant coffee. We will try to go in the middle of the week and check how the coffee is from the machine. There is also breakfast at the buffet and we plan to go there soon to check out how it is.

Address: Zahal 4
Open on Saturday

Combined with art – Anecdota Cafe

In the heart of the pedestrian zone there is a charming art shop that is also open on Fridays and Saturdays, which is called Anecdota. It has a cute coffee stand with some chairs outside. There is great coffee and there are also chocolates in different flavors. We ordered cold takeaway coffee and chocolate toffee, which was delicious, and we went to sit on the bench opposite and felt like we were abroad. The store itself has really beautiful things (gifts, applied art, home decor items, Judaica, and jewelry) so it’s well worth going there for shopping and coffee 🙂

Address Hameyasdim 52
Open on Saturday

Feel like in Paris – Boulangerie Cafe

In a side alley of the pedestrian zone you will find the Boulangerie Cafe. There is a charming patio and a variety of cakes, cookies, pastries, and a Knafe dish made in a stone oven.

There is also food like lasagna, quiches, and pizzas.

Address: Hameyasdim 51
Kosher place, not open on Saturday

Tourist atmosphere – Gotcha Cafe

At the beginning of the sidewalk in an abroad-like atmosphere you will find the Gotcha Cafe. I think it is a great place to go to for coffee or a glass of wine when you come to Zikhron Ya’akov on the weekend.

A little tip: the prices for takeaway are half the price of the restaurant, so there is an option to go there for coffee and then take takeaway to go to the Tiyul Garden, which is a two-minute walk away, and have a picnic on the grass 🙂 I really liked their salmon salad.

Address: Hameyasdim 59
Open on Saturday

As you can see, there is a broad selection of great cafes in Zikhron Ya’akov and I am sure that in time I will discover even more and will be able to update this post 🙂

Many times on Saturday we want to sit in a nice and special place to enjoy delicious food and good coffee. We have several cafes that are open on Saturdays near our house in Zikhron Ya’akov, but we decided that from time to time we would go and explore other areas close by.

We discovered some places we really liked and I decided to share them with you because I believe everyone is looking for good places to eat and drink on Saturday. Of course I will update this post every time I discover a new worthwhile place, but in the meantime here are the cafes we’ve loved.

Cafe Bagolf in Caesarea

Have you ever dreamed of being rich and having a subscription to a golf club and sitting down to drink coffee there? Lol. Well, maybe not everyone has dreamed of it, but it seems cool to me. I have never been to a golf course (only in mini golf, which is a completely different world :)). In short, when I googled a place that is open on Saturday not far from us, I found Cafe Bagolf, a cafe located inside the golf course in Caesarea, so of course I wanted to try it.

We went there without booking a place and discovered it was a mistake because the place was blown up. Luckily there was a place close to the terrace so we could see the view from inside, but the whole situation means it is very important to book a spot in advance and if it’s not too hot, then I highly recommend to request a place on the terrace.

Roman had eaten before we went there and was upset because there was a rich variety of breakfasts that sounded really good. He ordered coffee and an almond croissant and I ordered the worker’s breakfast, which included a bagel, herring, market vegetables, Labaneh with eggplant, an egg, and a hot or cold drink.

The meal was very tasty and we loved the location, so we’ll surely be going back again in the future.

Zipora Cafe Agala – in Moshav Aviel

Sometimes I really want to drink coffee in nature, in a relaxed place, and do nothing, and that is exactly what Zipora Coffee is for. It’s a very cool cafe because it is actually a coffee cart in front of Aviel pond, with a lovely view.

There is shaded seating and they serve not just coffee, but also really tasty sandwiches, I ate a sandwich with beets and cheese, which was excellent, and they have some delicious cookies. It is simply mandatory to take the peanut butter cookie, which is addictive, so see you have been warned.

Many get there on the way because there are hiking and biking trails in the area, but we went there specifically (a 15-minute drive from home) and just sat there and enjoyed the chill atmosphere that matched exactly with what I was looking for.

Schwartzman Dairy in Bat Shlomo

Let’s start with the fact that Bat Shlomo is a charming moshav with a stunning view and bike paths (which we have not been able to try yet, but it will happen) and it also has the Schwartzman Dairy.

A dairy that is open all days of the week, that has a variety of dishes, and in fact you can also enjoy delicious food, wine, and desserts. We’ve visited several times and once we bought takeaway cheeses and took them to a B&B. We really liked their laffa (taboon bread) stuffed with old-fashioned goat cheeses.

They also have an excellent knafeh dessert, great wine, full meals of cheeses with vegetables, olives, and more that can suit a couple and family. The seating is outside, the atmosphere in the place is very pleasant, and when we were there on Saturday, there was a performer playing the violin.

I like to live in flat areas because in winter it is less cold and there are no strong winds. Plus, it’s easier to explore the place with Maya’s stroller without finding yourself in the middle of a tough climb up a mountain. But Zikhron Ya’akov is unusual in my eyes, because it is so beautiful here that I decided that despite its location on a mountain, I want to live in it (maybe in the winter I will regret this decision –lol-, but in the meantime I feel that way).

The fact that Zikhron is on the mountain is a big advantage in terms of the landscapes it has and what I liked to discover is that there are lots of stunning viewpoints. I am constantly discovering new observation points, so I will probably update the post many more times here, but in the meantime I have collected some impressive viewpoints for you.

My recommendation is to take a takeaway coffee or a fruit smoothie, a good book or a camera, a cell phone with headphones, or just go there with nothing and sit on a bench to enjoy the view ?

A viewpoint on Tzahal Street – Gan Rivka and Dov Litner

I discovered this place after we returned on foot from the Beit Maimon Hotel. The hotel is right next to this garden and the view from there is one of the most beautiful in my opinion. It is a view of the sea, combined with flowers and palm trees. To the right of the garden is an area of ​​stunning sunflowers. And it’s also worth walking around Tzahal Street because it also has very beautiful houses.

Arrival instructions

A viewpoint from Kibbutz Maayan Zvi – Mitzpe Sagi

Mitzpe Sagi, where the navigator Sagi Reches from Kibbutz Maayan Zvi and the pilot Yair Rachmilevitch, who fell in a plane crash, are commemorated. I was recommended this viewpoint by a follower from Instagram.

Arriving at the observation point – park the car by the pool and on the right you will see a checkpoint with a sign for the observatory. There is a walk of a few minutes in a natural forest and then you reach a bench from which the beautiful view is seen. We decided to have a little picnic there towards sunset and brought cherries, cheeses, and coffee with us.

Directions to the pool.

Observation points Mitzpe Yehuda Zimroni

This is an observation point located in front of the Eden Inn Hotel. I got to see it many times from the car so one day I decided to stop there and was really excited about it. There are a few benches and the place is clean and well maintained (unfortunately there are some viewpoints which are dirty, especially because of cigarette butts). There is a beautiful view of the fields and mountains.

Arrival instructions

An observation point near the monument to Yaakov Marvitsa

I discovered this place on the way to a meal at Naama’s house . Turning from Wine Street to Hameginim Street will suddenly reveal this stunning view that in a moment makes you feel like you are abroad. There is one bench there but it is enough.

Arrival instructions

Jabotinsky Street viewpoint

Sometimes in the afternoon Roman and I go out to get some fresh air with Maya in the cart. One of the places we like to go to is Jabotinsky Street. Both because it is relatively close to our house and because there is a really beautiful view from there, as well as an observation point that is fun to sit in.

Arrival instructions

An observation point in Givat Eden

We have been to Givat Eden several times already because there is Agra who cooks Ethiopian food in the yard of the house every Friday. Any way in the direction of Givat Eden, there is Ben Gurion Boulevard. Along the entire road there is a sidewalk with benches overlooking the sea and the fishing pools. I recommend getting there to do a challenging walk uphill (or downhill) and on the way stopping for a scenic break ?

Arrival instructions

In conclusion, in Zikhron Ya’akov there are many monuments and viewpoints with benches that allow you to enjoy the views. Of course I will continue to update the post with more beautiful viewpoints as I discover them.

Half a year after we started the blog we started traveling every month to a different destination around the world (we have been following this habit for almost three years), but recently I’ve become 32 weeks pregnant and it was time to take time off from going abroad and basically take a break from flying for a time. I hope with the baby we can go back and fly and travel a lot, but for now we have decided that this break is good too and it will allow us to travel more in our country Israel.

This time we decided to take a trip to Acre, which is one of my favorite cities in the country. I grew up in Kiryat Bialik (10 minutes drive from Acre) and so I visited Acre a lot, but the truth was that I always did the same things and didn’t really research it.

So, before we went there this time, I did some preliminary research on what to do and was honestly surprised by how many things to do there are in the old town. We were there for two days and it left us with a taste of more.

We took the trip in the beginning of October 2019.

Trip duration: Two days.

Tips before traveling to Acre

SIM card

I personally recommend using an ESIM, which is an electronic SIM, and recommend Airalo. I was very satisfied with their user experience (simple tutorial videos for operating the SIM card) and everything worked without any special problems. I wrote more about them in an extended post on the subject of taking a SIM card abroad and also about other options such as buying a local SIM card.

Blog followers have a 15% discount code for the Airalo company to purchase an ESIM – to redeem the discount, click on this link. The discount code is already included in the link. See it at checkout.

The biggest drawback at the moment is that some devices do not support an electronic SIM. How can you know if your device supports the electronic card? Very simple: go to this link and you can see. Link to which devices support ESIM.

Car rental in Acre

We came to Acre by car and parked for free near the lighthouse. I think this is the most convenient and fun way to travel. Car prices are low and the roads are easy to drive.

You can search for a car in the search engine Papam Papam. Personally, I really like to search through them because they save me time (instead of going to several websites) and they also have the option of filtering out non-recommended rental companies.

Attractions in Acre

You can get ideas for other cool things you can do on the various attraction sites and even order through them (sometimes at a discounted price). The first attractions site is tiqets the second is Get your guide and Viator.

Where to stay in Acre

We slept at the Zidan Sari suite. Scroll down to read more about our stay there. You can search for places to stay in Acre via Booking.

A bit about Acre (Akko)

The ancient city of Acre lies on the Mediterranean Sea in northern Israel (Between the Krayot and Naharia), it’s a magical mix of tiled streets which have seen Byzantine, crusader, Muslim and Ottoman rulers. It has a vibrant Arabic market; Amazing boutique hotels; renowned hummus restaurants and even better fish restaurants.

Where to stay when visiting Acre

It’s the first time we spent the night in Acre and it was truly an incredible experience. I found us the Zidan Sarai suite which I booked through AirBnB (Search for additional accommodations ), notice that the payment through the website doesn’t include tax, like most Israeli websites. The suite itself is in the alleys of the old town, giving a homey and local feeling. From outside there’s nothing to let on the beauty of the suite, but upon entering it the first word is simply “wow!!!”.

I’ll start from the beginning and explain about the suite. It belongs to the Zidan family, run by the Arabesque hotel. The advantage to that is that the hotel’s reception allows you to check in and leave your bags there if you arrive early and want to go out into the city (You can do the same thing upon check-out). You can also eat at the hotel for another 100 shekels for a couple. I personally recommend the breakfast. The price is definitely worth what you’re getting (Salads served to your table, breads, eggs per order, eggplant in Tahini, cheeses and orange juice).

Additionally, the hotel has a rooftop balcony you can go up to with some coffee and baklawas (Also included in the breakfast) and enjoy the sea view. You can also stay at the Arabesque hotel (We didn’t get to see the rooms there, but I’ve seen its great reviews).

The Zidan Sarai suite

Anyhow, after walking around town, Moein came to take us to the suite. The suite is huge! About 80 square meters, belonging to a family. It was used as a carpentry by the family before they decided to set up a guest suite there. They built it in 4 years, with attention put into every detail. There’s a kitchen, living room, Turkish Hamam (Unique experience of this suite), bedroom and huge shower with two showerheads (So as a couple, each of you can have his own showerhead :))

Where to eat in Acre? Restaurant recommendations

Uri Buri

This is one of the most recommended and well-known restaurants in town and for good reason. We ate there a few years ago and remembered the meal as very good, so we decided to come back. The restaurant is located across from the sea and it’s recommended to book there in advance. We went during dinner.

There’s a varied menu of fish and seafood, as well as vegan and vegetarian options. You can go for a tastings menu, which is what we went with. The concept of the tastings menu is that you tell the waitress if you have any food allergies or preferences (I let her know I was pregnant) and the chef accommodates you accordingly. Different dishes keep coming out without you knowing what they are, and as soon as you’re full – you ask them to stop sending them out.

We were there for about three hours. The meal was amazing, and despite us being full by the end- we still wanted to try more. For guests of the arabesque hotel and the suite there’s a 10% discount there, which is nice.
The meal cost us around 500 shekels including a glass of wine, tea, dessert and a tip. Map

Romin restaurant

An Arabic restaurant in the middle of the market. You’ll find fish, meats, seafood, salads and hummus there. Roman had two lamb skewers with chips and many salads (For 95 shekels) and I had a vegetable and chickpea salad. Service was good and the salads were tasty. Roman said the skewers were really good.
In conclusion, a great option for those who want to have a meal with different salads and meat or fish.

Sambousek and pita with Zaatar stand

This stand is also in the market and you’ll find different sambousek there made on the spot, zaatar pita, Druze pita and whole wheat pita. The sambousek with Bulgarian cheese and zaatar was amazing (15 shekels). It was so good we decided to take a few home, we also bought whole wheat pitas which were really great.

Hummus places – Sa’id and Sohilla

This time we didn’t get to eat at any hummus restaurants, as its not recommended during pregnancy, but there are two places you should know. The famous Sa’id hummus (Map) is in the heart of the market and there’s always a line, and Sohilla hummus (Map) is on the street before the entrance to the market, and to be frank I’ve been having hummus there since I was young and I think it’s really successful.

Things to do in Acre (Akko)

I was surprised to discover how many things you can do in the old town. We purchased a combined ticket from the Arabesque hotel for 60 shekels per person (Cheaper than over the counter), which includes entrance into all the museums and the templar’s cave, so if you’re planning on visiting them it’s highly recommended. The old town is really small (500 square meters), so you can reach everything by a short walk and get a lot done in one day. Opening hours for all the attractions in ancient Acre.

Acre’s central market

This is one of the city’s main attractions and I personally love this market. You can find spices, souvenirs, coffee, clothes, desserts, restaurants, natural juice stalls and many smells of just about everything. While the fish smell isn’t the best thing in the world (In my opinion at least :)) but it’s part of the experience and you can find many treasures there, like natural olive oil soap, great olives, quality olive oil and more. The market is open every day, with opening hours changing during the holidays.

Turkish bazaar

Built during the 18th century and abandoned in 1948 when the old town was conquered by the IDF. The market was clothed for many years, and recently the municipality decided to re-open it after restoration. Today you can find art galleries, cafés and restaurants there. Many young chefs opened their restaurants there and beyond that, the place itself is beautiful and photography fans will surely enjoy the market – as it’s very photogenic.

The market is open every day from morning till afternoon.

Acre port

When I was a kid, I loved to jump between the rocks in the port itself and to watch the fishermen. There’s also the possibility to take a cruise on a speedboat or a ship (We didn’t do it this time, but I remember enjoying it in the past).

Around the port, many cafés, galleries and restaurants opened over the years and there’s a beautiful view of the sea.

Watching the swallows at sunset from the hotel rooftop

One of our favorite things on this trip was the swallow experience at night. I don’t know why, but towards sunset (When we were there it was around six twenty), suddenly many swallows appear, flying in the sky and cats on the rooftops try to catch them (And sometimes even succeed). Moein recommended we go up to the hotel balcony to watch this phenomenon and it was a great recommendation. We made ourselves coffee at the hotel entrance and went up to the balcony. Even if you’re not guests of the hotel and you ask to go up, they’ll likely agree as they are really nice there.

The Templars’ Tunnel

The Templars’ Tunnel is an underground tunnel under the Acre streets. The height of the tunnel is about two meters and at some points even less than a meter and a half. Let’s say that for Roman, who’s almost 2 meters tall, it’s a challenge – and with the pregnancy, crouching wasn’t the simplest for me. So, keep that in mind, but it’s definitely a nice experience and the section with the low ceiling doesn’t last long. It’s open all day long.

Roaming the alleyways

The old town is filled with alleys and we enjoyed just walking them with no special purpose. We discovered something new every time, a unique shop or a pretty photography spot. The people there are really nice and helpful and if you get a bit lost, you can always open google maps and save a marker such as your hotel.

Unique shops

Another thing we discovered while wandering in Acre’s alleys are special shops, like 192ART (Map), a handmade item shop by Galilee women. There are dishes, decorations and more, and everything is really colorful and pretty. If you’re looking for a nice gift for someone you love or just something for yourselves, this is a great place to visit.
By this shop you’ll find a jewelry shop from old coins, Meran Shavit. You have to enter this one, as it’s amazing how creative people can be. They made ring like jewelry from old coins and the prices aren’t too high either.

Chipping and stone sculpting workshops in Almadrasa

During our wandering in the Old City, we came across a structure with a sign for stonework and sculpting workshops on it. We decided to go inside and found an impressive workshop with lots of statues of stone and a lovely guy named Amar who is a craftsman and the owner. He explained to us a little about what he does and said he also gives private lessons to groups that book in advance.

The cost of an hour-and-a-half workshop is about NIS 120 per person, working with marble. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to do the workshop, but it looked really nice and I’m sure we will try it in the future. Even if you don’t plan on taking the workshop, you should check out his art as it’s really beautiful.

Museums in old Acre

Treasures in the walls museum

This museum is in the heart of the eastern wall of ancient Acre. Its purpose is to conserve the historic legacy of the city and recreate authentic visages from the past. What I liked about this museum is the exhibit of craftsmen from the city’s past. You can see how the shops and their owners looking, such as the shoemaker, the dentist and more… You can also see professions that no longer exist such as hatters and leatherworker. It’s worth a visit.

Turkish Hamam museum – Hamam Al Basha

The Hamam Al Basha museum is a combination of visual, static and dynamic elements and a soundtrack that combines the Hamam vibe into Acre’s stories. About every quarter hour begins a show which allows you to learn about the period when the Hamam was built, who built it and to what end. The Hamam is built from several rooms, each with its own unique story.

It’s an experience fit for children and adults alike and we enjoyed it a lot.
At the entrance you get an electronic player for the duration of the visit. You can choose between Hebrew, English, Arabic, French, Russia, German, Spanish and Italian.

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The knights’ kingdom

An electronic player can be obtained at the entrance to the Knights Museum as well (this is included in the entry price and it is highly recommended to take it, as it is an important part of the museum experience). The place is suitable for both adults and children and includes stories and explanations.

The player is automatic and plays the appropriate part based on the location you are in, so you do not need to touch it or type numbers like some museums. You just walk through the huge fortress and every time the story of where you are is played.

A bit about the museum, beneath the fortress building built by the Ottoman ruler are the remains of a Crusader Hospitaller Citadel. Archaeologists have exposed the Crusader fortress over the decades.

The halls that were unearthed underground are also called the Knights’ Halls and thus allow a glimpse into the lives of the Crusader knights who lived here centuries ago.

By the way, outside the old town are the Bahai gardens which I’ve visited in the past, however we didn’t get around to them on this trip.

In conclusion, Acre is one of Israel’s unique cities. It has a fascinating history, magical alleyways, local markets, great restaurants and it’s on the shoreline. I recommend visiting it for at least a day trip, and I possible then overnight, since that allows for a different experience and there are many worthwhile boutique hotels and suites there.

It’s been a long time since we’ve vacationed in a Zimmer in Israel. Honestly, ever since we started flying aboard every month (Three years ago), we didn’t have much time left for vacations in Israel. My advanced pregnancy forced me to stop flying, but on the other hand it made me come back to traveling in our country, which is luckily stunning. This time, we decided to go to Moshav Amirim in Galilee for the weekend. I was debating where we should go, but as soon as I came across this Zimmer I felt it was exactly the place for a beautiful and relaxed weekend.

In short about our weekend in Amirim, Vacation in North Israel

• We stated in Or Bereshit zimmer – You can book it through Update: this apartment is no longer available on airbnb (search for other accommodations )
• We went during the last week of October, 2019
• We came by car
• Moshav Amirim is a vegetarian moshav
• There’s plenty to do around the moshav (Good for both those looking for a restful weekend and those interested in nature and trekking)

Amirim Moshav, a vegetarian moshav in northern Israel

Before I tell you about the Zimmer itself, I’ll start with moshav of Amirim. This is the first time I’ve ever been to it, but I’ve heard a lot about it (especially from my vegan friends) and now I understand why. It’s hard to believe, but Amirim was founded in 1958 from an ideology for a healthier, more environmental place (in my opinion the founders were pioneers in their approach). The entire moshav is based on vegetarianism and all crops are organic (because the community decided not to spray them with any chemicals).

The moshav has excellent vegetarian restaurants and a great selection of high quality Zimmers. Some of the Zimmer owners have other businesses, such as carpentry and glasswork workshops, spas and more.
We really enjoyed the moshav’s atmosphere and felt it was just the calm and peaceful vacation we had needed.

Where did we stay in Amirim? Or Bereshit Zimmer

The zimmer we went to is Or Bereshit, a stunning zimmer with a view of Galilee.

What I liked about it especially is that it’s got a heated private pool, year-round (About 29 degrees Celsius), so it was nice even late into October. Additionally, the zimmer itself is beautiful. The zimmer is made of wood, with a round jacuzzi inside and a twin bed, kitchen with appliances, small living room and a bathroom. The zimmer was exceptionally clean and with great attention to detail, in both design and refreshments. We had a bottle of wine, chocolates, fruit, milk in the fridge and a tea extract. There’s also an espresso machine, a small fridge and a microwave.

The zimmer had an extra room with two single beds (So it can easily accommodate families, as well). The owners, Shalom and Debbie, were very lovely. They recommended restaurants to us and Shalom even helped us repair an issue with our car on Saturday night.

The stay doesn’t include breakfast, but you can get an excellent one delivered to you for an extra 120 shekels per couple (Let Shalom know at what time you’d like to have it a day in advance).

Where to eat at the moshav Amirim?

Yishay’s place

A must visit restaurant for hummus and shakshuka lovers (directions) . The only downside to it is that it’s closed from Friday afternoon until Sunday. Otherwise, we’d go more than once!
It has got a green view and fresh air. The owner was very nice and made everything on the spot. We ordered shakshuka and hummus with sprouted legumes and an Israeli salad with falafel. Everything was delicious and filling, but that didn’t stop us from getting the chocolate souffle with coconut and cream cheese. It’s called “Heaven” and it’s true to its name. Chocolate lovers mustn’t miss this dessert.

El Galil restaurant

The El Galil restaurant is an Arabic vegan restaurant (directions) with a structured menu including spreads as a starter (Around eight of them, if I recall). Each one was better than the last (There were white beans, hummus, pepper spreads and more), alongside delicious buns. We didn’t want to fill up on the spreads but we couldn’t stop eating them.

Next, we were served a small root vegetable and lentils soup, then four different dishes were brought out tableside: Mujadara, Siniya, an eggplant and tomato dish and Maqluba with a vegetable salad. Everything was vegan and extremely delicious. Let’s say you mostly likely won’t be able to finish everything, it’s a very filling meal. After the meal we got tea and two small baklavas.

Helen’s café

Upon first arrival, we felt like having a coffee, and found Helen’s café (directions). The place belongs to a lovely woman, with some seating outside. There’s a food menu, but we mostly wanted coffee, though we were tempted to have some of the apple pie that she said had just come out of the oven. The pie was excellent, served with vanilla ice-cream. This is definitely a great place for coffee and cake.

What is there to do in Amirim Moshav?

There are many things to do in Amirim, we didn’t get to do many of the attractions, but we’ll surely try them out next time. You can take a carpentry or glass working class there (Debbie, our Zimmer owner, owns the workshop as well). You can get a spa treatment or book one at your zimmer. You can do pretty much any pampering activity you want at the moshav (Including manicures and pedicures).

In the summer and over the holidays, every Friday there are different concerts at the open amphitheater.

Attractions near Moshav Amirim

Amirim is in an excellent location. It’s near Tzfat, Rosh Pina, Carmiel, Ma’alot and many other settlements in the area. It’s close to different treks, such as Tzalmon, Parud and Amud rivers.

A great attraction nearby is the Hula nature reserve (directions). We were at the lake in the past and rented a bike there, using them to travel, which was really nice. It’s also possible to trek there or rent a vehicle for a short trip to the lake.
You can also visit Monfort fort and lake in Ma’alot.
Within 40 minutes you can even reach Acre or the Kineret on the other side.
In the summer you can visit Jordan and go Kayaking.
In short, there are always more attractions and things to do in the area.

Shirat Roim – House Of Cheese, Yeshuv Lotem

A 20-minute drive from Amirim is Lotem. In it can be found a cheeses dairy farm, where you can buy worldwide award-winning cheeses and on Friday there is also a brunch served there. On Fridays and Saturdays, you can simply arrive, while during midweek you have to make a reservation in advance. Beyond the cheeses there is also olive oil, various spreads, honey and jams for sale. A little tip: After buying cheeses and olive oil, we ordered a home-made cold cider and went out for a drink outside in the lovely view.

Lotem winery

Opposite the dairy farm is the Lotem winery, which is a perfect place for wine and food in front of a great view.

In the winery you can go on a tour or wine tastings, or you could just sit on the terrace and order excellent wine and food. Roman had an excellent dish of meat there. He also ordered a slice of butcher’s cut, which was successful and baked sweet potato and Greek salad. In my opinion, the sweet potato was really delicious. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to taste the wine but Roman ordered two glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon Solo (red wine) so he was probably pleased with it.

It is advisable to book in advance, but the balcony cannot be reserved. So, if you want to sit outside, we recommend getting there around opening hours (around 11 am) especially if you are a group of several people.

A stop on the way to Amirim – Dalit El Carmel

We drove to Amirim from Tel Aviv and decided to stop on the way at Dalit El Carmel. Up the road to the local council, there are several places selling Druze pita and other Arabic delicacies. We decided to stop at the first opportunity and It was excellent. We had Druze pita, stuffed vine leaves and grilled eggplant. If you have the time, it’s of course recommended to go onto Dalit El Carmel itself and travel the area a bit (There are many interesting shops there) and you can have some Knafeh there.

Shopping in the Galilee – Yarka area

On the way back from Amirim we decided to stop at Yarka, a Druze settlement in west Galilee (A half hour drive from Amirim), there’s a huge shopping center there for adults, as well as baby things. There’s also a large trampoline park and more attractions.

In conclusion, Moshav Amirim is an excellent spot for a calm vacation, especially the Zimmer we visited. Due to my advanced pregnancy, we came there to eat and rest, and not so much for the walking trails and attractions, but the moshav area is filled with things to do, and anyone can find the attractions befitting his style there.

We always enjoy getting to know new destinations, and were always drawn to the Baltic states. When we received an invitation from Vilnius tourism board to travel there, we felt that this was an excellent opportunity to explore a new city, as well as expose a less known destination to the Israeli public.

About Vilnius

The capital city of Lithuania. It is a city that feels like a small town because everything is green there, there is almost no vehicular traffic, it is very peaceful and you can reach anywhere on foot. It is full of impressive architecture, interesting history, parks, museums, markets and much to do and see.

Is also a surprisingly culinary destination, because there we ate at restaurants that were among the best we had eaten at in the world (a detailed post about all the restaurants we visited in Vilnius)! And not only that, if you decide to visit it during the summer months like we did, then you can enjoy the almost endless daylight. The sunset was at 22:40 at night and the sunrise at five in the morning!! We found ourselves leaving a restaurant at ten in the evening and there was still light outside and it was a pleasure. Oh, and the taxis there are really cheap inside the city, we paid between 1.5 euros to 3 euros.

In short, the city of Vilnius turned out to be an amazing city that we were happy to reach. Next time we will also rent a car and explore all of Lithuania (the city of Kaunas is an hour away, I got to explore it in October 2018 and had a great time there).

Tips before traveling to Vilnius

How to get to Vilnius

Now it is possible to reach Vilnius by a direct flight from Tel Aviv. We flew with WizzAir. A flight of about three and a half hours. The flight was on time and we arrived at the city at five in the afternoon. As usual, I used the flight time to work on the blog and read a book.

SIM card

In Lithuania buying a SIM card is really cheap and very simple to find so I recommend buying a local SIM card instead of paying for an internet package from home. The local prepaid sim card costs about 4 Euros for 4gb of data and we bought it at a convenience store in the city center. Every time you encounter a convenience store called Narvesen, know that you can find a SIM card there.

Since I visited Vilnius, I have discovered ESIM, which is an electronic SIM. You can buy it online before you travel and don’t need to spend the time abroad looking for a SIM. I was very satisfied with their user experience (simple tutorial videos for operating the SIM card) and everything worked without any special problems. I wrote more about them in an extended post on the subject of taking a SIM card abroad and also about other options such as buying a local SIM card.

Blog followers have a 15% discount code for the Airalo company to purchase an ESIM – to redeem the discount, click on this link. The discount code is already included in the link. See it at checkout.

The biggest drawback at the moment is that some devices do not support an electronic SIM. How can you know if your device supports the electronic card? Very simple: go to this link and you can see. Link to which devices support ESIM.

Transportation in Vilnius

The truth is that most of the time we walked in the city, because it’s very fun to walk around and everything is close by. When we were a bit exhausted from walking then we took a taxi, because prices are really cheap. We ordered the taxi on the Yango app and there is also a local app called ETaksi (Though we booked using Yango every time and we were very satisfied).

In addition, we took the Hop on and Off bus twice, which is a great way to hear about the history of the city by bus and also to reach places you might not have reached. We discovered the Beltamons this way, which is an amazing area of ​​nature, waterfalls, bridges and walking and cycling routes (10 Minutes from the city). There is also public transportation by buses that can be used within the city.

Car rental in Vilnius

I think this is the most convenient and fun way to travel outside the city. Car prices are low and the roads are easy to drive. You can rent at the airport, there’s a big car rental center.

You can search for a car in the search engine Papam Papam. Personally, I really like to search through them because they save me time (instead of going to several websites) and they also have the option of filtering out non-recommended rental companies.

Vilnius pass

The city has many museums and things to do, and if you’re planning on getting a lot of them done – you might want to purchase the Vilnius card for either one, two or three days. The card will give you discounted or free entrance to many attractions.

For example, a gondola ride cost us a euro instead of eight, and the Hop on and off bus was free for two routes with a third route for 3 euros. In short, it’s very advantageous to get the card if you want to explore the city in depth. You may also purchase the card that includes free public transport.

Attractions in Vilnius

You can get ideas for other cool things you can do on the various attraction sites and even order through them (sometimes at a discounted price). The first attractions site is tiqets the second is Get your guide and Viator.

Where to stay in Vilnius

We stayed at Hotel Vilna a new four-star hotel in a central and quiet location. We really loved the hotel and the room we were in was excellent as well, pampering and spacious with a balcony overlooking the park.
For more information about our experience at the hotel.

You can search for places to stay in Vilnius via Booking.

Here’s my detailed route in Vilnius – Recommendations for things to do in the city

Day 1: Tour of the city, Georgian restaurant, walking around town, orange juice at the hotel, Chef’s restaurant

We started the day with breakfast at Hotel Vilnia

City tour

Then we went on a tour of the city, this was the first time we had a tour in Hebrew abroad, because we usually join free tours, which are based on tips, but this time we took a private tour of two hours with the guide Danny. The tour was fascinating and we learned a lot about Judaism in Vilnius and about the lesser aspects of Lithuania during World War 2.

If you want a tour in Hebrew in the city then you can book a private tour through his company Jerulita and if you are looking to join a group tour then there are companies offering free tours in the city such as FreeTour.

Lunch at Georgian restaurant

After the tour we wanted to have lunch, and had consulted Danny on where we should go. He recommended Georgian house and said it was the best Georgian restaurant in town, so of course we listen to his advice. The restaurant was great and I especially enjoyed the Khinkali with mushrooms.

Walking around town

After the restaurant we decided to walk around town by foot for a bit. It was great fun to see the city and just roam it aimlessly.

Orange juice

We decided to go back to the hotel to rest and noticed an orange juice stand next to it. We decided to get some and bring it back with us. We asked the hotel restaurant for a glass with ice and enjoyed our orange juice on our room’s balcony.

Dinner at chef’s restaurant

On our trip we visited two incredible chef’s restaurants. The first was Amandus and the second was Sweet Root. Both offered delicious meals. If you’re looking for a high class restaurant to celebrate an specific event or just treat yourself, I highly recommend either of these (Or both if you can manage it), as they’re considered among the best restaurants in town and you’ll enjoy a unique culinary experience there.

Day 2: Bike ride in the part, Gondola ride, a Portuguese and Indian restaurant, Illusions museum, coffee break, street food complex

We started the day as usual with breakfast at the hotel

Bike ride in the park

After the meal we decided to rent bikes from the hotel for 3 euros an hour and went to Bernardine park, in front of the hotel. The park is really beautiful and we had a great time there. If you don’t enjoy biking as much, just go there for a walk.

Gondola ride

We went over the benefits awarded by the Vilnius pass card and saw a 50-minute gondola ride in the city. We decided to buy cherries at the grocery store on the way there and went to the starting point for the ride.

The ride is a single euro with the Vilnius pass, instead of the usual 8 euros (It’s important to bring the coupon pamphlet that comes with the card as well). We were four people in the gondola, and enjoyed some excellent weather and delicious cherries. If you’re looking for a fun, light attraction this is a great choice.

Lunch – Portuguese restaurant with Indian influences

Before the trip I saw some recommendations for a restaurant called Gaspars and decided to give it a chance. It turned out to be one of the best restaurants of the trip. Those who love seafood will enjoy it very much and even those who do not, will find really good dishes.

Illusions Museum

Before the trip I did some research on the city and saw that there are many recommendations regarding the Museum of Illusions. The cost of admission is 11 Euros or only 5 euros with a Vilnius card. We were in the museum for about two hours and really enjoyed it. It is suitable for adults and children, and there are lots of illusions that will astonish you. I really recommend this museum and think it’s a must when you visit the city.

Coffee break

Then we went around the city and stopped in a cafe to have a cold coffee. We sat at Post Scriptum. I do not have a special recommendation about coffee in it, but it was fun to sit outside and the coffee was great.

Street Food

After a rest at the hotel we continued to the area of street food trucks called Open Kitchen. It’s only open on Fridays and Saturdays so if you happen to be there during the weekend, don’t miss out on this food court. It’s great for lunches or dinners. There are music and seating, as well as various food trucks like Vietnamese, Turkish, hamburgers and more. There is also a beer stall and a juice stand.

Day 3: Bus tour, Trip in Belmontas, grill restaurant, another bus tour, local restaurant

We started the day with breakfast at the hotel

Hop on and Off Bus Tour

We saw that there was a possibility using the Vilnius ticket to take a free bus tour and we decided it was a good option, because it was another good way to see the city and I was also a bit tired (that’s what happens when traveling whilst pregnant). We went to the station where the bus leaves and it turned out that we missed the bus we wanted. There are three routes and we wanted to take the red route, but because it was already out, we settled on the green track. It turned out that our delay was excellent because thanks to the Green Line we reached a magical place.

Belmontas area

We rode the bus for about half an hour and listened to the audio and heard information about the places we saw. Then we arrived at Belmontas. From the description of the place on the audio guide, we realized that we wanted to stay there a while, rather than continue the bus ride.

For those who want to continue on the bus then there is a possibility to go out for a 10-minute break for a picture and then continue the bus tour. We decided to stay there and just return by taxi (the distance is 10 minutes to the city center).

The area itself is really beautiful and there are waterfalls, bridges and walking and bicycle paths. At first, we took photographs and just explored the area.

Walking path

After that, we took a walking route of about an hour walking and saw people picnicking along the way (there are lots of trees and plants so it’s shaded and pleasant to sit there) and also families who took their small children to the shallow waters of the river. There is also the possibility of a slightly longer walk.

Grill Restaurant

When we had finished walking, we decided to sit down for lunch. There are four restaurants in the area, and we chose to sit at the one opposite the river and the waterfalls and there was a professional grill there. The Belmontas Waterfalls restaurant is a grill and local cuisine restaurant. Roman ordered a great ribs dish there and we also ordered Greek salad and sausages.

Red route Hop on and Off Bus Tour

After lunch, we booked a taxi with the Yango app and returned to the hotel (costing about 4 euros). After a rest at the hotel, we decided to take another bus tour and this time we took the red route. We took a tour of about an hour where we stayed on the bus and just listened to the audio and heard about the points of interest we went through.

Dinner and local restaurant

This time for dinner we went to the local restaurant Leiciai. Roman made a mistake having ribs that day because we had a full tasting meal with plenty of local and satisfying food and Roman had no place for it anymore. The restaurant had a medieval design and there was also a band that played Lithuanian music. There was a great atmosphere and if you come for a tasting dinner there which costs 25 euro per person you should come with plenty of room in your stomach. The meal also includes tasting of 5 different local beers.

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Day 4: Tour to Trakai city with included a castle tour, a restaurant by the lake, a pedal boat and on the way back – a Chinese restaurant in Vilnius

Legendary café

That morning we decided to skip breakfast at the hotel and go to Augustas ir Barbora café, which was recommended to me on Instagram. This is a perfect café for taking pictures, as well as delicious food. I had a healthy breakfast there with Muesli, fresh juice and coffee and Roman only had juice as he was still full from the previous day.

Tour of the city of Trakai

After breakfast we went to the station from which the tour bus leaves for Trakai (there is a tour with only audio, without a tour of the castle, for 20 euros and tour with a tour guide which also includes a tour of the castle for 35 euros, there is a discount for both types of tours with the Vilnius pass).

We did the tour with the guide. This is a half-day tour to the former capital city of Lithuania (a journey of about 30 minutes to the city). Our tour included a ride to the city with a tour guide who told us in English about the city. After that there was a tour of the castle itself with the tour guide for about an hour and then there was an hour or so of free time in the city. We quickly realized that an hour and a half would not be enough for us, so we informed the instructor that we would not join the return ride and would return independently.

There is also a possibility to arrive by car or by public transport (there is a bus coming from Vilnius to Trakai but it stops at a station 2 km from the city center, then you can walk to the center or take a taxi).

Tour of the castle

After reaching Trakai we went for a tour of the castle, which was built in the 15th century and has since been reconstructed several times. The castle is quite large and it’s recommended to have a tour guide with you, otherwise it’s difficult to understand what you see in each room. If you come to Trakai independently, try calling the castle in advance and seeing if it’s possible to arrange a guided tour in advance.

Lunch

After the castle tour, we walked around town for a bit and visited the Bona restaurant. We sat right by the lake and ordered Kibinai, a local dish, a type of pastry with different fillings, as a starter. I had the cheese and dried tomato filling which was really good. For mains I had fish and Roman had clams, we enjoyed ourselves a lot, especially with the view of the lake and castle.

Pedal boat

After the meal we decided to rent a pedal boat. The rental costs 10 euros an hour and is a really fun activity. It was hot outside and we were bummed not to have brought swimsuits, as many people had swimsuits on in the boats and went into the waters outside the castle, where it’s shallow. It’s recommended in general to bring swimsuits, so you can go in the lake on the hot summer days.

In the afternoon we wanted to go back to the hotel and preferred getting a taxi rather than waiting for the bus, but couldn’t find any available taxis on the app, so we ended up coming back with an Italian tour for the elderly.

Dinner at Chinese restaurant

We came back quite exhausted from our day In Trakai, as it was really hot as well and we decided to have dinner at a restaurant near the hotel. A Chinese restaurant named Mian. I ordered noodles and Roman had soup, we were both pleased.

The next day we came back to Israel.

You could summarize this trip as a very enjoyable experience! We discovered a peaceful and beautiful city with many things to do. Before the trip we were asked if five nights wasn’t too long and we honestly felt like it wasn’t long enough for everything we wanted to do. We wanted to visit some churches which looked very impressive from the outside, to visit a large park in town, go to other museums and a few markets.

There are also two vantage points which require climbing stairs which we skipped due to my pregnancy. In short, I recommend at least four days in the city, and the more the better.

In June 2019 we traveled to Vilnius, Lithuania. We were invited by the Vilnius office of tourism for a five-day tour of the city and were thrilled, as Lithuania has recently become a popular destination for Israelis, due to low-cost flights by WizzAir.

Before we arrived in Vilnius, we received our invitation to Hotel Vilnia. When I read the reviews about it and viewed the pictures, I was really excited. The reviews were excellent and the hotel looked really charming. When we arrived at the hotel, it turned out that there was a reason for such good reviews, because this was indeed an excellent option for sleeping in Vilna.

About Hotel Vinlia

A new four-star hotel which is already a credit in its favor because everything there is clean, modern and great looking. The hotel was built in a 19th-century building and is really beautiful on the outside. The hotel also has a bar restaurant and guests receive a 10% discount there. Bicycles can be rented from the hotel at a cost of EUR 3 per hour. There are also various rooms and a breakfast restaurant. There is also room service that operates according to the restaurant’s working hours.

Rooms at the hotel

We received the upgraded room with a balcony facing the park. I strongly recommend taking this room type because the difference in prices compared to the classic room is minute, and the room was really pampering. Let’s start with the room being clean and spacious. There is an armchair, a dresser with a coffee and tea set and glasses. There is a mini bar and a chair for those who want to work, and above there is a TV hanging on the wall. The shower room had a bath and two sinks (I love bathrooms with two sinks, it always gives me a luxurious feeling) and a toilet.

There is a super comfortable bed (you have been warned that it will be hard for you to get out of it in the morning) and on the bed are bathrobes and spa shoes (among my favorite hotel items). And of course, the crowning glory was the wonderful terrace that was really fun to sit in. It had a green view and although the road that passes there is a main road, there is almost no traffic, so the atmosphere still felt quiet and soothing there. In general, there is almost no traffic in Vilnius, and this makes it a very peaceful city. By the way the sunset from the balcony was amazing and the fun part was that it was at 22:40 at night!!

The location of the hotel

One of the good things about the hotel is its location. It is centrally located, very quiet and comfortable.

Where is it located? It is in the old town opposite Bernardine Park and this means you can cross the road and find yourself in a beautiful park. We rented bicycles from the hotel and rode around the park with them. At the entrance to the park there is also a stand of freshly squeezed orange juice and an ice cream parlor, and these were great options on the hot days of the summer. A few minutes’ walk from the hotel there are some good restaurants like a vegan bistro and a great Chinese restaurant. If you continue walking for another two minutes, you can reach the square of the central cathedral and a central boulevard where you can find restaurants, cafes, bars and shops.

If you go to the other side of the hotel then you will reach the famous church in the city that looks like a castle. St. Anne’s Church

And if you walk a little further, you will reach the second area of ​​the old city that crosses the river Vilnia and there you will find restaurants, bars and cafes as well.

You can essentially reach anywhere by foot from the hotel, but If you are tired of walking, there are bus stops right next to the hotel and you can also book a taxi because the taxis in Vilna are super cheap (average cost in the city between 1.5 euros and three euros).

Breakfast

Our stay at the hotel included breakfast, which is a great start by itself. The meal is a buffet, you’ll find vegetables, fruits, cheeses, hams, different breads, a healthy corner with dried fruit, granola and cornflakes and a section with hot food such as steamed vegetables, sausages and different stews. There was also a daily quiche and some baked goods and a few types of egg dishes. There’s no egg station, but you can have the staff ask the kitchen to make an egg any way you want. There’s also a coffee machine for instant coffee, Americano, cappuccinos and more. There are also several jugs of juice. I think it was a good breakfast, with everything you need in the morning. It’s not unique, but definitely satisfying.

We stayed at the hotel for five nights and were bummed we had to leave. Everything was great and I highly recommend anyway coming to Vilnius to get a room there. The price is great for what you get and the location is a true winner.

Some of our trips I consider to be very successful thanks to their culinary aspect. Sometimes we even chose our destination based on the local cuisine… For example, one of the reasons we love visiting Asia is the amazing Asian cuisine. Our trip to Vilnius was by invitation from Vilnius’s tourism board, and prior to our flight (We flew with WizzAir company) they sent us an itinerary which included meals at two chef’s restaurants, as well as one local restaurant.

When I looked up the reviews for these restaurants, I found them to be exceptional, and so I was intrigued as to what our experience there will be. I can already tell you that Vilnius turned out to be a surprising culinary gem.

The reason I decided to write a post about these restaurants is that each one of them was high class and amazingly delicious! Let’s just say we came back happy and satiated from this trip, and I can’t wait to go back there and try more restaurants.

Our recommendations for restaurants in Vilnius

Amandus restaurant

In a single word – Wow, and in two words – Huge wow!! This is one of the best restaurants in Lithuania and with good reason. Every bite there will surprise you and excite you with unique, special flavors. We went there for a tasting’s menu. We’re big fans of tasting meals, and we don’t like browsing the menu beforehand, as we enjoy being surprised by each new dish. There wasn’t a single disappointing dish there, everything was really high quality. The presentation was unusual and one of the things I liked was that the chef himself brought out some of the dishes and told us about them. The service there is an easy five stars.

I don’t want to tell you much about the dishes we had, as I’d rather not spoil the surprise and I can say we had fish soup I’m still thinking back to even now. It was the winning dish that day, and not an easy choice. If you’re looking for a restaurant to bring a celebration to your palate, I highly recommend this one.

The meal starts at seven o’clock and lasts at least two hours. It costs 55 euros a person, or 85 euros when served with matching wines. It includes five small appetizers to start, three courses and a unique dessert. Restaurant’s website and Directions map.

Sweet Root restaurant

This restaurant is a three-hour culinary experience of colors, special presentations and local flavors. The restaurant is on the top restaurants in Vilnius list.
It’s known for dishes made of exclusively local produce, meaning the menu changes to reflect the season and the available ingredients. Each dish is a bite or two, and every new dish is different from the last.  You’ll find small dishes made of many different components, and thus you’ll experience a unique combination of flavors.

This restaurant had perfect service, as well, and the atmosphere was great. We sat there for over three hours and were intrigued by every new dish, what it looked like and what it was made of. A dish I really liked was an onion stuffed with buckwheat and many other ingredients, which when mixed together created a lightly sweet and very enjoyable taste. Another great dish was the eel.

While dishes are small, but there are so many of them – you’ll definitely not leave hungry.
If you’re looking for a restaurant for a modern, local culinary experience, this is the place for you. The meal costs 75 euros a person, with an additional 55 euros for matching wines.
The meal had 7 dishes, but the counted 15 different “tastings” (As there are some dishes comprised of several small portions).
Restaurant’s website and Directions map.

Both restaurants require reservations in advance, and should be informed two days in advance if you have any food allergies or ingredients you avoid.

Local bar – restaurant Leiciai

As soon as you walk into this restaurant, you’ll feel the local atmosphere, as if you’ve gone back to the middle ages. You’ll be able to enjoy authentic, as well as modern, Lithuanian cuisine and a wide variety of local beers. We had a tasting’s meal there as well, and I start by saying you should come here hungry, as you’ll need a lot of room for all the food and beer.

The meal started with a plate of local cheeses and sausages, and herring salad. We then received cold beet soup (A very famous Lithuanian dish on hot days), and then a few main dishes like baked potatoes with different feelings (Another famous local dish).

The meal included 5 beer tastings and a local dessert at the end of it. During the dessert stage we were already too full, but I saw on their menu that they have a pie they make in house; on that day it was a berry and yoghurt pie. I couldn’t skip trying it. So, we asked for it in addition to the dessert. I must say it’s one of the best pies I’ve ever had. I’d recommend it even if you’re quite full. The meal costs 25 euros a person. Definitely a restaurant worth coming to and trying the Lithuanian cuisine. Restaurant’s website and Directions map.

Gaspars – A Portuguese restaurant with Indian touches

This was one of our favorite restaurants this trip and we actually wanted to go there a second time, but unfortunately didn’t get the chance. If you’re seafood fans, I highly recommend this one. They have super tasty dishes with fresh ingredients and reasonable prices.

We took three entrees and a main course to share. For entrees, we ordered crab soup which was amazing with delicate flavors, a shrimp dish that ended too quickly because it was so delicious, it was a little spicy and sour, and a chicken tikka with yoghurt that was excellent, but the other two were more special.

For a main course we ordered an octopus dish that was the best octopus I ever ate. The octopus was soft and the sauce excellent! In short, this restaurant has left us a taste for more and I think it is a restaurant that must be visited by anyone in Vilnius.

The price range of the first courses was between 4-11 euros and the main dishes were between 11-46 euros. They also had a portion of curry, which is the flagship dish, which unfortunately we did not taste because we were already full. Restaurant’s website and Directions map.

Georgian House restaurant

We received a recommendation from our guide, Danny, who gave us a tour of the city. We wanted a recommendation for a Georgian restaurant because we saw there were a lot of them in town and he said this one was the best. The truth is, we did not try any other Georgian restaurants there, but this one was so good that there was no need to look for any others.

We ordered a salad with Georgian goat cheese that was refreshing and successful. After that, I ordered Khinkali (Georgian dumplings) filled with mushrooms and Roman ordered them with meat stuffing. I think the mushroom stuffing was extraordinary. I recommend you go to this restaurant especially for this dish. Roman also ordered a huge lamb skewer and he was very pleased with it, but he had to work hard to finish it because the Khinkali was filling all by itself (five big dumplings).

We also ordered Georgian lemonade which had a phosphorescent green color and its flavor reminded licorice. I was less excited by its taste but others may enjoy it. The Khinkali dish cost around 7 euros, salad cost around 7 euro and the skewer around 15 Euros. Restaurant’s website and Directions map.

Mian Chinese restaurant

This restaurant was about 50 meters from our Hotel, Hotel Vilnia. On our last night we passed there on our way to the hotel, the smell was so good we decided to have dinner there on the spot. The menu had many good sounding dishes, but I decided to go for noodles with beef and Roman had noodle beef soup.

Both dishes were really good and satisfying, the noodles themselves were really high quality. The price for each dish was about 7 euros. For those looking for quality Chinese food instead of fast-food, this place is recommended. They also have Bao buns on the menu (Steamed buns with different fillings) and spring rolls. Restaurant’s website and Directions map.

Belmontas Waterfalls grill restaurant

This restaurant is in a magical place called Belmonto. A 10-minute drive from the city center you will find a perfect place with waterfalls, hiking trails, bridges, lots of nature and various restaurants. We spent half a day there and did a short walk and lunch at a restaurant with a waterfall view. This restaurant specializes in grilling and Lithuanian dishes. Roman ordered ribs that were excellently spiced (I usually do not like ribs but these ones I really liked).

We also ordered a Greek salad that was good and I ordered a sausage dish (it was a children’s dish but it was large and tasty). If you are in the area then this could be a great option for lunch or dinner. The price range of the main courses was around 10 euros. Restaurant’s website and Directions map.

Open Kitchen – a food truck court

On Fridays and Saturdays from about four to ten o’clock there is a compound of street food. The complex also has music and lots of seating. You will find burgers, beers, Vietnamese food, Turkish food and more. There is not too much selection there but there aren’t many people either and it is definitely a fun place to visit for dinner or just to get a snack and pass the time with nice music and a fun atmosphere. The prices are cheap there, for example you can find a dish of French fries for two euros or a Vietnamese Pho soup for 5 euros. Website link and Directions map.

Augustas ir Barbora – a fairy-tale cafe

A coffee shop that we came to following a recommendation we received on Instagram. After viewing pictures of the café and reading reviews I knew we had to visit it for both the photos and for the food. The recommendation turned out to be great, as the coffee house was lovely.

We arrived there for a light breakfast and I chose a healthy breakfast of natural juice, coffee and muesli with yogurt, fruit and granola. I really liked the meal; the fruit was fresh and the crunchy granola was not overly sweet. I think it’s a great place for breakfast or coffee and an afternoon snack. There are cakes, pastries and sandwiches. It is definitely worth a visit, especially for those who are looking for Instagram-able dishes. Link to Café and Directions map.

As you can see we managed to check out a great deal of restaurants in the four and a half days we were in Vilnius, that’s what happens when traveling with a pregnant woman in her second trimester and a tall man who likes to eat endlessly 🙂 Every restaurant we were in was a hit and therefore we declared Vilnius one of the most surprising culinary destinations.

If you are looking for a special occasion meal or just to be pampered, then the chef’s restaurants were amazing! If you want a restaurant of a very high standard that’s not too expensive at the same time, then Gaspars will be perfect for that. I also highly recommend going to have the Khinkali at the Georgian restaurant and go to the open kitchen if you are there on Friday or Saturday.

In the last two years, I’ve been to Cyprus three times, and so I’ve decided to write an orderly itinerary based on all my trips on the island (On the Greek side of it).

I think Cyprus is a great destination for those looking for something close to Israel (A 45-minute flight away), as well as those looking for either a relaxed vacation to catch a tan during or for treks and scenery.

A bit about Cyprus

Cyprus is an island nation located in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey and west of Syria. It’s considered the third largest island in the Mediterranean. Its capital is Nicosia and the spoken language is Greek. The currency is the Euro.

How to get to Cyprus

Today, it is very simple and cheap to fly to Cyprus (cheaper than flying to Eilat). You can take a direct flight to Larnaca or Paphos. The flight is about 45 minutes.

On one occasion, we decided to fly to Paphos for 48 hours, just because we found a two-way flight at 10 euros per person.

Recommended hotels in Cyprus

During our trips we stayed at hotels at various levels – from basic ones in central locations to 4-5-star hotels. The hotels we stayed at were in Larnaca, Paphos, and Limassol

Hotels in Larnaca

We stayed in a super-central location in Elenora hotel apartments (you may wish to request a back room that does not face the main street, to avoid noise late at night).

We also got to stay at the five-star Golden Bay beach hotel. The design of the hotel is a little old fashioned but the service is good, it’s close to a quiet beach, there’s a good breakfast and spacious rooms.

Hotels in Limassol

One of the hotels we loved most in Cyprus and in general during our vacations. The Mediterranean beach hotel is a four-star hotel that feels like five stars, modern design, with five great restaurants, good service and many facilities like a gym, spa and more. It is located on the promenade and 9 km from the Old City.

Hotels in Paphos

We stayed at the 4-star hotel Capital coast. A cozy hotel with spacious rooms and a varied breakfast. The location is fine but not central. There is a bus stop nearby and we were there with a car. There is no beach near the hotel but there is a fun outdoor pool. The hotel gets the job done, but I would not say it is particularly indulgent. We also stayed at a basic 2-star hotel in an excellent location near the harbor (close to restaurants, bars and the promenade). Pyramos hotel . If you are looking for a cheap alternative and a good location, then it is definitely recommended.

Transportation in Cyprus

We preferred to rent a car every time we were in Cyprus. The cost of renting isn’t high and because we wanted to travel, we preferred to be mobile with the car. If you are worried of renting a car there because driving is reversed, you should know that there is almost no traffic and after a few minutes of driving you get used to everything being in reverse. Tips on how to lower car rental costs.

If you decide not to rent a car then the options for traveling are buses or taxis or by taking daily tours. There are busses inside the cities, as well as between cities.

Sim Card in Cyprus

The easiest thing is to do is purchase a Sim card at the airport but if you land late and there is no place to buy it, then the next day you can rent one in the city. You can search for Cytamobile-Vodafone or MTN stores. The cost of a Sim card is about 15 Euros.

Cyprus itinerary

The route is a combination of the trips we made to Cyprus. Our first time, we spent ten days there so we combined all the different destinations, while on the next few trips we only came for a few days and were at a single destination, with day trips thrown in.

Our route includes Larnaca (with day trips to Ayia Napa for a nature reserve and a day trip to the village of Lepakra) from there on to a vacation in Limassol and then to Paphos (day trip to Nicosia, day trip to the Trudos Mountains, day trip to the Acamas reservation and day trip to the winery and local villages in the region).

Larnaca

Recommended duration of stay: Two to three days

Recommended things to do in Larnaca

Spend time in the city center – An area with many stores, restaurants and bars (Also suitable for those looking to shop). There is also a small, local market and good cocktail bars in town.

Visit the Salt Lake, where during the autumn you can see flamingos.

Visit the Muslim mosque of Hala sultan tekke, which is located by the lake.

Walk the road from Kamares Aqueduct to the Salt Lake, or only a part of it (A 4km walking trail).

Walk the Larnaca promenade.

Day trips outside Larnaca

A recommended place to visit is Cape Greco reserve. A charming reserve located in Ayia Napa (about an hour drive from Larnaca). There are walking trails of varying degrees of difficulty, there is a beautiful natural bridge and many places for a picnic. It’s definitely worth a day or half a day.

Another place to visit is the village of Lepakra

A picturesque village with local restaurants and nice cafes and lots of lace shops. You can find a local wine shop with a selection of wines and liqueurs. It is a tourist village but if you arrive in the middle of a week it may be less crowded there.

For all the recommendations on Larnaca

Beaches

If you want beaches, you’ll find them at Ayia Napa, or for a less touristic place with beautiful calm beaches you can travel to the town of Protaras (an hour’s drive from Larnaca)

Limassol

Recommended duration of stay: two or three days

How to get there: a journey of about 45 minutes from Larnaca (by car)

Recommended things to do in Limassol

We arrived in Limassol to stay at the Mediterranean beach hotel and not to do too much. We felt like being on vacation and it was the perfect hotel for that. We spent most of our days at the hotel, but one day we rented a bicycle and rode along the boardwalk to the Old Town. The old town is full of bars and restaurants and it’s fun to walk around. It also has a nice castle worth visiting.

On another day we rode the bicycle to the Amathus, which is an archaeological site of one of the oldest royal cities of Cyprus.

Learn about the resort in Limassol

Paphos

Recommended duration of stay? Three to six days (depending on whether you plan to combine bedrest and trips)

How to get there: From Limassol about 1 hour by car

Things to do in Paphos

We really enjoyed the Segway tour we did in Paphos.

It is also recommended to visit the archeological site at the port. We visited there in the spring and there was just a beautiful flowering. The site itself is impressive. There are ruins and mosaics worth visiting. Another well-known place is the tombs of the kings that have underground tombs from the 4th century.

It is recommended to visit the covered market as well (a relatively small market) with local produce and souvenirs. It is open from Saturday to Monday.

For all the recommendations for things to do in Paphos.

Day trips from Paphos

A trip to the Akamas Reservation

We went there for a walking track. The hiking route was on a medium level and included a mountain climb with an amazing view of the sea and Paphos. On the way back we chose a longer route to pass through the Blue Lagoon. Jeep tours and lagoon excursions are available.

The reserve has different walking paths of varying degrees of difficulty and lengths. If you are looking for nature as well as some walking, this is a very recommended place.

A trip to the Venetian bridges and Trudos

The Trudos Mountains are known for skiing in the winter, but when we were there in February it was rather pleasant weather and not snowy at all, we went there to travel in different villages in the mountains. Before arriving at the mountains, we also stopped at Bridge Tzelefos in the Paphos forest. You can stop there just to see the bridges or you can do different walking routes. You can walk among the bridges by car or by foot. At the first bridge there is a possibility to go up the mountain to an observation point.

Trip to Nicosia

Nicosia is the capital city of Cyprus and one day we decided to go visit it. It is reminiscent of a combination of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. It has an ancient atmosphere combined with a modern atmosphere with many shops, with high-class bars and quality restaurants. For those looking for city life and shopping, it’s worth a visit.

For more information about day trips from Paphos

A trip to the winery and villages in the Paphos area

On a 30-minute drive from the center of Paphos there is a charming winery that offers wine tastings for visitors. Tsangarides Winery is a 10-minute drive from the nice village of Letymbou. On the way there, there are many villages you can combine with your winery trip (there are other wineries a little farther away if you want to make a trip between wineries).

Our trip to Ireland was a while back (October of last year), but I didn’t get to write a post summarizing the route, and it was about time to do that.

We flew to Ireland following a bloggers’ conference that I wanted to attend, and I did not plan much when it came to activities there, the planning was done during the trip and turned out to be one of our most successful trips. I can’t wait to visit this country again, because there is a lot more to see and do there. We decided not to rent a car there, but to take public transportation and book tours, instead.

Our itinerary in Ireland: Killarney -> Dublin (with day trips out of town) -> Belfast

Tips before traveling to Ireland

SIM card

I personally recommend using an ESIM, which is an electronic SIM, and recommend Airalo. I was very satisfied with their user experience (simple tutorial videos for operating the SIM card) and everything worked without any special problems. I wrote more about them in an extended post on the subject of taking a SIM card abroad and also about other options such as buying a local SIM card.

Blog followers have a 15% discount code for the Airalo company to purchase an ESIM – to redeem the discount, click on this link. The discount code is already included in the link. See it at checkout.

The biggest drawback at the moment is that some devices do not support an electronic SIM. How can you know if your device supports the electronic card? Very simple: go to this link and you can see. Link to which devices support ESIM.

Car rental in Ireland

You can rent a car (a post with tips on how to rent a car abroad), the truth is that we love to rent a car in the countries we travel, so we can explore more areas and have the flexibility of staying for as long as we want. However, since we had relatively little time to travel and due to Ireland’s left-sided driving and narrow roads, we decided not to rent one this time.

Public transport in Ireland has proved to be very convenient and inexpensive and there are also day trips to many places, so you can do a lot without renting a car.

You can search for a car in the search engine Papam Papam. Personally, I really like to search through them because they save me time (instead of going to several websites) and they also have the option of filtering out non-recommended rental companies.

Attractions in Ireland

You can get ideas for other cool things you can do on the various attraction sites and even order through them (sometimes at a discounted price). The first attractions site is tiqets the second is Get your guide and Viator.

Where to stay in Ireland

At Killarney, I slept in a small family hotel that was basic but at a good price and in a good location (a short walk from the city center). Harmoni inn Glena house.

In Dublin we stayed at a 3-star hotel with a prime location, Blooms hotel.

In Belfast we stayed at a charming Airbnb apartment (which is no longer available) in the city center.

You can search for places to stay in Ireland via Booking.

How to get to Ireland

Our itinerary started in Killarney because of the bloggers conference.

I took a flight to Dublin with a stopover in Amsterdam (no direct flights from Tel Aviv to Dublin). I booked the flights a few months in advance and it cost about $ 400 both ways. I started the trip alone (at the conference) and Roman joined me later on in Dublin.

From Dublin, I took a train to Killarney, which took about four hours.

When is it best to visit Ireland?

The biggest drawback in Ireland (and, in my opinion, the only one) is that it is rainy most of the year, but if you’re lucky (like we were) you can enjoy a rainless week. The recommended months for a trip to Ireland are April-June and September-October. We were there in October and it had rained three times during our stay, never for longer than half an hour – after which, everything became very beautiful.

Killarney

How long did I stay there? Five nights (two of which were for the conference).

How did I get there? By train from Dublin

Recommended things to do in Killarney

I really enjoyed the trip to the Gap of Dunloe. The excursion in the area includes an hour and a half long boat ride in the most stunning place and a three-hour walk through mesmerizing landscapes. The walking route is at an easy-medium level. There are ups and downs but this is not too difficult a route.

Other things to do are: the Muckross House, built in 1840, and situated opposite a beautiful lake surrounded by magical gardens. The Killarney National Park has lots of hiking trails and you can also take a bike ride there (unfortunately I did not have time to explore it) and there is also the Ladies View point, which requires a car to visit (I got there with another blogger who rented a car).

In addition, you can stroll around the town itself which has good restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. This is a small town and it’s really fun to explore.

An extended post on Killarney and recommended things to do in town

Dublin

How long did we stay there? Four nights

How did we get there? By train from Killarney

Things to do in Dublin

From Killarney I took the train back to Dublin where I met Roman. We had a full schedule for Dublin and the truth is that I loved the city and all the tours we took in and out of town.

On our first day we took a free tour of the city (based on tips) and learned about the city and its history, from there we went on a tour of the whiskey museum with whiskey tastings and finished the day with an amazing Michelin star restaurant.

On the second day we took a half-day tour of Dublin itself, to the castle and the harbor area and ended the evening with a traditional Irish meal and a local bar.

On the third day we took a full day tour to the Moher Cliffs (a must visit, especially on a day with good weather) which also included a stop in Galway and a visit to Burren.

On the fourth day we did some shopping, walked around the city, went to two beautiful parks and finished with a modern Irish meal.

For our full route in Dublin with recommendations for places, restaurants, attractions and tours.

Belfast

How long did we stay there? one night

How did we get there? By express bus from Dublin

Things to do in Belfast

The truth is that we hadn’t planned to visit Belfast at first, but then we heard about the Game of thrones tour originating there, and that was something we knew we had to do (as fans of the series). We went especially for the tour, for one night. The ride there was on an express bus and within two hours we arrived in the city.

We arrived in town in the evening and returned the next day after the tour, so we did not have time to explore the city itself. One of the things we did not get to do and wanted was the Titanic Museum (one of the city’s most famous attractions). But there was no doubt that the arrival to Belfast was worth it, even just for the tour, because it was amazing!!! And we got to visit the ​​Giant’s Causeway after the tour, an area of ​​about 40,000 basalt columns combined, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption (not related to the series, but it’s in the area and is highly recommended). For details about the Game of thrones tour and our experience.

The tour is also recommended for those who have not seen the series because the places they visit are amazing.