From Bet Shearim to Tulip Wineyards

Service Description

A lovely 3 km walk combining ancient Judaism, the history of early 20th-century Jewish immigration, and the discovery of a local vineyard—all set in a lush green landscape. Let’s explore Beit Shearim National Park, a necropolis dating back to the 1st century CE. The site contains tombs, burial caves, and sarcophagi that are nearly 2,000 years old. According to Hebrew tradition, this is the burial place of Rabbi Judah HaNasi, the compiler of the Mishnah (the Oral Law), marking the end of the Tannaitic period around the year 200 CE. This little-known site is of exceptional historical and cultural value and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The necropolis, composed of a network of catacombs, truly developed from the 2nd century CE as the main Jewish burial site outside Jerusalem—after the failure of the Bar Kokhba revolt (132–135 CE) against Roman rule. These catacombs are a treasure trove of artworks and inscriptions in Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew, and Palmyrene, offering a unique insight into ancient Judaism. In the 1st century CE, Beit She’arim was also a key stop for the Sanhedrin, the renowned rabbinical court of the Second Temple period. Forced to flee Jerusalem during the Great Revolt (66–70 CE), the Sanhedrin first settled in Yavneh, later moving across the Galilee—stopping temporarily in Beit She’arim before finally establishing itself in Tiberias, where it remained until the 5th century. After this historical immersion, we continue to the memorial of Alexander Zaïd, founder of the “Bar-Giora” and “HaShomer” movements around 1910. These defense and armed resistance organizations protected Jewish lands in pre-state Israel and later evolved into the Haganah and eventually the IDF (Israel Defense Forces). From the statue of Alexander Zaïd, you can enjoy a stunning view over the Jezreel Valley. We then continue our trek, descending through cultivated fields (mainly wheat), toward the village of Kfar Tikva, a kibbutz designed to welcome and empower people with disabilities. There, we can relax and enjoy an excellent meal and wine tasting at the Tulip Winery. This 3 km hike, accessible to everyone, blends history, spirituality, and gastronomy. Located just an hour from central Israel, it promises a truly unique and memorable experience.