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The children are grown and are now parents of their own children. Yes, grandparenting is a joy! But long distances, and complex work and study schedules, often hinder family get- togethers and staying in close contact. Unless we are lucky enough to see the grandchildren on a weekly basis, each reunion is almost like meeting them for the first time.
Over the last few years, we have seen an increased demand for grandparent/grandchild trips to Israel and the Holy Land. Sometimes three generations travel to Israel together and other times, grandparents bring the little ones - usually in their early teens - on an adventure trip to discover roots, reconnect with religious heritage, explore another culture - or a mix of all these elements. As Israel travel planners, the trips are a challenge for us create, but such fun and so fulfilling for the travelers.
For some families, discovering roots can mean delving into more than one religion when there are grandchildren of intermarried couples. On one particular trip, a 13-year old boy accompanied by his father and grandmother, decided he wanted to be baptized in the Jordan River and then be blessed at the Western Wall as a bar mitzvah boy. His wishes were realized.
Sleeping, eating, living with another family, particularly if that family is Beduin and lives in a cool tent in the desert is a pull for teens. Grandparents and kids spent a memorable night under the stars, meeting new people, and discovering another way of life, tasting new foods, and experiencing new means of transportation.
Sometimes interests diverge and the challenge is to engage both or all generations simultaneously. A professional photographer accompanied one set of grandparents and kids. The kids were thrilled to climb and explore Jerusalem’s Old City ramparts with their knowledgeable and athletic guide, and the grandparents delighted in their one-on-one photography lesson, and had amazing images to show for it.
When the trip is long enough, traveling south to Eilat on the Red Sea is an opportunity to swim with dolphins, take a scuba diving lesson, or put on a snorkel mask and fins to explore the natural corals in the sea. For grandparents who prefer to photodocument these Red Sea adventures from the beach, the kids can improve their skills or learn a new sport with qualified instructors.
Nature lovers’ paradise
Israel is at the crossroads between Europe and Africa. Twice a year, in autumn and spring, our fine feathered friends wend their way in one direction or the other depending on the season. Since the distance is great, the hundreds of millions of migrating birds must stop to rest and recover for the next leg of their arduous journey across continents. The Hula Valley and the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus walked on water, is their resting area and a paradise for bird watchers. Bikes, bicycles for two, and electric golf carts are just some of the modes of transportation available to rent on a trip around the nature reserve. What a superb combination of sights and passions!
Culinary adventures in the Holy Land
Families that eat together… Well, families that learn how to prepare dishes, or bake bread, or find ingredients in an outdoor market, build shared experiences. What better way to connect with another generation! Israel is a nation of nations: Yemenite, Moroccan, Arab, Druze, Circassian, Ethiopian, Armenian, Libyan, Iraqi - are just some of the cuisines readily available and distinct one from the other. A food oriented day might include a trip to the local outdoor market to taste and get acquainted with the offerings, and then learning to prepare them in a workshop. When visiting a Druze or Circassian village in the Galilee, a lunch stop at a local eatery is an opportunity to speak with the cook and village residents. On a visit to a dairy farm, experience a family cheese making workshop. At a goat farm, kids need to herd the kids, milk the goats and create cheese! (“So that’s where cheese comes from”, is a remark we have heard more than once…) With raw ingredients that are fresh, local, and often organic - how can eating, tasting, and dining Israel not be a priority and key element of a trip to the Holy Land?
Archaeology in an Ancient Land
Just about weekly, there are news stories about a “new” mosaic that was found at a building site. These brightly colored mosaics tell a story from thousands of years ago. Remains of a palace of King David in the Judean Hills, or the fishing village at Sea of Galilee where Peter roamed, or the caves from the time of the Romans - are just a few of the windows into the past that are worth including in a trip. But the best of all is to actually dig - even if just for a few hours. For the lucky ones who actually find a piece of the past, the experience is even more memorable.
Artists and Studios
Meet an artist during a hands-on workshop in his/her studio. Israel is a mecca for artists and original art - some larger than life, some miniature. With at least four artist quarters in different villages and at least two designated artist villages, the Holy Land is bursting with creativity and originality. At a workshop lasting a few hours or a few days, grandparents and kids can learn mud brick building, or delicate vitrage glass making, or metal work sculpture, or photography, or ceramics - and the list goes on.
Families that travel together… build memories that last for generations.
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Author: Judith Isaacson
Site: Custom Israel Tours http://www.customisraeltours.com
Email: trips@customisraeltours.com
April 8, 2023
