The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah that begins on Thursday evening is a great time to celebrate and travel the country with the family. Even though the coronavirus pandemic persists, there are still many activities to safely partake in during the holiday across Israel.
Ynet has combined for its readers the list of the best activities to do during this year's unusual festival of light.
Lantern tours at Rosh HaNikra
After night descends, visitors can partake in a lantern and menorah lit tour of the caverns that are the namesake of the site. The tour includes an evening ride in the cable railway, a guided tour of the caves and a ceremonial menorah lighting ceremony.
Each tour lasts for about an hour and 15 minutes and can be booked any day between Dec. 13-17 from 6:30pm. Tours take place in groups of up to 20 people in accordance with public health regulations. Activities are subject to change in accordance to weather and participants must register beforehand online.
Visitors are recommended to arrive at the cable railway 10 minutes before the start of the tour. Tickets cost NIS 54 for adults and NIS 48 for children (ages 3-18).
Festival 'Kfar BiKartem' in the Galilee
Dozens of Druze and Circassian villages across the Galilee, in partnership with the Tourism Ministry and local authorities, are offering a variety of free activities and events every weekend throughout December.
Attractions include open houses, guided tours, workshops, street markets, cultural and folkloric festivities and much more.
Hanukkah at Ein Keshatot
The Ein Keshatot archeological site near Natur in the Golan Heights, which has findings that date from the fifth to eighth century, offers guided tours of the Menorah carvings found in the ancient synagogue at the site. Tours are available on Dec. 15 and 17.
Guided tours will cost NIS 35 for adult, NIS 25 for children and NIS 15 for Golan residents. A regular visit costs NIS 25 for adults and NIS 15 for children.
Winter Lights
Jerusalem’s Botanical Gardens' Winter Lights event is a celebration of lights, nature and food at the location in Givat Ram.
From Dec. 12-31, between 5pm and 9pm, the gardens will feature a 700-meter trail with winter lighting projected on trees, shrubs and the lake at the center of the garden.
There will also be a European-style outdoor market, selling roasted chestnuts, hot potatoes, French crepes, sausages, hot drinks and sufganiyot.
Tickets cost NIS 40 for adults, NIS 25 for soldiers, while children under the age of five enter for free.
Winter walking tours in Tel Aviv-Jaffa
The city of Tel Aviv-Jaffa is offering 60 guided and self-guided walking tours during December, mostly on Hanukkah and Christmas, depending on the neighborhood you are visiting.
Tickets cost NIS 60 per participant.
The 'Old Man and the People' Exhibition
Ben-Gurion's Hut in the southern Kibbutz of Sde Boker is inviting the public to come and visit the home of Israel's first prime minister, David Ben Gurion, and learn about his life and decision-making that shaped the country we know today.
Events also include an open forum for visitors to debate various issues and ideas regarding Israel.
The nearby Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute also offers the "People's Judgement" activity, where visitors will partake in an interactive display to decide which moments in the nation's history were the most crucial.
Ben Gurion's Hut is open Sun.-Thu., from 8:30am to 5pm. Friday from 8:30am to 2pm and Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
Tickets cost NIS 20 for adults and NIS 15 for children.