Whether it’s Thelma and Louise and their wild ride through the desert in the ultimate act of sisterhood, the Griswold family in National Lampoon’s Vacation who endured an array of comic mishaps during their cross-country drive, or a group of drag queens setting out across the Australian Outback in a tour bus called ‘Priscilla,’ it’s safe to say that road trips are never boring. Okay, so epic movie road trips are all well and good, but what do they have to with Israel, this tiny country that’s only the size of New Jersey? Well, what Israel lacks in size it makes up for with diverse landscapes and plenty of awesome stuff to do along the way.
A classic road trip through Israel would start with the rugged Mount Hermon in the far North, through the lush green Galilee, down the coastal plain and across the breathtakingly sparse Negev desert all the way down to the tropical waters of Eilat. So in theory traveling the length of the country and seeing all these spectacularly different terrains can be done in a day, but the whole point of a road trip is to take it easy, make plenty of stops and have awesome adventures en route. Luckily this month there is a whole host of fun festivals taking place throughout the country, providing perfect stops for an epic Israeli road trip.
Move it
Billed as a ‘3-Day Celebration of Movement & Dance,’ the annual Bodyways festival is all about celebrating freedom of expression. With the stunning hills of the western Galilee as a backdrop, this gathering encourages people to dance, move, explore, express, create, balance, heal, and learn as part of various workshops and classes aimed at encouraging a healthier and more active life.
© Glikberg
Bodyways, May 3-5. Tickets from NIS 240 (052-9540415/bodyways.org)
International Dance Village, Kibbutz Ga’aton, Galilee.
From Route 89 turn onto Route 8833, and after 4km turn right into Kibbutz Ga’aton and follow signs for Dance Village
Get folk’ed up
Six different stages hosting a plethora of folk musicians, informal jam sessions, lively music workshops, all held on the shores of Lake Kinneret - this is Jacob’s Ladder Festival. Since it was founded in the 70s by immigrants from the UK who missed the folk and protest music of their youth, Jacob’s Ladder has grown into somewhat of an institution that attracts some of the best local and international folk and alternative acts around.
© Gilad Barshelo & Ella Fonizovsky
Jacob’s Ladder, May 10-12. Tickets from NIS 250 (04-6850403/jlfestival.com)
Nof Ginosar Hotel, south of Kibbutz Ginosar
Just off Route 90, approximately 10 km north of Tiberias
Nature beats
Not far away from where, legend has it, the Armageddon will take place, the natural oasis of Menashe Forest Festival is the kind of place you’d want to spend your last days on earth. The annual festival is a local initiative that attracts some of the most interesting musicians in Israel and abroad, all while being immersed in nature in an area recognized as a “Biosphere Reserve.”
Menashe Forest Festival, May 31- June 2. Tickets from NIS 100 (050-7541384/yearot.com)
Ramot Menashe Park, from Route 66 follow signs to Mishmar Haemek and then at the Ha-Palmach Cave take the unmarked road towards Nature of Remy memorial
Film for thought
Screening over 100 new documentary movies, Docaviv is the largest film festival in the city of Tel Aviv and a must for anyone with an inquisitive mind. The Cinemateque plays host to award-winning and thought-provoking films, with many of them featuring Q&As with stars and directors, in addition to plenty of free outdoor screenings throughout the city.
© Ed Caraeff
Docaviv, the Tel Aviv International Documentary Film Festival, May 17-26. Tickets from NIS 42 (discounts available)
(03-6241797/docaviv.co.il/org-en)
Tel Aviv Cinematheque and various locations throughout city, 2 Shprintsak St, Tel Aviv
Flowing with culture
The Milk & Honey Festival is a family friendly gathering that celebrates agriculture, nature, and good old love of the land with various cultural events held in the impressive Jezreel Valley region. Coinciding with the Shavuot holiday this festival features an impressive line-up of Israeli musicians and is all about enjoying some traditional wholesome Israeli culture.
Milk and Honey Festival,
May 11-20. (Website) Tickets vary according to event
Various locations throughout Jezreel Valley.
Find your voice
If vocal music is your kind of thing, the Abu-Gosh Festival is the place to be. The concerts take place in two stunning historical churches set in the friendly town of Abu-Gosh, which has been hosting the increasingly popular festival since 1992. This year the line-up is full of local and international talents who bring their unique voices to the beautiful setting.
Abu Gosh Festival, May 18-20.
Tickets from NIS 90 (02-6237000/agfestival.co.il/en)
Crusader-Benedictine Church and Kiryat Ye’arim Church, Abu Gosh
From Route 1 exit at Hemed Interchange towards Abu Gosh
Express yourself
Inspired by the legendary Burning Man gathering in the US, Israel’s Midburn may not be as big but it certainly packs a punch. This community-run festival is like no other. For six days, a temporary city is set up in the desert, creating a platform for creativity, art and radical self-expression. Instead of big stages and event spaces, Midburn is all about intimacy and is full of creative free spirits doing their own, unique thing.
© Eyal Levkovich
Midburn, May 14-19. Tickets from NIS 350 (077-8994189/midburn.org)
Take Route 40 towards Mitzpe Ramon, turn left at Ohalim junction, then left at Tlalim junction. After about 10km look for “Boker Farm and Ha Zayit Farm,” and from there follow the signs for the next 2.5km
Keeping it simple
Deciding what to pack for a festival can be tricky, but at Pashut Festival you won’t need much. Set in the middle of nowhere, Desert Ashram hosts one of Israel’s main naturist festivals where people are encouraged to let go of layers of fear and shame, shed their clothes and simply BE. There are the usual workshops, dancing, meditation and mingling, with the main difference being that everyone is in their birthday suits.
Pashut Festival, May 17-20. Tickets from NIS 329 (052-3824617/desertashram.co.il)
Ashram Bemidbar, follow Route 40 South, at Zihor Junction, continue right for about seven minutes and Desert Ashram is the first settlement on the left
Party people
Sun, sea, sand and sexy people living life to the full: Grounded is a festival for those who like to have a good time and look good while doing it. Three days of the hottest electronic music including sound, video-art visuals and live performances in the hot surroundings of a cool Eilat hotel. If the partying gets too tiring, there’s plenty of time to chill at the venue’s private beach while sipping a cocktail and even enjoying a massage.
Grounded Festival, May 3-6. Tickets from NIS 650 (we-grounded.com)
Coral Beach Hotel, Eilat
Follow Route 90 south until Izmargad in Coral Beach and turn right into Yahalom. The U Coral Beach Club Eilat is located on the left.