בס"ד
The story of Karina and her family started about 100 years ago in Europe before WWl. Karina's grandpa, Jacob, learned the secrets of making chocolate in a chocolate factory, and due to constraints, the family moved to South America.
In Argentina, Karina's father succeeded in creating a business with over 100 employees and the rest is history - Karina which loved Israel and chocolate wanted to connect her two loves and decided to open in the open green spaces of the Golan region a chocolate boutique - De Karina.
A new and delicious innovation is the new chocolate series De Art - an artistic chocolate series which characterizes the three continents that combine the family's story, with the precise European chocolate creation, the bold flavors of South America and the Israeli innovation.
Besides the fact that each praline looks like a work of art, De art series characterizes in a real breakthrough in the chocolate field. After a two year research, Karina succeeded in creating chocolate pralines that have a shelf life of 9 months without any preservatives!
The love of the chocolatier Karina Chaplinsky for what she does can't be missed, and you can see and feel it on each and every praline that comes under her hands. And if you take a look at the package, you will see the flag of Israel and the letter D divided into three parts, which symbolizes the chocolate tradition that passes in her family for 3 generations now.
De Art series comes in colorful packages of 4, 9 and 16 which includes: De art chocolate pralines shades with bitter and milk chocolate and fillings of orange cream, caramel cream, nougat cream, coffee cream and more. De Art Dark pralines with vegan 62% dark chocolate and fillings of espresso coffee, hazelnut cream, almond cream, and bitter truffle. And the last - De art truffles comes with bitter, milk and white chocolate and in flavors of orange cream, hazelnut, and other flavors and textures.
We especially enjoyed the vegan chocolate praline that was filled with hazelnut cream, highly recommended!
De Karina chocolate boutique factory
A guided 25-minute tour (from the age of 3) which includes a movie and a glimpse on how chocolate is created + tasting - 25 NIS
A tour and a choco-chef workshop of about 1:15h for kids under 13 - 64 NIS
A tour and a chocolate time workshop of about 1:15h (from the age of 13) - 69 NIS
A tour and a VIP truffles master class of about 1:30-2:00h (from the age of 13 and min 20 participants, max participants: 30), For prices call the number below
For orders (all tours must be arranged in advance): 04-6993622
Website (only in Hebrew as it seems): http://www.de-karina.co.il
Address: De Karina, Ein Zivan kibbutz
Opening hours: Sun-Thu: 9:00am-5:00pm, Fri: 9:00am-3:00pm
Kosher Lemehadrin
After filling our sweet-tooth cravings, we headed off to the next location - Blum Village complex in Kfar Blum.
The Blum village complex offers a different upgraded camping experience. The compound which belongs to Blum kayaks is located right next to all the action.
The Blum village complex offers 35 family tents, where each tent can occupy up to 5 people. The upgraded camping experience of Blum village allows experiencing the camping life more comfortably.
Blum Village complex and Blum kayaks
Price for a one night stay in an air-conditioned family tent which includes tickets for a family cruise, top rope park and 3D movie (up to 5 persons): 1290 NIS.
Phone for details and orders - Blum Village: 072-3954415, Blum kayas: 04-6902616 or visit their website: www.kayaks.co.il
Address: Blum kayaks, Kibbutz Blum upper Galilee
A trip to the upper Galilee in the summer can yield many family-friendly activities. Here are a couple of wonderful suggestions which include chocolate tasting, a walk to a beautiful waterfall, and different camping experience. All of the activities have one thing in common - the sense of togetherness and spending a good time with your family.
Not long ago, I was invited for two days of plain good fun with a bunch of bloggers and journalists. We were invited to experience the new attractions and activities that De Karina chocolate boutique and Blum Village kayaks have to offer.
We started our day in a sweet visit at the visitor center of De Karina chocolate factory, which is located in Ein Zivan kibbutz.
De Karina chocolate boutique started in 2006 by Karina and her husband Giora Chaplinsky, out of a desire to maintain the handmade chocolate making tradition that runs in the family for 3 generations.
We started our day in a sweet visit at the visitor center of De Karina chocolate factory, which is located in Ein Zivan kibbutz.
De Karina chocolate boutique started in 2006 by Karina and her husband Giora Chaplinsky, out of a desire to maintain the handmade chocolate making tradition that runs in the family for 3 generations.
The story of Karina and her family started about 100 years ago in Europe before WWl. Karina's grandpa, Jacob, learned the secrets of making chocolate in a chocolate factory, and due to constraints, the family moved to South America.
In Argentina, Karina's father succeeded in creating a business with over 100 employees and the rest is history - Karina which loved Israel and chocolate wanted to connect her two loves and decided to open in the open green spaces of the Golan region a chocolate boutique - De Karina.
So what is there to do in De Karina visitor center in the summer?
*In de Karina you can take a guided tour which includes a 9-minute long movie that covers a bit of Karina's life and the history of chocolate, watch how chocolates are being made and finally taste some of the chocolates crafted on site.
*You can participate in one of the chocolate workshops offered in the place. Adults and teenagers will enjoy a "chocolate time" workshop, where they will make personal pralines. Kids can enjoy in a choco-chef seminar, where they will create giant chocolate lollipops with toppings. Groups, families, friends and more, can enjoy a VIP workshop in the VIP room, where a chocolatier will teach them how to make truffles and pralines, starting from the tempering stage to creating truffles and pralines in different fillings. All the chocolates made in the workshops are, of course, meant to take home or on the road.
* Tour De Karina shop and discover all the tasty treats found on site. From the unique chocolates to the coffee shop that you shouldn't come while on a diet :-)
*In de Karina you can take a guided tour which includes a 9-minute long movie that covers a bit of Karina's life and the history of chocolate, watch how chocolates are being made and finally taste some of the chocolates crafted on site.
*You can participate in one of the chocolate workshops offered in the place. Adults and teenagers will enjoy a "chocolate time" workshop, where they will make personal pralines. Kids can enjoy in a choco-chef seminar, where they will create giant chocolate lollipops with toppings. Groups, families, friends and more, can enjoy a VIP workshop in the VIP room, where a chocolatier will teach them how to make truffles and pralines, starting from the tempering stage to creating truffles and pralines in different fillings. All the chocolates made in the workshops are, of course, meant to take home or on the road.
* Tour De Karina shop and discover all the tasty treats found on site. From the unique chocolates to the coffee shop that you shouldn't come while on a diet :-)
Before we finished our visit to De Karina factory, we discovered two new things. Besides the special milkshakes, the hot and cold chocolate drinks that you can find at the De Karina cafe, from now on you can enjoy a chilling treat for the hot summer days.
Karina, which uses as an ambassador for the Jewish agency, often invited to host a chocolate workshop and tell about her life in the Golan Heights to the Argentinian Jewish communities. Her visit is meant to connect between the Jewish communities abroad and Israel.
In her last visit to Argentina, she came to the city of Salta, where a small Jewish community is found. The community representative told Karina that when they try to arrange activities, there is no much participation. However, when people heard about the chocolate workshop of Karina, there was much more interest and participation.
In Argentina, Karina learned how to make ice cream. She brought the technique she learned with her, and from now on, you can enjoy a variety of ice cream and ice cream based shakes that are all manufactured on site. All are made with natural ingredients and served with De Karina chocolates.
Karina, which uses as an ambassador for the Jewish agency, often invited to host a chocolate workshop and tell about her life in the Golan Heights to the Argentinian Jewish communities. Her visit is meant to connect between the Jewish communities abroad and Israel.
In her last visit to Argentina, she came to the city of Salta, where a small Jewish community is found. The community representative told Karina that when they try to arrange activities, there is no much participation. However, when people heard about the chocolate workshop of Karina, there was much more interest and participation.
In Argentina, Karina learned how to make ice cream. She brought the technique she learned with her, and from now on, you can enjoy a variety of ice cream and ice cream based shakes that are all manufactured on site. All are made with natural ingredients and served with De Karina chocolates.
A new and delicious innovation is the new chocolate series De Art - an artistic chocolate series which characterizes the three continents that combine the family's story, with the precise European chocolate creation, the bold flavors of South America and the Israeli innovation.
Besides the fact that each praline looks like a work of art, De art series characterizes in a real breakthrough in the chocolate field. After a two year research, Karina succeeded in creating chocolate pralines that have a shelf life of 9 months without any preservatives!
The love of the chocolatier Karina Chaplinsky for what she does can't be missed, and you can see and feel it on each and every praline that comes under her hands. And if you take a look at the package, you will see the flag of Israel and the letter D divided into three parts, which symbolizes the chocolate tradition that passes in her family for 3 generations now.
De Art series comes in colorful packages of 4, 9 and 16 which includes: De art chocolate pralines shades with bitter and milk chocolate and fillings of orange cream, caramel cream, nougat cream, coffee cream and more. De Art Dark pralines with vegan 62% dark chocolate and fillings of espresso coffee, hazelnut cream, almond cream, and bitter truffle. And the last - De art truffles comes with bitter, milk and white chocolate and in flavors of orange cream, hazelnut, and other flavors and textures.
We especially enjoyed the vegan chocolate praline that was filled with hazelnut cream, highly recommended!
De Karina chocolate boutique factory
A guided 25-minute tour (from the age of 3) which includes a movie and a glimpse on how chocolate is created + tasting - 25 NIS
A tour and a choco-chef workshop of about 1:15h for kids under 13 - 64 NIS
A tour and a chocolate time workshop of about 1:15h (from the age of 13) - 69 NIS
A tour and a VIP truffles master class of about 1:30-2:00h (from the age of 13 and min 20 participants, max participants: 30), For prices call the number below
For orders (all tours must be arranged in advance): 04-6993622
Website (only in Hebrew as it seems): http://www.de-karina.co.il
Address: De Karina, Ein Zivan kibbutz
Opening hours: Sun-Thu: 9:00am-5:00pm, Fri: 9:00am-3:00pm
Kosher Lemehadrin
After filling our sweet-tooth cravings, we headed off to the next location - Blum Village complex in Kfar Blum.
The Blum village complex offers a different upgraded camping experience. The compound which belongs to Blum kayaks is located right next to all the action.
The Blum village complex offers 35 family tents, where each tent can occupy up to 5 people. The upgraded camping experience of Blum village allows experiencing the camping life more comfortably.
Inside each family tent you will find 5 beds (1 double and 3 singles) with not much of a soft mattress, but still great, bed linens (sheets, pillowcases), pillows, closet, two power sockets for cellphone charging and the highlight - an air conditioning! And with the rising temperatures in Europe, I'm sure you'll find an outdoor air-conditioner welcome if you choose to escape the heat of Europe and travel to Israel.
Each tent is waterproof and comes with a wooden-deck that accompanies a fridge with a freezer, a picnic table, a trash can and a small portable laundry rack.
The complex is fenced and locked using a combination lock. Each guest receives a lock for his tent and the code for the complex.
The complex is fenced and locked using a combination lock. Each guest receives a lock for his tent and the code for the complex.
The place itself is very green and pastoral with sitting areas of wooden benches covered with white pillows that you just want to lay down and relax. And if you look for a bit more then just relaxing, you can enjoy the barbecue corners and the central kitchenette which is equipped with an electric kettle, sinks, and microwave.
In addition to the air-conditioned tent complex, you can try camping in the Colman tents (without the privilege of air-conditioner) or set a tent of your on in the area.
As for now, the Blum village shares its shared bathrooms with Blum kayaks complex. It is a 5-minute walk from the tents area to the wardrobes. Down the road, they are planning to establish a complex, especially for the Blum village guests.
As for now, the Blum village shares its shared bathrooms with Blum kayaks complex. It is a 5-minute walk from the tents area to the wardrobes. Down the road, they are planning to establish a complex, especially for the Blum village guests.
After we settled in our tents, we went on a leisurely walk around the area. The route is easy and accessible for the whole family. The path is mostly paved and suitable for strollers.
Behind the climbing wall and zip line attraction, turn right towards a bridge that crosses the Jordan river. Get on top of that bridge and at the end of it take a left. Walk a couple of minutes on the paved route that has beautiful stone pillars with greenery that might make you stop for a selfie or two :-)
Once you hear the waterfall, you'll know you're close. At the end of the route, you'll need to get off the road onto the meadows in order to get to the beautiful little waterfall that you'll be able to experience toward the end of your kayak experience.
Behind the climbing wall and zip line attraction, turn right towards a bridge that crosses the Jordan river. Get on top of that bridge and at the end of it take a left. Walk a couple of minutes on the paved route that has beautiful stone pillars with greenery that might make you stop for a selfie or two :-)
Once you hear the waterfall, you'll know you're close. At the end of the route, you'll need to get off the road onto the meadows in order to get to the beautiful little waterfall that you'll be able to experience toward the end of your kayak experience.
If you want, you can stop and have a picnic by the river. We finished our walk with a kosher Druze meal of Nabil.
And to top it all, we gathered near a bonfire with marshmallows, drinks and good company.
So how is it to sleep in an air-conditioned tent in Blum village?
We came back to the tents for the night. In the first part of the night there were outdoor lights that were on, but in midnight (if I'm not mistaken), the lights turned off, and we started hearing noises.
If you got used to sleeping with sleeping bags, on a ground that you can feel each and every bone in your body, then here you can sleep comfortably and quietly. Well almost silently, since at night you can hear the jackals for a couple of minutes or the zippers of your tent neighbors. But that's just at the beginning, and pretty soon you will be able to go back and get a good night's sleep.
The camping experience in an organized place with an air-conditioner, beds and more, is definitely a fun and pampering experience and mainly because besides all of the great amenities, other perks come with staying in Blum village that we experienced the next day.
And to top it all, we gathered near a bonfire with marshmallows, drinks and good company.
So how is it to sleep in an air-conditioned tent in Blum village?
We came back to the tents for the night. In the first part of the night there were outdoor lights that were on, but in midnight (if I'm not mistaken), the lights turned off, and we started hearing noises.
If you got used to sleeping with sleeping bags, on a ground that you can feel each and every bone in your body, then here you can sleep comfortably and quietly. Well almost silently, since at night you can hear the jackals for a couple of minutes or the zippers of your tent neighbors. But that's just at the beginning, and pretty soon you will be able to go back and get a good night's sleep.
The camping experience in an organized place with an air-conditioner, beds and more, is definitely a fun and pampering experience and mainly because besides all of the great amenities, other perks come with staying in Blum village that we experienced the next day.
Staying in Blum village gives you a family ticket for a cruise, for the top rope park and a short 3D movie.
After breakfast, we walked to the pickup point of Blum kayaks' bus, which drives you to the cruise start point. It is recommended to come to that point with things that you don't mind getting wet since you're not going back to that bus again and you can't leave your stuff in it. The cruise ends in a spot near the toprope park.
We got a case which protects the smartphone from getting wet, and that's how I was able to take a video that I shared on my Instagram account and photos during the cruise. You can purchase such a case on the spot.
Afterward, we heard what to do and no to don't hen on board the boat. We put life jackets on and started our journey to the center of the earth, or just down the Jordan river. The length of the course is 1:00-1:30h, but you can take the challenging course that starts on the Hatzbani slopes and lasts for about 2:30 hours.
Toddlers between the age of 2.5-5 can enjoy sailing with accompanying parent, and down the road, a rope park will be established, especially for the youngsters.
After the sail, we enjoyed a 9-minute 3D movie in the ranging New Zealand river. 3D goggles, moving chairs and light splash of water, making it feel a bit like you're on the river, however the highlight for me was the Hebrew words that the New Zealand rower yelled every now and then, like Yamina Yamina (right), amart Kayakim, amart Kfar Blum (You said kayaks, you said Kfar Blum), etc.
The 3D movie is a fun and great experience for the whole family. We then headed to try some of the facilities in the extreme park.
After breakfast, we walked to the pickup point of Blum kayaks' bus, which drives you to the cruise start point. It is recommended to come to that point with things that you don't mind getting wet since you're not going back to that bus again and you can't leave your stuff in it. The cruise ends in a spot near the toprope park.
We got a case which protects the smartphone from getting wet, and that's how I was able to take a video that I shared on my Instagram account and photos during the cruise. You can purchase such a case on the spot.
Afterward, we heard what to do and no to don't hen on board the boat. We put life jackets on and started our journey to the center of the earth, or just down the Jordan river. The length of the course is 1:00-1:30h, but you can take the challenging course that starts on the Hatzbani slopes and lasts for about 2:30 hours.
Toddlers between the age of 2.5-5 can enjoy sailing with accompanying parent, and down the road, a rope park will be established, especially for the youngsters.
After the sail, we enjoyed a 9-minute 3D movie in the ranging New Zealand river. 3D goggles, moving chairs and light splash of water, making it feel a bit like you're on the river, however the highlight for me was the Hebrew words that the New Zealand rower yelled every now and then, like Yamina Yamina (right), amart Kayakim, amart Kfar Blum (You said kayaks, you said Kfar Blum), etc.
The 3D movie is a fun and great experience for the whole family. We then headed to try some of the facilities in the extreme park.
The Extreme Top Rope park offers a variety of attractions to the whole family:
* Rope park with bridges hanging in midair, such as walking on a rope while holding another line, walking on tires, on a beam, etc.
* 90-meter long zip line that ends in the Jordan river
* 12 meters high Professional climbing wall
* Bow and arrow
Since I don't know how to swim and don't like heights much, I skipped the climbing wall and zip line. I did decide to give the rope park a try, and even though it was quite high and scary, I enjoyed the challenge.
* Rope park with bridges hanging in midair, such as walking on a rope while holding another line, walking on tires, on a beam, etc.
* 90-meter long zip line that ends in the Jordan river
* 12 meters high Professional climbing wall
* Bow and arrow
Since I don't know how to swim and don't like heights much, I skipped the climbing wall and zip line. I did decide to give the rope park a try, and even though it was quite high and scary, I enjoyed the challenge.
You wear a harness and get a hook attached to it. Once you start the path, the hook is secured on a rope that you can't release at any given time. If you get to a point where you're afraid, and someone is right behind you, you will have to overcome your fear and continue with your mission since otherwise, you stall the person behind you (there is no cutting in line).
At the end of the route, only the guides can set you free from the hook and then you can take off the harness, and that's to keep you safe.
A person that gets scared get to act recklessly and might try to take off the harness, and that's precisely why the harness can be taken off by a button in the hands of the guides.
The sleeping experience in the family tents of Blum village and all of the attractions on site are, in my opinion, a perfect experience for the whole family. Instead of searching for a place to stay and then start traveling to different locations for attractions, you don't waste any time, and right after waking up you can start enjoying what the place has to offer at an affordable price.
In addition to the activities I've mentioned above, you can combine a visit to the beautiful Bental Mountain I wrote about before.
At the end of the route, only the guides can set you free from the hook and then you can take off the harness, and that's to keep you safe.
A person that gets scared get to act recklessly and might try to take off the harness, and that's precisely why the harness can be taken off by a button in the hands of the guides.
The sleeping experience in the family tents of Blum village and all of the attractions on site are, in my opinion, a perfect experience for the whole family. Instead of searching for a place to stay and then start traveling to different locations for attractions, you don't waste any time, and right after waking up you can start enjoying what the place has to offer at an affordable price.
In addition to the activities I've mentioned above, you can combine a visit to the beautiful Bental Mountain I wrote about before.
Blum Village complex and Blum kayaks
Price for a one night stay in an air-conditioned family tent which includes tickets for a family cruise, top rope park and 3D movie (up to 5 persons): 1290 NIS.
Phone for details and orders - Blum Village: 072-3954415, Blum kayas: 04-6902616 or visit their website: www.kayaks.co.il
Address: Blum kayaks, Kibbutz Blum upper Galilee
Hello, I log on to your blogs like every week. Your humoristic style is witty, keep doing
השבמחקwhat you're doing!
Thank you! I'm glad others enjoy my jokes and content as well :-)
מחק