The Carmel Mountains Adventure: ATV Tour, Wine and Food

Activities:

• Begin the day with an adventure!

• Off-Road ATV tour - Carmel Mountain is known in Israel as "The Ever-Green Mountain" - as immortalized by the words of a well-known Israeli song. The scenery is covered by a Mediterranean forest, dominated by Oak and Terebinth trees, along with some Cherub, Pines, and Arbutus. Mount Carmel examples an extraordinary harmony between Sea and Mountains, as well as between different groups of people: In the City of Haifa that resided on its slopes, you can find Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Druze and Bahai communities living side by side.
  
  Explore the Carmel Mountain area with its scenic views, fresh air and excellent routes, and varied terrain. You'll be in the driver's seat!

• Enjoy a quieter activity following the adventure- wine tasting!

• Somek Winery - Viticulture was always a central part of agriculture in the Middle East. The first vineyard in the history of mankind is attributed to Noah: "And Noah began to be a husbandman, and he planted a vineyard. And he drank of the wine, and was drunken..." (Genesis 9:20-21). Winegrowing was so widespread that the Fruit of the Vine was listed in the book of Deuteronomy as one of the Seven Species in the Land of Israel (Deut 8:8). In almost every archeological site from pre-biblical time to the late Byzantine period - an ancient wine press can be found. Under Muslim rule, winemaking was limited (7-20th century AD, with a short revival during the Crusaders era on the 11-12th century AD). The modern Israeli wine industry was established by Baron Edmond de Rothchild, who supported the early Zionists in the 1880's and founded the Carmel Winery - the first of many in modern Israel.
  Today Israeli wine is world-renowned with a highly efficient operation and the small, independent wineries retain a romantic, pioneering spirit.
  
  Visit Somek Winery in Zichron Yaa'kov, for a wine tasting. Somek is a small family winery using only grapes grown in the family’s vineyards and featuring several local varieties of grapes.

• Druze Hospitality - There is a significant Druze population in Israel and Druze people are a central part of Israeli society.
  The Druze community originated in Egypt in the 11th century. They split from Islam as their leader - Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah - and his followers were persecuted and fled to the mountains. Nowadays, the Druze community is scattered between Israel, Lebanon, Syrian, and Jordan. The Druze religion also went "underground" and its secrets and scriptures are kept away from public eyes, revealed only to the Druze who commit to the religious way of life.
  As a way of survival in a hostile Islamic world, the Druze adopted an attitude that kept them safe under ever-changing sovereignties in the Middle East - they adapt to the current situation and stay loyal to the authorities in their area in any given time. This enabled them to maintain their houses and villages in a millennium of wars and dramatic changes in our region. This is also why the Druze communities are an integral part of the Israeli mosaic, and take an active part in military service.
  
  Visit one of the Druze villages on the Carmel Mount, and learn about their fascinating history, unique religion, ancient tradition, and engage in a fun and delicious culinary workshop, followed by an amazing Druze feast.