Looking for Hidden Gems only 20 Minutes away from Tel-Aviv? Explore Gimzo area
In this post, I will take you to see the sunrise above the forest, ride on an electric vehicle, eat pizza like an Italian, drink some wine and walk back in time to the Templers world! All this within 20 minutes away from Tel-Aviv in the Modiin region, starting the Gimzo area.
Last week I have joined an unforgettable day so closed to my home and yet unfamiliar at all.
This day was well planned by Modiin Region Tourism together with the Instagram Israel community and included talented photographers, bloggers and inspiring people.
Set your alarm for 4:00 am, grab your coffee set and a camera and check out those hidden gems.
Sunrise above the forest
“Opportunities are like sunrise If you wait too long, you miss them” William Arthur Ward.
I am not one of the “5:00 am club” fans, however, this one-time experience is totally worth it!
Drive to “Tel-Gimzo” located in Moshav Gimzo.
*Moshav gizmo is a religious place so it is not possible to arrive on Saturday or holiday.
Tel-Gimzo is a 161 meter above sea level hill which overlooking the beautiful Modi in region including Ben-Semen Forest which make us feel as if we are in Switzerland.
You can bring a Yoga mattress and music and enjoy the silence and beautiful sunrise or start your day with a shot of motivation by the Israeli Tony Robbins , Ophir Akiva.
Ophir leads both motivation and survival workshops and perfect for team building and a fun, challenging, and intriguing experience.
With a team work we tried to lower a hoop to the ground with only one finger. It is not as simple as it sounds and required cooperation and leadership.
Check out his website : http://www.ophirakiva.com/
After we enjoyed the sunrise, the forest view and got tones of motivation it is time for extreme sport!
Easy Rider in the magical fields
We drove 5 minutes away to pick up our Easy rider vehicle. Easy rider is a 4-wheel electric vehicle, silence like a sleeping baby and 100% Israeli patent! We drove through the wineries and orchards of Moshav Gimzo and enjoyed every moment! The route we took is just a small taste from the available routes.
You can order these vehicles anywhere in the country and enjoy special extreme routes. The owner is super professional and helpful.
Check out their website here https://ezraider.org.il/
Boutique Pizza and Ice-Cream
“Life is not about finding yourself is about finding good slices of Pizza” (Leonardo from Ninja Turtle).
La Calabrese is a boutique pizzeria located in the peaceful Moshav Ginaton .
This place owns by talented Hanit who is expert in the special cooking method from Calabria region in south Italy.
All of her ingredients are fresh and local.
So many pizza flavors here! You have the garlic and onion Pizza, Eggplant cream, French pizza with St. Mohr cheese and much more! In the ice cream section, you will find Orange sorbet, vanilla, French chocolate, coconut, salted caramel and more surprises.
This secret place is located in Olive 20 st. Ginaton and Open 17:00-22:00 Tuesday -Thursday.
*You can even make reservations by calling 055-5534545
Wine and Picnic in front of a vineyards
We drove 15 Minutes from Ginaton to Moshav Bnei Atarot and arrived Villa Wilhelma Winery.
Bnei Atarot is set on a pastoral German Templer colony which was called Wilhelma- Hamidijie named after the German Caesar Wilhelm the second and the Muslim Sultan Abdul Hamid the second. The villa itself is a beautiful templar building including the high ceiling and gorgeous designed pattern floor. It is overlooking a beautiful wine yard and has perfect picnic spots.
The owners of this whiney are Gil and Moti Goldman as the second generation of winegrowers. You can enjoy the wine and cheese menu and sit inside the villa or pick up the picnic package include amazing wine and tasty food. Here is how it looks like:
Visit their website https://villawilhelma.co.il/
Explore the ancient Templar buildings
After all the food and wine, you can walk within Bnei Atarot and explore the beautiful German Templers buildings.
Who were the Templers?
They were part of a Protestant Christian movement from Germany, founded in the 19th century. Members of the movement came to Israel to prepare the place for the return of Jesus and the bringing of redemption. They have established few colonies in Israel such in Tel-Aviv (Sarona), Haifa, Jerusalem and in Galilee region.
The Templers were famous for their milk industry and agriculture knowledge.
Our recommendation is to stroll and visits the dairy building where the templar created their famous and rich milk, visit the Post Office and Secretariat and finish with the water complex included a pump house and a water tower.
If you are coming with kids there is also a cute playground nearby.
I chose only 5 places but there are many more tourist gems in the area! You are welcome to visit the website of the Modiin Tourism Region and get to know restaurants and sites that are worth visiting.
*The website is only in Hebrew at the moment, you can ask me for assistance
Many thanks to the amazing Integram Israel community led by Amit Gelber and Sapir Adler and to Orna Ben Haim, Merav Lazar, and Dovrat Ditcovski from Moddiin region tourism.
