Tzimmer: The Israel Bed & Breakfast

A few weeks ago Ariel and I decided we needed to get away from the hustle and bustle of Tel Aviv, from the heat, from the smog and from the wedding planning so we decided to go to up north to a tzimmer.

There are a number of places where one can lodge while on vacation: hotels, hostels, guest houses & camping grounds are just a few. Another option is to go to a tzimmer. Tzimmerim (plural) are typically cabins made of wood that are in a natural surrounding, usually a moshav or kibbutz. They are scattered all over the North and even some in the central and southern areas of Israel.

These are luxurious accommodations that include cable TV with all of the movie channels, DVD and Jacuzzi. Many also have an outdoor patio area, sometimes with a hammock and grill. There is also a little kitchenette and a bottle of wine and fruit platter waiting (if you are lucky). We even got robes and slippers! Basically, it is the ultimate way to pamper yourself with a few days of quiet and rest.

The key to tzimmerim is the smaller the better. Most tzimmerim are owned by people who have extra land and build these huts for income. Of course, the more huts there are, the less time and energy is spent on each one. It is hard to add a personal touch to an area of 8 cabins surrounding a mini lake. For quiet and solitude it is best to find a place with no more than 3 cabins. Of course, if you want to go away with a bunch of friends or a number of families together then the bigger ones might suit you.

In addition to the extravagant cabin, the breakfast is just as indulgent. In some places it is included in the price, but in others you pay an extra fee. Either way, it is worth it. You get breakfast brought to your door at any hour that you like. It is based on the typical Israeli breakfast of eggs, salad and soft cheeses, but usually also has extra goodies. Ours included grilled peppers, eggplant, cinnamon buns and cheese blintzes. As you could guess, the amount of food is enough to last for breakfast and lunch.

All in all, Ariel and I had an amazing weekend. We went hiking to a nearby waterfall, we grilled steaks for dinner and mostly we just relaxed.