I am John from England, my wife Marion is from France and we are owners of Krivine Guesthouse in Midreshet Ben Gurion…
Category: english blog
Valencia Oranges in the Negev
Our neighbour is a plant physiologist and his specialty is citrus; he travels around the world attending conferences and meeting growers. He is pretty knowledgeable. He had a dozen Valencia orange saplings lying around his laboratory which had been used in an experiment and were designated for disposal, so he bunged them in the back of his car and brought them home.
A Scenic Walk along the Cliff at Mitzpe Ramon (including the Albert Promenade)
A three km walk along flat, even surface with optional side-climbs. The Ramon makhtesh is so huge that just seeing it from a single vantage point would be a shame. Bring a pullover and binoculars. This walk should not be undertaken in conditions of extreme heat or extreme wind. A sunny cool day in winter (November – March) or late afternoon in summer; early morning in the summer is also an option but you will have the sun directly in your eyes.
Mitzpe Ramon Visitors’ Center
The Visitors’ Centre is a place to visit during a snow storm, a rain storm, a dust storm or in a heat wave. You will never see a queue of people waiting to go in but coaches are parked outside. People leaving the visitors’ centre look as if they have just woken up.
Ein Avdat National Park
Of all Israel’s National Parks this is one of the most striking, most accessible. An easy hike of 15 minutes each way, suitable for all ages, it brings you to a spectacular spring at the junction of two towering cliffs of limestone which are home to dozens of nesting birds.
Top 10 things to do in Mitzpe Ramon
Mitzpe Ramon
Mitzpe Ramon used to be the kind of town young people leave at the first opportunity. It was conceived by central planning (soviet style) in the 1950’s and built in the middle of nowhere. Initially it served as a base for mining companies,
Hike to Ein Akev and Magda’s tent
Ein Akev is a four to six hour circular hike (12 km) which starts about 400 meters from Krivine guesthouse. It is not challenging; it contains two easy descents and one gradual ascent. The charm of this hike is that at exactly the half-way mark
Topkapi Suite
We are not Isrotel, we have four rooms. But still we need to identify them. “Take two towels to the green room”, my wife commanded me. “You mean the blue room”, I said. She is a little colour blind, my wife.
A Stroll Along the Cliff to Paula and David Ben Gurion’s Grave
All year round coachloads of Israeli schoolchildren, soldiers, scouts and pensioners arrive to pay homage; it is an essential stop for TAGLIT groups (Birthright) and one of the few offficial locations for military ceremonies. In less than one hour they are coached in and coached out and are probably not aware that this is a university campus and that 2000 real people live here.
A Stroll along the Cliff to the Sculpture Park
If you arrive at least a couple of hours before dark, this is an easy stroll to stretch your legs after the drive to the desert, a taste of what’s to come. Early morning before breakfast is also a good time for this short and level walk (one hour) but take a peaked hat as the sun will be in your eyes.
