Mickey's - Gan Ha'eden Shel Gloria

To walk in a dream...
This is what went through my mind as I walked along the ancient stone-paved road at the Rosh Pina restoration site. When you walk among the ancient stone houses, inhaling the clear mountain air and never getting enough of all that green everywhere, it's impossible not to be touched by that dream, of the simple, romantic life of yesteryear. Guy Oni - Summer of '82. 1882, to be exact.
I believe that even back then, someone was walking here, in the shade of the bushes, and reflecting on dreams and reality.

There is no need to say much about Rosh Pina. The picturesque settlement, located at the foot of Mount Canaan, facing the Hula Valley, with its magical and peaceful character, with its picturesque stone buildings, and with its multitude of entertainment options, is one of the most charming places to vacation. Something that Zichron Yaakov may have missed a bit, I would say. The question arises: Where?

Gloria's romantic paradise is housed in an ancient and stunningly beautiful stone building. Inside is a beautiful and luxurious suite built on the ground level, enjoying privacy and overlooking the charming view of Mount Canaan, right across the street. The house, which was built in 1882, is one of the first houses in Rosh Pina, and is well located among the highest buildings on the upper street.

In its current incarnation, the building has been carefully restored to its original details, the private courtyard has been maintained, and a private swimming pool has been added for the use of suite guests. As of January 2011, the complex has been operated by new management, which has improved, renovated, and upgraded the place.

The path to the suite is paved with ancient stones. The path descends the mountainside, alongside the Rosh Pina Stream, which flows quietly most months of the year.
Along the way, you enjoy the view of the blooming orchard, and arrive at the pleasant balcony.

The suite is built inside an amazing stone space, with a high, vaulted ceiling. The stone walls are no less than a meter thick. Because the space is built under one of Rosh Pina's oldest houses, you can enjoy both worlds: the ancient and the modern. A host of "contemporary" treats await here. Perhaps we should say that the magical jacuzzi in the corner glass cubicle is a gem in itself.

The building, as mentioned, underwent a thorough renovation that included a serious facelift. The interior design is diverse: Israel of yesteryear with a nod to oriental style and artistic quotes. On the ceramic floor is a luxurious Afghan carpet, on the large bed is a carefully spread oriental bedspread. The feeling is that you are arriving at a place "of yesteryear", with all the luxuries of today: air conditioning, LCD, DVD, espresso/cappuccino machine, and more.

Outside, an intimate terrace with a seating area, for an afternoon of contemplation. On the lower level of the courtyard, another seating area is located under a thicket of vegetation and to the right is the highlight of the place: a "deck" terrace that brings you to a private swimming pool overlooking Mount Canaan. Needless to say, the pool is completely private and intended only for suite guests (the pool operates from May 1 to October 15).

When you go out to dry off, you can stroll through the garden and find yarrow flowers, rosemary bushes, sage and mint, passionflower, bougainvillea, rose bushes, avocado trees, tangerines, lemon trees and what not. Yes, you can enjoy tasting everything.

Part of the charm of the place is its proximity to the reconstruction site, which attracts great interest. Access to the site is direct from the B&B. Another favorite route: From the nearby ancient synagogue, there is a staircase that descends and leads to an easy route in the Rosh Pina Valley next to Mount Canaan. During a leisurely walk, you can discover three gushing springs: Ein Gai On, Ein Kadan, and Ein Pena. Raspberry bushes await visitors in season. The area also contains the ancient Rosh Pina antiquities, which are not included in the reconstruction site. Although few remains remain on the surface of ancient Rosh Pina, the decorations indicate that there was probably a synagogue there, which was part of a small Jewish town from the Roman period.

In conclusion-
A rare combination of old and new, a prime location in an interesting colony, a stunning structure, a private swimming pool, and quality and engaging hospitality - this is something you don't find everywhere. The suite at "Gloria's Romantic Paradise" took me back a hundred years, and now I need to wake up.