As I said before, this hostel is uber cool. As soon as I stepped into the Abraham’s door, I felt welcomed and comfortable. You can really tell that there are real travelers behind it! From minute one, you start getting all the information you need. And most important, the info comes with a smile!

Everything is very organized: there’s a ‘travel desk’ where you can ask for information or book a tour, an internet room, free wifi in the entire building, a huge common area with hammocks, tables and a big shared kitchen, a bar that serves good coffee and great cocktails, and as far as I know they even serve pizza now! Oh and you get Nutella for breakfast, just saying.

Every friday night there’s a Shabbat dinner, which means all the guests cook and have dinner together, while the staff explains the meaning of Shabbat and shows the traditional rituals. It’s fun and it’s interesting! And yummy.

Abraham Hostel is the largest private hostel in the country, but it doesn’t feel so big when you stay there. On the contrary, there’s a nice, warm, homey atmosphere and it will always be a pleasure to go back at the end of your days of explorations.

At Abraham Hostel there are so many options for activities and tours that you will have a hard time choosing! Not to mention the day trips to Jordan and Egypt, of course.

I have to add that it’s extremely easy to reach Abraham Hostel. You will likely get to Jerusalem by bus, then you just have to take the tram and get off in Davidka. Then, instead of going the wrong way as I did, just glance up and you will see the hostel! It will be just in front of you. The Old City is within walking distance: a pleasant 15 minutes walk through Jaffa Street and very nice, lively neighborhoods of Jerusalem.

Abraham Hostel is definitely my recommendation for anyone who wants to stay in Jerusalem.

Fauzi Azar Inn is the most popular accommodation in Nazareth. When I got off the bus in this rather small but chaotic city, I didn’t even have to ask for directions: seeing me with a backpack, the locals automatically addressed me to Fauzi Azar Inn, in the heart of Old Nazareth.

This is what I call a unique place.

The mansion has belonged to the Azar Family (a Christian Arab Palestinian family) for over 200 years, but has been abandoned in 1980 after Mr Fauzi Azar’s death. Ever since 1948 the locals had started to leave, and their place was taken by Arab refugees. The Azar house made no exception.

Mr Enon was accepted by the locals as he used local manpower and limited himself to manage the guesthouse, which still belongs to the Azar family.

I spent one night in a beautiful private room at the Fauzi Azar Inn, and felt like I was transported back in time!

The Fauzi Azar Inn is well known for its original painted ceilings and the beautiful big windows with a view over the Old City of Nazareth.

Prices: from €18/night in a dorm, up.

 

Gengis Khan Camp, Golan Heights

When I saw the photo of the Gengis Khan Camp, I decided I wanted to go. Mongolian tents, AKA Yurts, sounded too cool to be skipped. I’ve always wanted to go to Mongolia, so I guessed that could be a good training!

These tents are really big and can hold up to 10 people.

Sleeping on the mattress in the Yurt was very comfortable and definitely a new experience. I find this a perfect solution for families, or in general groups of people who travel together. You have your comfort, your privacy, and a pinch of adventure!

Of course this is a very fancy version of yurt! Every tent has A/C, and a private bathroom on the side.

Watch: how the Yurts were built!

There’s a big, nicely equipped shared kitchen and a garden with any herb you may need for your tea.

If you plan to visit the Golan Heights, I suggest you to have a car in order to explore it freely. There are not many buses up there, even if you can always easily and safely hitchhike.

The surrounding area offers many activities, such as hiking (lots of it), rafting, bathing at water springs, kite surfing in the Sea of Galilee, and of course the holy places such as ‘Kursi’, the place where the miracle of the swine is said to have taken place.

Price: from €20/person/night.

 

The Negev Camel Ranch, Negev Desert

You know I love the desert! I wanted to sleep in the Negev ever since I stepped into Israel, and finally I found the perfect place! The Negev Camel Ranch looked just perfect.

Most people go there for camel rides, but I was happy with observing them and taking photos! The owners live in the ranch and breed camels for passion. As they state on their website, “one can have a camel ride for 1 hour or up to 2 days!”.

Accommodation comes in huts. Every hut has a lot of privacy and mine also had a nice view on the desert, a lovely setting where I took a nice nap before dinner.

The Negev Camel Ranch is on the ancient Incense Route, and not far from the camp you can visit the Nabatean city of Mamshit.

Vegetarian food is available on request… so request it! It’s seriously great food.

Price: from €28/night/person.

 

The Green Backpackers, Mitzpe Ramon

The Green Backpackers is a tiny little hostel that feels more like a house, in the pretty much deserted town of Mitzpe Ramon.

I just loved the details of this place. Vintage and recycle here are combined and taken to another level… with cute results!

So what is so interesting about a deserted town in the middle of… pretty much nowhere?

Well, you just have to walk a couple of hundred meters to find out.

Mitzpe Ramon lays on the edge of what is erroneously referred to as “a crater”, but was formed by erosion and not by a meteorite. This kind of geological formation is called a “Makhtesh”. These are extremely rare and there are only a handful of these in the world.

Mitzpe Ramon is paradise of hikers. You can cross the whole Makhtesh following different paths and climb the edges on the sides. Did I tell you that Makhtesh Ramon has the shape of a heart? It’s so romantic for you couple travelers!

The green backpackers is very close to another famous landmark of Mitzpe Ramon: the camel shaped rock. Can you see it on the right?

Dorms are basic, cozy and clean. I had a really good night of sleep here!

Private rooms are more than beautiful! See? It really looks like a house… this is why I like this place so much.

You can check the board for what’s up at the hostel…

…Have a free introductory tour of the Makhtesh… which I highly recommend. Here is Lee, the owner of the hostel, explaining us how the crater was formed and showing us the main hiking trails.

…or just leave a message!

Apart from the Makhtesh and the camel shaped rock, there’s not much to do in Mitzpe Ramon. Walking around made me feel like I was in a ghost town. Then I had an unexpected encounter.

Price: from €15/night in a dorm, up.

 

I hope you enjoyed the tour of these five unique forms of accommodation. Did you stay at any of them? Would you suggest other places?