A Family Retreat to Remember: Our Experience at Villa Bella in the North

צוות צימר, עדכון אחרון: 14/8/2025

קרדיט לתצלום: וילה בלה ביבנאל©

An Unforgettable Family Vacation: Our Experience at Villa Bella in the North

As a religious family with eight energetic children, choosing the right vacation spot can feel like navigating a maze. Every decision is important—from making sure the place fits everyone comfortably, to ensuring a spiritual atmosphere that aligns with your values, to finding enough activities to keep every age group happy. After much research, we found our perfect match: Villa Bella, located in Yavne’el in Israel’s picturesque north. What followed was a week of fun, connection, and spiritual renewal that our family will never forget.

Why choose Villa Bella for your family vacation?

Before booking, we had one key question: Can a single property really meet all the needs of a large religious family? Another thing we wanted to make sure of was that the villa had a heated pool since it was winter. We discovered Villa Bella on Villadekuxe.co.il, after a recommendation from friends in our community who had stayed there the previous year. They told us about its spacious structure, quiet natural surroundings, and family-friendly atmosphere.

One of the biggest draws was its privacy. As a religious family, we value modesty, and Villa Bella offers a secluded environment where our children can play freely, and we can relax without worrying about outside distractions. The property also received high praise for its proximity to the shores of the Sea of Galilee and Tiberias, as well as synagogues and a mikvah.

האם אתם מחפשים וילה בצפון? בצפון יש מגוון רחב מאוד ל וילות ברמות שונות: וילות למשפחות, וילות לזוגות, וילות למסיבות, וילות עם בריכה ועוד. אחת מהן הינה וילה בלה המצויידת בבריכת שחיה ומתאימה במיוחד לציבור הדתי.

Accommodations: Spacious accommodations for large families

When traveling with ten people, space is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Villa Bella provided it in every way. The main living area had high ceilings, comfortable sofas, and plenty of space for our entire family, whether for games or meals. The bedrooms were well-designed, with enough beds and bedding for everyone without feeling cramped.

The master suite provided my wife and I with a quiet corner to rest, while the children had their own spaces divided by age group, which made bedtime routines smoother. The bathrooms were plentiful and well-equipped, which meant there were no long lines in the morning (a small miracle for us).

Outside, the villa featured a large garden and heated swimming pool. The pool was fenced, which added peace of mind for safety, and there were shaded seating areas where we could read or chat while keeping an eye on the kids.

Kid-friendly amenities and activities

Villa Bella seemed to have anticipated the needs of families. The games room was an instant favorite, stocked with board games, puzzles, and a table tennis table. For our younger children, there were toys and picture books. The property’s outdoor space was a treasure trove for active play: swings, a slide, and a lawn.

Even the pool was adapted for family use. There was a shallow area perfect for our youngest swimmers, while the older children enjoyed practicing their strokes or playing water games. In the afternoons, the pool became our central meeting point, with laughter echoing throughout the yard.

Religious Activities and Opportunities for Spiritual Growth

For us, a vacation is not just about relaxation, it is also about spiritual enrichment. Villa Bella made it easy to observe our religious practices. A nearby synagogue was a short walk away, allowing us to join the local community for prayers. The villa also had plenty of space for family prayers and study classes. Plus, the kitchen is kosher and there is a hot water heater and heating plates for Shabbat.

Before Shabbat, we prepared together as a family, transforming the villa into a space filled with the sounds and smells of our traditions: challah baking in the oven, songs from the children, and a beautifully laid table on the balcony. Shabbat itself was magical. Without the distractions of our daily routine, we found time to have deeper conversations, sing together after meals, share experiences, and more.

Exploring the surrounding nature and outdoor adventures

The northern region is famous for its lush landscapes, and Villa Bella’s location makes it a perfect base for exploration. We chose to hike along the trail that leads from the Poriya ridge to the Poriya spring (Ein Poriya) located in the Swiss Forest. The kids took a dip in the cool waters.

For our older and more adventurous children, we organized a short kayaking trip to the Zinbari beach in the Sea of Galilee.

The air in the north feels different, fresher, cleaner, and the quiet country roads were perfect for evening strolls. When we returned to the villa after each hike, tired but smiling, we would jump straight into the pool or relax in the garden.

Dining Options: Meal Planning for Large Families

Feeding ten people is always a logistical challenge, especially when traveling. Villa Bella’s well-equipped kosher kitchen was a lifesaver. There were two sinks, ample counter space, and a large refrigerator that easily held a week’s worth of groceries. We brought a lot of our own food with us, but we also visited the local Tiberias market to buy fresh produce, eggs, and dairy products.

Meal preparation became a family activity. Older children helped chop vegetables or set the table, while the younger ones washed herbs from the garden. We enjoyed hearty breakfasts with fresh bread, eggs, and salads; lunches were often simple picnics during our trips; and dinners were full-on family affairs at the villa.

One evening, we treated ourselves to a catered meal from a local kosher restaurant. It gave us a break from cooking and introduced the kids to flavors they hadn’t tried before.

Tips for Traveling with Multiple Kids

* Traveling with eight kids is an adventure in itself. Over the years, we’ve learned a few strategies that have made our stay at Villa Bella smooth and enjoyable.

* Assign responsibilities: Each child had a small daily task, from tidying up the playroom to helping with the dishes.

* Create a flexible schedule: We planned one big trip per day, leaving the rest of the time for free play at the villa.

* Pack for comfort: Extra swimsuits, cozy pajamas, and a few favorite toys kept everyone happy.

* Plan Shabbat early: We arrived with all the necessary items, so there was no last-minute stress.

* Use space wisely: Spreading out the activities throughout the villa prevented overcrowding and gave each child a sense of personal space.

* Safety: Most importantly, be careful with small children, especially in the pool:

1. No child enters the pool without adult supervision.

2. No child hangs around the pool without an adult, even if the pool is fenced.

These small steps kept the energy positive and reduced the stress that can sometimes accompany large family trips.

Recommendations: Real Families Share Their Experiences

During our week at Villa Bella, we met two other families from our extended community who had stayed there before. Their feedback echoed ours.

The Levy family, who also have several children, told us that they return to Villa Bella every summer. “It’s the only place we’ve found that truly feels like it was built for families like ours,” shared Mrs. Levy. “The privacy, the space, and the warm welcome keep us coming back.”

The Cohen family, who were visiting from Jerusalem, emphasized the property’s location. “You can do whatever you want,” explained Mr. Cohen. “Some days we explored nature, other days we hung out by the pool and just enjoyed each other’s company.”

Hearing these experiences confirmed what we already felt: Villa Bella has a unique ability to accommodate the needs of large, religious families without sacrificing comfort or fun.

Conclusion: Creating Lasting Memories at Villa Bella

Looking back on our time at Villa Bella, what stands out most is not just the comfort of the villa or the beauty of the surroundings, but the way it brought our family closer together. We laughed more, talked more, and shared the simple pleasures of life—a home-cooked meal, a walk under the stars, a quiet moment of prayer.

For families looking for a place where faith, family, and fun can seamlessly blend, Villa Bella is an exceptional choice. It offers a rare combination of spacious accommodations, kid-friendly amenities, spiritual opportunities, and access to the best of the northern countryside.

On our last morning, as we packed our bags, the kids were already asking when we could return. My wife and I smiled knowingly—this wasn’t just a vacation, it was the start of a new family tradition. Villa Bella gave us more than a break from the routine; She gave us memories that will stay with us for a lifetime.

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