These past few days we had the privilege of hosting wonderful guests from South Africa that came to Tsefat regardless of what is known as the "Security Situation". Below is the review they left us, published here with their permission.
Dear Leah,
Thank you so much for everything, you are a truly amazing host! We appreciate your kindness & warmth.
Here below is the review:
Judah and Deborah Passchier travelled to Safed to visit family to offer our support during the time of war and were absolutely amazed to be in this ancient town, as the 7 October 2023 Israeli Palestinian War continues to be waged 13 months later. Even as we enter November 2024 with Hezbollah launching rockets at Israel from across the border with Lebanon an inexplicable sense of peace prevails in the spirit filled town of Safed. Despite the sound of sirens from time to time, we felt an overwhelming sense of serenity, harmony and goodwill from the towns folk. The Artist Colony Inn provides a safe haven with 17th century architecture and sand stone walls a meter thick so every room in the Inn is safe guarded for our protection. The garden is filled with the fragrance of fruit trees from fig, plum and citrus trees, to granadilla vines cascading into the archaic stone courtyard, which overlooks exquisite vistas of valleys and hills rolling all the way to distant Lebanon.
The Artist Colony Inn is a family run sanctuary where one is able to feel the presence of stylish and homely warmth, with a spiritually nurturing atmosphere. Our kind hosts opened their dining room for our family to keep Shabbat together, with the stunning and ancient Synagogues all in walking distance, we were absolutely spoilt for choice.
The town of Safed, has an incredibly rich history to offer visitors with archaeological evidence of Canaanite civilizations dating as far back as the Iron and Bronze ages.
We were guided by an academic archaeologist, Yosef Stepansky, who lead a walk and talk expedition around the hillside monuments of Safed, where we visited the remains of a tower built by the Crusaders in the 12 Century. This was followed by a tour of the Artist Quarter and the Old Jewish Quarters of Safed where we visited the Arizal Ashkenazi Shul, built in the late 16th-century as a memorial to the famous Rabbi Isaac Luria, the kabbalist after his death in 1572.
The town of Safed is an absolute must see, regardless of the political climate in Israel as this experience will lift your spirits and refresh ones weary heart as the war continues.
One really must stay at the Artist Colony Inn as this location offers an authentically ancient experience of this uniquely delightful town.
Warmest Regards,
Kind Regards,
DR Shmerah Passchier
Thank you Judah and Deborah for your support and kind words. We hope to see you again, meanwhile we wish you peace and joy in your journeys!
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