Usfiya has a Christian population of about 1000 Roman Catholics, in addition tew its 4000 Druze. At the lovely Catholic church on the main road, members of the con-1 gregation boast that their ancestors were Crusaders from Italy. Usfiya also houses the excellent Stella Carmei Hospice (tel. 39 16 92; P.O. Box 7045, Haifa 31O7OM run by the Anglican Church and open to all. A converted Arab villa, the hospice haS a charming lounge filled with antique Persian rugs. The hospice is to the right of the main road from Haifa, at the entrance to the village. Look for the narrow paved roa” lined with trees. Take bus #192 or a sherut taxi (4 buses per day lpm-4:35pm, lasfj bus on Fri. 2:25pm, last return bus 3pm; in both cases ask the driver for Stella CaiH use is singles US$18-27, doubles US$48; bed and breakfast for an outside dorm room US$10. Unmarried couples will get separate Call ahead for reservations.
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The Druze villages can be easily visited as a daytrip from Haifa. Bus #192 (NIS7) ‘ leaves infrequently from the central bus station and the Hadar district, stopping in both villages on weekdays. Catch a sbenit on Eliya St. near Ha’Atzma’ut (NIS6) to the villages and wait by an Egged bus stop to catch one back. Prices for this [ route during the day are the same as bus fares. The last bus leaves Daliyat and Usfiya j at 3Pm- kllt s^erut continue to run and stores remain open until about 8pm.