Tel Aviv, Israel Reviews

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Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv The White City - Bauhaus Beauty
" History bestowed upon Tel Aviv unique architectural gems, first and foremost, the world's largest concentration of buildings in the international style. It all started in the mid -1920s, when the cheeky "teenaged" city began to signal that it was already grown up and starting to be a metropolis. What was missing, through city officials, was a unified architectural style – so they decided to build a new quarter using Bauhaus design principles. The decision did not come out of the blue: Starting in the early 1930s, Tel Aviv became home to numerous graduates of Europe's top architectural schools, who drew their inspiration from the Modernist movement in architecture, primly from the Bauhaus school of art and architecture in Berlin. Characteristics of the international style include asymmetric composition, minimalism and elimination of decorative elements that do not serve a useful purpose. Interior design is simple and functional, flat roofs allow for the gardens and social gathering, and even serve as a place to sleep in the stifling heat of summer nights. More than anything, however, it is the ubiquitous balconies that set Tel Aviv apart from most other cities. These porches symbolize the communal openness and the strong link between the public and the private in the developing society. To put it simply, the balconies are a great place to sit and catch a cool breeze, while enjoying a juicy watermelon and observing the neighbors. The buildings, known as the White City because of the predominance of white and pastel exteriors, are located mostly along Rothschild Boulevard around Dizengoff Circle and on Bialik Street. In 2003, Tel Aviv was named a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational. Scientific and Cultural organization. This salute by the international body added the White City to the prestigious list of 830 sites throughout the world deemed to be of outstanding value to universal human culture, such as the Taj Mahal and the Pyramids. Welcome to this exclusive club, White City, as the first modern Hebrew-speaking city gets ready to celebrate its 100th birthday. Boulevard Of Bauhaus Dreams There is no place like leafy Rothschild, Tel Aviv's first boulevard, for its number and variety of fascinating buildings. The living architecture museum lining the boulevard and surrounding streets displays architectural gems in the international style, as well as from other periods. Even if we don't detail all the Bauhaus beauties here, keep in mind what Jorge Amado had to say in his novel Gabriela, clove and Cinnamon: "it is impossible to discover all the magic in just one lifetime – but one must try." 67 Rothschild Blvd Samuelson House. Architect: Hain Sokolinsky, 1932. A three-story residential building that was converted into offices. The building has distinctive cubist characteristics, with its wide balconies facing the boulevards fronting Nahmani Street. 71 Rothschild Blvd Rieger House. Architect: Zeev Rechter, 1934. A three-story residential building, featuring clean, restrained lines. The outstanding element is the recessed balconies that create a play of light and shadow between the openings and wall. 82 Rothschild Blvd Rubinsky-Brown House. Architect: Yosef and Zeev Berlin, 1933. A residential building whose horizontal lines flow from the vertical stairwell windows to both facades, characterized by its strong pattern of balconies and windows. Its overhanging roof and the use of different plaster finishes emphasize the horizontal lines. 84 Rothschild Blvd Engel House. Architect: Zeev Rechter, 1933. A Large residential building that has become one of the symbols of Modernist architecture. The first building in Tel Aviv to be built on pillars (pilotis). Engel House also features a roof garden. 83 Rothschild Blvd Berlin House. Architect: Yosef Berlin, 1929. The home of Yosef Berlin and his wife Shoshanna, a sculptor and painter. The house is built of silicates bricks that form a decorative motif of triangular outcroppings and an interesting play of light and shade. 89-91 Rothschild Blvd Yitzhaki House. Architect: Pinhas Hitt, 1933. Twin residential buildings that are a mirror image of each other, separated by greenery. The balconies in the front section are angular and shaded, while in the rear section, the porches are curved. The buildings create an unusual unit that stands out from the adjacent structures. Don't miss the balcony across the street at 96 Rothschild, where a sculpture by Ofra Zimbalista depicts three standing figures – two women and a man; their open mouths make them look as if they were caught mid-sentence, or perhaps mid song

by israel-on-blog

October 29, 2007

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv - Tour & Feel
" Fascinating free guided walking tours of Tel Aviv – Jaffa are available in English, all a year around (except from Yom Kippur). No need to book in advance – just come and enjoy! TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY – ART AND ARCHITECTURE Every Monday at 11 a.m. Meeting point: Dynon bookstore, university campus entrance (intersection of Haim Levanon and Einstein streets). An introduction to the Israeli architecture on campus, this tour delves into styles, international influences, stories of buildings and architects, environmental sculpture and landscape design. The tour offered in cooperation with the Friends of Tel Aviv University. OLD JAFFA Every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Meeting point: Clock Tower (beginning of Yefet street), Jaffa. The tour embraces the picturesque flea Market, archaeological sites, the view of the Tel Aviv from the Crest Garden (Gan Hapisga), and the renovated alleys and buildings of historic Old Jaffa. BAUHAUS – THE "WHITE CITY" Every Saturday at 11 a.m. Meeting point: 46 Rothschild Boulevard (corner of Shadal Street). In July, 2003, UNESCO proclaimed the "White City", the unique urban and historical fabric of Tel Aviv, as a World Cultural Heritage site. The tour focuses on the architectural styles of the 1930s – most notably the international, or Bauhaus, style – in one of the White City's main concentrations, along Rothschild Boulevard. Telling the story of Tel Aviv from its early years till today, this tour presents a wonderful opportunity to savor the experience of life, past and present, in the first Hebrew City.

by israel-on-blog

October 25, 2007

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv Sea - To Sea And To Be Seen
" Tel Aviv Has a promenade, a long promenade, running along the seashore that makes up the western edge of Tel Aviv – Jaffa. There, we walk or jog, ride bikes, sit on benches, fill out lungs with fresh air. A glorious 8.7 miles of open views, blue horizons, white sails bobbing on the waves, kitesurfers and windsurfers all around. There’s a daytime promenade, and there’s the nighttime version. Dozens of restaurants, cafes, and ice cream parlors are busy al day long, while pubs, discos and jazz clubs blossom after dark. Regardless of the hour, human attractions abound – clowns, caricaturists, tattoo artists, hair-braiders, magicians and of course, the ever-changing parade if people strolling by the nearby beaches beckon. Clean sand, lounge chairs, ice-cream vendors and diehard beach-lovers that swim daily, winter and summer, no matter what. Each beach has its own unique character. A few tips: On the Dolphinarium beach on Friday afternoons, for instance, you can join an improvised percussion festival, and the Brazilian martial arts/dance/music combination called capoeira. Go to the Gordon beach for beach volleyball. The religiously observant will find gender-segregated swimming close to the Tel Aviv port. The gay-lesbian community will gravitate to the stretch near the Hilton, which has earned the unofficial little of Tel Aviv’s gay-friendliest beach. At the Metzitzim beach, you can let your dogs and your hormones run wild among the assembled babes and hunks. There’s a playground for kids, easy chairs and restaurant – of playground – to provide the ultimate Tel Aviv beach cuisine: cold, sweet, juicy watermelon accompanied by salty white Bulgarian cheese. The narrow strip of sand near the marina is less crowded and more peaceful; at the yacht basin, you can rent windsurfers, surfboards, sailboats, motorboats and diving equipment. Tel Aviv’s beaches are well-equipped with changing room, showers and toilets; some have lifeguards year-round. On the beaches and the major tourist centers, tourist police provide a sense of security, as well as assistance and information services.

by israel-on-blog

October 24, 2007

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv Art And Culture
" MUSEUMS Tel Aviv is home to three of Israel's largest museums, which draw a total of 1.1 million visitors a year. Among them are: Tel Aviv Museum of Art displays modern and post-modern art. Also on display are works from the 16th-19th centuries, including the Impressionist period, as well as graphic design and photography. Another fascinating museum is The Eretz Israel Museum. It deals with the history and culture of the land of Israel, including archaeology, anthropology, folklore, ethnography, Judaic, history and more. ART GALLARIES Don't miss the dozens of fine galleries, primarily located along Gordon Street and in the Old City of Jaffa, featuring the very latest in contemporary Israeli. We won't say another word – we'll let the art speak for itself. THEATER From its early days Tel Aviv was a great theatre center. Even in this cinema and home-video era, the popularity of Tel Aviv's theatres has not waned. Not surprisingly, 18 out of Israel's 35 performing arts centers are located in Tel Aviv-Jaffa. Among the big theater's are: Habima Theater Locates in the Rotchild Boulevard, Tel Aviv most beautiful boulevard, is Habima Theatre. Israel' national theater, which got its start in Moscow at the beginning of the 20th century, mounts original Hebrew plays, the classics and musicals before its thousands of subscribers and eager theatergoers. The Cameri Theater The Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center (TAPAC), the stunning modern building, is home to the Cameri Theater, which produces both original Hebrew and translated plays. Other theaters in Tel Aviv include Beit Lessin, Hasimto, Tmuna, Karov, tzavta and the Jewish-Arab Theater in Jaffa, Each one has its own, mainly post-modern, repertory. For information about shows & performances that provide English subtitles, please check with the relevant theater. DANCE You don't need to speak Hebrew to be thrilled by Israeli modern dance and breathtaking percussion performances. Explore the avant-garde in Tel Aviv. Dance around the clock – that's the defining characteristic of Suzanne Dellal Centre in Neve Tzedek, Israel's undisputed dance mecca. More than 600 dance performances are mounted each year at the centre, the most visited tourist site in Tel Aviv. Much of this is due to the worldwide popularity of Israeli dance, which has become an important export industry. Every year, Suzanne Dellal Centre hosts major international dance events such as "Dance Europa", which place it on the cutting-edge of worldwide culture. One of the country's leading companies is Batsheva, which was founded in 1964 by Baroness Batsheva de Rothschild and the legendary American choreographer Martha Graham, the high priestess of modern dance. Ohad Naharin, the company's artistic director since 1990, has imbued Batsheva with the innovation and creative daring that has won the hearts of dance lovers at the world's most prestigious venues and festivals. Batsheva, whose home is in the Suzanne Dellal Centre, performs more than 250 times a year in Israel and abroad. THE ISRAELI OPERA The Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center (TAPAC), is bursting with jazz, opera, dance, theater, you name it. The stunning modern building is home to the Cameri Theater, which produces both original Hebrew and translated plays. TAPAC is also home to the New Israeli Opera, a cultural enterprise, born of one man's vision and passion. In Moscow in 1917, conductor Mordechai Golinkin envisioned an opera theater in the land of Israel. Six years later, he mounted a performance of Verdi's La traviata in the young city that sprang up from the sand dunes, but the opera had no home. Today, the New Israeli Opera is flourishing, with more than 18,000 subscripts, and a steadily growing audience for the eight operas it mounts each year. THE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA It all starts with a crazy idea and someone passionate enough to make it come true. Thus came into being the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. 1936. Jews, fearing that Europe is going up in flames, pack their suitcases and flee. The legendary Polish-Jewish violinist Bronislaw Huberman persuaded musicians from Europe's greatest orchestras to come to Tel Aviv, where he founded the Philharmonic Orchestra. So it's no wonder that the great Arturo Toscanini conducted the orchestra's debut concert, that Zubin Mehta has been its music director since 1969, that Leonard Bernstein conducted many times and that Kurt Masur is its honorary guest conductor. This international spirit has characterized the Israel Philharmonic for more than 70 years: bringing together top musicians from all over the world, the orchestra has toured five continents and consistently reaps the highest praise, both at home and abroad.

by israel-on-blog

October 11, 2007

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv Now And Then
" In The Beginning It started with seashells. Yes, a lottery using gray and white shells marked the beginning of the first Hebrew city, Tel Aviv. Akiva weiss was a man in a hurry. True, he was a watchmaker…but on his first night in Palestine, after disembarking at Jaffa port with his wife and six children in July 1906, he was called to an important meeting. His neighbor, David Smilansky, proposed to the participants – jewish residents of Jaffa – to collectively purchase a plot of land, just north of Jaffa, where they would build the first modern Hebrew-speaking city. The proposal was adopted enthusiastically. The Jaffa Home-Builers' Association – Ahuzat Bayit – was eastablished, and its head was nne other than Akiva Wiess, the new arrival who became the project's guiding spirit. Three years later, during Passover 1909, Weiss Called together on a dune near the seashore some 200 people representing the 60 families who wanted to build homes in the new neighborhood. The historic occasion: a lottery to distribute plots of land among the city's founders. To ensure a fair allocation, Weiss took 60 white seashells and 60 gray ones, inscribing the names of the families that had bought land on the white shells and the plot numbers on the gray ones. A young boy and girl drew out, one by one, a gray shell and a white shell – and the rest is history. From out of the dune sprang a city that, according to the plans of its founders, would bring a new quality of life to the land of Israel: "Houses with green gardens and flowerbeds, children's playgrounds, street lights and running water in every home. In short, a Jewish neighborhood that would take its place without shame among the world's neighborhoods. "A progressive vision, to be sure. Thus, by 1910, with the first 60 houses already standing proudly on the sands, the founding families celebrated Moving Day, and a train of camels made its way north from Jaffa, carrying the Weiss family's belongings to their new home. But as the surveyors were busy measuring for the next phase of construction and the first trees where being planted, a question arose, there on the dunes: What would the new city be called? What to do? Appoint a committee, of course; it duly suggested to the general assembly of neighborhood residents a variety of names: New Jaffa, Garden City, Aviva, Yafefiah (Beauteous), Ivriyah and more. When the journalist Nahun Sokolow came forth with a name "Tel Aviv", he explained that it was a combination of the old and the new. The word tel means a mound of ancient ruins, while aviv, or spring, connotes blossoming and renewal. Nor did he forget to give a nod to Theodor Herzel, the father of Zionism, whose seminal book Altneuland he had translated into Hebrew as "Tel Aviv". Sokolow's suggestion won a majority of the votes and when the city was established, in 1911, Meir Dizengoff was appointed to head its council. He subsequently became mayor, a position he filled most admirably until his death in 1936. The charismatic mayor used o ride on horseback through the city's streets (such as they were!) every day, and he led the annual Purim parade, called the Adloyada. After the death of his wife, Zina, he donated his home at 16 Rothschild Boulevard to the city of Tel Aviv for use as an art museum. It was in this building, on May 14, 1948, that David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the state of Israel.

by israel-on-blog

October 08, 2007

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv Markets – Fresh & Spicy
" Tel Aviv's markets are the best show in town, and they're bustling all day long. A Middle Eastern mélange of tastes, scents, sounds, colors – and lots of people. The Carmel Market, Bursting with life, with surprises tucked away. For those who are mad about markets, this place is heave. And for fans of freshness, there could be no better destination – perfect parsley, the juiciest melons, the most marvelous mangoes. Not to mention the meat, the fish, the cheeses, the flowers – a true cornucopia of flavors and aromas. Don't miss the shops in the tiny alleys behind. That's where you'll find the genuine gems: the cheese and smoked meat delicatessens, the barrels full of herring and other salted fish, all varieties of pickles, halvah and other sweets, even clothing and fabric shops. Your nose will guide you to the bakeries, spice shops and coffee-roasters. The Carmel Market is a feast for senses, an anthropological and gastronomic adventure. For visitors who are marketplace aficionados, a captivating two-hour exploration of this truly authentic bazaar will add a memorable dash of spice to their stay in Tel Aviv. Open every day except Saturday, from 8 a.m. until evening (shops close earlier on Friday afternoons, before Shabbat). Located between Allenby Street and the seashore. The Flea Marker- Bargains and hidden treasures in Jaffa. Antique furniture, hand made carpets, wooden statues, china dolls, colorful pillows, swords, narghiles, silver and copper items from the East (both Near and Far) – you can find here everything! The bustling partially covered market is packed with bargains to suit every taste and pocketbook, especially for those who have time and patience. The young – and the young at heart – will find clothing and accessories, much of it Indian-style: sharwal pants, bright tunics and ponchos, scarves in every hue, as well as jewelry made from silver, wood and plastic. Most of the merchandise makes their long way here from the Far East. You can find here tiny cafes, simple workers' eateries and fresh juice, but the jewel in the crown is the legendary Abulafia bakery on Yefet Street. Don't miss the freshly baked pittot topped with eggs, cheese, za'atar (a local herb) and olive oil, or the piping-hot sambusak, a pastry stuffed with delicious fillings. Open Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays until 2 p.m. Located near the Clock Tower at the beginning of Yefet Street. The Nahalat Binyamin Pedestrian Mall Twice a week, in the laid-back, urban atmosphere, Isreal's main crafts fair showcases an amazing array of unique, locally made items. The bustling bazaar along both sides of the pedestrian mall in one of the city's oldest shopping precincts has earned a reputation for striking original designs in jewelry, ceramics, home décor and more. Along with the fine crafts on offer, the welcoming cafes and fresh-juice stands, you'll also find street theater, musicians and palm readers. You can even get future foretold by a readers of the coffee grounds that sink to the bottom of a cup of Turkish brew. It's a treasure trove of trinkets that can transform life into one big smile! Tuesdays and Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Located on Nahalat Binyamin Street, starting from Allenby. Creative Artists Fair A twice-weekly happening that gathers together artists and craftspeople to sell their unique works, along the city's premiere shopping street, Dizengoff. The bazaar features works in wood, glass, ceramics, metal, as well as jewelry, painting, sculpture and illuminated blessings, New Age items and crafts of all kinds, plus imported works. Romantics will be happy to browse among the second – (third –and fourth-) hand clothing, including some finds from Sixties. The prices are reasonable, and so are the hours. Mondays from noon until 8 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located on Dizwngoff Street between Dizengoff Circle and Frishman Street Antiques and Secondhand items fair A wonderful alternative for those who have done the flea Market and are looking for bargains in the center of the city. This quality antiques fair, featuring about 100 different vendors, offers private collections of rare items in the fields of Judaica, old photographs, original and reproduced paintings and drawings, antique tools and musical instruments, rare books, household items, toys, vintage clothing, props for theater and film productions and more. Don't miss this mobile museum! Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Located at Dizengoff Circle.

by israel-on-blog

October 07, 2007

Tel Aviv

Restaurants In Tel Aviv
" A DELICIOUS MELTING POT If Israel is a culinary superpower, Tel Aviv is its Capital. Between the falafel stands and the gourmet restaurants that earn multiple forks in the Gault – Millau guide – not to mention a wide spectrum of Chinese, Italian, seafood and meat restaurants – a unique culinary culture has blossomed, unmatched by any other food mecca. "Jewish" Food There are restaurants, that is, with an Eastern European flavor, serving kugel, cholent and gefilte fish with lots of chrain. At Shaked, Keton and Mul Eden in central Tel Aviv, they'll be happy to bring you some chopped liver, too. Arab food And what's the difference between a Middle Eastern restaurant and an Arab one? Good question. The menu of a typical Israel Middle Eastern place focuses on hummus, fresh vegetable salad and grilled meats, while Arab restaurants generally add to that a variety of stuffed vegetables and bigger selection of salads. The Arab restaurants in Jaffa, like the well-known Raouf & Atina, also serve fish and fish and seafood. The service in both the Middle Eastern restaurant and the Arab restaurant is quick and efficient, and prices are very reasonable. North African food A wide swathe of the Israeli population hails from North Africa, whose cuisine features couscous, hraimeh, matbuha, shakshuka and stuff vegetables. At both Asraf and Giuliani in central Tel Aviv, and Dr. Shakshouka in Jaffa, you can get truly authentic North African dishes. If this cooking style made a big impact on French cuisine, it's no wonder that we find it so exciting. Persian food The Persian specialties at Keshet in the old centrel bus station area and Nayef on Zebulun Street include authentic treats such as gondi, sevzi, leppe, and shefteh. You'll also want to savor a stew of vegetables and meat with Persian lemon, or maash, a soup combining pomegranate, beets, vegetables and rice. Gourmet Top restaurants in the Israeli genre feature lots of super – fresh locally grown vegetables. The chefs create superb seasonal dishes based on highest quality ingredients from the market, such as okra, Jerusalem artichokes, green beans, ful and leeks, using French techniques with local touches (that is, Arab, Middle Eastern and Balkan). This is the custom at Carmela baNachala ( a sister restaurant to the famous Uri Burri in Acre), at inventive chef Nir Zook's Cordelia in Jaffa, at Rafael's under wonder-chef Rafi Cohen, at the breathtaking Messa, at Tahel which adds a Spanish flavor to all this, and at the prestigious seafood restaurant Moul Yam. All of these places are renowned not only for their innovative and exacting chefs, but also for their outstanding dacor and professional service, with an Israeli touch.

by israel-on-blog

September 30, 2007

Tel Aviv

Fashion And Shopping In Tel-Aviv
" One reason Tel Aviv's praises are being sung on international catwalks is the success of Tel Aviv designers in the world's fashion hotbeds. To give you an idea – Tel Aviv is the original home of the Oscar's red carpet's dresses designer Alber Elbaz. Israeli fashion design is known for its unique urban fashion trend and its all-round daring and creativity, as in the juxtaposition of different cultures and sources of inspiration. Tel Aviv is rich with fashion centers. You can go for crazy shopping on Dizengoff Street, where you'll find the boutiques of the most talented and successful designers. You can also find bride's dresses on that street that will make you want to find your sweetheart and get married a.s.a.p. Also there are Shenkein Street, Yermiyahu Street and if you are into Haute couture there's Kikar Ha'Medina (the "Medina" circle) where you can find the world's biggest brands. Anther Tel Aviv fashion center is blossoming in the area around Hehashmal (Electricity) Street, which has become a magnet for young designers who cannot or will not pay the high rentals charged on Dizengoff Street. Mirit Singer Rodrig. Who opened her shop Closest in the Hehashmal Street area, explains: "it was important to me to be right in the middle of the action, in the place where things are happening." If you're lucky enough to be in Tel Aviv in February or August, you can find the city's most talented designers gathered together in one place with the best of their collections on display – and for sale. Twice a year, for three days each time, a giant fashion fair called City Designers' Market is held in Tel Aviv. Whatever you do, don't miss this colorful carnival of cutting-edge fashion!

by israel-on-blog

September 23, 2007

Member Reviews of hotels, restaurants and attractions in Tel Aviv

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DAN TEL AVIV

Tel Aviv, Israel

Terrific hotel on the beach
"We had a nicely done room with a view of the water. Restaurants in the hotel are terrific. They do a fabulous Israeli buffet breakfast. If you can get a r..."
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by sybil

December 06, 2006

SHARON HOTEL

Tel Aviv, Israel

Beautiful view of the Mediterranean - hotel is old
"Every room has a beautiful view of the Mediterranean.. Hotel is near the Marina and where all the beach fun is. The hotel is on the older side and the hallw..."
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by sm00cheez

December 06, 2006

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