Tour Tel Aviv during an Israel Tour

By: Amir Yarkoni

Touring Tel Aviv

Whether you visit Israel on a private tour or on a congregational Israel tours, experiencing Tel Aviv should be on your list. When traveling to Israel, there is a tendency to under estimate the significance of visiting Tel Aviv."

The city, however, allows tourists a short break from the emotional and inspirational experiences the Holly Land has to offer. It is also presents tourists with a glance at contemporary and modern Israel, which can be extremely different from the ancient and historical sites that most tours to Israel focus on.

Tour The first Hebrew City

Tel Aviv is known as "The First Hebrew City". It was founded in 1909 by a group of Jewish workers (Ahuzat Bayit homebuilders association) as residential alternative to the dense and expensive Arab housing of Jaffa. Today, these first neighborhoods (Neve Tzedek, Yemenite Quarter) stand out at the south of the city because of their interesting architecture and narrow streets and attract many artists who either live or have shops in the area. The western part is narrower and spans the river. It is less packed and maybe less family-oriented (except on weekends when the whole park is a one big family so to say…). In the north bank of this part there is a large sports center called the sportec, with many basketball, rollerblades courts, and soccer fields. On weekends the place is cramped with players, most of which are "regulars".

In 1948, the state of Israel was declared in by David Ben Gurion, who addressed the Jewish People from what is referred as Independence Hall since. The declaration took place in a hall of the Israeli Museum on Rothschild Boulevard, which is open to the public most of the year.

City by the Sea

As many other coastal cities, the sea has an enormous influence on the life style in Tel Aviv. During the hot and humid summers, the sandy beaches are busy with youngsters and families.

One of the most important ports in the Middle East throughout history was the old port of Jaffa. The port's importance has decreased in time, and nowadays, it mainly serves for fishing and offers a unique sea food market.

Trips to Israel usually include some of the finest hotels Tel Aviv has to offer. Most of Tel Aviv deluxe hotels are located along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The beach strip is where most tourists will be spending thedir stay in Tel Aviv. The hotels area has a wide promenade (Tayelet) along the beaches which provide the public with street performances, a variety of restaurants and café's.

The center of Israeli Culture

Some of Israel's most important museums are located in Tel Aviv. The city houses a variety of art museums, archeological museums, military museums and the Diaspora museum on the campus of the University of Tel Aviv. Many of Israel's main theaters are also located in Tel Aviv. One of them is Israel's national Habima Theater, a landmark located at the end of Rothschild Boulevard.

Tel Aviv was declared by UNESCO, in 2003, as a World heritage site for its International Style (Bauhaus) structures. The International Style was popular between 1930s and 1950s when about 2500 structures were built around the city, especially in what is called the "White City" area today.

Tel Aviv - The city that never sleeps

Tel Aviv is also the business and entertainment heart of Israel and referred to as The city that never sleeps for its busy days and active nightlife. Everyone can find their "cup of tea" when it comes to entertainment in Tel Aviv.

The city has a lot to offer and the styles vary from traditional Jewish and Middle Eastern experiences to modern western and expensive ones. All types of restaurants, food and bars can be found in Tel Aviv, usually according to their location.

If you like window shopping, try walking on Dizengoff St. The street accommodates most of Israel's designer clothing shops and the first Tel aviv shopping located center at the crossing with King George St. The street also offers many cafés where locals come to converse and gossip over a cup of coffee or lunch.

The city has a few main nightlife areas around it. The old Tel Aviv Port n the north and the Business District in the south are twp examples of where to find a wide selection of restaurants, bars and clubs.

Jacky Says...

I spent a couple of days in Tel Aviv during our Israel tour and had so much fun. It was a break from all the amazing historical sites we went to and gave me a chance to visit the market, go shopping and relax at the beach.
Oh yeah, and I also went out, but I will leave it for another time...

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