v i v A l e T INSIDER
Shalom from Tel Aviv, following our ethos of independent living, we have tapped into our network to unlock our insider narrative for a destination that is enriched in a diverse cultural background, in the age of everything that is pleasure. Yes, we're sure you've heard of the nightlife, the beaches and the food, but here at the AH Travel Club we go against the grain. Immersing you deeper into a destination, and letting you get the most exclusive all access pass to the best bits of Tel Aviv, from where to we eat, sleep, play and who or what to discover.Â
YOUR WORLD. YOURÂ WAY.
Tel Aviv Insider WRITTEN BY AH TRAVEL CLUB
Waking up in Tel Aviv is like waking up in the likes of Paris, Barcelona, and Lisbon. What is it that makes Tel Aviv so mystical? Is it in the nonchalant setup of interactive street cafes and jam sessions taking place on every street corner? Is it how the locals remain so chic after continuous roaring night adventures? Or is it how chaos and calm can live so well together in a city that is constantly alert?
Tel Aviv makes for a seductive love affair. The Mediterranean metropolis is extra hip, made up of the coolest people, trendy boutiques, an amplified art scene and home to the gay capital of the Middle East. Yet a simple hangover can make all things too familiar, making the hip very homelike. From revisiting our fav kebab spots, or making a reservation at a rooftop bar we religiously go to for our daily sundowners. By the time we've hit day 7 we're packing our bags and getting ready to jet off again. We realise that a place that seemed freshly explosive and new in so many ways, easily became a hometown for our memories and close friend connections. Tel Aviv is a lot to take in and we bring you the ultimate scope on how we take it all in, one moment at a time, every story to be told and each experience to be encountered.
WHERE WE STAY DESIGNER LUXE Screaming retro-chic we love boutique hotel Brown Beach House. The love comes from the fact they're setup to be a cultural venue where the city’s tastemakers come together for mixology workshops, pop-up art events and live music performances. A hub of coolness, this is so down our path. SEXY SOHO The Trieste Neve Tzedek Boutique Suites, is something we definitely f#cks with. Combining elegance and rustic Mediterranean charm, the best thing about this gem is that everything awesome in the neighbourhood can be be found right outside it's door steps - the finest shops, restaurants and bars in the city. HIPSTER'S HEARTBEAT Just as vibrant as the local art-makers, art-lovers and art-fakesters, The Diaghilev is an urban experience that let's you immeserve in the day-to-day life of the typical ‘Tel Avivian’, who sits at coffee shops, grabs a bite at restaurants, reads on boulevard benches, stays up late, drinks at bars and has breakfast at any time of the day or night. SEAVIEW STAYS Our best kept secret in Tel Aviv is Casa Nova Boutique Hotel. This is your calm away from chaos. Just minutes from the bustle with direct panoramas of the Medi sea, we love this getaway within a getaway.
WHERE WE EAT BREAKAST Da Da & Da is our french inspired menu for the most important meal of the day. Sweet pastries, fresh coffee and a terrace with a European feel. Another one of our favourites is Dallal, relaxed atmosphere perfect for your destructive hangover, hidden is a beautiful garden to shade yourself from day light and they have an extensive cocktail list to keep you going. BRUNCH By now you should know that we’re big on brunch. Head to Hotel Montefiore’s Restaurant where you're bound to rub shoulders with trendy locals and well-to-do business types. They all flock here for the brunch menu - that in itself should be a sign! Cosmo breakfast cocktails, lavish settings and a brasserie that serves all kinds of yummies. Kick back here for hours upon hours excusing yourself from any sort of movement. LUNCH We died and came back to life when we visited the upmarket Asian fusion restaurant Topolopompo. Design, creativity, taste and experience is all pretty top-notch here! As they say “The fire is burning in the kitchen, welcome to the table”. Tel Aviv is huge on the vegan scene, and sometimes it helps to add a little twist or flare to a vegan’s diet. Nanuchka is an entertaining Georgian-inspired vegan restaurant that turns into a bar later in the evening. Their ethos is “Georgians believe that every meal begins with the right company and lots of drinks, the food comes second.”
DINNER OCD TLV is where fine dining meets street food. With an open kitchen the chef draws inspirations from local culture, raw materials, history and ‘chutzpa’ (meaning: extreme selfconfidence or audacity). Port Said restaurant is one of the most interesting little hipster spots in town. With a sense of chaos in a high-class restaurant, plus a pub atmosphere, combined with top class food makes for an unforgettable experience near the famous Great Synagogue on Allenby.
WHAT WE DO DAYCAP
With 13 different beaches spread over a coastal strip that nearly stretches over 9 miles, it can get tricky trying to find the perfect beach spot. We stay sexy and fun, heading out to the Hilton/Top Sea Beach where the Top Sea surf club dominates the shores. and the beach bar and restaurant bring the summer vibes together.
Not too far from the beach, Craft & Bloom is a unique creative gallery space with a cactus garden, workspace for the cummunity of makers and shakers. Pop in to visit and if you have a chance chat to the founders to find out how DIY living has been extra fruitful in their lives. Visit the magical studio in Neve Zedek of Agas and Tamar, iconic, handcrafted Israeli designer jewellery, made with ancient traditions and modern techniques. Backed on 20 years of friendship, the designers have created an empire of fine jewellery.
First of all you shouldn’t even be thinking about work when on holiday but if you're in need of a place that allows for the creativity to flow and a way to curb that work bug, visit the Mindspace, super comfortable and a great environment for your body to relax and your brain to think.
Style dripping from all walls and corners of the uber cool Elemento showroom. Entirely irresistible, this colourful world of hand-crafted furniture collections is a great way to discover the hedonistic themes of living through a highly influential space. #InteriorGoals
OUR TOP 5 NIGHT SPOTS NIGHTCAP A well beat-face, gear fit to kill, a squad that is up for anything and a #noregrets attitude should be more than enough for you to prepare yourself for wild nights. The only thing you need is a great line-up for where you should be carrying out your shenanigans.
ECLECTIC SHAKERS Kuli Alma could easily be a gallery spot, with its art-focused environment. The venue is wonderful with vibrant street art, vintage films all over the walls and an open-air concept, ideal for an exhibition space. Full of the creatives, cultured and expressive. DARK & TWISTED
HOMETOWN CASUALS
Forget about time and loose yourself in the Breakfast Club & Milk Bar, set to be your last stop of the night but definitely not a short one. Leave everything at the door and party to the new day at the locals favourite hotspot.
If you're looking for more of a relaxed vibe with cold beers, Shafa bar is our favourite neighbourhood bar in the alleys of Jaffa. Chilled atmosphere with amazing beats keeping people in the groove.
BAD & BOUJEE Craft cocktails, leather seats, dark corners and an all too seduction setting for the classy clubber, The Double Standard is our #1 choice for nights out in Tel Aviv
WINE SNOB Inspired by the french flares, Jajo Vino is setup like a wine cellar but surrounded by intimate art and fit for a naughty night.
WHO WE WATCH OUT FOR CONNECTING WITH AMAZING LOCALS
TAL KLEINBORT Like the JLO of Tel Avi, an all in one creative and production virtuoso, bringing together a unique takeover on the Tel Avivian fashion world. With 13 years of managing leading commercial campaigns, Tal has a rich understanding of what the people of Tel Aviv need and what they will want. She is a woman that has built a world around her own world, which is something that is truly inspiring. As a creative director and fashion lifestyle guru she is cutting-edge to the scene in Israel. Now more of a public figure from the lives of her creations. We love her style and approach to life, she makes the waves instead of riding them.
LAVA DOME Growing up in Tel Avi must have been wild as a teenager. The temptation of sneaking out and hitting the club would have crossed our minds every single night. We’d like to imagine that Lava Dome got his flare for producing when he was stuck in his bedroom at 15 or 16, tempted to go out but listened instead. His medlodies, bass undertones and hard-hitting drum patterns all makes for a very exciting hip hop influenced night out. His music speaks of his life and his freedom, embracing the idea of living independently and to the point where you don't really need to grow up. Lava Dome is a quintessential soothsayer in Tel Aviv’s musical stratosphere
OUR TOP 5 WAYS TO KILL YOUR HANGOVER Tel Aviv is going to take alot from you, your mornings are going to leave you feeling destroyed by the previous nights toxins. We dont believe that hangovers are entirely curable but we do have some ways to keep you going instead of hiding under a blanket until hangover number 4 surpasses.
1. Caffine Boost The coffee culture is deep in Tel Aviv, and now we understand why… Coffee is great for a hangover, Landwer Cafe is your delight for a necessary awakening. 2. Greasy Foods Moses is heaven on earth, as one of israel’s most famous diners, our greasy option is their killer original burger, big a$$ portions and the best part about them is that they deliver! Making your hangover episode so much more easier to deal with. 3. Spa Therapy Overlooking the mediterranean sea, take a spa day at Carmel Forest Spa at the Royal Beach and rejuvenate yourself, leave your rotten feelings at the door and come back to life with some abundant therapy. 4. Wellness Vibes For an all day hangover spot, visit the Normal Hotel to use their wellness facilities. Choose from yoga, sweating out the alcohol in the gym or the sauna (sauna sounds better), jump in the pool to cool down and rest up on the rooftop terrace in the sun while all of life comes back to you. 5. Back at it Again Most would say that the easiest way to cure a hangover is to just carry on drinking, looking to chill out, the Speakeasy is the perfect rooftop setting for us to continuing the party!.
OUR TOP 5 LEGENDARY STREET FOOD SPOTS 1. Foreign Local Dr Shakshuka has been loved by so many for many years. A simple Tripolitan dish of baked eggs in tomato sauce, the authentic dish has made this spot extremely special.
2. Hummus Select When in Tel Aviv you should try having a hummus dish your main, Abu Hassan drowns theirs in olive oil and as many other fresh toppings, almost seems healthy (except all that olive oil) Get there before 3:00 pm, after that the Hummus is done.
3. The Obvious You cannot go to Tel Aviv and not try a Shwarma, the home of our favourite Shwarma is HaKosem, serving the obvious excellence of the best wrapped up piece of heaven. 4. Vegan Option A small gem . Sabich Tchernichovsky, is an artisan spot for the pita deliciousness, Sabich is a jewish and Iraqie combination for a colourful sandwich that hits all the right spots.
5. Homemade HaBasta Restaurant is perfect for a shared meal experience, with really simple fresh dishes, all drizzled in fragrant olive oil, if you dont get the chance to eat at a locals house, this is the best alternative for homemade Israeli cooking.
OUR TOP 5 'MUSTS' FOR THE ART AND CULTURE SCENE The art and culture scene cannot be overlooked in Tel Aviv, with so many strong and vibrant voices there is something for everyone in the city that never sleeps.
1. Art Tours Check out Shani Werner’s contemporary art tours to really understand the city’s art scene, from trendsetters, experimentental galleriers, new talents and the meanings behind the vibrant streets in the different districts. 2. Arts Centre The Centre of Contemporary Arts works on only 4 to 6 unique large-scale exhibitions annually. They spend more energy focusing on the time and the location of these showcasings. Looking to engage the public with art on very experimental levels. 3. Art Gallery RawArt Gallery has a very strong curatorial agenda,. One of the most interesting galleries in Tel Aviv, the space has a lot of shows but more excitingly the artistic events is where the fun lives. Bringing together local and international artists alike. 4. Art Cinema One of the best ways to connect with Tel Avivians is to visit the Cinemateque, a symbol of urban culture that the locals love. We spent a night here mesmerised by the pure happiness this place brought the locals. From documentaries, indie films and foreign films, the most interesting part about this place was the people. 5. Art Music Looking to discover the local music scene, BalconyTV Tel Aviv is an online music show that connects the public to immersion artists from city. Set on a beautiful rooftop with the city's horizon in the background, you can experience an intimate and exclusive showcasing of the whats trending in the local music scene.
'PLANT A SEED' - THE FOCUS JENIN FREEDOM THEATRE
Based on the strong culture of creativity and expressionism, Jenin Freedom Theatre is a cultural centre situated in Jenin Refugee Camp. Running from the inspiration of care and learning, thearte and art is used to address chronic fear, depression and trauma experienced by children in the camp. Their motto “Generating Cultural Resistance”, runs on programmes containing the tools to deal with the hardships of daily life under occupation. Offering acting, filmmaking, creative writing psychodrama and photography, these programmes not only help to sustain the current development of these individuals but aim to build long-term skills in the applied fields. The project was first built in the 1980s, it's amazing to see how the project is still highly required as a option for development. As a result a legacy was created, and many of the young people who participated in these activities later continued in The Freedom Theatre and are today leading activities for new generations. The Freedom Theatre puts much emphasis on play and creating a safe space as a foundation for children and youth to be free to express themselves creatively and strengthened in their ability to deal with difficulties in life. At the heart of all Freedom Theatre activities, the belief is that active solidarity and creative expression are vital in the journey towards a more just, peaceful and egalitarian world.
TIPS & TRICKS
GET FAMILIAR WITH THE FACTS • Tel Aviv is a destination that pretty much has great weather all year round - BONUS! However the best time to visit is between April and November. If over-crowding is for you then July is the best time, if not September and October are pretty great months to jump on a plane and head out there. • The best place to catch the sunset in Tel Aviv is Ajami beach. You have to take a moment to just stop, breathe and admire natures beauty. • Whatever wine you consume, make sure its Israeli, they have some world class vinos! • Remember youre in the gay capital of the Middle East, if you cant stand the fabulousness then get out of the kitchen. • As much as the scene is all about partying, Tel Avivians live a rich hedonistic lifestyle, they are pro’s at partying all 7 days of the week, take some tips from them and see how they maintain a balanced social life and health body, mind and soul. • If you decided to go to any of the markets, visit the Carmel market on a Friday specifically, they have artists showcasing their work and there is definitely more of a buzz to the atmosphere. • This is the best time in your life to have a Pub Crawl
YOUR WORLD. YOURÂ WAY.
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