TRAVEL
Shalom
Tel Aviv!
by Rebecca Underwood
Winery, Tel Aviv
© Tel Aviv courtesy Dana Friedlander for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism Tel Aviv, which translates to ‘tell of spring’, is a bustling cosmopolitan city and it’s simply bursting with joie de vivre. Nestled on the glittering waters of the Israeli Mediterranean and with nine miles of pristine beaches it has been recognised, by National Geographic, as one of the world’s top ten best beach-cities. Tel Aviv has the largest GDP throughout the Middle East, attracts more than 2.5 million visitors annually, and of course there is much to explore and admire. © Tel Aviv Museum of Art
© Carmel Market's Treasures
Founded by the Yishuv (a Jewish community) in 1909, Tel Aviv was once a neighbourhood on the periphery of Jaffa, where archaeological finds provide evidence of human settlement dating back to approximately 7,500 BC. The ancient port of Jaffa, known as Yafo, is referred to in the Hebrew Bible as the border of the land given to the Tribe of Dan as they entered the Promised Land. Jaffa is mentioned again as the landing port for the cedars of Lebanon, which were used for the construction of Solomon’s Temple and the Second Temple of Jerusalem, and it was also Jonah’s embarkation port when he set sail for Tarshish, rather than Nineveh, in defiance of God’s will. My explorations of Tel Aviv began with a leisurely stroll along the wide promenade, which follows the shoreline for 14 kilometres, and whilst breathing in the salty air, the enticing golden sands of Gordon Beach emerged and I spotted the salt water swimming pool, surrounded by verdant lawns. Perched on a comfy bench, I took the opportunity to watch a lively game on the volleyball court and in order to mingle with the ‘in crowd’ I made my way to Mike’s Place, located on Retsif Herbert Samuel Street, for a spot of lunch. Keen to experience the true ‘vibe’ of the city and to become part of the local community, if only for a short while, I opted to stay in a trendy two bedroom, air-conditioned apartment, located within the Isrotel Tower on HaYarkon St. The property is 300 metres away from Bugrashov Beach and within walking distance to Rothschild Boulevard, which is in the heart of the ‘White City’. Admired for its abundance of properties reflecting the Bauhaus architectural style, the area was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2003. I immediately settled into the stylish apartment with its spacious lounge and plump sofa and the adjoining balcony provided an absolutely stunning view of the city and proved to be an unbeatable place for a late afternoon tipple. The kitchen features every appliance including a dishwasher and a washer/dryer and all the utensils needed for whipping up a quick breakfast after a restful sleep in the ultra continues overleaf...
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