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Gan Hahashmal one of the coolest neighborhoods in Tel Aviv

Gan Hahashmal (Electricity Garden) is one of the coolest neighborhoods in Tel Aviv. Once the location of Tel Aviv’s central power plant, followed by few dark years, in which this small park surrounded by elegant, late-Ottoman-era houses hosted some of the city’s alternative activities, it now houses some Tel Aviv’s indie-fashion crowd who chose to live, work, create and party there.

The Collective 6940 is a group of designers who settled into the Gan HaHashmal area with their design studios and stores that inhabit the few blocks around the central garden. The group is also responsible for several cultural events throughout the year, offering live music, dancing, group yoga, art exhibitions and – shopping.

The Gan Hahashmal miniature quarter, spreading between the streets of Allenby, Yehuda Halevy, Barzilay & Hahashmal, boasts of cutting-edge boutiques, studios of apparel and accessory designers, restaurants, cafes and nighttime entertainment options. Some of the most recommended are:

Bar & Music: Levontin 7 is the name (and address) of one of the coolest bars-music venue in Tel Aviv. Now in its 2nd year, it hosts a wide selection of eclectic music performances of local and foreign Rock, Jazz and Indie musicians and bands. To find our more, you can go to – http://www.myspace.com/levontine7 (Tel: 972-3-5605084).

Shopping: Uzbek-born Helena Blaunstein designs an eclectic women’s clothing line for her store Frau Blau (8 HaHashmal St.; 972-3-5601735; www.fraublau.com). With their vibrant colors, patchwork patterns, and fitted, feminine shapes, her clothes have a vintage edge paired with a decidedly 21st-century playfulness.

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Ahad Haam & Nahmani streets

Ahad Haam & Nahmani streets are located in the heart of Tel Aviv, and you should make note of them as part of your "getting to know Tel Aviv" tour, either fitting them into your Rothschild Blvd excursion or dedicating them some time of their own. Ahad Haam (a.k.a Ehad Ha'am or Echad Ha'am) means "one of the people" and is the pen name of Asher Ginzberg, a Jewish Russian who was one of the founders of Zionism. The street named after him runs parallel to the famous Rothschild Blvd, and hosts a mix of restaurants, cafes, art galleries and more. It meets with Nahmani Street half way through, and continues towards north with similar offering of typical Tel Aviv Bauhaus buildings and great atmosphere. Some of the recommendations for this heart of Tel Aviv neighborhood include: Sightseeing Some of the nicer Bauhaus buildings of the city are located on Ahad Haam and Nahmani streets, so when you walk around the neighborhood, don't forget to look up and enjoy the wide porches, small windows and smooth lines of the International architectural design, which gave the city of Tel Aviv its "white city" UNESCO World Heritage site title. A landmark attraction for every walking tour is the Pagoda House on the corner of Nahmani and Montefiore streets, designed by architect Alexander Levy in 1925. Inspired by a cafe in the United States, the Pagoda House merges Oriental and Western styles. Since it's privately owned you won't be able to see it from the inside, but sitting on the lovely King Albert Square, just across the street, will allow you to appreciate it just the same. Coffee Shops The famous Café Tamar, which has been serving stale coffee to a mix of Israel's top politicians, journalists and artists for over 40 years, is located in the corner of Shenkin and Ahad Ha'am streets. A popular kosher coffee shop, Cafe Ginzburg, can be found at 55 Ahad H'aam St., and a small library-café, popular with local writers and artists is Café Noah, at 93 Ahad Ha’am St., where you can enjoy the small garden when the weather permits (which is almost all the time). Another great place to enjoy the morning sun is Café-bakery Ben Ami, at King Albert Square, 22 Nahmani St. Restaurants One of the best Italian restaurants in Tel Aviv is Pronto, at 26 Nahmani St., a "Trattoria Italiana" serving great seafood and typical dishes for two decades. Just around the corner is Café Noir at 43 Ahad Ha'am with huge breakfasts and large bistro food throughout the day. If you happen to be vegetarian, Mezze at 51 Ahad Ha'am is a small neighborhood joint just for you. Art Galleries Noga Gallery at 60 Ahad Ha'am St., Gallery 39 at 39 Nahmani St.

Amazing Israeli breakfast at the EATS cafeteria

An Israeli breakfast is quite known for being a great healthy and tasty breakfast. Originally served on a collective farm called a kibbutz, Israeli breakfast is now available in most hotels and restaurants in Israel. It usually consists of fruits, vegetables, salads, breads, pastries, dairy products, eggs, and fish served in a buffet style. The EATS cafeteria, located in Sheinkin St. Tel Aviv, offers wonderful breakfasts with variety and quality, the menu offers options like Avocado bruschetta, poached egg, poached egg avocado, chives, Shatta pepper and Atlantic salt on sourdough bread. A salad of roasted vegetables in the oven with rocket, mint and roasted pistachios, almond cream and confit garlic on sourdough bread. Scrambled eggs, coarsely chopped vegetable salad, tuna salad, homemade labneh, feta cheese and carrot bread. Also yogurt, nut granola, frozen blueberry candies, banana and raspberry jam. The place is stunning, pleasant atmosphere and lovely staff. Highly recommended! Eats, located in the Sam & Blondie Hotel

Old Jaffa Port

Old Jaffa is one of the most attractive places to tour in Tel Aviv-Jaffa. The city which has always been the entry to the ancient land of Israel is succeeding, even today, its traditional aromas and fragrances which have always characterized it There is a marina at the Port and many people sail from here on pleasure trips. At the top of the hill is the Franciscan Church of St. Peter, which was established in the 17th Century, in which it is possible to visit the room where, the clergy strongly claim, Napoleon stayed after the capture of the city. One of the most important sites for Christianity in Jaffa is the house of Simon the Tanner. Historians believe that Jaffa is the only port in the world which can boast uninterrupted in habitation throughout its entire existence. The biblical account mentions that the cedars from Lebanon for the construction of King Solomon's Temple came in via Jaffa. Jonah departed from this city in his flight from God. Greek legend tells of the chaining of the beautiful Andromeda to the rocks facing Jaffa's shore. Simon the Tanner lived in Jaffa, and it was here that the Apostle Peter performed a miracle. Roman legions, Richard the Lion Hearted, Napoleon and Turkish sultans all conquered the city; but with the eclipse of the Ottoman Empire, the city's vitality declined. Towards the end of World War I, the city was conquered by General Allenby, ushering in the period of the British Mandate. The port of Jaffa, (the sole port at the time) served as the point of entry for the increased Jewish immigration which came to resettle the land. A variety of sea trips leave here daily to view the outstanding sight of the horizon of Tel Aviv-Jaffa from the direction of the sea. From the Port it is possible to climb narrow steps to the top of the Old Jaffa Hill. Charles Clore Park is Located just north to the Port and is accessible by the new promenade that will take you all the way to Tel Aviv - around 20 minutes walk along the Mediterranean beach. For a budget accommodation, Old Jaffa Hostel is an excellent choice which guests are accepted personally located not far from the port in the middle of Jaffa's Oriental Bazaar - lively during the day, quiet at night and within walking distance to anything you need in the big city. See Virtual tour of Old Jaffa Port >>

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