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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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Old Jaffa

Old Jaffa is one of the most ancient cities in the world, with over 4,000 years of history. The Old Jaffa port is one of the most ancient ports in the world, and the control over which had been shifted from one ruler to the other for many centuries. Each of them - Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Greek, Roman or French - has left his own unique mark on the city. You can sense it while traveling the narrow lanes of the city and witnessing its unique charm. Nowadays these small arched alleys, named after the zodiac's signs, are filled with artists' quarters, studios and art galleries, as well as Judaica, archaeology items and jewelry shops. Not surprisingly, Old Jaffa is one of Israel's major tourist attractions and surely one of Tel Aviv's most romantic spots. The best way to start exploring Old Jaffa is by walking down the beach promenade, which offers lovely views of Tel-Aviv beaches and skyline, southward from the "drums-beach". From there you will reach the old port that has great view of the city and a beautiful authentic pier. If you keep walking down the southernmost side of the port area, you will find a ship graveyard. Otherwise, walk up the stairs from the old port and reach Kedumim Square, in the center of the old city. In Kedumim Square you will find the ancient Jaffa museum and a tourist information center. Right next to Kedumim square is a small park with sculptures of Israeli artists, spectacular views of the Mediterranean and a lovely romantic atmosphere. Another recommended walk is towards the Clock Square and the Clock Tower. It was built in the Ottoman period in the beginning of the 20th century and became the center of Old Jaffa. It is located right in the middle of the city's markets, next to the Flea Market and many small shops that offer practically everything you may want to take back home as a souvenir.

The Carmel market

The Carmel Market is the largest open market in Tel Aviv and the best place to buy fresh food and wonder around. Next to the market lies the Yemenite Vineyard, a small neighborhood with charming little streets and typical Yemenite restaurants. The Carmel Market (Shuk HaCarmel) is the biggest marketplace in Tel Aviv and a fun place to visit. In the Carmel market you can find just about anything for the lowest prices in town, including different kinds of bread, olives, dried fruits, spices and so on. It is also the best place to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as fish and poultry. The clothing section is located next to Allenby Street, and you can surely find there a bargain or two. Just off the Carmel Market lies one of the most special neighborhoods in Tel Aviv. It is called Yemenite Vineyard (Kerem Hateymanim), originally formed in the beginning of the 20th century by the Jewish immigrants from Yemen. The municipality started renovating this area some 15 years ago, and walking through its narrow alleys and small houses is pretty inspiring. Accept for a walk in these charming little streets, you can make a stop in one of the small neighborhood restaurants. All of them serve traditional Yemenite cuisine, spiced with Hawhyedge, the most characteristic spice in the Yemenite kitchen. The neighborhood is located very close to the sea, so it can be a good stop on your way to or from the beach. Hotel Metropolitan at 11 Trumpeldor St. is just few minutes walk from the Carmel Market to the north. It is an affordable yet elegant lodging option next to the beach and the city center. Another nice hotel in this area is Sun City hotel at 9 Trumpeldor St., which is very well kept and quite intimate. It has a great location - next to the city's lively markets and shopping areas, and only 500 meters from the Mediterranean. Galileo Hotel, located in the heart of the Yemenite Quarter, one of Tel Aviv's first neighborhoods, is a picturesque hotel which will provide you with all the facilities of a budget accommodation in the best location. It is easy to find your way around the Carmel Market area using public transportation, because most buses have stops in the central Allenby Street. It is also located right off Shenkin St., which is another landmark you mustn't miss on your Tel Aviv visit.

Yad Harutzim nightlife center in downtown Tel Aviv

Yad Harutzim is probably not the best place to visit during the day, when it offers the not-too-sexy blend of auto repair shops, noisy multi-lane roads and old office buildings. But when the sun goes down, this area becomes one of the city's nightlife centers. Restaurants are packed, bars are massive and the nightclubs are lined one next to the other. Some of the biggest names in the city's nightlife scene are located here, and some excellent restaurants too, so if it's past 7 PM, it is definitely an area worth a visit. When it comes to the combination of casual atmosphere, great food and superb design the Coffee Bar (13 Yad Harutzim St., Tel 03-6889696) is probably among the best places to dine in Tel Aviv. This mostly French cuisine bistro is accompanied by a rich wine list and friendly service, in what is often referred to as one of the best casual restaurants in the country. Another culinary treat nearby is Vince and Tamar (10 Hazfira St., Tel: 03-6390407), which is an industrial-chic Italian restaurant. You will find no formal menus here, but daily specials listed on a blackboard. The moderate prices are more than reasonable for your diner value. Yad Harutzim hosts many nightclubs in a pretty condensed area. The Dome is one of the city's well established Mega-clubs, usually playing house and techno music. Prices are not cheap, but you will get your money's worth if Mega-Clubs are your cup of tea. Nearby are the SO and the VOX nightclubs, both offering the same type of music to similar crowd, happy and friendly (especially after a couple of drinks). If the underground scene and some experimental music are your thing, Café Barzilay is a smaller club that frequently hosts great DJs from abroad. Sometimes there are live performances of alternative Israeli artists too. If you're looking for mega-bars, mega-clubs or good restaurants in a downtown atmosphere, then Yad Harutzim is the place for you to visit. Bare in mind that traffic is pretty crowded there so you'd better come with Sherut (service) shared taxis, which has stops nearby on its way to the Central Bus Station. More about Tel Aviv bars and night life >>

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