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Old Jaffa

Tel Aviv travel guide

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.

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A new Isrotel hotel in the Basel St Tel Aviv

A new Isrotel hotel in the Basel St Tel Aviv will open in 2024 with 132 rooms. A hotel that is a huge complex that includes not only guest rooms, but also a shopping center, entertainment and restaurants, 1200 square meters of an innovative spa that offers dozens of body, health and beauty treatments, a swimming pool and more. Located in the heart of one of the most beautiful and sought-after neighborhoods in Tel Aviv, walking distance from Yarkon Park, the sea and the main streets of the city.

Tel Aviv Beaches - The religious beach

The religious beach is the only beach in Tel Aviv that has separate bathing days for men and women, and is a great option for those who prefer a more restrained beach atmosphere. There is one beach in Tel Aviv that has separate bathing days for men and women, in order to respond to the needs of the religious community. It is named "the religious beach" (Hof Hadatiyim), sometimes referred to as "The Separate Beach" as well, and is surrounded by a high wall which isolates it from the neighboring beaches. This is a good option for those who prefer single sex bathing or restrained beach atmosphere. Not only religious people take advantage of this unique and usually not too crowded beach. Women's days tend to attract many of Tel Aviv's non religious females as well, who sometime prefer to enjoy their sunbath uninterrupted by male company. Shalom Howard Johnson (216 Hayarkon St., ), a modern five-story building with balconies towards the Mediterranean and Independence Park, is the nearest hotel. It is pretty basic but has a restaurant and a pub, which offers live music almost every evening. The Marina hotel is pretty close as well, located on top of Kikar Atarim square, which is a popular hangout place for tourists during the summer months. The Marina (167 Hayarkon St., ) is located in the center of Tel Aviv's luxury hotel strip, and offers a combination of convenient location and comfortable lodging. The rooms at the Marina were recently renovated and its guests enjoy an underground parking lot, which is a rare and helpful feature for guests in the city. The religious beach area is a central location for a Tel Aviv visit. Even if you choose to stay elsewhere, try to visit there once. Your chances to witness a similar beach elsewhere are pretty scarce.

Brut wine bar, Tel Aviv

If you're looking for a truly unique dining experience, look no further than Brut. This restaurant's cuisine is inspired by the classic French and Italian kitchens, but with a Middle Eastern twist. You'll find ingredients like lamb and yogurt from Nazareth, fruit and vegetables from Hebron, and spices from Tel Aviv's Levinsky Market. The menu features both classic dishes and seasonal creations, often invented the same day they're served. And the wine list is a love letter to all things French and Italian, with a focus on small-scale producers and Israeli wineries. Brut is an ongoing celebration of local terroir, and you won't find anything else quite like it. Brut is small, deeply personal wine bistro in Tel Aviv, founded by yair yosefi and omer ben gal. Brut's cuisine is inspired by Yair and Omer's shared love of the classic French and Italian kitchens, while remaining steadfastly rooted in local Middle Eastern tradition. The ingredients used in Brut are sourced from the Levant, including lamb and yogurt from Nazareth, fruit and vegetables from Hebron, and spices from Tel Aviv's Levinsky Market. There is a stable of classic dishes as well as an ever-changing selection of seasonal dishes, often created the very same day. In a similar way, Brut's extensive wine list is a love letter to all things French and Italian while also highlighting Israel's emerging winemakers. They also work with Israeli wineries on blends that are grown and bottled exclusively for Brut, which are imported from small-scale producers in Bourgogne and Piedmont. Local terroir is celebrated and examined in Brut. Along with the physical land and its raw materials, this also includes the culture, communities, and yes, even conflicts that have influenced the land's character."

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