Tel Aviv and Jaffa

Tel Aviv is the economic capital of Israel and a vibrant, modern, forward-looking metropolis that has acquired a reputation as “the city that never sleeps”. In doing so, Tel Aviv encapsulates the essence of modern secular Israel and is the polar opposite of Jerusalem. This cosmopolitan city occupies a stunning location overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and is a hub of culture, fashion, museums, concert halls and high-end boutiques. Good weather has spawned a culture of outdoor living and a vibrant café, restaurant, and nightlife scene. Tel Aviv’s unique atmosphere is immediately tangible at the lively Levinski and Carmel markets, opening your senses to a rich and diverse array of delectable foods. On Tuesdays and Fridays, Nachalat Binyamin is the location of a quaint street craft market.

The narrow lanes of bohemian Neve Tzedek and the walls of hip and slightly gritty Florentin (where you can take graffiti tours) reveal another side of the city’s spirit. Inland, along Rothschild Boulevard, is the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the ‘White City’ because of the large concentration of the 1920s and 1930s Bauhaus buildings with their clean geometric shapes and asymmetry.

Just south of Tel Aviv is Jaffa, one of the oldest cities in the world. According to the Bible, it was from Jaffa that Jonah set sail before encountering the whale. Jaffa’s picturesque stone houses and alleyways date to the Ottoman period. They are now an artists’ quarter, where highlights include wandering through the vibrant flea market and tasting some of the best hummus in Israel!