This year marks the centenary of the foundation of the city of Tel Aviv, which was established in 1909 on the sand dunes of the Mediterranean by a small group of Jews who had migrated a couple of miles down the coast from the ancient, and predominately Arab, city of Jaffa.
The centenary is being celebrated with special events, concerts and exhibitions throughout the year. But probably the best month to visit is June, when Jews and Arabs unite to celebrate Tel Aviv and Jaffa, which were combined in the 1950s to form one city, Tel Aviv-Yaffo.
Israel Government Tourist Office director of Tourism Rafi Shalav said: “We have a programme of special events, from outdoor festivals to art and music shows, sporting events and historic exhibitions all year long.
“All the shows are free and accessible, and they aren’t just celebrations for Tel Aviv and Jaffa, but for visitors from around the globe.”
For a complete list of centennial events go to tlv100.co.il
Tel Aviv
For such a modern city, Tel Aviv has a surprisingly rich array of cultural highlights. The architectural gem of Tel Aviv is the White City, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.
But Tel Aviv also has more than 4,000 Bauhaus or international-style buildings. The best examples are to be found on Rothschild Boulevard and Dizengoff Circle. A free, guided walking tour is held every Saturday morning at 46 Rothschild Boulevard at 11am. The Bauhaus Center at 99 Dizengoff Street has fine examples of the Bauhaus style.
One of the earliest residents of Tel Aviv was visionary Shimon Rokach, who built a house in what is now the Neve Tzedek in 1887. Today, it is a splendid museum that chronicles the history of the city.
Other major cultural attractions include the Suzanne Dellal Centre on Yechiely Street, in the heart of Neve Tzedek, which is the chief centre for dance companies and activities in Israel, and home to the Batsheva Dance Company. The Nahum Gutman Museum, around the corner from the Dellal Centre on Rokath St, has more than 200 works by the renowned 20th century Israeli artist.
The Tel Aviv Museum of Art, on Shaul HaMelekh has a superb collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings, as well as a fine collection of Israeli and Jewish art. Nearby are the Opera Centre and the Carmel Theatre.
Beaches
With more than four miles of golden sands right on the city centre’s doorstep, hitting the beach is very much part of daily life here. Tel Aviv is spread out along the seafront, and most of the city’s attractions – shopping, bars and restaurants and business centre – are no more than a 15-minute walk from the beach.
Health-conscious Israelis of all ages use the beach, and from early morning, you will find joggers, walkers, volleyball players, bikers and dog walkers of all ages.
After work, particularly in the summer, it feels like the whole of Tel Aviv’s workforce has migrated to the water’s edge. Come sunset, the beach bars switch on the neon, crank up the volume on the sound system and the legendary Tel Aviv nightlife begins.
Nightlife
Nowhere does ‘after dark’ quite like Tel Aviv. Many locals start in Jaffa before heading downtown or to Neve Tzedek. Clubbers then tend to head to the regenerated port area, where there are some excellent bars along the boardwalk, and some of the city’s legendary clubs.
Tel Aviv’s restaurant scene is superb, with a massive choice of gourmet restaurants. My favourite, Poyke, is located in an exquisitely restored old building in Jaffa. Chef Ariel Cohen travelled around southern Africa learning how to cook in a poyke (hence the restaurant name), a traditional African cast iron cooking pot.
Other favourites include Manta Ray, on the beachfront; Benjamin Siegal, on the Tel Aviv promenade; and Ali Oli, on Ha’arba’a Street.
Jaffa
Jaffa’s history stretches back thousands of years. Legend has it that one of Noah’s sons Jaspeth founded a new city called Jaffa (Yafo in Hebrew). The largely Arab town merged with Tel Aviv in October 1949 and, today, Jaffa is an exotic mix of Arab and Jewish culture that recently has undergone something of a renaissance. There are still areas of Jaffa that are distinctly Middle Eastern, and it is one of the few places in the region where Muslims, Christians and Jews live side by side in harmony.
The crumbling and dilapidated port, where, for centuries, pilgrims arrived en route to Jerusalem, has been expertly and sympathetically restored into a tourist and arts area. Only artists are allowed to live in the restored properties in the historic port area, which has created a chic bohemian atmosphere.
Jaffa is best approached by foot, along the beachfront promenade. The centre of old Jaffa is dominated by the clock tower, where free, three-hour walking tours depart from the clock tower at 9.30am on Wednesdays.
The Ilana Goor Museum, housed in an 18th century former hostel for Jewish pilgrims, features the various sculptures of owner Ilana Goor, who still lives on the premises. Check out the roof terrace, which has superb views of Jaffa and Tel Aviv. Another venue affording fine, panoramic views of Tel Aviv is the local amphitheatre, located on top of a grassy knoll in HaPisgah Gardens.
Other sights of historical interest include St Peter’s Church, which is built on the site where it is said that Peter had a visitation from the angels. Napoleon stayed in the church during his campaign in the east.
The Tel Aviv municipality often hosts live musical performances in the square outside the church on summer nights.
Day trip options from Tel Aviv
Israel is a small country, roughly the size of Wales, so many of the country’s highlights can be visited on a day trip from Tel Aviv, offering agents more opportunities to earn commission on their sale by selling add-ons such as excursions and car hire. Here are three of the best to suggest to your clients.
Jerusalem: Jerusalem is less than a two-hour drive from Tel Aviv. Although visitors could spend a month delving into the city’s intriguing history, many of the most iconic sights can be seen on a day trip.
Akko: Akko, or Acre, about an hour and a half’s drive north of Tel Aviv, is one of Israel’s true gems. Protected by an impressive stonewall fortress, overlooking the Mediterranean, this timeless World Heritage city has attracted many a celebrity conqueror, including Alexander the Great and Marco Polo.
The Sea of Galilee: Just over a couple of hours’ drive from Tel Aviv is the beautiful Sea of Galilee, where Jesus is said to have delivered the Sermon on the Mount and fed the 5,000.
Sample product
Longwood Holidays offers a choice of two breaks staying at the five-star Carlton Hotel in Tel Aviv. The three-night break costs from £855, and the seven-night option from £1,135. Both prices include flights from Heathrow with BMI and transfers. 020 8418 2514, longwoodholidays.co.uk
As part of a special promotion with the Tel Aviv Hotel Association, Superstar Holidays is offering four-night bed-and-breakfast accommodation at the Cinema Hotel from £579 per person. The special-offer price, which is valid until December 31, includes flights from Luton on El AL, a £50 voucher and one free evening meal. 020 7121 1500, superstar.co.uk
