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Israel : Tel Aviv - December 2008 Country Code: Dial ++972 for Israel
While Tel Aviv is making fi nal
preparations for its eagerly
awaited centennial celebrations,
the fi rst rains of the winter are
cleaning the dust from the
Bauhaus buildings and green
boulevards, setting the mood for
the seemingly endless list of
events staged to salute the city.
Noam Dvir gets ready
Getting around
Ben Gurion International Airport is 20km south-east of Tel Aviv.
Train: There’s a train
station outside the
terminal. The journey
to the city centre
takes 20 minutes
and a single ticket
costs €2/NIS 12. Taxi: A taxi from
the airport to the
city centre takes
about 20 minutes
and should cost no
more than €17-21/
NIS 100-120. Tourist information: The main office is at
46 Herbert Samuel
Street (tel. (0)3 516
6188, visit-tlv.co.il).
ROTHSCHILD BOULEVARD
This elegant avenue is a living museum
charting 100 years of architecture in
Tel Aviv, and is considered by many to
be the best address in the city.
Must eat – Tel Aviv’s bohemian lodge
Cantina (71 Rothschild Boulevard, tel.
(0)3 620 5051) pulls in politicians,
journalists and actors who mingle with
top models and soccer stars. Head here
for fine Italian dishes. The best schnitzel
in town is served in the Parisian-style
Café Noir (41 Ahad Ha’am, tel. (0)3 566
3018), along with other signature dishes
such as fetush (salad with herbs and
toasted pitta) and pittas stuffed with
meat. Among the handful of gourmet
ice cream parlours, Bislek (61 Nahalat
Binyamin, tel. (0)3 573 5759) stands out
for its originality, flavours and service.
Must drink – Start your night with a
glass of champagne in La Champa (52
Nahalat Binyamin), or try Ashmoret (10
Rothschild Boulevard), which is popular
with the city’s gay crowd.
Shop til you drop – Situated in a
street level apartment, Elemento (119
Rothschild Boulevard) is a boutique
selling retro and modern design pieces
TEL AVIV HARBOUR
With its wooden deck, stunning
architecture and spectacular sea
views, the recently renovated harbour
is one of the best child-friendly spots
in the city.
Sleep soundly – Just across Hilton
beach, Melody Hotel offers a boutique
experience with a roof-top lounge and
smart black and white décor, all at
reasonable prices.
Culture vultures – ZeZeZe Gallery
(Hangar 12) specialises in local and
international architecture and has a
design-oriented bookshop and tea house.
Must eat – For organic enthusiasts,
Comme il Faut Cafe (Bait BaNamal
Hangar 26, tel.(0)3 544 9211) will be a
desirable destination. Here, the ideology
of the upscale Comme-il-Faut fashion
house meets sophisticated
Mediterranean cuisine in chic
surroundings. If you like fresh seafood,
you should try the adjacent Mul Yam
(Hangar 24, tel. (0)3 546 9920).
According to the gourmet
guide Les Grandes Tables
du Monde, it’s rated
among the 120 best
restaurants in the
world. Morning people
will love Gilli’s (Hangar 25, tel. (0)3 605 7777), which does
lavish breakfasts accompanied by some
of the best Israeli wines.
Dance the night away – Whisky A
Gogo (3 Ha-Ta’arucha) is the best place
for spotting local celebrities. Arrive early
as it can get crowded.
NEVE TZEDEK
Home to some of the wealthiest
people in the country, Neve Tzedek
also has a buzzing art scene. The
narrow streets are dotted with
restaurants, cafés and galleries.
Sleep soundly – Only a few months
old, Neve Tzedek Hotelis the perfect retreat, offering
style, luxury, intimacy and service.
Culture vultures – The Suzanne Dellal
Center (5 Yehieli, suzannedellal.org.il)
stages theatre and dance performances
all year long and houses the
distinguished BatSheva Dance Company.
Shop til you drop – Samy D (56
Shabazi) stocks ceramics in wild shapes
and vibrant colours.
JAFFA
Jaffa (today a part of Tel Aviv) is
enjoying an economic and cultural
boom. The fashionable flea market is
full of great bargains on anything from
retro sofas to Ottoman porcelain. You
can also try out some of the best
Arabic cuisine around.
Must eat – 120 years old, Abulafia
(7 Yefet) is the best known bakery in the
city and is open 24 hours. The trendy
Charcuterie (3 Rabbi Hanina, tel. (0)3
682 8843) is well known for its gourmet
sausages and laid-back
atmosphere.
Shop til you drop – Workshop (15
Yefet) restores and
sells classic 20thcentury
furniture.
Compiled by Noam Dvir
Previous issues for Tel Aviv
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