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15 hotspots in Tel Aviv for this summer (2017)

The Norman amazing boutique hotel in my favorite neighborhood right behind Rothschild Boulevard… my advice is to go there for breakfast

“Stay: The Norman”: 
“To find the best value for your money when booking your accommodation in Tel Aviv, have a look at the map of 
Tel Aviv on AllTheRooms.”Onza located in the hippest area in the Jaffa Fleamarket amazing Turkish food and vibe

Orna & Ella perfect for lunch on Shenkin Street 

Cafe Bucke perfect for breakfast and lunch, hip people only  🙂

Cafe Noir timeless! go for the chicken shnitzel.

HaSalon just google Eyal Shani. PS ideal for big groups and parties. need to make reservation ahead. this is the only restaurant I shared that is NOT walking distance from the heart of the city.

Nanuchka 100% VEGAN and then you just dance on the bar ok?Abraxas North as Jessica Biel tweeted: best burger ever
America Burgers my personal favorite burgers in town including an amazing vegetarian one!Delicatessen always good for breakfast and brunch and take away food and delicatessenBrasserie another classic of 24/7 amazing French foodManta Ray the only real gourmet food ON THE BEACH including amazing sea food and sea viewThe Old Man & The Sea real Meditteranean atmosphere and food at Jaffa Port

A few side notes:

  • yes life – and dining – in Israel is expensive
  • almost all restaurants stay open and are cool with menus at any hours (unlike Belgium)
  • another great Israeli invention is EatWith if you want a home dinner
  • contact me for more details or assistance during your trip: marilyn_josephine@ymail.com
Jaffa · Photography · Tel Aviv · Tourism · Travel guide · Uncategorized

Tel-a-visitor: Impressions of Tel Aviv by Peter Monbailleu

guestblog  by Peter Monbailleu – www.shakalaka.be

Fan for Life

Coming to Tel Aviv always feels like coming home to me, even though I am not Jewish. Originally arriving to the city very hesitantly – like many people, I’m sure – it took just a few hours to turn me into a fan for life. Was it the comfortable climate? Was it the warmth of its people? Was it its glorious food? Make it a combination of all of the above. Either way, since then, I have visited the white city many times. It became one of my getaway cities over time, a place where I can come to hide from the everyday hustle of a promoter’s life, a city that gives me energy and inspiration while at the same time relaxing me more than any other place.

Even the graffiti is stylish

Beware of the green monster man

Sharing the city

For my girlfriend and travel companion, it was her first visit to this mostly unknown, hidden treasure. It was fun to share some of my favorite spots and discovering some new ones, because Tel Aviv is a city that is constantly changing while maintaining its vibe.

Did you know… When a muslim returns from the pilgrimage to Mekka, friends and neighbors paint the house of the pilgrims in honor of their return and feast.
Here you can even grow plants from an old suitcase
The Jaffa clocktower if you look down in stead of up

213 – And God spoke unto the city…

Tel Aviv is only about an hour away from Jerusalem so a visit to the holy city was inevitable. Our guide Karen was very well informed about all matters from the past and from today. She took us to some unique viewpoints and even into places where you would never come as a regular tourist. Jerusalem has always been a complicated city and it will probably always remain that way. But all its diversity is what makes it what it is today.

The dome on the rock bathing in the December sun
Humus like it should be in the Jerusalem market

When can we go again?

We’re on the plane home now and while at the beginning of the trip there seemed so many days ahead, now it feels like they went by too fast. We’re already looking forward to our next stay and yes, I promise to get in touch with my friends there before landing. Sorry guys.

Credits

Thank you Marilyn for the tips. Thank you Melissa for arranging the tour guide. Thank you Iris for breakfast and ever lasting friendship.

Peter Monbailleu – www.shakalaka.be

Personal · Photography · Tel Aviv · Tourism · Travel guide

Tel-a-visitor: Impressions of Tel aviv by Misty Roberts

Guestblog written by Misty Roberts:

“So, about a year ago my life kind of fell apart.  I had worked pretty hard to get things to look conventional.  You know- own a house, live with someone in a functional relationship, job, flowers in the yard, kitchen by Williams Sonoma. Then a series of unfortunate events occurred.  I got really sick.  And my relationship fell apart.  And I wondered if I was going to be able to pay for my little perfect house.  And car.  And doctor bills.

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You see, my role in life is to be strong.  My role is to be the person who has all their shit together.  I lead groups of people all over the world, when something goes wrong- they look to me.  The one with all the answers.  My job hasn’t ever been for everything to be perfect, it’s been to be able to anticipate and fix a problem before anyone else notices.  When someone like that has things fall apart, there’s no hiding it.  Everyone sees the cracks.

I’ve never felt more weak and broken in my life.  And that’s saying something because the path hasn’t been easy.  After a few months of wading in the shit, I woke up one morning and said “Ok, right…now to fix it.”  I felt a bit stronger physically.  Mentally, I was still a wreck.  It’s my process in life to just make lists.  So, I sat down and made a list.

“Things That Would Make Me Feel Better Right Now”

Do you know how long a list like that can become?  I started out easy with things like wine.  And new face creams.  

Then I got serious.  Things like “Sell house I bought for boyfriend and I to build a future in” and “Find a way to become more financially secure so that I never feel this hopeless again.”  

And the last thing on that list- “Feel FEARLESS”.

Now, I know it’s not really realistic to say that you will ever feel fearless.  But the kind of fear that had crept into my life after the previous few years was starting to consume me.  I didn’t leave my little house.  I didn’t want to go out in public, I didn’t want to meet new people.  I just wanted to hide in my safe place and feel some kind of comfort.

So, I’m going to skip over the months of self help books, therapy, cases of wine, HOURS of conversations with dear friends, hard realizations, new jobs and lonely moments to the end.

Almost a year later, I’ve learned some things.  I’ve learned some things about what I didn’t like about me.  I learned a lot of things that I love about me that I had forgotten.  I’ve remembered that I love traveling to new places.  I’ve learned that I love doing things that some people would never think about doing.  I’ve learned that after everything I went through- there isn’t much left in this world that scares me …at least to a point that i can’t overcome it.  I’ve learned that I missed my friends.  I’ve learned that I love making new ones.  I’ve learned that people are generally good.  I’ve also learned that everyone is flawed in some way and that those cracks let the light in.img_0858

So, this year I’ve done things.  It’s been the year of adventures.  I’ve flown friends to Seattle to see me, I spent 5 days with my oldest friend in the world on a road trip adventure to Marfa, TX to see The Marfa Lights, Prada Marfa and just indulge ourselves in some much needed catching up.  I went to Cabo St. Lucas with one of my other oldest friends- rented a car in Mexico and saw the coolness of The Hotel California, ate some of the absolute best food I’ve ever had in my life and spent many hours just sitting around enjoying each others company.

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But the thing that I did that I am the most proud of was take a trip by myself.  Last year when my life was crumbling down around me, I went to Tel Aviv for work.  I wasn’t able to do much because of work but I remember being in awe of how great the people I met were and how beautiful it was.  So, wrapping up one project and starting another, I had a week off.  I looked at where one ended and the other one started and a map and immediately knew where my destination was meant to be.

Tel Aviv, Israel.  

Now, I know that so many people hear Tel Aviv and think…”Israel, oh shit….things are scary there!”  We as Americans are very programmed to believe what the mass media tells us (as illustrated by this fantastic election cycle we are in 😉  I’ll be honest, I didn’t look at any news before I went.  I thought to myself that if I did, I would change my mind.  I did know that last year there were some pretty heavy incidents between the Israelis and Palestinians.  But that was about it.  

My gut instinct told me to just get by with the help of my friends, in the famous words of the Beatles.

And I did just that.  I let the 3 ladies that I had met while I was there working know that I was coming.  We didn’t plan really because to be honest, I wanted to trip to just be a go with the flow kind of thing.

I left Boston and flew through London Heathrow, which was a nice break between 2 long flights.  I landed in Tel Aviv at around 3PM and made it through customs and immigration in about 20 minutes.  They no longer stamp your passport going into Tel Aviv, they give you a little card instead with a car code on it and your photo.  Make sure you put that with your passport because you need it on the way out.  I met up with the car driver that I had my hotel arrange to come get me.  He was wonderful!  By the time we got to the hotel, he had offered for him and his wife to take me out for a drink while I was there and given me his cell phone in case I needed anything while I was in Tel Aviv.

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I checked into my hotel on Rothschild Boulevard.  I had no idea what a cool area Rothschild was!  When I looked for a hotel, I wanted something that was near the beach but also near the downtown area.  I found this one right in the middle of everything.  I had decided to kind of go for it on the trip and booked myself a Penthouse Suite.  When I arrived at the hotel, the incredible nice gentleman offered to make me a expresso and then informed me that he was upgrading me to the Rothschild Suite, the nicest room in the hotel.  I asked a million questions about the area and found out that there was a great coffee stand directly across the street, a market right around the corner, and an entire area of bars and restaurants about 2 blocks away.  After getting checked in, I went up to my Suite.  A full wraparound balcony in what was basically a large apartment!  With a bottle of champagne waiting for me on ice!  I can think of about 10 million hotels in the world that could learn something about hospitality from a place like this.

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My first night in Tel Aviv was spent…sleeping.  Haha!  The Jet Lag kicked in and kicked my ass.  I feel asleep around 5PM and woke up at 4AM.  

Day 2- I met up at around 9 with my friend Marilyn, who it just so happens lived about a block away from my hotel!  She and I caught up over coffee and she gave me the down low on the area.  We parted ways and I decided to just start wandering around.  I wandered and wandered and wandered.  Up and down Rothschild Boulevard to the Habima Theater and all the way to the opposite end.  A beautiful street lined with trees and bicyclists.  It reminded me so much of Newbury Street in Boston.  I stopped in the afternoon and tried Halva ice cream.  The best way I can describe it is a pistachio peanut butter brownie 🙂  Of course, I had to grab some more coffee too.  Tel Aviv is truly a city that people go outside.  All of the cafes and restaurants were packed full of people.  The city just really always seems alive.  During the day it’s calm but in the evening, it buzzes.

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img_0529I stopped on my way back from wandering around and taking photos and grabbed some Thai food because why not eat Thai when you are in Israel, hahah!  Again the jet lag kicked in I was asleep by 10PM and up again at 4.  One of my favorite things about this trip was making Nespresso in my room before the sun came up and sitting on the patio outside and watching the sunrises.  I began my days with meditation to the sunrise.  I’m not sure if you can get more idyllic than that.

Day 3 started with breakfast with Marilyn and Anat at the Sheraton.  Anat was the wonderful woman that I met when I was there for work the year before.  We sat drinking coffee and eating from the delicious breakfast spread and gossiping like only women do.  

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My friend Shiran introduced me to how great Gett Taxi Israel is later that day.  It’s basically Uber but quicker!  Her and I “uberred” over to Jaffa to walk around the street markets.  I’ve never seen such large outdoor markets.  So many beautiful things.  I wanted to buy everything!  But…getting it home would of been the problem.  Anything you can imagine there.  Furniture, jewelry, antiques, spices, baskets.  Shiran and I stopped for lunch at a fabulous restaurant and had some beverage that I still dream about.  Seltzer water with mint, honey and lemon.  Spent some time wandering around the Jaffa MarketPlace and picked up some handmade soaps at Zielinkski and Rozen that I am still trying to eek out the last of because they smell so incredible.  Inside the store they have all the large glass bottle of infusions that they use to make their products.  I’m betting if you are there at the right time of day, you can watch them make your bottle.

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We headed back to my hotel and parted ways and I decided to walk down towards the beach.  The one thing about Tel Aviv- it is HOT AS HELL!  My skin has never looked better after spending 5 days there, I think I sweated out every toxin I’ve ever put in my body.  I spent the rest of the day walking up and down the beach Boulevard and going in and out of little shops and dipping my toes in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.  I found a fantastic restaurant that evening called Manta Ray and had dinner on the ocean front.  Sea bass, gnocchi, risotto and a drink called Bitter Passion (which seemed kind of fitting for this trips cause) with red grapefruit, passion flowers and campari.  Gett Taxi got my back to the hotel that evening, hahah!  I couldn’t have walked a straight line if I tried.  

Day 4- Remember that Fearless thing.  Well, I took it to the limits on Day 4.  So far I really had just been fairly lazy and wandering around in the city.  I wanted to really see some stuff!  So, I woke up- had some breakfast at my hotel-img_0551

and asked Anat if she knew where I could rent a car.  Of course- right across from the Sheraton!  I Gett Taxi’d over and met up with her.  We went to the rental car spot and the because I was with her, they upgraded me to this snazzy White Audi!  Vroom, vroom!

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I hit the road to the Dead Sea.  Driving in Tel Aviv is super easy!  Incredibly Americanized.  I mean, I drove around Los Angeles for 8 years, Tel Aviv has nothing on that!  About an hour, 10 minutes and there I was.  Staring at the Dead Sea!  Anat had hooked me up with her friend at the Crown Plaza Dead Sea which has a private beach.  I checked that out for a bit and decided that I wanted to hit the beach in an area with not quite so many people, I kinda just wanted to have that moment to myself.  So, hopped in my car and drove a little ways down from all the hotels and found a beach that had literally 3 other people.  I walked out into the water and I can honestly say you will never feel anything as magical as the Dead Sea.img_0569 I peeled my outterclothes off and walked all the way out.  I covered myself in mud and walked back out to let it dry.  After about 10 minutes I hopped back in and walked out far enough that I suddenly couldn’t feel the mud anymore.  The next thing I knew, I was floating in the Dead Sea.  There really isn’t any way to describe this feeling. I spent some time floating then decided it was time to get on the road to Jerusalem.  I took a different route than I had taken to get to the Dead Sea…and found myself a tiny bit lost in the Israeli desert.  Remember that Fearless thing.  It kicked in.  Okay, Im lost in the Israeli desert.  All the radio stations have switched to Jordan radio and my cell has lots service.  Whats the best thing to do when you are lost?  Keep going.  So, I did.  I turned up the Jordan radio station and kicked that Audi into high gear to see how fast I could go since there was no one else on the road.  And sped through the Israeli desert at about 110 miles an hour.  I’m not sure I will ever be able to describe the feeling of freedom that I had in those moments.  I can say that all the moments of the past year kind of just flooded away.  It’s the moment that I realised that I really can do just about anything.  

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I saw camels.  Real ones that I thought were fake…until they moved and one nuzzled my neck.  Trust me, you don’t want camel snuggles.  They are sloppy and smelly.  But incredibly funny.

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I hit Jerusalem about an hour later and got lost again.  Parking near the old city is pretty frustrating but so so worth it.  No matter that your religious views are- when you are standing in the old city realizing that this is the oldest that we know.  The beginning if you will, it’s pretty heavy.  I visited the Western Wailing Wall and the site of the Last Dinner.  I spotted a group of kids and one was wearing a KU Jayhawks hat!  So…I followed them and their guide around.  Haha!  Who goes all the way to Jerusalem and runs into some good old Kansas kids- this girl!  I took ALL the pictures that I could and bought some Jerusalem pottery to bring home with me as well as some handmade jewelry.  

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The trip back to Tel Aviv from Jerusalem wasn’t quite as uneventful.  I got stuck in traffic for a few hours and by the time I was returned the car to the Sheraton, I was really happy to see a Gett Taxi pull up for me.  I headed back to my hotel and hit up the market on the corner.  Grabbed some hummus and pitas and assorted things…and wine.  I enjoyed my last evening on the patio of my stunning hotel drinking and eating and packing.

I called my driver that picked me up at the airport and asked if he was available to drive me back to the airport in the morning.  He was and offered to come get me early to have breakfast with him and his wife.  What a great offer!  So, he picked me up an hour early with his wife in tow and we hit up a spot that was fabulous.  I ate the most delicious omelet ever with an array of breads and sauces and Israeli yogourt.  Yum.  And my last delicious coffee.  

The trip out of the airport isn’t quite as quick as the trip in.  The security lines are pretty crazy but when you put it in perspective that it is to keep you safe, it makes sense and is a lot more tolerable.  Made it to my gate with about 15 minutes before boarding and hopped on my flight to Amman, Jordan to start work again.

All in all- my trip was fantastic in so many ways.  I never felt unsafe.  The people of Tel Aviv are friendly and most speak English or there is always someone closeby willing to help.  It seemed like every person I met in Tel Aviv struck up a conversation about where I was from and the reason for my visit.  Jerusalem was a bit more aggressive, if that is the word for it.  Not quite as friendly but I was in the biggest tourist spot so that’s to be expected.  

I recommended to some friends that were traveling through to spend a few days.  They did and I think they fell in love the same way that I did.  I learned some things about myself on this trip.  And about Israel.  And it’s people- all of them.  And I would do it again in a heartbeat.  

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Antwerp · Tel Aviv · Tel Aviv & Antwerp · Tourism · Travel guide

THE LOCALS // MARILYN AMBACH – TEL AVIV

http://www.tatytravels.be/everybody-travels/2016/1/20/tatys-friends-marylin-ambach-tel-aviv

Meet Marilyn! Marilyn is from my hometown Antwerp but moved to sunny Tel Aviv in 2007, where she works in the music business. This girl even toured with Leonard Cohen, very cool. You can read all about Marilyn’s love for Tel Aviv on her blog Marilyn & Josephine. Here are her highlights!

Age  35

Born in  Antwerp

Profession  Concert promoter and freelance producer

Favorite quote  “You can become anything you want in life”

 

“I’ve lived here since …”  2007

“I came here because of …”  I didn’t really have one reason and didn’t really plan on moving or staying. I just came for a few months to “check things out” and see if I’d find myself, my job etc here.

“Taty and I know each other from …”  Via via via via many ways but mainly via both our dj brothers.

“When family/friends come to visit, I always take them to … first”  The beach and the best food spots… and then to a night out in Tel Aviv, 24/7 city.

“If I want to get to know new people, I go to …”  Any bar around my corner on Rothschild Boulevard.

“If I want to have an amazing breakfast/lunch/dinner, I go to …”  Breakfast: Delicatessen, The Norman, Benedict, Ben Ami, Max Brenner, DaDaDa, Lachmanina. Lunch: Hummus Nahmani, Mezze,Arcaffe, Rothschild12, Cafe Noir, Tachtit, Buddha Burgers, Shishko. Dinner: Cantina, Cafe Europa,Nanuchka, Jaffa Flea Market, Manta Ray, Fortuna del Mar, Abraxas North, Messa, Port Said.

“When the night is young, I go to …”  Radio EPGB, Alphabet, Nanuchka, Jimmy Who, Pollym Tangier,Pinguin, Sputnik, etc etc etc.

“My morning routine consists of …” Capuccino on the boulevard…

“I like the locals more than Belgians because …” They are always up for a chat, intimate talks with strangers, familiarity and being comfortable.

“I like Belgians more than the locals because …” They have distance and manners.

“If I miss one thing here, it’s … “  My mom’s kitchen and den Delhaize… en rijsttaartjes.

“If there’s one thing that frustrates me here, it’s …”  The ignorance of the world. People who’ve never been to Tel Aviv and have the falsest image of this place.

“I get inspired here by …”  Anything around me can be a source of inspiration if one is open to see…

“Since I live here, I’ve changed my mind about …”  Not that many things…

“If I could go back in time, I would go grab a … with … ”  Coffee with Golda Meir – look her up!

“The one thing I’d like to accomplish still, is …”  More kids 🙂

 

QUICK QUESTIONS

Coffee or cocktails? Since i became a mom: coffee

Wine or beer? wine always

Red carpet or red lipstick? carpet

USA or Europe? both

Organic food or fast food? organic cause it’s hip but it’s expensive and fast food is also welcome every once in a while

Movies or musicals? movies

Island life or city life? city life for real life

Spicy or sweet? sweet

Bike or car? bike if possible

In control or out of control? in control is reality

Meat or fish? meat

Christmas or Easter? none of the above

Spanish or Italian? depending for what: food? language? boys?

Early bird or night owl? when you’re a mom: early bird

Chocolate or vanilla? none of the above

Adele or Celine Dion? hmmmm…. celine dion cause HELLO ruined it

Chandler or Joey? ROSS

Cats or dogs? love both but no need to have one of my own

Vacation or staycation? STAYCATION – when you live in a city on the beach with 300 days of blue skies a year its also a vacation

Mountains or ocean? mountains

Chicken or pasta? better together

Scandinavian or Latino? LATINO

Ski or surf? surf

Finding true love or winning the lottery? finding true love

Oscar/Grammy or Nobel Prize? whatever they wanna give me

Instagram or Facebook? Pinterest

Design · Photography · Tel Aviv · Travel guide

A design lover’s guide to Tel Aviv – Vogue Magazine

A Design Lover’s Guide to Tel Aviv

Amid the abundance of hummus and pita, notorious nightlife, and booming startup culture, there is a design scene in Tel Aviv that cannot be overlooked. The city—architecturally known to house the world’s largest collection of Bauhaus buildings—is full of creatives who make everything from handcrafted wooden furniture that wouldn’t feel out of place in Brooklyn to modern innovative lighting and traditional ceramic crafts. Neighborhoods like Noga and Florentin are buzzing with art and design galleries, such as the recently opened SAGA, whose space outside the Jaffa Flea Market houses the work of an all-star lineup of young Israeli design talent. Supplement visits to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Bauhaus Center, and Design Museum Holon with stops (or stays) at these 10 local spots, which will satisfy any design lover’s creative eye.

craft and bloom israel
1 / 10
Shop: Craft & Bloom
Nachum Goldman Street 3, Tel Aviv-YafoNestled across the street from the beach in Jaffa, this garden-meets-gallery-meets-workshop space is buzzing with über-cool craftspeople and artists. It’s a place to be creative, get inspired to grow your own succulent garden, and try out a DIY workshop like shibori dyeing or silk-screening.

Photo: Sarale Gur Lavy
saga israel
2 / 10
Shop: SAGA
4 Rabbi Pinchas Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo (near Jaffa Flea Market)This new gallery showcases young Israeli contemporary design talent. Of particular note is Hilla Shamia’s wood casting furniture collection, which features tables made from aluminum castings on wood.

Photo: Courtesy of Saga / סאגה- צילום איתי בנית
Sharon Brunsher israel
3 / 10
Shop: Sharon Brunsher
Ami’ad Street 13, Tel Aviv-YafoHere you’ll find beautiful monochromatic stationery and notebooks mixed in with home accents like brass bowls and simple stemware.

Photo: Rebecca Stadlen
jaffa flea market israel
4 / 10

Shop: Jaffa Flea Market

Situated in southern Tel Aviv, this is where you can browse traditional Middle Eastern ceramics and textiles alongside a trove of handmade items and antiques. You’ll work up an appetite weaving through the endless rows of vendors, so afterward head to Abu Hassan for the best hummus in Jaffa.

Photo: Courtesy of Dylan Raiman / @dylanraiman
8 in jaffa israel
5 / 10
Shop: 8 in Jaffa
Rabbi Pinhas Street 13, Tel Aviv-Yafo (near Jaffa Flea Market)8 in Jaffa is located in the flea market: Ten contemporary Israeli artists showcase their work here as part of a ceramics cooperative. It’s fun to see more modern styles juxtaposed with the traditional Middle Eastern pottery found in the markets.

Photo: Rebecca Stadlen
guy yanai last splash
6 / 10
View: Guy Yanai at Alon Segev Gallery
Rothschild Boulevard 6, Tel Aviv-YafoOn view currently is a group show, “Words Without Letters,” curated and featuring work by young Israeli artist Guy Yanai. If his pixelated, colorful, Hockney-esque style looks familiar, it’s because Yanai’s work served as inspiration for Band of Outsiders’ 2014 Resort collection, with several pieces incorporating elements of his paintings.

Photo: Guy Yanai, Last Splash, 2015
brown beach house israel
7 / 10
Stay: Brown Beach House
Ha’Yarkon Street 64, Tel Aviv-YafoThe vibe here is Art Deco–meets–beachside bungalow. The sunny yellow furniture and balconies filled with modern lounges and Acapulco chairs are perfect for viewing Tel Avivian sunsets over the sea.

Photo: Assaf Pinchuk
the norman israel
8 / 10
Stay: The Norman
Nachmani Street 23-25, Tel Aviv-YafoThis boutique hotel is made up of two historic pastel-hued 1920s buildings separated by a hidden citrus garden. From the rooftop infinity pool you can enjoy views of the beautiful Bauhaus buildings that make up the surrounding neighborhood. The Japanese tapas restaurant, Dinings, on the third floor is also not to be missed.

Photo: Sivan Askayo
dalida israel
9 / 10
Eat: Dalida
Zevulun Street 7, Tel Aviv-YafoLocal interior designer Roni Keren designed this trendy European-style outpost in the artsy neighborhood of Florentin. Be prepared for amazing food and “chasers” (shots) with the staff. Be sure to order the zucchini cream, served with grilled artichokes and croutons.

Photo: Courtesy of Dalida
sarona market israel
10 / 10
Eat: Sarona Market
Kalman Magen Street 3, Tel Aviv-YafoThis is like the Chelsea Market of Tel Aviv. Located near the popular Azrieli shopping center, the indoor marketplace has everything from a ramen bar to pastry café, fruit stands, cheese shops, and traditional boreka vendors. Arrive hungry!

Photo: Courtesy of Sarona Marketvogue

http://www.vogue.com/slideshow/13353903/design-tel-aviv-israel-travel/

Art · Live · Music · Tel Aviv · Tourism · Travel guide

Yafo Creative

Sometimes I’m ahead of my time when I post about people, bands, places or things and sometimes I’m behind. Remember, I have a good reason: I had a baby 🙂 One of those spots I forgot to share with you out there is Yafo Creative.

“Yafo Creative is a guest house* and creative content center** in the heart of Jaffa — A multi-disciplinary production hub where projects are ideated and developed by our community of Israeli and international artists.”

*The house was established in 2014, and gained a fast reputation for its exclusive Friday dinners featuring some of the most
exciting local artists, who organically started performing after meals. Artists of all backgrounds – music, dance or visual art, started an interdisciplinary dialogue. The newly renovated space is nestled in a secret spot in Jaffa and offers four elegant and design rooms featuring 50-ft-high ceilings suitable for one or two guests, each with a Queen-sized handmade eucalyptus bed, local vintage furniture and changing art exhibitions. Yafo Creative offers travelers insider guidance and a unique opportunity to connect and collaborate with locals in an authentic, dynamic and inspirational spot in Israel. Room price is 90$ and more info can be found on Airbnb.

**The Yafo Creative community consists of international and local artists, tastemakers and producers, who together, bring culture to a wider audience around the world, as well as international culture to Israel through various channels, including pop-up events, monthly ‘creative dinners’, theatrical productions, exhibitions, films, music and photography. Yafo Creative develops select artists within the community through strategic channels and services — including branding, multimedia production and filmmaking — to further promote local art and spark new conversation and collaboration, crossing boundaries of genre and medium.

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I recently went there to hear my friend and personal genius Rotem Bar Or (from the band The Angelcy) perform solo during an “intimate session” and luckily he played my new favorite song, untitled and unreleased; here’s a glimpse for your ears only:

 

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History · Israel · Jaffa · Lifestyle · Press · Tel Aviv · Tourism · Travel guide

Tel Aviv officially crowned ‘Creative City’ by UNESCO

 

A decade after UNESCO recognized Tel Aviv as a World Cultural Heritage site…

 

UNESCO Announces Tel Aviv a Creative City

 

Tel Aviv has previously received official recognition from UNESCO as a world heritage site for its extraordinary and beautiful collection of more than 4000 original white Bauhaus buildings scattered throughout the city. Today, the White City is to enjoy an additional title of Creative City as Tel Aviv is now the newest member of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network in the category of Media Arts.

 

UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization established the Creative Cities Network in order to encourage cooperation between international cities as a means to promote local creative industries, harnessing entrepreneurship and creativity to strengthen the local economy and social development. This evening, Tel Aviv will join 41 other cities each recognized in one of seven categories: Literature, Film, Music, Craft and Folk Art, Design, Media Arts and Gastronomy. Other notable members include Dublin (Literature), Liverpool (Music), Sydney (Film) and Berlin (Design).

 

Link to UNESCO’s website: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/creativity/creative-cities-network/

 

Tel Aviv will become a member of the Creative Cities Network recognized in the field of Media Arts. Cities in this area are characterized by the existence of creative industries and cultural activity driven by the use of digital technology and the successful implementation of media arts for the benefit of improving urban life. This is measured by the accessibility of cultural events and products through digital technology and the existence of electronic art forms and their integration into the life of civil society and their ability to strengthening local working studios and media arts projects.

 

The city’s flourishing high-tech scene and enterprises, especially in the media arts field – both earned Tel Aviv its place in the Creative Cities Network. Currently there are more than 700 early stage startups in Tel Aviv, a city with just over 400,000 residents. Tel Aviv has the second highest number of startups of any city in the world, and has the highest number of startups per capita.

 

The acceptance of Tel Aviv into the Creative Cities Network is a great honor for the city and will only strengthen the development of activities, projects and initiatives in the field of Media Arts and culture, and continue the Municipalities activities with the wide range of communities living in the city, academia, the business sector, industry, cultural institutions and more. Alongside local activities, an important aspect of the Network is creating international partnerships between the cities. Partnerships based on cooperative learning and the exchange of knowledge, enabling each partner to harness the creativity in their local economy and use it for social development. In order to retain the title, Tel Aviv will present annually to the organization and demonstrate the past-years cooperative initiatives with officials in the city and internationally.

 

Commenting on the achievement, the Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Ron Huldai said:

 

“Ten years ago, UNESCO declared the White City of Tel Aviv as a world heritage site. The world recognized the importance of the city’s architectural past. Starting from today, Tel Aviv’s entrance to UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network UNESCO reflects the world’s recognition of the city’s contribution to the present and the future – recognition of Tel Aviv as a vibrant center of cultural creation and breakthrough technology, the creative industries and the focus of the original visionary scene of digital innovation and initiatives”.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxvevYZ2suw Urban Symphony featuring the Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo

 

http://youtu.be/-n_BgwdovOY Comical clip about Tel Aviv with quotes from Barack Obama

 

 

jumpingman BoardWalk_photo_by_Kfir_Bolotin_60 Atidim_7_photo_by_Kfir_Bolotin_24photos by Kfir Bolotin

 

Photography · Tourism · Travel guide

Tel-a-visitor pt.3 – impressions of Tel Aviv by Alain Deloin

deloin39 Fleamarket Jaffadeloin38Brown Hotel rooftop by night deloin36Vegan food @ Buddha Burgers – Ice Cream @ Anita Neve Tzedek deloin35deloin19Neve Tzedek deloin34Hotel Montefiore deloin32deloin33Old Jaffa
deloin31Fleamarket deloin29deloin6deloin5Dizengoff Square
deloin23deloin22Juice spot on Ahad Ha’am  deloin20Benedict 24/7 Breakfast 
deloin18 deloin17deloin1 deloin16

Tel Aviv boardwalk

deloin15 deloin14Under construction Tel Aviv old vs. new architecture
deloin28deloin24deloin25deloin26deloin27deloin4Rothschild Boulevard

 

 

deloin13 deloin12 deloin11 deloin10 deloin9 deloin8 deloin7Jerusalem


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Alain Deloin

Architecture · Fashion · History · Israel · Restaurants · Tel Aviv · Tourism · Travel guide

Sarona Quarter – a new/old place to be

Before the creation of the Israeli state in 1948, Sarona was originally a German Templer colony northeast of the city of Jaffa. In the end of the 19th century, the Templer settlement of Sarona was one of the first modern agricultural settlements in Palestine and became a model for the Jewish pioneers. In the 20th century it was a farming community but immigration was growing and houses were being built throughout British occupation. During the Nazi occupation, it served as an internment camp for the Germans.

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In 1948, when the British Mandate ended and British troops left Sarona, the old houses and army barracks were used by the newly formed Israeli government as offices and called the area the “Kirya”: part became a military compound and other parts became houses to other ministries of the Israeli government.

‘With the rapid growth of Tel Aviv, the Kirya became prime real-estate in the heart of the city. When plans for redeveloping the area were proposed in the mid-1970s, preservationists successfully campaigned against demolition. Consulting with historians, it was decided that Sarona was of heritage value and that 18 structures with distinct architectural styles would be preserved. Civil government departments were moved out of the Sarona’s low buildings and into a single high office building erected at its eastern end. During the widening of Kaplan Street, Sarona’s main thoroughfare, considerable effort was made to move the historic buildings intact. These are destined to become an area of cafés and recreation. A high-rise headquarters building was also erected in the military section, though historic buildings in the compound remain in IDF use.’ (source: WikiPedia)

Since 2003, the Tel Aviv municipality has been working to preserve and restore Sarona. And now we can finally enjoy this new old kid in town: new residents apartment buildings, preserved historic buildings, lots of green area, children’s playgrounds and new businesses: shops, bars and restaurants.

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Shopping: Tommy Hilfiger, G-Star, Liebeskind, Fred Perry, Stussy, Imelda, L’Occitane, Adidas, etc.

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Food: Claro, Rustico, Akiko, Little Italy, Roladine, Wilhelmina, Jajo, Anita, Beer Garden, etc.

קלארו. צילום ארז חרודי (8) sarona

קלארו. צילום ארז חרודי (5)saronaphoto credit: ארז חרודי

 

Sarona Market

Entertainment · Israel · Lifestyle · Nightlife · Tel Aviv · Tel Aviv & Antwerp · Tourism · Travel guide

2 years Marilyn & Josephine – Mazel Tov

To celebrate our 2nd blog birthday, have a look at our top 5 most viewed articles and a compiled photo collage

1. Guest Blog: Joy Anna Thielemans in Tel Aviv

watch this video featuring Marilyn and Joy sharing TLV nightlife fun 

2. Off Rothschild

3. First visit to Tel Aviv?

4. Dating a Jew or two

5. Most beautiful Israeli women

General · History · Israel · Tel Aviv · Tourism · Travel guide

The Merrymakers – The Holy Land

http://themerrymakers.be/2014/01/15/the-holy-land/ by Ruth Van Soom

TelAviv_1_SmallThere are those moments in life that go beyond expectations, a sequence of rare experiences that force you to live in the presence and to truly enjoy every second of it. My seven days journey to Israel was such a moment. For the short time being I forgot about the thoughts I was thinking, the plans I was making and the memories I was holding on to.

So I can already tell you this: my writings won’t give you any insights on historical, political or religious situations and nor will I give you a review of all the places-to-be in Tel Aviv. Just do a Google search and you’ll find all the information you want on these subjects. My goal is to describe you, the best I can, the little things that caught my eye and my senses in the Holy Land.

TelAviv_2TelAviv_3TelAviv_TheMerrymakers©_3TelAviv_TheMerrymakers©_15Before I start my story it’s important for you to know who the protagonists are. So let me introduce to you Marie-France Vodikulwakidi and Marilyn Ambach: two strong, intelligent and sweet women. MF is originally Congolese but has been living in Belgium the greatest part of her life, she’s not only my colleague but also a dear friend. Mar(k)ske was born in Antwerp but moved to Tel Aviv a few years ago. She’s doing a fantastic job in concert production for artists such as Leonard Cohen and Cyndi “Girls just wanna have fun” Lauper.

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TheMerrymakers©_TelAviv_MarilynMy story starts on January 1st, 2014 when Marie-France and I finally landed on Israeli grounds around 11pm. First we dropped our stuff at Marilyn’s place and we immediately headed to Benedicts, my favorite breakfast place in Tel Aviv. This became the indication of one week full of play, no sleep and plenty of coffee. The energy floating through TLV is so full of magic that every moment you spend sleeping seems like an enormous waste of time.

Every morning we did our very best to get up early which isn’t our best feature to be very honest. What’s so beautiful about TLV around this time of year is the mystic, kind of winter’ish light. To enjoy that experience waking up before 10 am is required, because at 4.30 pm sunset is already there. During the day we tried to walk around as much as possible since it’s the preferred way to fully absorb all the impressions and discover the finest places.

One of those walks led us to the African part of the city thanks to friend and guide Jeremy Fogel. Here we discovered a different kind of Tel Aviv with hidden treasures such as the little garden from a local artist you can see on the first picture. Just being there and picking grapefruits from the tree made me think that the simple things in life actually are the ones that impress you the most. The three children we met there are Jeremy’s neighbors and compared to our ‘life standards’ they have nothing but a really small house and their family. When I saw the smiles on their faces when we brought them some bananas I realized how spoiled we all are and that most of the time we’re making a lot of fuss about things that aren’t essentially relevant.

To keep those simple things in mind, we went to a different greengrocer’s stall every day to cook our own meals instead of going to restaurants. Every evening we had our special “girls just wanna have fun” cosy moment in the kitchen. We laughed, talked and sang while cutting vegetables and making tahina. After dinner Marie-France and I went out most of the days to discover a small part of the TLV nightlife while Marilyn was occupied organizing the tour of her latest friend Cyndi Lauper. About our crazy nights out in town, the only thing I can say is: what happens in Tel Aviv, stays in Tel Aviv…

TelAviv_TheMerrymakers©_1TelAviv_TheMerrymakers©_3What I couldn’t do on my last visit to the Holy Land and definitely wanted to experience this time, was a trip to the Dead Sea and of course a visit to the place where it all started, Jerusalem. So we rented a car and with just some road indications from Marilyn, Marie-France and I headed to the lowest place on earth.

Driving through the Israeli landscape and seeing traffic signs to Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Jericho was definitely special. As you may already know or are finding out right now, my entire life I’ve been very interested in history with in particular everything that happened before the fall of the West Roman Empire. I can’t even express how fascinating it was to finally be driving through the country that still plays such an important role in many modern cultures.

Our first stop was the Dead Sea which is known for its large amount of salt and skin healing powers. Even though it wasn’t that warm, Marie-France and I went into the water, rubbed ourselves in with mud and enjoyed floating. This is a kind of unusual and funny experience I can definitely recommend. Afterwards we went wild in the souvenir shop buying all kinds of skin products just to keep this experience alive when back in Belgium.

Jerusalem_TheMerrymakers©_Roadtrip_DeathSea_TheMerrymakers©_5Jerusalem_TheMerrymakers©_7Jerusalem_TheMerrymakers©_11Jerusalem_TheMerrymakers©_12TheWesternWall_Jerusalem_TheMerrymakers©_9And last but not least there’s Jerusalem… the Holy City that carries so many years of history in its walls that you can actually feel the historical energy hovering. The experience of being there blew me off my feet, definitely when standing in front of the Western Wall. All those different people with their own religions, emotions and thoughts facing an enormous amount of holy rocks. The atmosphere was emotionally loaded and very serene at the same time. Marie-France and I took our time to say a few words ourselves and walked away backwards because there’s one very important rule, never turn your back at the wall!

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I’ll be repeating myself when I say this journey was beyond fantastic… Even now, one week later, I’m suffering from a weird and inexplicable nostalgia.

Before really ending this post I just want to say a few words… Markske, thanks for everything, you were fantastic :) And MFke thanks for being such a great friend… Love you long time girls and we definitely have to do this again!

If you want to discover more about Israel and Tel Aviv, definitely check out Marilyn’s blog for all inside information:www.marilynjosephine.com 

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