Tel-Aviv

Tel Aviv Marina, Israel Tel Aviv, the first Jewish city in Palestine founded in 1919, is today Israel's economic and cultural capital. Ralph Braumer / age fotostock;

Founded in 1919 by the Jewish settlers who arrived at Jaffa, Tel-Aviv was the first Jewish city in Palestine. The economic capital of Israel, Tel-Aviv has inexorably become a westernised city and a city of pleasures; abound with cafes, cinemas, theatres and concert halls. The holiday atmosphere here never dies down, with all the white sand beaches and the trendy youth!!! It is not only the first University city, but also the intellectual and cultural capital of the country. Hectic, frivolous and bustling with business, the city is as tightly controlled as an American city. It is actually the antithesis of Jerusalem, the Pious. Dizengoff street, the trendy district with its uncanny atmosphere and changing styles, is where you will find the Tel-Avivians living out an undisguised Americanism. Here, you will see lots of young people on terrace cafes, where they sit to see or be seen. Shinkin street, with its street artists is also very trendy. In terms of architecture, there is Shalom tower, which is the tallest skyscraper in Tel-Aviv (460 ft). On its top floor, the panorama covers Mount Carmel, the Negev desert and, on a bright day, the hills of Jerusalem.
Take your time to explore the city (by foot, it is the best way) and visit Carmel market, (open from Sunday to Thursday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm), a souk filled with spice perfumes that reminds you that you are in the East. Then walk around Elyashiv street and Peduyim street, where you will find the Jews from Yemen living in their small lovely oriental homes; or go to the Yemeni neighbourhood to taste their original culinary specialties. Finally, pass through Hatikva, the neighbourhood of the oriental Jews, as its colourful market and small cafes (enlivened by men playing dominoes) are very popular.