ITINERARY
Tel Aviv > Dead Sea/Masada/Negev Desert > Jerusalem > Tel Aviv > Day Trip: Caesarea/Akko/Haifa > Tel Aviv
This trip to Israel was planned to attend the wedding of one of my dearest friend Merav and her awesome, now husband, Lloyd. Around 75 people from the US flew to Israel for the wedding including my sister Gabi and my father Ideal. It was a whole week of celebrations in Tel Aviv but we got to get away for a few days to explore Israel a bit. Merav's family is originally from Yemen, so the first wedding ceremony was a traditional Henna Ceremony and then they had a more typical wedding a few days later - if you can call 400 guests a typical wedding! It was an incredible cultural experience, amazing food, great people. Merav's large family went out of their way to make us all feel at home.
TEL AVIV
STAY The Neve Tzedek Hotel [one-of-a-king boutique hotel]
EAT Suzanna [Mediterranean restaurant in Neve Tzedek] Dallal [converted 19th century house with courtyards and open air bar – super charming space] Abu Hassan [tiny place serving hummus only]
SEE/TO DO Neve Tzedek [Tel Aviv’s oldest neighborhood, now very fashionable with boutiques, cafes, restaurants and a nighttime party atmosphere] Carmel Market – Shuk H’carmel [colorful middle eastern market] Yemenite Quarter [located just behind the Carmel Market this neighborhood might appear unkempt and dirty still wander through its narrow grid streets, lined with crumbling houses and you will be pleasantly surprised how trendy it is] Old Jaffa or Yafo [at the end of Tel Aviv beach sits this fascinating area of old stone streets, beautiful views and so much history] Jaffa Flea Market [bargaining encouraged!] The Beaches [soft white sand & translucent warm water – the perfect mix for a great beach experience] Rothschild Boulevard [a beautiful tree-lined street with beautiful properties and boutique hotels]
DAY TRIP – North of Tel Aviv – Caesarea [we visited the National Park beside the sea, with dramatic ruins and ancient buildings] Akko or Acre [historic medieval walled port city – stroll around town] Haifa [beautiful city situated on a hill overlooking a bay; it’s most famous landmark is the Baha’i Gardens – not to be missed]
JERUSALEM
STAY Christ Church Guest House [at Jaffa gate in the Old City; I’m not a religious person at all, but we were traveling on a budget and this was a very pleasant and clean place to stay at. Just note that you will be woken up in the middle of the night with the calls for prayer from nearby mosques; startling at first] The American Colony [beautiful hotel; would have stayed there if we could]
SEE/TO DO Old City [still enclosed within grand walls and divided into 4 quarters: Muslim, Christian, Armenian & Jewish quarters. Jaffa gate is the main gate into the old city. Experience this area day & night] Old City Bazaar [maze of alleys in the old city full of smells & colors] Yemin Moshe [very picturesque hillside neighborhood; it’s a must to spend time walking around its narrow streets & alleys] Mea Sharim [populated by ultra-orthodox Jews of Eastern Europe origin. It is another world that will take you back in time. Women should dress really conservatively and avoid taking pictures] Yad Vashem Memorial and Holocaust Museum [a must see] Dome of the Rock – Temple Mount Haram Es Sharif [one of the most historic sites in the world] to approach the wall] The Western Wall [the holiest site for Jewish people; men must wear a hat and women shawls in order to approach the wall] Machane Yehuda [old market quarter – eat freshly baked burekas, nuts, halva, etc]
DEAD SEA/MASADA/NEGEV DESERT
STAY Ein Gedi Kibbutz [located in a botanical garden just 5 minutes from the Dead Sea]
SEE/TO DO Masada [dramatic ancient site perched high above the Dead Sea; we hiked up but make sure to leave early because it gets really hot; you can hike or take a tram back down] Negev Desert [we toured the desert with Karkom Jeep Tour and got to see Mount Sdom, the big crater, zin valley springs near Sde-Boker, caves – it was a great way to see this area] Dead Sea [soak, or better float in the sea but make sure never to put your head or face in the water; a very unique experience]
