Israel may be known for its ancient relics but vibrant, spicy Tel Aviv is reshaping our thoughts on the Holy Land.
Where to stay:
Check out the Cinema Hotel, a real treat for movie buffs (1 Zamenhoff St.; 972-3-5207100, US $155 - $225 with breakfast). Built in 1939 as a movie theatre, the Bauhaus building now houses old projectors, posters and other movie paraphernalia. They also offer free bicycle rentals to see the sights.
Lured by the sea and in need of some pampering, we couldn’t resist the beachside Tel Aviv Sheraton Hotel and Towers and its spanking new Cielo Spa (115 Hayarkon St.; 972-3-521 9300; US $375-475 with breakfast). The Turkish bath (hamam) and Oleg’s massage were heavenly.
Where to eat:
We sat in silence as we savoured each morsel of Israeli culinary star Chef Yonathan Roshfeld’s offerings at Herbert Samuel (6 Rehov Koifman St., 972-3-5166516). Go for one of the many tapas-size dishes like Asian salmon salad or the local buffala mozzarella and tomato creations (25 – 130 NIS).
In an ancient building in Jaffa, Cordelia (30 Yeffet, Jaffa 972-3-5184668) offered a candlelit romantic setting for Chef Nir Zook’s French-Israeli innovative preparations like Tehina ravioli (78 NIS) with a Jerusalem artichoke cream or wolf fish (88 NIS) with white and green asparagus shavings.
Where to Shop:
In the oldest residential part of town, funky Ne’eve Tzedek, we came upon the Suzanne Dellal Center for Dance, a venue for visiting European dance companies. On Shabazi Street at the Ayala Bar Studio (36 Shabazi St., 972-3-510 0082) we browsed the Israeli designer's colourful award-winning creations, then on to Orit Ivshin's shop (53 Shabazi St., 972-3-5160811) and her unusual gold and silver pieces.