Israel is a great holiday destination for everybody. This young and vibrant country has something for everyone. If its history you want, across the country you’ll find history dating back over 6000 years. If you’re a culture buff, there are endless museums, art galleries and concert halls to keep you happy. Want sun, sea and sand? Look no further, because all along Israel’s Mediterranean coast you’ll find plenty. Maybe you’re a party goer – welcome to Tel Aviv, a city constantly voted as being one of the best places for young people to hang out in. A city where you’ll find a bar, club or party at any time of the day or night. No wonder it is known as the “City That Never Sleeps”!
Tel Aviv – A UNESCO Site with its Feet Firmly in the 21st Century
Tel Aviv, like modern day Israel, is a relatively young city. Yet it’s already been awarded the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to the unique Bauhaus architecture of its original streets and buildings.
But modern Tel Aviv is a bustling, lively metropolis that is a magnet for tourists and business people from around the world. You’ll find a dazzling variety of restaurants representing every culinary stream on almost every street corner. Bars and night clubs abound and you’ll always find dozens open, playing great music and offering a great time. Museums, art galleries, parks and a glorious beach promenade leading down to the ancient city of Jaffa with its old port and artists’ quarter all go together to make this the ultimate holiday destination.
Business and Commerce in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is also an international city with many international companies having research centres and offices here. Business people from around the world are constantly flying in to negotiate deals worth millions of pounds.
The city is also the commercial centre of Israel and you’ll find many well known designer shops here, ready and willing to provide you with just what you’re looking for.
Staying Connected in Tel Aviv (and the Rest of the Country)
The modern traveller needs to stay connected. In fact, for many people, losing touch with friends and family (if even for a day or two) is unthinkable. Now that everyone has a smartphone and a tablet, we want to keep in touch with friends, family and work 24/7.
Staying connected in Israel is easy as the country is covered by thousands of free Wi-Fi hot spots. You’ll find them in bars and restaurants, at bus and train stations (buses and trains in transit also have free Wi-Fi), shopping malls, museums and even in hospitals – although let’s hope you don’t need to go there!
Wait, There’s More to Come!
True, Tel Aviv is the cultural and commercial centre of Israel, but this small country has a lot more to offer its visitors. The Dead Sea with its amazing therapeutic mud baths, the amazing coral reefs of Eilat, the rolling hills of the Galilee, Tsafad the city of the Kabbalah, the Sea of Galilee, Haifa on Mount Carmel with the beautiful Bahai Gardens, the awe inspiring Negev wilderness and, finally, the City of Gold, Jerusalem.
Jerusalem – 6000 Years of History
This magical city features prominently in the world’s three major religions. The walled Old City with its traditional Arab market (Souk), the Israel Museum, art galleries, museums, bars and restaurants – here you’ll find so much to do that no matter how long you stay, you’ll want to stay longer..
Take a Virtual Tour
Israel is a country with its feet firmly planted in the 21st century. We already showed you how easy staying connected in Israel is, but getting around or even taking a preview of your trip is just as easy thanks to Google Street View. Zoom into street level view to take a virtual tour of those places you want to visit. It’s true that the Google car hasn’t yet mapped the entire county, but all the major centres are there in detail waiting for you to take a peek. You can also take advantage of the many apps (some of the best are free) available for you to use when on your trip. Here are just two, and there are plenty more:
- The Israel App (IOS & Android) lets you explore Israel as if you have your own private tour guide.
- VISITLV Tel Aviv-Jaffa Official Guide (IOS) – The perfect way to find your way around the city
How to Get There
Getting to Israel is easier than ever. All the major airlines, including British Airways, Monarch, easyJet, El-Al, Air France etc. fly into Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. Flight times vary but from the UK it generally takes about 5 hours. Prices fluctuate according to season and demand, but you can find some really good deals on budget airlines (easyJet and Monarch fly into Tel Aviv and Ryanair uses Uvda in the south) with the average price for a return ticket being around £156.
Getting from the airport to Tel Aviv and onwards is really easy. If you hire a car or take a taxi (be sure to ask the driver to use his meter) it should take around 30 minutes to get into the city centre. There’s also a convenient train station just outside of the arrival terminal. You can pre-order comfortable and convenient Tel Aviv airport transfers that will be waiting to take you wherever you want when you arrive.
Remember we said that staying connected in Israel was easy? When it’s time to go home, and you have to hang around the departure lounge – use the airport’s free Wi-Fi!
Where to Stay in Tel Aviv:
Dizengoff Sea Residence – Dizengoff Sea Residence is a two star, well equipped and comfortable apartment hotel. For the budget conscious traveller who wants to enjoy Tel Aviv’s night life – this hotel’s trump card is that it’s just a 3 minute walk from the beach and set right in the centre of Tel Aviv’s night life scene.
Arbel Suites Hotel – Arbel Suites Hotel is a 3 star apartment hotel. It’s great for a family as it has laundry facilities and baby’s high chair and bath are available. One of the great features of the Arbel Suites Hotel are the free bikes guests can use – these make for the perfect way to get around the city, which has miles of dedicated bicycle lanes.
The Rothschild Hotel – As the name implies, 5 star luxury awaits you at the Rothschild. Located in one of Tel Aviv’s most famous buildings, amazing efforts have been made to provide a unique and eclectic atmosphere. It’s a small hotel with just 29 rooms – but it’s the place to stay if you’re looking for luxury with atmosphere. If you need it, the Rothschild Hotel will also provide you with a limousine service.
