Container Bar Restaurant and Music Lounge – Tel Aviv ISRAEL

This is one happening hotspot in Tel Aviv – the Container Bar, Restaurant and Music Lounge can be found located at Jaffa Port in Warehouse No.2. Situated right on the port, amongst other warehouses and alongside the water, where many boats are stationed, adds to the rustic appeal of this place. Website: http://www.container.org.il/

Inside, the use of the space is brilliant – a worn down port warehouse turned into an eclectic bar, restaurant and music lounge. The interior of this place adds to it's valuable allure, adorned with exposing walls and ceilings left rustic, raw and untapped. Staying in tune with the setting, fish nets are used and wooden crates crafted into tables, paired with steel chairs giving an alternative touch, along with the many weird and wonderfully creative art pieces positioned in every space, giving it a distinct eccentric arrangement and separating it from the rest.

The food is good, but nothing special compared to the interior uniqueness this place has – an absolute whimsical place to chill out, have a drink, unwind and listen to some beats.

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Manta Ray Restaurant – Tel Aviv ISRAEL

Manta Ray Restaurant is situated on prime beach real estate, with the sand and sea only strides away. Facing the sea, the restaurant is positioned on the left side of the Charles Clore Garden (on Alma Beach) along the Tel Aviv coast, closest to the Jaffa Port end. Website: http://www.mantaray.co.il/

The best time to have a meal at Manta Ray, is when nature is in its finest hour - book a table outside for a sunset evening, when the sky turns all sorts of stunning hues from orange, pinks and purple, whilst the sun falls away behind the horizon. Throughout the day, the beachfront is bursting with beach-goers, but when the crowd departs for the evening, it leaves a calm ambience allowing the sounds of soft crashing waves to be appreciated from the restaurant alfresco terrace.

Entering the restaurant, it has a seashore contemporary touch of style, baring naked wooden floors and candle lit set tables, making it suitable for either a romantic dinner or an evening with family and friends.

If you’re interested in appetisers inform the waiter or waitress, where you’ll be showcased with a platter of up to 10 small dishes and taken through a description of each one - pick the ones that entice the eyes and enjoy with freshly baked bread.

Served in a heavy cast iron pot, the mixed seafood was impressive, having all the seafood desires from crabs, squid, prawns, mussels and more in one stewing pot. A delicious dish suitable for dining by the sea.

Overall the food was delicious, in addition to the unforgettable setting of nightfall and sea breeze – sunset on the beach, with food… what's not to love!

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Character and charisma of Tel Aviv – ISRAEL

Ohh Tel Aviv, you have stolen a piece of my heart! I believe if you’re in Tel Aviv, you’re in Tel Aviv to make the most of the beaches and of course the two main ports - the Jaffa and Tel Aviv Port.

If you have a love for beaches, then you’ll love the approximately 7 km stretch of beach, which extends from Jaffa Port to Tel Aviv Port. Along the way between the two ports, you will find the Frishman, Atzmout and Hilton beaches, just to name a few, as there are many along the coastline. The beaches have been named according to the streets or hotels they are nearest to. With such a long stretch, the best way to explore and discover more, is to hire a Tel-O-Fun bike. These bike stations can be found situated all over the city and accessible on any day at any time, simply with a credit card. A hassle-free and convenient way to see more (Website: https://www.tel-o-fun.co.il/en/)

Sun, sand, sea, swim and surf - Stepping onto the beach you’ll notice the soft golden powder-like sand under your feet, which feels like a heavenly earth massage, marvellous and divine. The waters of the Mediterranean sea is cool, clean and clear perfect for a plunge in the searing heat of day. Stretching along the seaside, there are various restaurant’s with beach chairs and umbrella’s right on the soft sand to make your relaxation beach stay comfortable.

Tel Aviv beach coast

 

 

Tel-O-Fun bikes

On a Shabbat day - a Jewish day of rest, when most places are closed from sunset on Friday and all day Saturday, Jaffa Port, however, is an exception. On a Saturday, you will find the area buzzing and scattered with many wandering people, market stores, street musicians and artists adorning the precinct, bringing colour and liveliness into a day that is usually quiet and resting.

 

Be sure to explore and walk around the whole of Jaffa Port as well as the Old City, as you’ll be surprised when you stumbled upon more of what the Old Port has to offer. What gives this area an edge, to a place already full of allure and charm is the street art and canvases that can be found hanging on warehouses and sheds, with even the old run down looking shacks transformed into tastefully trendy restaurants and bars, giving them a uniqueness, that only the Jaffa port could provide.
 

Jaffa Port markets

 

Jaffa Port market against a backdrop of art

 

Jaffa Port waterfront

 

Feeling famished and craving something to revive your journey around Jaffa Port - Rokach Yam Food & Wine Bar is nothing short of satisfying, where you can seat yourself around the bar and watch the chef's skills at work, or order for take-away their marvellous calamari and chips – nothing like a food fuel boost - you’ll find Rokach Yam in the Jaffa Port Market at Booth 1.
 

Rokach Yam Food & Wine Bar

 

Another area absolutely worthy of a visit, is the Tel Aviv Port, also vibrant and alive. Here you’ll find numerous people sitting at the port, soaking up the sun’s rays with an ice-cream in hand or sitting in one of the abundant restaurants in the area, wining and dining. You’ll also come across shops and stores that sell the modern day things, but why waste your time on that when you can get it anywhere else – while on this land enjoy the outdoors, sun and sea.
 



Towards the Tel Aviv Port area

Tel Aviv Port

To sum it all up, from one point of the coast to the other, there is a subtle transformation. At one end you have Jaffa Port, which is also the Old Town with run down port sheds, mesh mashed with contemporary features and art, giving the area character and charisma. Then as you travel along the coast towards Tel Aviv Port, the buildings get taller and the look and feel becomes more present. Although different in style, they share one thing in common and that’s the beautiful Mediterranean Sea and the golden sand that connects them.
 

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Trips to Qumran, Masada, the Dead Sea and Bethlehem – ISRAEL

While there are many things to do and see within Jerusalem, taking the journey out to see more of Israel can easily be done. Qumran, Masada and the Dead Sea can all be seen and enjoyed in one day.

With a private taxi hired for the day – the first stop was Qumran. This is an area where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered, being thousands of years old, these are the earliest existing copies of the Hebrew Bible. The Dead Sea scroll tour starts with a short screening about its history. Afterwards, there's a short stroll, following through to the displays of ceramic pottery and pieces of the scrolls, before heading outside to continue on a trail around the ruins. The area is not excessively large and the tour will take all of about 30 minutes in total, it’s not an overly appealing place to visit, but if you have the time why not make the brief stop.

How the Dead Sea scrolls were found in Qumran

A piece of the scroll

Trail around the Qumran ruins

Second stop of the day – Masada. This is a popular tourist attraction, where you can hike from the ground up (approximately 30 minutes) or take the easier option of a cable car ride, that takes a short 2-3 minutes to arrive upon the cliff tops.

Masada in Hebrew means 'fortress,’ which was built by King Herod. This is an interesting place and if you can use your imagination to piece together what its existence would have been like thousands of years ago, it would have looked something sort of amazing and impressive.

This place also once had the most dramatic historical backdrops, when the Romans invaded the Jewish and instead of surrendering to their enemies, they committed mass suicide. This place is worth the visit, not only for the historical worth, but the amazing views of the desert, Dead Sea and across to Jordan. If you’re planning your time, a typical visit would last around 2 hours. Website: http://www.masada.org.il/

Cable car up to the Masada cliff top

View from the top of Masada

Masada ruins

Last stop for the day – the Dead Sea. The weather at the Dead Sea is generally constant all year round, being sunny and hot, with any rainfall being very rare. The Dead Sea is located at minus 417 meters below sea level, and although some say the UVB rays are weaker here, it's still recommended to slip slop slap on some sunscreen.

There are numerous locations to go for a Dead Sea experience from Ein Bokek, where there are a string of hotels or Mineral Beach (for a fee) or Ein Gedi Beach, a free public beach.

Mineral Beach was our floating destination - the entrance fee was 55 shekels (≈€11 / ≈$USD16) and equipped with all the facilities you would require – a shop, café, beach bar, chairs, umbrellas, kids freshwater pool, hot sulphur pool, mud station, showers/changing rooms/toilets and of course, access to the Dead Sea. If you’ve planned to come to the Dead Sea then you would have come prepared, but if something’s been forgotten, then towels/robes or shampoo can be purchased as an additional option at the entrance and lockers too.

The Dead Sea is truly something, the water feels slightly slimy and is extremely salty, so the rule is no splashing or the consequence will be horribly painful eyeballs! Attempting to taste the water can be a huge mistake, your tongue won’t know what’s hit it! Get in the water, sit your bottom down and you’ll naturally float and bob around like a cork, it’s just way too much fun!

With a mud station on hand, get yourself all covered up from tip-to-toe. After rinsing the mud off your skin, you will feel glorious and supple from therapeutic qualities within the mud. What more can I say, after over 4 hours spent enjoying the Dead Sea and adoring the breath-taking desert views, it’s really one of a kind – Nowhere else in the world.

View of Mineral Beach from the cafe

If you have time on your hands and it’s something you must do, Bethlehem is a half-day trip (from 8:30am-1:00pm) with an organised tour group. Have your passport handy, as you may need it at the checkpoint into the Palestine region.

Bethlehem is located about 10km from Jerusalem. The area is run-down and there is not much else to do and see besides from the Church of Nativity, which was built around the cave where Jesus was born and then put to lay in his manger.

With the many tour groups visiting this place, it means extensive waiting times. So if waiting around for an hour or so, to see the birthplace for all of about 20 minutes, is something you’re willing and must do, then go for it. Otherwise it could be missed and not regretted - but I guess it’s a good to see, once in your life.

Church of Nativity

Entrance down into the cave where Jesus was born



Inside the cave

Walls around the Palestine district

In short summary, Israel is a place of historical wealth and wonders. The Dead Sea in particular should not be missed – make your journey count and explore.

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Zuni Restaurant Café – Jerusalem ISRAEL

Beginning every Friday before sunset and all day Saturday in Jerusalem is Shabbat, which is the ‘Jewish day of rest.’ Therefore, during these times searching for a great restaurant can be somewhat of a mission, with many restaurants and stores closed. Nevertheless, in the City Center of Jerusalem, you can be sure to find Zuni Restaurant Café - open every day and open 24 hours (Address: 15 Yoel Moshe Solomon Street, Jerusalem).

Located on the second floor of a two storey stone building, Zuni’s entrance can be found down a side alleyway - make it to the top and you’ll be greeted by welcoming and pleasant staff. With its non-stop service hours, it’s certain that you’ll get the breakfast, lunch, dinner or late night snack you’ve been searching for.

If you’re spoilt for choice and can’t make up your mind, the waiter/waitress can certainly make a recommendation, which won’t disappoint. The food is delicious and every dish was enjoyed, especially the French toast with salted cured salmon, spinach and hollandaise sauce, which our helpful waitress had proposed from their specials.

On the whole, you can rely on Zuni Restaurant Café, no matter what time of day, coupled with quality food and service with a smile.

Website: http://www.zuni.rest-e.co.il/

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