Saturday, 19 April 2014

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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