Traveller Notes: Tel Aviv
Caption: Tel Aviv cityscape
Remember those characters in fairy tales who travelled through strange lands, collected beautiful memories and were full of stories all the time? I have a person like that in my life - Susmita.
A dear friend and confidant since college, this woman has evolved into a walking-talking travel guru and blogger extraordinaire in the last two years. Especially when it comes it Israel, her words are Bible, thanks to her stay in the country and extensive travel through Israel, Jerusalem and Palestine. When I asked her to share her stories from this misunderstood land, she started with her favourite city, Tel Aviv.
Ok girl, we are all ears, over to you now!
SUSMITA SAYS:
I have been to a lot of cosmopolitan cities like New York and Paris but nothing intrigues me more than Tel Aviv. Of course, my soft corner lies in the fact that this city was my home for the last two years, but it's true that very few cities can beat the sheer colours and character of Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv brings to mind three things. It is the most:
# Gay-friendly place
# Pet-friendly city
# Vegan/vegetarian-friendly tourist destination in the world.
It is a traveller’s paradise! You can visit Tel Aviv with your partner without anyone judging, bring along your pet(s) and keep worries about your food away. Which other city will welcome travellers with this much care, comfort and thought?
Caption: The colours of choice
STAY:
Abraham Hostel is one of the most popular place to stay, especially if you are travelling in groups and don’t mind staying in dorms. The elaborate shabbath dinner at the hostel and free tours to the Jerusalem old city are little chocolate sprinkles on the brownie. The place is highly recommended for its youth-friendly nature. There are many other hostels that fall under the ILH Consortium and are also recommended in case Abraham doesn't work out. If you want a private set up, opt for Airbnbs, which are very safe and tourist-friendly.
EAT:
Do not step out of Tel Aviv before grabbing a bite at the road-side falafel joint, Falafel Neto at 21 Ibn Gvirol Street. Its tangy garlic and lemon sauce takes the common falafel to the next level. If you are looking for a proper sit-down kind of a place, try Falafel Gabai at 25 Bograshov Street. It is not just a falafel joint and also serves hummus and meat-based salads. If you want traditional Israeli falafels, head to Hakosem at 1 Shlomo Hamelekh Street. While the falafels are the crispiest here, the filling is a tad bland. Do try out the eggplant fritters here, they are to die for.
Caption: A busy evening at Hakosem
In case your sweet tooth nudges, head to Max Brenner, the chocolate bar or any of the Bakery outlets across Tel Aviv. For the non-vegetarians, the shawarma at Dabush on Ibn Gvirol Street (opposite Rabin Square) is highly recommended.
TRY:
When in Tel Aviv, do not return without a sun tan! Take this as my commandment. The city has a beautiful coastline of 14kms and boasts of the most vibrant beach life, water sports and parties. There are some beaches which are set aside for gay couples, not by a rule, but just as a very positive way of allowing people space. Pets are allowed on the beaches too. In fact, fun starts and ends on the Tel Aviv beaches. Make the most of it when in town.
Caption: Tel Aviv boasts of a 14km-long coastline
You should also visit the bi-weekly handmade arts and crafts fair Nahalat Binyamina. Right from ceramics to handmade jewellery and puppets, this fair is the best place to pick up the cutest finds to carry back home.
SHOPPING:
Nahalat Binyamina is the best place to find souvenirs, for one. In case you have more elaborate shopping plans, head to Allenby Street, which is perfect for souvenir shopping. From Hebrew alphabet magnets and dreidels to menorahs, you’ll find everything here. If you want to take home some fine pieces of art, head to Jaffa where artists create paintings on the streets.
Caption: A colourful capture at Nahalat Binyamina
TRANSIT:
Inside the city, buses are the most convenient means of transport. You can buy a ravkav bus pass which also has this cool thing of giving 25% credit free on the amount you put in your card. These passes are valid for 90 minutes. Incase you are in town for just a day or two, you can also buy a ravkav daily pass. Ravkavs can be bought on the bus from the driver .
WALLET:
For those on a shoestring budget, daily expenditure in Tel Aviv goes up to a limit of US$45.This includes travel, accommodation and food expenses.
Images via Susmita Biswas
