Excursions
Tel Aviv is relatively small and easy to navigate, but it’s worth a trip to city’s main Tourist Information Center for advice (lobby of City Hall; 69 Ibn Gvirol Street; 03-5218500).

Make time to visit Jaffa, literally one of the world’s oldest cities and the place where Jonah set off on his fateful tangle with that whale. Walk the windy, Arabist streets, shop the teaming Flea Market and view the cerulean Mediterranean from the Old City square.

Also fun is a stroll through the spice market on Lewinsky Street in South Tel Aviv to buy dried fruits, fine coffee and high-quality spices. Outside of Tel Aviv, easily the most important sidetrip is to Jerusalem, roughly one hour away. Busses leave hourly from both the Northern and Central Bus Stations, though taxi rides can usually be arranged for roughly NIS180. Once there, don’t miss the Old City, the Israel Museum (02-6708811) and a tour of the architecturally essential new Supreme Court Building.

Also just an hour away is the port city of Haifa, linked to Tel Aviv by hourly train service along the Mediterranean coast. While the city may be notable to naval buffs, travellers of all interests will wonder at the impressive Bahai Shrine and gardens (Yafeh Nof Street; 04-831-3131) overlooking the city centre. Tours are offered daily in English; they’re free but reservations are essential. Like the rest of the West, Israel has succumbed to mall mania and Tel Aviv – like most of its main towns – is awash in indoor retailing opportunities.

The City’s main mall is without Dizengoff Center (50 Dizengoff Street) where Israel’s major local brands have positioned fl agship outlets: Castro, Fox, Renuar and Golf. Dizengoff Street itself remains another compelling shopping thoroughfare, with mostly smaller local brands. It’s also the home of the Bauhaus Center Tel Aviv (155 Dizengoff) which sells a wide-range of books and home accessories related to this important architectural period.

The owners of the popular Shine Cafe also operate a boutique of the same name (12 Masaryk Square), which stocks notable global and local female fashions. Similar styles can be found along trendy Sheinkin Street nearby, especially at Naama Bezalel (40 Sheinkin) for stylish skirts and dresses and Kenvelo (10 Sheinkin) for younger outwear. Shabazi Street in Neve Zedek is a mecca of hip, independent designers, chief among them Anat Reid (Shabazi @ Shlush Streets) for female formal wear and Achilles (55 Shabazi) for hip footwear. Nearby, Chafatzim (27 Shlush) sells colorful, affordable home accessories.