Welcome to “Introducing Israel”, In this series, we will explore Israel and discover some hidden gems. 

I’m Arielle and I invite you to come with me on this intimate journey and transport yourself for a few minutes to this magical place.

Today we’re going to talk about my love affair with Tel Aviv. 

Make sure you listen all the way through, so you don’t miss any of my tips. 

Tel Aviv!!

A vibrant, complex, micro-metropolis right on the Mediterranean Sea. Its streets are filled with charming cafes, restaurants, and bars [crowd sounds]. 

Here, you will taste some of the most diverse and delicious food you have ever tasted.

Tel Aviv is a perfect blend of opposites: local and foreign, city and sea, calm alleys, and busy restaurants, making it a lively city full of new world energy. 

The rich cultural Middle Eastern history mixed with high tech – A city for the present moment. 

Let me walk you through the different neighbourhoods this city has to offer starting with the Lev ha’ir quarter.

Rothschild Boulevard is a wide pedestrian walkway that crosses through the city and connects all the main areas. 

You will find many Tel-Avivians at all times during the day strolling through this boulevard. 

Take a break at any of the countless benches and watch life go by.

People pass by with their bicycles, walk their dog [barking dog], run, and simply enjoy the present moment with their friends [laughing in the distance]

The green strip of grass that flows down the middle, separating the bike lane from the walkway, has large trees providing enough shade during the midday heat to enjoy a cold coffee, a pastry, or maybe one of the freshly squeezed juices from Tamara juices.

Watch out and hold on to your coffee cup, the bikes are passing quickly!! 

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There are several historical locations along the path, among them many of the architectural stunning Bauhaus buildings. Tel Aviv is home to the largest collection of Bauhaus-inspired buildings with approximately 4000 of them – that’s where the nickname “The White City” comes from. 

Here are some facts about my favorite city 

• The name Tel Aviv comes from Hebrew, meaning “New Spring” 
• The founders gathered on the beach together and collected 66 white seashells and 66 grey seashells. Then they wrote the names of the plots on the white shells and the names of the families on the grey shells - and that’s how each family got a plot assigned and they started building - Isn’t that fascinating? How many cities do you know that were founded like this? 
• Here’s another (interesting) fact: Following Silicon Valley, Tel Aviv has the second largest concentration of startups -  A true startup nation. 

Let’s get back to the city. Before we go further south, we have to stop briefly in Neve Tzedek. 

This is one the oldest areas of Tel Aviv, the very first neighborhood. It transformed out of nothing but dirt into a beautiful artisan district full of bakeries, cafes, art galleries, and unique designer boutiques. 

Walk around the quiet, charming, and narrow streets and enjoy the artist-like atmosphere of what feels like a little village on its own. 

Stop at Anita’s and taste their pretzel-flavoured ice cream, a salty-sweet delicious treat for the midday heat. – the best Ice Cream you will find in Tel Aviv. 

Only 25 minutes walking along the beach further south we get to a very charming area known as Jaffa. 

A place not to be missed. 

With its outdoor markets, trendy cafes, cozy little streets, and old-world charm, it is a perfect place to explore when you want to escape the busy buzzing big city up north. 

Immerse yourself into the mix of cultures found in the taste of hummus and sabbath, black sugar-filled coffee, the sounds of the muazzin - the prayer calls from the surrounding mosques, and the sights of the old stone architecture. 

Located close to the clock tower, right at the heart of Jaffa is the flea market. 

A place is full of antiques, old junk, vintage clothing, Persian tiles, art, and jewelry. 

Walk over Persian carpets spread out on the sidewalk, 

and duck your head to avoid the oil lamps hanging from the stalls as you hunt for the perfect gift or other unique treasures here. 

It is open every day but closes earlier on Fridays. 

If flea markets aren’t your thing, walk on a little further and you will find all the delicious food and drinks you can imagine!

Make sure to try one of the best Israeli desserts – Malabi. 

It is a traditional milk pudding, drizzled with rose water and nuts. 

An excellent spot for that is the Hamalabiya, a place that serves nothing but Malabi and beer. How great is that? 

While you’re there, grab a Shesh Besh, also known as backgammon, and join the men playing this old board game while drinking tea just outside on the sidewalk. 

Jaffa truly is an experience of all senses: 

You will smell the incense blend of wood, tobacco, honey, and floral scents circulating in the air as you walk through the streets admiring the old stone architecture. The pomegranate-colored bougainvillea flowers grow out of every corner, filling the streets with eternal spring. 

When it’s time to leave this dreamy place, 

Grab a scooter or a bicycle [bike bell sound]. Because the sun is about to set it's time to head north towards the beach promenade, the Tayelet of Tel Aviv. 

Driving a scooter is a must here, it is super cheap and gets you anywhere you want, plus you see the city from a different viewpoint while feeling the light sea breeze.

Just make sure to wear a helmet! – For your safety and to avoid fines! ;)

Starting from the south, in Jaffa, it goes all the way north to Hilton Beach. A beautiful sunset ride in the evening, that offers stunning views of the city’s skyline. 

The sun shines here almost all year round, and once you’ve spent an afternoon at the beach, you will never want to leave again. 

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I find that there is magic in a place that captures the feelings of the big city yet has the vibes of a small surfer beach town. When you walk along the palm tree-lined Tayelet, passing outdoor bars and eateries – you will feel the pulse of the city. 

The first beach to your right is Alma Beach, a perfect spot for surfing and since it’s a dog beach - there’s always a cute puppy running around. 

The sound of summer is found on Jerusalem Beach, also known as the “matkot” beach [matkot sound]. Name...