Hot Summer in the City - what Tel Aviv has to offer ...
On a recent visit to Boston, I stayed at a cousin's house. His wife, a designer, works on boutique hotel designs. She said in an off handed way... "Tel Aviv simply does not have good boutique hotels" ~ by that she meant, a whole class of people who travels and vacations all over the globe would never consider Tel Aviv a decent destination. Well, a few weeks ago, I spoke to "sam-d-man" Jerry, and he simply had a lough. "What is she talking about?" ~ Jerry mentioned that there are at least 10 to 20 world class hotels in Tel Aviv. Not only that, "the City" has a compact layout where travelers can enjoy a true swimming beach in the morning, bike or see a historical site during the day, and cap off the day with a great meal and world class entertainment. "Not only that!" crows "sam-d" -- "you can beat any city for comfort, personal service and even cost!!!"
"I say, let the games begin my man Sam-D"! stop squawking and start a walkin' ~ show me, show me... the way to great vacations and leisure of "the City" by the sea. So SAM-D was assigned to walk and talk with hoteliers, restaurateurs and retailers the city over. When I laid down the glove, I didn't think that SAM-D would take the task seriously. But I was wrong. In no time, he started shuffling his way. At first he was all over the place, picking and choosing his favorite places. Quickly he realized that this project needed focus and organization. Tel Aviv is essentially a group of eclectically melded neighborhoods. The tourists hotels are mostly concentrated along the beach on the west. The stores and tourists attractions are concentrated along a few main streets and in a few large malls. Restaurants are all over the city, it's hard to say that one location is 'better' or more 'representative' of the culture or the cuisine. Finally, there are attractions that are very unique to Israel and even to Tel Aviv. The city has grown and changed since it started 100 years ago. Also, one should not forget the long history of Israel itself, mostly pre-state (Turkish and British rule). All of these combine for an interesting life available for each tourists.
A side note: I suggested to Jerry not to jump in and just write. But his enthusiasm has gotten the better of him. I think that Tel Aviv has too much to offer that can be covered even in a blog. I also think that some people would find it easier to navigate if we put together lists of hotels, restaurants, resources (listings, travel agencies, etc.) ~ well, for now, we will have to live with the blog format and the overall jumbled through process of a frantic writer, but I think this will be just a temporary state of affairs ~ stay tuned ~ and like voting in Chicago a few decades ago: come early and come often... from Tel Aviv, Ami ;8~)'
"I say, let the games begin my man Sam-D"! stop squawking and start a walkin' ~ show me, show me... the way to great vacations and leisure of "the City" by the sea. So SAM-D was assigned to walk and talk with hoteliers, restaurateurs and retailers the city over. When I laid down the glove, I didn't think that SAM-D would take the task seriously. But I was wrong. In no time, he started shuffling his way. At first he was all over the place, picking and choosing his favorite places. Quickly he realized that this project needed focus and organization. Tel Aviv is essentially a group of eclectically melded neighborhoods. The tourists hotels are mostly concentrated along the beach on the west. The stores and tourists attractions are concentrated along a few main streets and in a few large malls. Restaurants are all over the city, it's hard to say that one location is 'better' or more 'representative' of the culture or the cuisine. Finally, there are attractions that are very unique to Israel and even to Tel Aviv. The city has grown and changed since it started 100 years ago. Also, one should not forget the long history of Israel itself, mostly pre-state (Turkish and British rule). All of these combine for an interesting life available for each tourists.
A side note: I suggested to Jerry not to jump in and just write. But his enthusiasm has gotten the better of him. I think that Tel Aviv has too much to offer that can be covered even in a blog. I also think that some people would find it easier to navigate if we put together lists of hotels, restaurants, resources (listings, travel agencies, etc.) ~ well, for now, we will have to live with the blog format and the overall jumbled through process of a frantic writer, but I think this will be just a temporary state of affairs ~ stay tuned ~ and like voting in Chicago a few decades ago: come early and come often... from Tel Aviv, Ami ;8~)'
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