Tel Aviv you have to live it
They say that Tel Aviv is modern, bustling, fun, and at the same time blessed by the spell of the mediterranean breeze , the one that calmly floods your golden sand beaches . Just forty minutes from the historic and traditional Jerusalem , the Israeli city rises up rebellious, fleeing from any convention and constantly persecuting the vanguard.
Art is breathed through its streets, dotted with galleries and cute vintage shops, like the ones that draw Jaffa neighborhood ; the architecture bauhaus dominates its profile, the result of the arrival of a group of Jewish architects who fled from Germany in the 30s; and of course, a vibrant nightlife.
We traveled to Tel Aviv with the spanish actress , although of Argentine roots, Maria Esteve , famous for roles in numerous films, such as The Other Side of the Bed , and television series, such as doctor matthew . “Currently we are closing several interesting and very nice projects. In the meantime I keep working and chairing the foundation ** Antonio Gades ** ”, comments the actress to Traveler.es.
“The trip for me is a possibility to learn, to experience, to surprise myself, understand and enjoy” , explains Esteve. As a good globetrotter, the one who has been nominated for the Goya Awards on several occasions reveals the essentials to fully enjoy the essence of this wonderful city of Israel .
THE ESSENCE OF TEL-AVIV
The kindness with which the actress has always been treated, how welcoming the city is and the contrast between its people is what has caught him the most Tel Aviv , which boasts both of respecting tradition and a frenetic festive atmosphere at nightfall.
“Every place has something that other places don't, and Tel Aviv is a very interesting destination. Among many other things its Bauhaus architecture in contrast to its skyscrapers. And Judaism being the majority, the amalgamation of religions that coexist in her city ”, María Esteve told Traveler.es.
The streets of Tel Aviv are full of life
But what is it that invites you to opt for a more exotic destination? “Exoticism is art, customs, forms and culture of a country different from mine. Everything that arouses your interest for being different from what you know”, explains the actress.
“For me it is very important to get out of the comfort zone because without a doubt what I have lived and experienced in the trips I have made throughout my life, have shaped in part my character and the way I see the world. Everything that enriches me as a person, contributes to my work ”, she concludes.
Jaffa streets
WHAT TO SEE
Tel Aviv must be discovered calmly, getting lost in every nook and cranny of its neighborhoods, to end up abandoning yourself to the mercy of the sea. The bohemian neighborhood neve tzedek It is an amalgamation of restaurants with a European air, vintage shops, avant-garde craft shops and cocktail bars where drinks are prepared to the rhythm of jazz.
And no, not only we say it. “The neighborhood that I liked the most is Neve Tzedek because of its bohemian atmosphere and its modernity , for its architecture, for its narrow streets, for its bars and shops, and because it is one of the best walks, which can even surprise you with live music”, María Esteve tells us.
neve tzedek
Although just as magnetic and necessary is Jaffa, one of the oldest ports in the world, where you will need nothing more than to sit in a café facing the sea and watch the waves roll to be happy. “Jaffa port is a truly inspiring place” , confesses the actress.
But, traveler friend, what would a getaway be without a good sunset? The actress recommends that we admire how the pink sky welcomes the moon on the beach in Tel Aviv.
“The promenade or the Jaffa viewpoint are the perfect places to watch the sunset. From there you can witness a spectacle: the reddish colors of the sunset with the blue of the sea as a backdrop, a picture that in turn contrasts with the imposing skyscrapers”, Esteve tells us.
It is true that Tel Aviv is less spiritual than Jerusalem , but still has religious corners worthy of contemplation. “In Tel Aviv I was fascinated by the Nahum Goldmann Museum of the Jewish Diaspora , dedicated to the history of this religious community. It is one of the most important anthropological museums in the world”, says Esteve.
Tel Aviv Museum of Art
However, despite all the attractions offered by a city the size of Tel Aviv, the landscape of Israel that has stolen the heart of the Spanish actress has been the desert , especially the one on the way to the Dead Sea.
WHAT TO EAT
After her stay, the artist suggests the best restaurants and cafes to taste the flavors of Tel Aviv. A busy day in the Israeli city requires having your batteries fully charged. Therefore, **a breakfast to match is found at Benedict**: from toast with avocado and salmon to banana pancakes, passing through the classic eggs Benedict.
Also, if the sheets stick to you, you don't have to worry, open 24 hours . Another place to revive with **a good brunch** after a night out is The Shuk , on Dizengoff Street. his mythical Israeli Breakfast is able to reactivate anyone: three eggs, cheese, vegetarian salad, toast, butter, jam and a dose of coffee.
Cauliflower cream, grilled tomato and aubergine falafel at The Dining Hall
On the other hand, if what you are looking for is a healthy menu as well as original , according to Marí Esteve, The Dining Hall it's your place. Not only does it have delicious salads, but you can also try succulent dishes such as chicken with mushrooms and caramelized onions or falafel.
For dessert, sweet lovers can satisfy their cravings at Chocolate Bar & Restaurant, by chef Max Brener , in which cocoa is the undoubted protagonist. And to end the day, María Esteve recommends us to enjoy a dinner and a cocktail in the restaurant table .
Of course, wherever you go, there is a typical recipe from the Middle East that María Esteve advises you to savor: “without a doubt, the best traditional dish what i have tried is the hummus , in all its variants.
Talking about Tel Aviv as the city that never sleeps is more than justified, and not only because of the endless alternatives to take advantage of its nights: “its bars and restaurants do not close until the last customer has left and its gastronomic offer is unlimited” adds Maria Esteve.
Market in Jaffa
WHERE TO BUY
An essential that will make you understand the importance of street commerce in Tel Aviv is the Flea Market in Jaffa . There, vintage items, Armenian ceramics, hamsas and all kinds of souvenirs attract both locals and tourists like authentic magnets. After walking from stall to stall, it is worth discovering the charm of the shops that dot Neve Tzedek.
The eternal doubt of any trip is: what do I take back home? where can I buy a souvenir? Well, María Esteve recommends us stroll down Ben Yehuda Street in his search and capture. "There you can find classic Israeli souvenirs, traditional Jewish objects and gold and silver jewelry," reveals the artist.
And finally, a word of warning: if you're frequently branded a compulsive shopper, in the dizengoff shopping center stays twice a week (Thursday and Friday) a temptress independent designers fair . Impossible not to succumb to its charms. The actress attests to this.
WHERE TO SLEEP
The ** Hotel Shalom Relax **, where María Esteve stayed and located in the northern part of the city (very close to the central Dizengoff street), ensures you a well-deserved rest after an intense day in the capital of Israel. This hotel of four stars , in which tranquility and elegance reign, is defined as “your house on the beach in Tel Aviv”.
One of the rooms of the Hotel Shalom Relax
Guests can achieve peace both with a relaxing massage at your spa as with a bubbling bath in the jacuzzi of its cozy rooms, or enjoying the sunset, cocktail in hand, in its charming roof terrace with views of the sea and the city.
WHAT TO BRING
One question that brings us to mind when we are first time in a destination is what to pack. María Esteve gives us a couple of tips regarding this, she takes note: “it is essential to wear comfortable sports shoes to cover absolutely everything and cash, since there are places where they will not let you pay with a card”.
“Comfortable clothes, my notebook and a spare pair of glasses are the essentials in my luggage,” she adds.
NEXT DESTINY?
Traveling is one of her great passions, whether the reason is filming or the simple whim of traveling the world. “With my job you never know. There are years when work makes me travel a lot and others when I only do it for pleasure. ”, explains Esteve.
After her wonderful experience in Tel Aviv, she is clear about what her next adventure will be. “I would love to meet the Judean desert, with a stop at the Red Sea . From there cross to Palestine , visit Belen and continue discovering Jordan . One of my great traveling wishes is to meet Petra ”, reveals the actress to Traveler.es.
Shalom Relax Hotel Rooftop