For the ultimate weekend away, look no further than Israel.
Having recently reopened its borders to vaccinated tourists for the first time since March 2020 soak up the chance to indulge in immense natural beauty, world-class culture, unbeatable history, vibrant nightlife and meet some amazing people along the way!
Tourism in the country hit a record high in 2019 and it’s not hard to see why. Explore incredible food markets, bask in the wonder that is Jerusalem’s history or go off-road and unleash your wild side with extreme sports in the Negev Desert.
Whatever your dream weekend entails, find it all and more in Israel for your next holiday.
FLY TO: BEN GURION AIRPORT
Israel’s main international airport is Ben Gurion Airport, the busiest in the country. The airport is located on the northern outskirts of the city of Lod, about 45 km northwest of Jerusalem and 20 km southeast of Tel Aviv. Regular trains run to and from Tel Aviv in less than 16 minutes, so make the city your first stop.
STAY AT: 65 HOTEL
Situated in the heart of the most talked-about boulevard in Tel Aviv, stay here and take advantage of the hotel’s envious location. In the lobby is Café 65, which serves hotel guests and visitors one of the city’s best breakfasts. At the entrance to the hotel, in a colourful garden overlooking Rothschild Boulevard, whilst Happy Hour starts from 5pm!
For something slightly more luxurious, consider The Norman Hotel. After 8 years of painstaking redevelopment lead by world renowned interior designer David d’Almada The Norman hotel opened its doors in 2016. The stunning rooftop features a spectacular infinity swimming pool and sundeck with a sensational view of the city while the hotel’s pretty citrus garden, positioned between the two historic buildings provides a pastoral pause.
EXPLORE:
Up-and-coming Florentin has Shoreditch-style hipster vibe thanks to its bohemian cafes and laid-back craft-beer bars and live jazz bands. Stop at Levinsky Market for delicious savoury bureka, a filo-pastry filled usually with either cheese, potatoes, spinach or mushrooms nice detail thanks for adding in!, and falafel whilst also browsing its famous spice stalls. Eclectic art galleries dot the area’s street-art-lined streets for a souvenir with a difference…
After lunch, pop to Lev Ha’ir, the heart of the city. Located in the centre of Tel Aviv and housing all the cultural must-sees in the city, walk through the White City – a UNESCO World Heritage site that boasts over 4,000 Bauhaus buildings and along Tel Aviv’s first official road, Rothschild Boulevard.
PARTY:
With parties getting started as late as 12pm, Tel Aviv boasts an unrivalled hub of some of the best dance clubs on the planet. Many of the spots in the area are local legends with a long-standing history but try Rothschild 12 a popular cafe-bar with regular concerts, Radio EPGB, an underground bar with nightly music, or Kuli Alma, arguably the buzziest bar with live DJ sets most nights.
DAY 2:
Only an hour from Tel Aviv, take a different turn with your holiday by jumping on a train to one of the oldest cities in the world, Jerusalem.
Take in The Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Al-Asqua Mosque all of which are located in the old city. Explore the Old City Walls by walking through the various gates including the famous
Damascus gate. In addition, pay a visit to the Israel Museum, which houses both archaeological and artistic treasures from by-gone era.
EAT:
Make sure to pay a visit to the leading Machneyuda restaurant. With three Jerusalem chefs running the show, this rustic haven for foodies offers a changing market-to-table menu with all ingredients sourced in the Machne Yehuda Market, where the restaurant is located. The open kitchen gives you a front seat to the action, and the lively, spirited vibes are like no other.
TAKE A DIP
Round off an exhilarating two days by floating away the stresses of your home life with a relaxing trip to the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is famously known as being one of the saltiest bodies of water on the planet – so much so that you can’t actually swim in it, you can only float. A wellness experience like no other, this really is a must visit. Located 400metres below sea level and with 330 days of sunshine a year, the area contains a unique mixture of extra oxygen and bromine which helps visitors to relax and the combination of air, mud and the sea offers relief for visitors suffering from skin ailments and joint problems.
Round off your stay in Jerusalem by taking a short train trip (25 minutes) back to Ben Gurion Airport before catching your flight home.
