CasaVersa’s community manager Jo gives you the top 5 reasons why her adopted city Tel Aviv is the best spot for a weekend away.

With a proliferation of cheap airlines now flying to Tel Aviv from Europe, this Mediterranean city has become a perfect spot for a weekend getaway. Here are some top reasons why Tel Aviv should be your next city break destination.

1. Weather

Want some guaranteed sunshine? Tel Aviv is a great place to go for summer sun. There isn’t a drop of rain between May and October, and the temperatures soar for perfect beach-going weather.

In the winter there might be rain, but chances are you’ll get sunshine, and a nice 17 to 22°C (62 - 72°F) for most of the time while European temperatures are south of zero.

2. Food

Many say that the food in Tel Aviv is the best in the world, and I find it hard to disagree with them! Enjoy an Arabic seafood feast at the Old Man and the Sea in the Jaffa port, delicious pasta at Rustico, tasty schnitzels at Cafe Noir, fabulous french bistro dishes at La Brasserie and divine fresh tapas at HaBasta.

3. Beaches

Tel Aviv has 13 white sandy beaches stretching over 14 kilometers, making it an ideal spot for a holiday in the sun. There are rarely many waves but you will always see some hopeful surfers floating offshore. Check out the Tel Aviv city’s beaches guide for all the info on where to lay your towel.

4. People

Tel Avivians are young, diverse, and awake 24 hours a day. Or at least it looks that way! It also has a vibrant gay scene,with Tel Aviv voted the best Gay travel destination in the world in 2011 on gaycities.com. Best spots for getting among the people in Tel Aviv are: Radio EPGB, The Penguin, Hamaoz and Shpagat.

But don’t go out till at least 11pm if you want to see the crowds! Tel Avivians work hard and play hard - working hours are about 9am till 7pm, dinner is eaten around 9pm and the clubs fill up at midnight.

5. Coffee

Tel Aviv has great coffee. I don’t know why exactly, but Israelis embraced the coffee culture in a big way, with numerous independent chains such as Aroma and Hillel providing pretty good coffee all around the city, and they are just the chains.

In Tel Aviv great cappuccino and espresso can be found every where. Some of my favorite cafes are: Puah in the Jaffa flea market, Nehama va-Hetsi, and Bakery 29 off Rothschild Boulevard.

Bonus reasons to visit Tel Aviv: History & Culture!

History

The old city of Jaffa is the oldest continually operating port in the world. Wander around the narrow streets of Jaffa (also known as Yafo) and pop into one of the many art galleries, or wander around the eccentric flea market.

For an insight into the way Tel Avivians lived in the 50s, visit the house of Israel’s first Prime Minister, Ben Gurion (free, 17 Ben-Gurion Blvd), and find out about the establishment of this young country.

Culture

Tel Aviv is home to many private art galleries housing works by local and international artists, particularly on Gordon Street. Lovers of art should also visit the large private gallery Chelouche (7 Mazeh St) and the impressive Tel Aviv Museum of Art (27 Shaul Hamelech Blvd).

It’s not hard to enjoy the beautifully restored Bauhaus buildings around the city center. Tel Aviv has the largest collection of Bauhaus or International style buildings in the world, all built in the 1920′s and 30s, and is recognized by UNESCO. Tours of Bauhaus buildings are run from the Bauhaus Center, and a free tour is run by the city on Saturdays.

Free tours are operated by the Tel Aviv city focusing on: Tel-Aviv University: Art & Architecture; Tel-Aviv by Night; Old Jaffa; and Bauhaus: The “White City”.

Important tips for your Tel Aviv weekend

• The weekend is Friday and Saturday.
• From sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday all the shops are closed for shabbat, but restaurants, cafes, bars, and museums are open in Tel Aviv. If you are desperate to shop on Shabbat, stores are open at the Tel Aviv port and the old train station.
• Public transport also doesn’t operate on shabbat, but you can still hire bicycles, catch taxis, or use the privately-operated yellow mini buses called Sheruts.
• The airport is about 30 minutes drive from Tel Aviv and is accessible by taxi or train.

Most Israelis speak great English, but the basic words to know are:
Hello - Shalom
Thank you - To-da

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