Let us take you onto a long weekend in Tel Aviv, the "Miami of the East". It is a vibrant city.
Israel's weekend starts on a Friday. While other parts of the country take it more quietly, the pulsating city of Tel Aviv offers us museums, restaurants, bars and clubs in abundance.
We begin at Café Nahat - the perfect place for us to start relaxing. Since the redesign of the iconic Dizengoff Square, you can catch glimpse of a good part of the Bauhaus architecture from the tables in front of the café. Since 2015, true coffee experts have been at work here (Dan Urieli and Assaf Bitton), and they certainly don't disappoint us and nor do their captivating pastries.
In the Tel Aviv Museum of Art (closes at 2pm on Fridays) we find not only the largest collection of contemporary Israeli art (Itzhak Danziger and Marc Chagall), but also international greats (Vincent van Gogh and Wassily Kandinsky), as well as temporary exhibitions. In the stylish brasserie Pastel, Koby Bachar tastily conjures up the colours of the museum highlights in his culinary creations.
We move further south and stroll through the Sarona quarter, which consists of about thirty old buildings from the time of the German Knights Templar movement and has recently been transformed into a trendy shopping area in the heart of the city.
Have you ever heard of garum? The ancient Romans loved this salty fish sauce, and Asaf and Yotam Doktor have brought it back to life in their restaurant Abie. Their curiosity to explore ancient Mediterranean recipes transforms the kitchen into an experimental laboratory, all the while offering unpretentious Israeli cuisine, reminding us that it goes well beyond hummous and falafel.
The day ends at Romano a gastro-bar in a carefully restored historic building with the just right vibes; an analogue sound system, live music and fine drinks. Here we are in the capable hands of the genius Eyal Shani. And should a little hunger arise in the evening, there are simple dishes that emphasise the quality of the produce. Can life be more beautiful?
On Saturdays visitors and locals alike are drawn to the sandy beaches that dot the city from the gastro-port in the north to historic Jaffa in the south.
A stop at the Hôtel de Ville on the corner of Dizengoff and Jabotinsky streets is a fun mixture of Parisian bistros and hip Tel Aviv. You can have brunch here until 5pm and taste Yogev Yehro's menu, which is as classic as it is playful; the gnocchi Parisienne deserve special mention. The Francophile wines and cocktails from the hands of award-winning bar tender Ariel Leizgold might throw a spanner in your plans for the rest of the day! Should you return in the evening, the canard à l'orange with the fluffiest mashed potatoes will make you think of Versailles.
Frishman Beach, where a colourful sculpture of Ben Gurion, the founder of the state, is on display, is a great place to relax. Swimming, surfing, volleyball, walking, running, or dance workshops, which are as inviting as they are spontaneous, all allow you to forget everyday life.
Back in the the city centre, don't let the name North Abraxas confuse you. It is located in the centre and has long been one of the top addresses in the city. Eyal Shani focuses on first-rate local vegetables, pita with chicken liver and potatoes with crème fraîche.
No one can blame us if, after so many delicacies, we go to Herzl 16. This is a new star in the bar sky, reached through a small, inconspicuous passageway at 1 Herzl Street, on through a ravishing open courtyard and into a live music bar that once again confirms Tel Aviv's reputation as the Miami of the Middle East.
In Tel Aviv, east and eest merge, in dance and theatre, in cuisine and opera: they inspire each other. The result is a treat for all the senses, especially. of course. for your taste buds.
A good day begins in name only at the Yom Tov Café near the buzzing Carmel Market: organic coffee, fresh sandwiches, fresh pastries - vegans are catered for too. Here we start with cappuccino and possibly return to the beer bar in the evening.
If you are after a little bit of wisdom, the Bucke Café is the right address. The owners are committed to the memories and values of their ancestors and their version of shakshuka, originally from Tunisia, feels very much at home in Tel Aviv. All of this comes at great value, and if you want to avoid the live music, you can find a dreamy corner in the garden.
Topolopompo appears as if it were from another world. The name is inspired by the mythical fire dragon. It is a fire kitchen inspired by the Asian traditions, however, you can customise the mix of Eastern spices and the sweetness of the Mediterranean cuisine to suit your individual taste.
The whiskey bar & museum will make our final evening stunning. It can be found in Sarona's historic Templar tunnel, which was home to a local winery in the 19th century. You can choose from over 1,000 classic and high-end whiskies. Scottish and Irish acquaintances are here, but also surprises from Hong Kong and India that you just have to try. And the beauty - you can taste and buy every bottle in the museum.
