Wednesday, October 31, 2012

TEL AVIV

(includes Herzliya, Jaffa, Rehovot & Umm al Fahm)

BAKERIES, COFFEE, ICE CREAM, JUICE & TEA
Bialik Café – 2 Bialik 2; 011-972-03-620-0832; cafebialik.co.il; notable for Israeli breakfast; wide selection chopped salads with eggs; neighborhood-hangout feel & old-fashioned chrome bar stools and wooden tables.
Café Europa – 9 Rothschild; 011-972-03-525-9987; coffee.
Café Suzanna – 9 Shabazi (Neve Tzedek); 011-972-03-517-7580; suzana.rest-e.co.il; for brioche & coffee.
LovEat – 37 Nachalat Binyamin (near Carmel Market); 011-972-03-566-6699; loveat.co.il; organic coffee shop with excellent, in-house coffee blend; wooden deck out back is lovely place to sit.



BARS & NIGHTCLUBS
Bialik Café – 2 Bialik 2; 011-972-03-620-0832; cafebialik.co.il; live music in evenings.
Cafe Europa – 9 Rothschild Avenue (Habima); 011-972-03-525-9987; trendy watering hole.
Café Suzanna – 9 Shabazi (Neve Tzedek); 011-972-03-517-7580; suzana.rest-e.co.il; rooftop terrace bar in evenings.
Dan Tel Aviv – 99 HaYarkon (at Hotel); 011-972-03-520-2552; danhotels.com.
Dizzy Frishdon – 121 Dizengoff Street; 011-972-03-523-4111; great bar that also serves fine food; name made up of 3 street names (Dizengof, Frishman, Gordon), located right in busy Dizengof’s core; dark atmosphere and always lines to get in, but never packed once you get in.
Har Sinai – 2 Har Sinai (at Allenby Street); facebook.com/harsinai; tiny, in-know spot, where action spills into street.
Messa – 19 Haarbaa Street; 011-972-03-685-6859; messa.co.il; dramatic black-on-black designer bar in which to see and be seen.
Micatronix – 28 Ben Yehuda Street; 011-972-03-603-4005; really hidden, no way of finding if you don’t already know about it; hidden inside shop, have to buzz intercom to get in; electronic music, techno, off-electro.
Next Door – 52 Chen Boulevard; 011-972-03-695-6276; cozy bar, belonging to well-known restaurant “Meat Bar”; great food & music.
Otto Bar – 76 Ibn Gvirol (directly across from Rabin Square); no phone or website; no real door at entrance, so just look for beer crates stacked in corridor; once you’re inside, impressive array beer, cocktails & wine.
Radio E.P.G.B. – 7 Shadal (at Yehuda Halevi Street); 011-972-03-560-3636; radioepgb.com; Israeli take on New York’s late, lamented rock club CBGB.
Rothschild 12 – 12 Rothschild Boulevard; 011-972-03-510-6430; facebook.com/r12tlv; New York style bar located in old building designated to be torn down; live shows on Tuesdays & Saturday.
Shalom Hotel & Relax – 216 Hayarkon Street; 011-972-03-542-5555; shalom-hotel-ta.co.il; block from beach; 24-hour roof-top deck bar (open to public in summer); beautiful at sunset.
Shesek – 17 Lilenblum Street; 011-972-03-516-9520; drunkintelaviv.co.il/?p=839; good DJs; open late.
Shine – 38 Shlomo Hamelech; 011-972-03-527-6186; restotlv.com/cafes/shine; happening bar scene.
Taxidermy – 18 Ha Rakevet or 33 HaHashmal; 011-972-05-4260-9003; facebook.com/pages/TAXIDERMY/282851770996; dark boîte whose walls are mounted with stag heads & stuffed pheasants.
Wine Bar – 36 Nachalat Binyamin; 011-972-03-510-2923; telavivme.com/NightLife/places/Wine_Bar; tapas.



BEACHES
Herzliya.



HOTELS
Brown TLV – 25 Kalisher Street; 011-972-03-717-0200; browntlv.com; boutique.
Dan Accadia Herzliya Hotel – Herzliya Beach; 011-972-09-959-7070; danhotels.com/HerzliyaHotels/DanAccadiaHerzliyaHotel; 3 buildings surrounded by gardens, which surround pool overlooking sea; standard rooms in older wing have balconies with sea views; ground floor rooms have outdoor whirlpools.
Dan Tel Aviv – 99 HaYarkon; 011-972-03-520-2552; danhotels.com; grande dame on beach; floor-to-ceiling views; room 372 is excellent.
Hotel Montefiore – 36 Montefiore; 011-972-03-564-6100; hotelmontefiore.co.il; boutique.
Rothschild – 96 & 71 Rothschild Boulevard; 011-972-03-629-0555; the-rothschild.com; luxury boutique.
Shalom Hotel and Relax – 216 Hayarkon Street; 011-972-03-542-5555; shalom-hotel-ta.co.il; 51-room boutique; block from beach; ask for sea-view spa room; 24-hour roof-top deck bar (open to public in summer).
Hotel Varsano – 16 Hevrat Shass (Neve Tzedek); 011-972-077-554-5500; thevarsano.com; modern retreat near sea.



RESTAURANTS
Anina – 2 Hayim Levanon (Ramat Aviv); 011-972-03-641-2288; anina.rest-e.co.il; near Eretz Israel Museum.
Babai – 153 Kedem Street (Jaffa); 011-972-03-659-3999; fish.
Al Babor – Ein Ibrahim Junction (Umm al Fahm); 011-972-04-611-0691; famous; must try rice-stuffed roast leg of lamb.”
Basta – 4 Hashomer; 011-972-03-516-9234; chef Maoz Alonim operates this place and Cafe Europa; Israeli but not kosher.
Brasserie M&R – 70 Ibn Gvirol Street (City Hall Area); 011-972-03-696-7111; among city’s most popular restaurants; French; always busy; oysters, pate, steaks; neighborhood atmosphere.
Café Ben Ami – 22 Nachmani Street; 011-972-03-560-9960; telavivcity.com/eng/places/3211/Ben-Ami/Tel-aviv; closed Friday night/Saturday; full of models and media types, during day; serves some of best pastries in town.
Café Europa – 9 Rothschild; 011-972-03-525-9987; chef Maoz Alonim operates this place and Basta; Israeli but not kosher.
Cafe Ha’Tachtit – 9 Lincoln Street (at Wilson & Saadia Gaon Streets; 011-972-03-561-8759; facebook.com/pages/Cafe-Tachtit/107937349278659; notable breakfasts (popular with locals); bar & cafe; open 24 hours; cozy; attracts artsy/bohemian crowd that includes some well-known media types.
Caffé Michal – 230 Dizengoff Street (corner of Jabotinsky); 011-972-03-523-0236; cafemichal.rest-e.co.il; Levantine/North African food is memorably delicious; upscale flea market decor; regulars include some famous authors & poets.
Café Suzanna – 9 Shabazi (Neve Tzedek); 011-972-03-517-7580; suzana.rest-e.co.il; charming spot filled with people from nearby theater and dance groups, boutique shoppers, and locals; light meals include cheese, focaccia, pasta, salads, seafood & soups.
Caffeine – 63 Nachalat Binyamin Street; 011-972-03-686-8986; charming, Georgian-Russian café; try khachapuri (signature bread filled with suluguni, national cheese).
Canteen – 71 Rothschild Boulevard; 011-972-03-620-5051; alonhadar.co.il/?p=268; Italian; Italian; best place for people-watching: actors, models, Russian oligarchs.
Catit – 4 Heichal Ha-talmud; 011-972-03-510-7001; catit.co.il; no menu in country more complex, expertly prepared (Meir Adoni), or rich; try grilled calamari, filled with lamb meat and mozzarella, in grilled eggplant, goat yogurt, techina, roasted bean, and olive oil or sea fish ceviche with red beet carpaccio and sheep yogurt ravioli in basil and green oil or foie gras on grilled semolina with vanilla pastry and caramelized bananas in coffee and veal stock sauce; prices among highest in Israel but 2 luncheon prix-fixe specials make tolerable.
Delicatessen 79/81 – 79-81 Yehuda Halevy; 011-972-03-968-1010; facebook.com/Delicatessen7981; scene-y lunch spot.
Dr. Shakshuka Restaurant – 4 Beit Eshel Street (Jaffa); 011-972-03-518-6560; with long, shared tables; great food and prices; among country’s best ethnic restaurants; shakshuka is pan-fried poached egg and spicy tomato sauce casserole; also worth trying are Tripoli-style couscous with mafrum (potato stuffed with ground meat, served with stewed beef and vegetable soup), stuffed vegetables, and kishke (North African-style intestine stuffed with meat and rice).
18 Balfour Street – 18 Balfour Street; 011-972-03-808-0017; restotlv.com/cafes/balfour-18; tucked away on quiet corner; beautiful little café looks like something out of Paris during Belle Epoque; croissants are better than Paris, though; closed Saturday.
Haj Kahil – 18 Raziel Street (Jaffa); 011-972-03-518-8866; hajkahil.rest-e.co.il; Palestinian.
Hashaked – 90 Hashmonaim; 011-972-03-561-0546; hashaked.co.il; great seafood.
Ha’Kovshim – 48 Ha’Kovshim; 011-972-03-510-8555; hakovshim.rest-e.co.il; pleasant, pretty bistro-cafe; notable for breakfast; not too far from Ha’Carmel Market.
Ha’Salon – 8 Ma’Avar Yavok Street; 011-972-52-703-5888; market-to-table food; only open 2 nights weekly.
Hotel Montefiore – 36 Montefiore; 011-972-03-564-6100; hotelmontefiore.co.il; brasserie; good for lunch.
Kalamata – 10 Kedumim Square (Jaffa); 011-972-03-681-9998; kalamata.co.il; Greek-Israeli mezes; tables high above Mediterranean, in ancient building in old city’s heart.
Doris Katzavim Restaurant – 65 Yigal Allon Street; 011-972-599-500-021; doris-k.co.il; some of city’s best hamburgers and steaks.
Manta Ray – Alma Beach (on promenade); 011-972-03-517-4773; mantaray.co.il; grilled seafood and mezes, right on beach.
Messa – 19 Haarbaa Street; 011-972-03-685-6859; messa.co.il; in market; reservations; daring, much-talked-about, 21st Century design (white on white, polished white marble floors, drapes, and long white communal table with polished burl-wood top running down dining room’s center, lined with facing columns of white upholstered arm chairs; gourmet menu choices (some touched with chef’s Kurdish family traditions) constantly change; look for calamari served with lemon cream eel and goose liver; main-course hits include seafood toast grilled coquilles St. Jacques and shrimp served on thickly sliced toast with anchovy butter and/or seafood couscous in crab and lemon thyme broth; dramatic black-on-black designer bar in which to see and be seen.
Mizlala by Meir Adoni – 57 Nahalat Binyamin (Jaffa); 011-972-03-566-5505; mizlala.co.il/en; lunch and dinner; seems almost more like well-designed club than restaurant; inspired modern Israeli-Moroccan-Mediterranean.
Miznon – 23 Ibn Gvirol 23; 011-972-03-716-8977; rethinks “pita joint” concept.
Nanuchka – 30 Lillienblum Street; 011-972-03-516-2254; Georgian-Russian specialty foods in late-night, ebullient atmosphere (dancing on tables).
Café Noach – 93 Ahad Ha’am (corner of Ha’Hashmonaim); 011-972-03-629-3799; book-lined café popular with writers; closed Friday night/Saturday.
Old Man and Sea – 83 Kedem Street (Jaffa); 011-972-03-681-8699; 2eat.co.il/eng/hazaken; grilled fish; on cliff, overlooking sea.
Puah Café – 8 Rabbi Yohanan Street; 011-972-03-682-3821; restotlv.com/cafes/cafe-puah; just few steps from Jaffa flea market; stunningly beautiful café-cum-art gallery; upscale café food & excellent homemade French pastries.
Rothschild 12 – 12 Rothschild Boulevard; 011-972-03-510-6430; facebook.com/r12tlv.
Herbert Samuel – 6 Koifman Street; 011-972-03-516-6516; herbertsamuel.co.il; overlooks beach; very chic; must have reservations.
Suzanna – 9 Shabazi Street (Neve Tzedek, opposite Suzanne Dellal Center for Modern Dance); 011-972-03-517-7580; suzana.rest-e.co.il; Mediterranean & North African cuisine.
Tapas 1 Ha’am – 27 Ahad Ha’am; 011-972-03-566-6966; small plates hangout.
Tzfon Abraxas – 40 Lilinblum (Rothchild Quarter); 011-972-054-678-6560.
Yam 7 – 122 Ramat Yam (Herzliya, near Dan Accadia Herzliya Hotel); 011-972-09-956-6950; rest.co.il/sites/Default.asp?txtRestID=2932; have ceviche under umbrella on beach, overlooking Mediterranean.



SERVICES
Or Rein – 011-972-052-236-6006; offers personal Bauhaus district tours.



SHOPPING
Ayala Bar – 36 Shabazi Street (Neve Tzedek); 011-972-03-5100-082; ayalabar.com; jewelry designer Ayala Bar uses beads, fabric, and glass.
Dorit Bar Or – 6 Kol Israel Haverim Street; clothing.
Dunia – 11 Yehudah He’Chasid Street (Neve Tzedek); 011-972-03-5161-813; dunia-bags.com; leather bags.
Elemento – 15 Hazorfirm Street; 011-972-03-620-9848; elemento-design.com; contemporary textiles.
Jaffa Flea Market (Shuk Ha Pishpishim) – Yefet Street (Jaffa, at Old Jaffa foot, east of clock tower); shuktlv.co.il/en/category/jaffa-flea-market; best buys here early Sunday morning; weave way through mixed array junk & treasures: brass, copper, jewelry, old Persian tiles, as well as Judaica, old family-photo albums, and tons of used jeans and mildewed clothing from India.
Litvak Gallery – 4 Berkovitz Street (at Museum Tower); 011-972-03-716-3897; litvak.com; glass art.
Maya Negri – 10 Ahad Ha’am Street (Rothschild I Tower); 011-972-9-835-6450; mayanegri.com; Tel Aviv’s Donna Karan.
Maya Negri – 132 Zabotinsky 132 (Kikar Hamedina, on He Be’Iyar corner); 011-972-03-695-5133; mayanegri.com; Tel Aviv’s Donna Karan.
Maya Negri – 5 Tel Giborim; 011-972-03-683-2152; mayanegri.com; Tel Aviv’s Donna Karan; outlet.
Mizo – 51 Shabazi Street (Neve Tzedek); 011-972-03-5164-105; mizo.co.il; Zen-inspired clothing boutique.
Pas Pour Toi – 6 Kol Israel Haverim; 011-972-077-440-5516; paspourtoi.com; luxe caftans.
Ruby Star – 13 Amiad; 011-972-03-683-2172; rubystar.co.il; vintage-inspired jewelry.
Samy D. – 56 Shabazi Street (Neve Tzedek); 011-972-03-5164-968; samy-d.com; unusually styled kitchenwares.
Shouk HaCarmel – bordered by Allenby Street and Magen David Square, principally located along Carmel Street (which becomes King George Street after Magen David Square), but has expanded over streets such as Nahalat Binyamin Street; Tel Aviv’s largest bazaar; open every day except Shabbat (Saturday); sells mostly food but also home accessories and flowers.
Sigal Dekel – 26 Shabazi Street (Neve Zedek); 011-972-732-150-150; sigaldekel.com; women’s fashion.
Sigal Dekel – 228 Dizengoff Street; 011-972-732-150-150; sigaldekel.com; women’s fashion.



SIGHTS & SITES
Bauhaus Centre Tel Aviv – 99 Dizengoff Street; 011-972-03-522-0249; bauhaus-center.com.
Bauhaus District – around Rothschild Boulevard.
Beit Hatfutsot – Gate 2, Tel Aviv University Campus; 011-972-03-745-7800; bh.org.il; “Museum of Jewish People.”
Beit Rishonim – 8 ha-Nadiv Street (Herzliya); 011-972-9-954-8561; “Founders’ House.”
Charles Clore Park – Tayelet Boardwalk; 011-972-03-640-2222; clore-foundation.org; beachfront public park along Mediterranean Sea.
Suzanne Dellal Centre for Dance & Theatre – 6 Yehieli Street (Neve Tzedek; 011-972-03-510-5656; suzannedellal.org.il; pair of whitewashed buildings (1 built in 1892, other in 1908) make up this attractive complex; square, designed by foremost landscape designer Shlomo Aronson, modelled on medieval Middle Eastern courtyard with orange trees connected by water channels; 1 side square decorated with tile triptych, which illustrates neighborhood history and famous people who have lived here (e.g., S. Y. Agnon); café-bar on premises.
Gesher Theater – 9 Yerushalaim Boulevard; 011-972-03-515-7000; gesher-theatre.co.il; Russian theater.
Ilana Goor Museum – 4 Mazal Dagim Street (Jaffa); 011-972-03-683-7676; ilanagoormuseum.org/eng; Israeli artist Ilana Goor works and resides in this restored 18th Century house with its romantic stone arches and high ceilings; originally housed 1st Jewish inn for holy land pilgrims.
HaYarkon Park – Hata’arucha Road; 011-972-03-642-2828 or 011-972-03-699-0307; park.co.il; green wooded expanse beside HaYarkon River; row boats for hire; basketball courts, climbing wall, football fields, skate park, and 3.5 miles jogging trails.
Holon Design Museum – 8 Pinchas Eylon Street (Holon); 011-972-7-3215-1515; dmh.org.il.
Jaffa Port – Jaffa; founded, per Old Testament, by Japheth, in wake of great flood; Israelites lost town in 1468 BCE to Egyptians, whose soldiers made their surprise entry hidden in clay pots; came to prominence as port under Solomon; Islam swept over port in 8th Century, to be repelled briefly during Crusader conquests; from that time on, remained in Muslim hands until British General Allenby drove out Turks in 1917; worth special trip.
Kikar Hamedina – among Tel Aviv’s largest squares; prime shopping area.
Matkot Museum – 61 Rehov Shabazi (Neveh Tzedek); 011-972-52-277-7188; olympicsport.area.co.il; often referred to as Israel’s unofficial national sport, Matkot combines ping pong, squash, and tennis; quintessential beach pastime in Israel.
Nachalat Binyamin Pedestrian Mall – Jaffa; arts-&-crafts bazaar worth special visit.
Ariel Sharon Park – near Holon; 011-972-03-739-6633 (recycling center tour); israeltraveler.org/en/site/ayalon-park; view from 60 m high mound is spectacular (Mediterranean to Judean Mountains, with Tel Aviv’s skyscrapers in between); less than decade ago, active landfill; carefully tended garden near visitor center is mini-wetland; at 2K acres, among world’s largest urban parks; cycling & walking trails, recreational pond, tiny zoo, and picnic areas.
Neve Tzedek – Tel Aviv’s 1st Jewish neighborhood; now all galleries, restaurants, and shops; lovely for strolling.
Palamach Museum – 10 Haim Levanon Street (Yafo); 011-972-03-643-6393 (must have reservation); info.palmach.org.il/show_item.asp?itemId=8096&levelId=42798&itemType=0; museum makes you feel as if you were back in Palmach (pre-State underground) Era with young defenders.
Tayelet Boardwalk – promenade that runs along Mediterranean seashore from Jaffa to Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv Museum of Art – 27 Shaul Hamelech Boulevard; 011-972-03-607-7020; tamuseum.com; holdings include Chagall, Kandinsky, Lichtenstein, Picasso, Pissaro & Rothko.
Weizmann Institute of Science (Chaim Weizmann House) – 234 Herzl Street (Rehovot); 011-972-08-934-3111; weizmann.ac.il; graduate studies institute; worth special trip is Chaim Weizmann House; designed by Jewish architect Erich Mendelsohn, and recognized as masterpiece; now houses small museum.

Monday, October 29, 2012

ST. TROPEZ

(includes Gassin, La Lavandou, Port Grimaud, Ramatuelle & Sainte-Maxime)

BAKERIES, COFFEE, ICE CREAM, JUICE & TEA
Marcel et Cavazza – 29 Rue Georges Clemenceau; 011-33-4-9497-8353; www.gillespudlowski.com/1811/produits/la-meilleure-tropezienne-celle-de-cavazza; since 1945; specializes in vanilla pastry with cream filling (Tropezienne, name suggested by Brigitee Bardot while she was in St. Tropez, in 1955, while filming And God Created Woman).



BARS & NIGHTCLUBS
Cafe Senequier – Sur le Port St. Tropez; 011-33-4-9497-0090; chic place for early evening cocktails.
Les Caves du Roy – Avenue Paul Signac (at Hotel Byblos); 011-33-4-9456-6800; lescavesduroy.com; extremely over-priced, movie star and tycoon hangout.
Hotel Sube – 15 Quai Suffren; hotel-sube.com; 011-33-4-8961-9002; 2nd floor terrace w/view (real in place).
Kube Hotel – Route de St.-Tropez (Gassin); 011-33-4-9497-2000; muranoresort.com; with 4 bars, essentially party complex; underground “Ice Kube” is subzero room lined with ice – $50 gets you parka and 4 vodka drinks; rooftop “Skybar” specializes in champagne and gulf views; poolside Terrasse Martini has white couches; 4th bar is sci-fi lobby lounge.
Pan Dei Palais Hotel – 52 Rue Gambetta (pool bar); 011-33-4-9417-7171; pandei.com; carved screens and Hindu god statutes surrounded by chaises lounges and 4-poster beds; try “Red One” (Monkey Shoulder Scotch, amaretto, lemon, strawberry juice, and fig syrup).
Le Quai – 22 Quai Jean Jaures; 011-33-4-9497-0407; lequai-St.-Tropez.com; black banquettes, black carpet, and black glass tables; funk and R&B music.



BEACHES
Aqua Club – Plage de Pampelonne, Roue de l’Epi (Ramatuelle); 011-33-4-9479-8435; aqua-club-plage.fr; very gay-friendly.
La Cabane Bambou – Plage de Pampelonne, Route de Bonne Terrasse (Ramatuelle); 011-33-4-9479-8413; cabanebambouplage.com; laid back beach club good for families; good food.
Club 55 – Plage de Pampelonne, Boulevard Patch (Ramatuelle); 011-33-4-9455-5555; club55.fr; for “self-styled elite.”
New Coco Beach – Plage de Pampelonne, Route de l’Epi (Ramatuelle); 011-33-4-9479-8325; newcoco.fr; new; equipped with bar and restaurant; reasonably-volumed music; rental chairs; more middle-class crowd.
Nikki Beach – Plage de Pampelonne, Route de l’Epi (Ramatuelle); 011-33-4-9479-8204; nikkibeach.com/sttropez; bathing suit top optional.



HOTELS
B. Lodge – 23 Rue d l’Aioli; 011-33-4-9497-0657; hotel-b-lodge.com; modern gray and white tones; pleasant bar and restaurant; affordable.
Benkirai – 11 Chemin du Pinet (former Lou Pinet St. Tropez); 011-33-4-9497-0437; hotel-benkirai.com; in quiet neighborhood on Cap du Pinet, this 42-room hotel is for those who love St. Tropez at arm’s length; beautiful pool; snug rooms; restaurant scene is fabulous; May and September are best months; room with direct access to pool, such as #16, is best.
Hotel De La Ponche – 3 Rue des Remparts; 011-33-4-9497-0253; laponche.com; best-kept secret boutique around; excellent restaurant.
Hotel Ermitage – Avenue Paul Signac; 011-33-4-9497-5233; ermitagehotel.fr; impeccably sourced retro furniture and panoramic terrace restaurant; 27 rooms; effortlessly cool; affordable.
Pan dei Palais – 52 Rue Gambetta; 011-33-4-9417-7171; pandei.com.fr; 12 rooms in apricot-painted villa in town’s heart; feels like intimate guest house; lovely pool; May and September best months; suites or Chambre Prestige (with pool view) are best.
La Reserve Ramatuelle – Chemin de la Quessine (Ramatuelle); 011-33-4-9444-9444; lareserve-ramatuelle.com.
Villa Marie – Route des Plages, Chemin Val Rian (Ramatuelle); 011-33-4-9497-4022; villamarie.fr/uk; absolutely “the” place to stay – can’t be beat for combination of accommodations and price.



RESTAURANTS
Club Cinquante Cinq – Boulevard Patch (Ramatuelle, at Pampelonne Beach); 011-33-4-9455-5555; lunchtime beach destination accessed by narrow road, clogged bumper to bumper by high-ticket automobiles; among toughest tables to book for lunch in high season; beach club divided between main restaurant and canopy-shaded beach bar; overgrown bamboo forest is backdrop; one-time, ramshackle beach hut where Colmont family lived; they wound up catering for And God Created Woman cast and crew; fresh wild salad and interesting menu.
Colette – Route des Salins (at Hotel Sezz); 011-33-4-9444-5311; hotelsezz-sainttropez.com; décor is aswarm with stars.
Cristina Saulini – 13 Rue des Feniers; 011-33-4-9497-4610; cristinasaulini.com; excellent Italian food.
Le Dit Vin – 43 Rue du Portail Neuf; 011-33-4-9479-8509; tapas; affordable with lovely, peaceful dining room and terrace.
La Kemia – 10 Avenue General LeClerc (Sainte-Maxime); 011-33-4-9497-2068; known for its tagines.



SERVICES
Bay Cruises – Vieux Port (in front of Café de Paris); 011-33-6-0709-2127; taxi-bateau.com; ask for 1-hour cruise on Brigantin II so Captain Stephane can regale you with inside anecdotes and gossip about glitterati.



SHOPPING
Atelier Rondini – 18 Rue Georges Clemenceau; 011-33-4-9497-1955; rondini.fr; simple leather sandals, popular since at least Colette (1927).
Rose Calin – 27 Rue Georges Clemenceau; 011-33-4-9454-8254; www.pure-saint-tropez.fr/mode/rose-calin; top children’s clothing for 30 years.
Martine Chambon – 62 Rue Francois Sibilli; 011-33-4-9497-0960; martinechambon.com; women’s wear boutique.
La Chemise Tropezienne – 23 Rue Gambetta; 011-33-4-9479-5975; lachemisetropezienne.com; locally designed dress shirts.
Le Depot – 6 Boulevard Louis Blanc; 011-33-4-9497-8010; vintage haute couture.
Frisson – 2 Rue Jean Mermoz; 011-33-4-9454-2792; www.pure-saint-tropez.fr/annuaire/dossier-special/frisson-lingerie-by-camille; lingerie.
Gas Bijoux – 15 Quai Suffren (Place de la Garonne); 011-33-4-9497-2652; gasbijoux.com.
Luxury Stuff & Toys – 1 Place de la Croix de Fer; 011-33-4-9497-5155; luxurystuffandtoys.com; like name says.
La Maison des Papillons – 17 Rue Etienne Berny; 011-33-4-9497-6345; www.saint-tropez.tv/html/papillons.html; 35K species displayed with photography atelier upstairs.
Marinette – 22 Rue Georges Clemenceau; 011-33-4-9456-2317; marinettedecoration.com; home decor.
Truffaux – 5 Rue des Commercants; 011-33-4-9456-5138; truffaux.com; panama hats.
Vignobles de Saint-Tropez – Avenue Paul Roussel; 011-33-4-9497-0160; cave-saint-tropez.fr; wine store.
Vilebrequin – 9 Rue Jean Mermoz; 011-33-4-9497-6712; vilebrequin.com; luxury swimwear.



SIGHTS & SITES
Citadelle – Rue de la Citadelle (above city); 011-33-4-9497-5943; sainttropez.fr.
Helene & Pierre Lazareff Villa – La Lavandou; originally media barons Helene and Pierre Lazareff’s Riviera home where they entertained Hollywood royalty, such as Deborah Kerr, David Niven, and Jean Seberg during Bonjour Tristesse’s filming.
La Maison des Papillons – 17 Rue Etienne Berny; 011-33-4-9497-6345; www.saint-tropez.tv/html/papillons.html; 35K species displayed with photography atelier upstairs.
Musee de l’Annonciade – Place Grammont; 011-33-4-9417-8410; 16th Century church turned museum.
Place des Lices – centrally located, with Saturday morning market.

CANNES

(includes Le Cannet, Eze, Golfe-Juan & Vallauris)

BARS & NIGHTCLUB
L’Amiral – 73 Boulevard de la Croisette (Cannes); 011-33-4-9298-7300; concorde-hotels.com; Gerard Depardieu is regular patron.
Grand Hotel – 45 Boulevard de la Croisette (Cannes); 011-33-4-9338-1545; grand-hotel-cannes.com; sit on outdoor terrace.
Le Petit Majestic – 6 Rue Tony Allard (Cannes); 011-33-4-9339-9492; petit-majestic.com; where old-time Hollywood drinks.



HOTELS
Cap Estel – 1312 Avenue Raymond Poincare (Eze); 011-33-4-9376-2929; capestel.com/uk/index.php; on own, 5-acre peninsula between Monte Carlo and Nice.
Chateau de la Chevre D’Or – Rue du Barri (Eze); 011-33-4-9210-6666; chevredor.com; on cliff with spectacular views; 2 star restaurant.
Chateau Eza – Rue de la Pise (Eze); 011-33-4-9341-1224; chateaueza.com.
Hotel du Chateau de la Tour – 10 Avenue Font de Veyre (La Bocca); 011-33-4-9390-5252; hotelchateaudelatour.com; affordable; 34 rooms; ocean views and pool.
Chateau St.-Martin & Spa – Avenue des Templiers; 011-33-4-9293-5802; chateau-st-martin.com; old-world castle appeal; junior suites have panoramic views from terraces.
1835 White Palm Hotel – 1 Boulevard Jean Hibert; 011-33-4-9299-5010; lesthermesmarins-cannes.com.
Intercontinental Carlton – 58 Boulevard de la Croisette (Cannes); 011-33-8-0090-6569; interconti.com; Belle Epoque mainstay with beachfront Hollywood ambience; beautiful views.
Majestic Barriere – 10 Boulevard de la Croisette (Cannes); 011-33-4-9298-7700; lucienbarriere.com; recently renovated; seafront building with elegant suites.



RESTAURANTS
Aux Bons Enfants – 80 Rue Meynadier (Cannes); 011-33-4-9338-5214; rustic, family-run restaurant that serves Provencal dishes like tarragon-baked rabbit; cheap.
Restaurant Felix – 63 Boulevard de la Croisette (Cannes); 011-33-4-9394-0061; felix-cannes.com; seafood.
L’Atelier Jean-Luc Pele – 36 Rue Meynadier (Cannes); 011-33-4-9338-0610; jeanlucpele.com; chocolates; Createur de Gout.
Café Lenotre – 63 Rue d’Antibes (Cannes); 011-33-4-9706-6767; lenotre.fr; excellent espresso and pastries.
Chateau de la Chevre d’Or – Rue du Barri (Eze); 011-33-4-9210-6666; chevredor.com; on cliff with spectacular views; 2 star restaurant.
Mantel – 22 Rue St. Antoine (Cannes); 011-33-4-9339-1310; restaurantmantel.com; small, outdoor seating.
Le Maschou – 15 Rue St. Antoine (Cannes); 011-33-4-9339-6221; simpler than Mantel.
La Rotisserie – Avenue des Templiers (at Chateau St.-Martin & Spa); 011-33-4-9293-5802; chateau-st-martin.com; open plan.
Le St.-Martin – Avenue des Templiers (at Chateau St.-Martin & Spa); 011-33-4-9293-5802; chateau-st-martin.com; 2 Michelin stars.
Le Table du Chef – 5 Rue Jean Daumas; 011-33-4-9368-2740; low-key little bistro; friendly welcome, quality traditional cuisine, and in fixed menu (4 courses) in evening.
Chez Tetou – Avenue des Freres Roustan (Golfe-Juan); 011-33-4-9363-7116; great eating place of all ‘40’s and ‘50’s famous people. Local Domaine Ott rose goes with everything. Famous for bouillabaise, rouille de mer, beignets, etc.
3.14 La Plage – 5 Rue Francois Einesy (Cannes); 011-33-4-9299-7200; 3-14.hotel.com; although hotel is bit flashy, beach club offshoot is popular for lunch.
Villa Archange – Rue Notre Dame des Anges (in Le Cannet); 011-33-4-9218-1828; coolest place for under-chestnut-tree dining; 18th Century country house in woodsy park; traditional southern French cooking.
Zplage Beach Restaurant – 73 La Croisette (at Hotel Martinez); 011-33-04-9298-7422; cannesmartinez.grand.hyatt.fr/fr/hotel/dining/le-relais.html; exclusive beachclub & restaurant.



SERVICES
Chateau St.-Martin & Spa – Avenue des Templiers; 011-33-4-9293-5802; chateau-st-martin.com; La Prairie products.
HO2 Thermes Marins – 1 Boulevard Jean Hibert (at 1835 White Palm Hotel); 011-33-4-9299-5010; lesthermesmarins-cannes.com; spa.



SHOPPING
Cine-Folie – 14 Rue des Freres Pradignac (Cannes); 011-33-4-9339-2299; film bookshop with over 60 years of Cannes film festival posters.
Venulys – 6 Rue Buttura; 011-33-4-9368-5245; fleurs-cannes.com; perfumes.



SIGHTS & SITES
Château de l’Horizon – off Route de Cannes/D6007 (Vallauris, on Golfe-Juan, wedged between Route du Bord de Mer (D 6098) & coast); en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Château_de_l%27Horizon; in 1932, Maxine Elliott (1868–40) built directly on Golfe-Juan coast imposing villa, which magazine Punch later described as “white palace set on water”; actress spent $350K for structure anchored on rocks with private port; Elliott then received in her new summer residence celebrities: Lloyd George, Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Winston Churchill & Noël Coward; Elsa Maxwell claimed – albeit without providing sources – that on eve of WWII, villa served as meeting place for Anthony Eden and French & Italian homologues; Elliott died in 1940; after WWII, villa rented for time by Rosita Winston, wife of American billionaire, whose guests included Greta Garbo, Jack L. Warner & Maurice Chevalier (her husband maintained, however, not to have “faintest idea who they are or how they got invited. Trouble is that they all know each other so damn well.”; in 1948, villa was purchased by Prince Ali Khan; international café society, as well as “aristocracy of French Riviera,” continued to make villa center of attention for press; on May 27, 1947, prince married Rita Hayworth at Vallauris town hall; in 1979, future Saudi King Fahd, acquired villa; Saudi royal family kept adding new buildings to original one, changing thoroughly its appearance; Barry Dierks, architect, utilized topography to design long building of which nearly all of rooms open to sea & horizon, hence name.
Musee Bonnard – 16 Boulevard Sadi Carnot (Le Cannet); 011-33-4-9394-0606; museebonnard.fr.
Musee de la Castre – Le Suquet; 011-33-04-9338-5526; cannes.com/fr/culture/musee-de-la-castre.html; in medieval castle once occupied by Lérins monks; displays primitive Mediterranean antiquities & art, landscape painting collections, and musical instruments; square tower has exceptional 360° panoramic view.
Musee National Picasso Vallauris – Place de la Liberation; 011-33-49-364-7183; muse-picasso-vallauris.fr; includes War and Peace memorial (striking mural painted in tunnel-like atmosphere).

Monday, October 22, 2012

JERUSALEM

BAKERIES, COFFEE, ICE CREAM, JUICE & TEA
Kadosh – 6 Shlomzion HaMalka Street (Center); 011-972-02-625-4210; kadoshcafe.rest-e.co.il; bakery and café.
Kaffee Haus – 37 Via Dolorosa (Old City, at Austrian Hospice); 011-972-02-626-5800; austrianhospice.com; Viennese-style coffees and pastries.



BARS & NIGHTCLUBS
Adom – 4 David Remez (Old City, First Station); 011-972-02-624-6242; gojerusalem.com/discover/premium-item_67/Adom; moderately priced; great bar with good house wine (served by glass at reasonable price); after 10 pm, when Adom becomes bar and gathering point, special menu of half-courses and tapas.
Bar Putin – 19 Jaffo Street (Russian Compound, near Jaffa Gate to Old City); 011-972-5-2431-9695; pays quirky homage to Putin.
Barood – 31 Jaffa Road (New City, through Jerusalem Courtyard, in Feingold House; 011-972-02-625-9081; gojerusalem.com/discover/item_93/Barood; open on Sabbath; authentic, cozy little place with real charm and spirit; party atmosphere starts late Friday afternoons and Saturday nights; sometimes live music; wide range alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks; pleasant Jerusalem Courtyard.
Lion’s Den – 5 Yoel Salomon Street (Center, Mamilla); 011-972-52-870-9993; hagovsportsbar.blogspot.com/; sports bar that airs American professional sports game on flat screen televisions.
Mona – 12 Shmuel HaNagid Street (Center); 011-972-02-622-2283; monas.co.il; great bar.
Shoshana – 7 Yoel Moshe Salomon Street (New City); 011-972-77-559-0201; great bar.
Sira – 4 Ben Sira Street (New City); 011-972-02-623-4366; gojerusalem.com/discover/item_339/Sira.
Uganda – 4 Aristobolus Street; 011-972-02-623-6087; uganda.co.il.



HOTELS
American Colony Hotel – 1 Louis Vincent Street (near Old City, on seam between Palestinian East Jerusalem and Israeli West Jerusalem, at Nablus Road); 011-972-02-627-9777; americancolony.com; converted Pasha’s palace, 10-minute walk from Old City; accommodations in 3 buildings set among gardens; some new loft suites have private balconies and city views.
Austrian Hospice – 37 Via Dolorosa (Old City); 011-972-02-626-5800; austrianhospice.com; affordable with lovely atmosphere.
David Citadel Hotel – 7 King David Street (Center); 011-972-02-621-1111; thedavidcitadel.com; glass-domed lobby of 1998 limestone building facing David Citadel; kosher sushi.
Harmony Hotel – 6 Yoel Moshe Salomon Street (New City); 011-972-02-621-9999; atlas.co.il; beautiful, well-run boutique.
Inbal Jerusalem – 3 Jabotinsky Street (Talbiya, at Liberty Bell Park); 011-972-02-675-6666; inbalhotel.com; perfect-scoring location in former olive grove in Talbieh district; near German Colony.
King David Jerusalem Hotel – 23 King David Street (Center); 011-972-02-620-8888; danhotels.com; stately, 6-story limestone landmark; kingsize beds.
Lutheran Guest House – St. Mark’s Road (Old City); 011-972-02-626-6888; luth-guesthouse-jerusalem.com; most beautiful, atmospheric place to stay in Old City (and perhaps in all Jerusalem); well-run guesthouse occupies restored stone building series with terraced gardens overlooking main bazaar; 4-minute walk from Jaffa Gate; secluded oasis that has breathtaking Dome of Rock views; simply furnished but comfortable; most bathrooms have showers only; call for directions before arrival and arrange baggage porter to meet you.
Mamilla Hotel – 11 King Solomon Street (Center); 011-972-02-548-2200; mamillahotel.com; beautiful design.
Market Courtyard – 30 HaCarmel (across from Mahane Yehuda); 011-972-050-295-3234; marketcourtyard.com; not hotel, not fancy, no breakfast, smallish rooms & bathrooms, but charming, renovated, old Jerusalem building; little off-beaten-track and probably not good for 1st time visitor.



RESTAURANTS
Abu Taher – 16 Al-Lahamin Market (Old City); 011-972-02-627-7893; closes at 3 pm; hummus, etc.
Adom – 31 Jaffa Road (New City, through Jerusalem Courtyard, in Feingold House); 011-972-02-624-6242; gojerusalem.com/discover/premium-item_67/Adom; moderately priced; menu ranges from exquisite to hearty; Jerusalem stone dining rooms are atmospheric and spacious, service friendly, and music carefully chosen; dinner menu varies daily.
Angelica – 7 Shatz (Center, in Montefiore Hotel); 011-972-02-623-0056; angelica.rest- e.co.il; kosher; gnocchi in tomato-tofu sauce.
Arcadia – 10 Simtat Agripass (Givat Ram, on Agripass Alley, in lane between 63 Jaffa Road & 10 Agrippa Street, 2 blocks west of King George Avenue); 011-972-2-624-9138; arcadiarest.com/en/ezra-kedem; considered city’s finest restaurant; little hideaway (reached through little 19th Century pedestrian lane); minimalist decor and dining garden; Chef Ezra Kedem is inventive with food but not flashy; French/Mediterranean menu constantly changes and done with light touch; appetizers include oven-roasted shrimp with citrus sauce and basil flowers, saffron-scented seafood soup, or herbed lamb ravioli on beet-root salad; for main courses, always slow-cooked baby lamb dish; sometimes, pan-sautéed duck livers on warm lentil salad; carefully and simply prepared seafood; fixed-price, 2-course meals worthwhile; be advised that pigeons can make dining under trees in garden fraught with danger.
Azura – 8 Ha’Eshkol Street (Nachlaot, at Machane Yehuda market); 011-972-02-623-5204; legendary budget restaurant, open for over 25 years; Iraqi, Jewish, Kurdish, Levantine, and Turkish dishes, kept warm in huge pans placed on kerosene stoves; try large meatballs in tomato sauce, Sephardi chicken stew, Kubbeh soup (ground meat and semolina dumplings in lemony broth), and mejadra (lentils, onions, rice, and spices); finding place to sit and eat not easy.
Bardak – 38 Keren Hayesod; 011-972-02-587-7795; facebook.com/bardakbardq; beer and pizza.
Barood – 31 Jaffa Road (New City, through Jerusalem Courtyard, in Feingold House); 011-972-02-625-9081; gojerusalem.com/discover/item_93/Barood; open on Sabbath; authentic, cozy little place with real charm and spirit; always-changing daily menu of home-style choices, but Balkan/Sephardic home-style dishes are most interesting.
Canela – 8 Shlomzion HaMalka Street (Center); 011-972-02-622-2293; nela.rest-e.co.il; kosher; excellent middle eastern food.
Chakra – 41 King George Street (Yemin Moshe); 011-972-02-625-2733; chakra-rest.com; sleek, upper-moderate-priced restaurant; inventive and sophisticated; chef-owner Ilan Garousi offers standard menu, as well as 12 nightly, main-course specials; try Bokaharian soup made with chickpeas, lamb-meat dumplings, and sweet-and-sour dried berries or shrimps on grilled figs or lighter-than-air coriander fish kabobs; ambiance is informal but elegant.
Eucalyptus – 14 Hativat Yerushalaim Street (Hutzot Hayotzer Artists’ Colony, near Jaffa Gate to Old City); 011-972-02-624-4331; the-eucalyptus.com; kosher; chef/owner Moshe Basson famous throughout Israel and beyond as “food archaeologist” who reconstructs Jerusalem’s many cultures’ and traditions’ homestyle dishes; discounts at lunch.
Ima – 189 Agrippas Street (New City); 011-972-02-538-5668; imarestaurant.com; Israeli dumplings.
La Guta – 34 Beit Lehem (Baka Quarter); 011-972-02-623-2322; Kosher; mod-Mediterranean makeover of what was once Jerusalem’s stodgiest venues.
Kadosh – 6 Shlomzion HaMalka Street (Center); 011-972-02-625-4210; kadoshcafe.rest-e.co.il; bakery and café.
Karma – 74 Ein Karem (Ein Kerem); 011-972-02-643-6643; karme-rest.com; very nice and worth visit.
Lina Restaurant – Shchunat Hanotzrim Street (Givat Ram, Christian Quarter); 011-972-02-627-7230; itraveljerusalem.com/lina; noted for hummus; Middle Eastern fare.
Little Jerusalem Cafe – 9 HaRav Kuk Street (Givat Ram, near Zion Square, at Ticho House); 011-972-02-624-4186; go-out.com/ticho; kosher and vegetarian food in garden setting at 19th Century House; large hidden oasis, with gardens and terrace cafe set right in downtown West Jerusalem’s center; especially wonderful for outdoor dining in summer; menu features crepes; many come just for desserts; on Saturday evenings, Ticho House offers “Viennese Night,” with wonderful string quartet playing waltzes, and all-you-can-eat buffet (blintzes and Viennese pastries); on Tuesday evenings, live jazz and, in addition to regular menu, cheese-and-wine buffet that includes salad and soup.
Machneyuda – 10 Beit Ya’akov Street (Givat Ram, in Mahane Yehuda market); 011-972-02-533-3442; 2eat.co.il/eng/machne-yuda; Mediterranean; managed & owned by 3 Jerusalem chefs with impressive resumes (Yossi Elad, Asaf Granit, & Uri Navon); menu on huge board daily & based on select ingredients from nearby market stands, in 4 price categories (2 fish & 2 meat dishes and vegetarian dishes in each category); interior on 2 levels, providing dynamic, theatrical view over kitchen and joyous dining experience; small bar looks over kitchen; incredible wine bar with 3 meshuggener chefs who work in open kitchen all at once, creating spectacular contemporary Israeli dishes like shakshuka (eggs baked in tomato sauce) with foie gras.
Mantra Restaurant & Wine Bar – 14 Rivlin Street (Feingold Yard); 011-972-02-624-4994; mantrajerusalem.com; in 120 year-old building.
Masaryk – 31 Emek Refaim Street (German Colony); 011-972-02-563-6418; eluna.com/rest%5Cmasryk.asp?mumu=88; kosher Italian; beloved.
Café Mizrachi – 12 Shezif Street (Mahane Yehuda); 011-972-02-624-2105; machne.co.il/en/category/cafe-mizrachi‎; informal restaurant in market heart; order chopped salad with feta, peppers, onions, and olives and side of house-made hummus.
Mona – 12 Shmuel HaNagid Street (Center); 011-972-02-622-2283; monarest.co.il/mona/en; modern seasonal cooking; cross Artists’ House austere stone hall to get here; another world inside: flagstone floors, open fire in winter, yesteryear artifacts, quirky wall decorations.
Moshiko Felafel – 5 Ben-Yehuda Street (New City); 011-972-50-535-6861; gojerusalem.com/discover/item_24/Moshiko.
Pasha’s – Shim’on Ha’tsadik (East Jerusalem); 011-972-02-582-5162; pashasofjerusalem.com; Palestinian classics are exemplary (baba ghanouj & fattoush).
Pinati – 13 King George Street (Old City); 011-972-02-625-4540; pinati.co.il; middle eastern; hummus.
Rachmo – 5 Ha’Eshkol Street (Nachlaot, at Machane Yehuda market); 011-972-02-623-4595; aricooks.com/tag/rachmo-jerusalem; pre-state institution; serves Iraqi-Jewish-Kurdish soul food since 1930s; in somewhat oddly-shaped corner building, little bit scuffed about edges, dingy; prominent Sephardi rabbi portraits line walls; take tray and wait in line; when get to kitchen window, choose from standard selection (hummus, kubeh soup (and plenty of other soups), goulash, schnitzel, stuffed peppers and grape leaves, steak, etc.; cheap.
Scala – 7 King David Street (Center, at David Citadel Hotel); 011-972-02-621-2030; scala-rest.com; uneven.
Abu Shukri – Al Wad Road (Muslim Quarter, at Via Dolorosa, near Damascas Gate); 011-972-02-627-1538; itraveljerusalem.com/abu-shukri; among city’s best and most affordable restaurants; famous for hummus that is so spectacular that, in more tranquil times, people in Jordan used to send out for it in insulated ice chests and Israelis waited for tables on Saturday afternoons in long lines; this is BYO-everything restaurant, with broken and cracked tables; try hummus with roasted pine nuts and be sure to ask for pita bread served hot (included in price); fresh and spicy felafel; excellent grilled kabobs, shwarma, and kubbe (cracked-wheat, meat-stuffed dumplings); mint tea is good beverage choice.
Sima’s – 82 Agrippas Street (in Mahane Yehuda Market); old stand-by; open late; local legend for Jerusalem Mixed Grill, which comes with french fries, salad, bread & condiments if ordered as platter; often mobbed, so takeout, mixed-grill pita sandwich is good option.
Te’Enim – 12 Emile Botta Street (Old City); 011-972-02-624-0090; teenim.rest-e.co.il; name means “figs”; overlooks Tower of David and Old City ramparts; vegetarian & wide range fish platters; seasonal specials; homemade desserts.



SERVICES
Akasha Well-Being Center – 11 King Solomon Street (Center, at Mamilla Hotel); 011-972-02-548-2222; mamillahotel.com; beautiful design.
David’s Tours of Israel – Tel Aviv; 011-972-052-458-9444; touchisrael.com; archaeologist; fluent in English and Russian; provides sensitive, tailored tours throughout Israel, with special depth of knowledge re Israel’s ancient history.
Yisca Harani – 23 Brodetzki Street (Tel-Aviv); 011-972-052-327-8713; haraniy@bezeqint.net; consultant, lecturer & researcher regarding Christian history in Israel; offers tours, as does her husband; both highly recommended.



SHOPPING
Elia Photo Service – 14 Al-Khanka Street (Old City, Christian Quarter); 011-972-02-628-2074; eliaphoto.com; rare photographs from early Israel and Palestine.
Iwo’s Delicatessen – 7 Shammai Street; 011-972-02-622-2513; iwos.co.il; great delicatessen.



SIGHTS & SITES
al-Aqsa Mosque & Dome of Rock – Temple Mount (Old City, access between Western Wall and Dung Gate); 011-972-02/628-3292 or 011-972-02-628-3313; sacred-destinations.com; 35 acres; known to Muslims as Haram esh-Sharif (“Noble Sanctuary”); al-Aqsa Mosque is at southern end, immediately as you enter area from Western Wall plaza (only gate for non-Muslims); 3rd in holiness for Muslims everywhere.
Chords Bridge – West Jerusalem (between Kiryat Moshe area and Central Bus Station City); en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_Chords_Bridge#External_links; also called “Bridge of Strings”; Calatrava design; evokes harp; automobile, foot, and rail traffic.
Church of Holy Sepulchre – Suq Khan e-Zeit and Christian Quarter Road (Old City); 011-972-02-627-3314; sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-church-of-holy-sepulchre.
German Colony – southern Jerusalem; also called Hamoshava Hagermanit and/or Moshava; historic, upscale neighborhood known for cafes and restaurants; walking tour: from HaPaamon Garden choose right fork (Bethlehem Street, Derech Beit Lehem); pass near Khan Theatre (2 David Remez Square) and continue about 350' to stop at Train Station (where city’s 1st train arrived), then return to Khan; continue walking few more meters until arrive at junction, where turn right to arrive at St. Andrew’s Church (1 David Remez Street), built as memorial to Scottish soldiers in British army who fell during WWI, with cornerstone laid by General Allenby (commander over Israel’s conquest in WWI from Ottomans) and sepulchers from 1st Temple Period found beneath church, then return to junction and turn left, onto Emek Refaim Street; sights include Gemeindehaus (communal hall located at 1 Emek Refaim Street: Templar movement, as founded in South Germany during 19th Century’s 1st half by Christoph Hoffmann, required Christian Holy Land presence, this building, founded in 1882, served for Sunday prayers and sermons, but community members did not call it “church,” and thus it hosted performances and meetings, with architecture unlike that of any conventional church), School (4-5 Emek Refaim Street), Matthaus Frank House (6 Emek Refaim Street, also called “Miller House”), Templar Pub (7 Emek Refaim Street), Pension Schmidt (8 Emek Refaim Street), Zendler House (9 Emek Refaim Street, note at gable end, lion figurine, Zendler Family’s pharmacy symbol), Friedrich Eberle House (10 Emek Refaim Street, once among colony’s most elegant houses); now, turn left onto Lloyd George Street, where 1st stops are Lev Smadar Theater (formerly Orient Cinema, 4 Lloyd George Street, designed by Bauerle’s son), and Bauerle House (6 Lloyd George Street, Gottlieb Bauerle’s home, he being 2nd generation Templar and his house built during British Mandate); next are Fast House (8-10 Lloyd George Street), and Borromean Sisters Convent (12 Lloyd George Street, behind low wall in front you is spacious compound that includes church, elderly home, and school belonging to German-Catholic Borromean Sisters’ order, which order named after Charles Borromeo who established, during this nursing order during 16th Century plague epidemic); next, return to Emek Refaim Street, where see Imberger House (at 16 Emek Refaim Street) and Templar Cemetery (39 Emek Refaim Street, where afore-mentioned Christoph Hoffmann buried); short walk back to HaPaamon Garden; one other sight worth seeing is Shalom Hartman Institute (at 11 Gedalyahu Alon Street).
City of David – Shiloach Village; 011-972-02-626-2341; cityofdavid.org.il/en; oldest settled Jerusalem neighborhood; walled city in Bronze Age; archaeological park.
Good Samaritan Museum of Mosaics – Route 1 (Maaleh Adumim, halfway between Jericho & Jerusalem); 011-972-02-633–8230; parks.org.il; about 2K years ago, thieves ambushed traveler on Jericho-Jerusalem road; passing Samaritan was only person to help him, taking him to nearby inn (Luke 10); museum in restored Ottoman inn on this route; extensive, intricate mosaic collection; ask to see silent film about parable dating from 1920s, filmed on same arid hills that stretch for miles from museum; if energetic, drive over bridge that crosses highway and climb dirt track to hilltop; scanty, small 12th Century Crusader fort ruins.
Hadassah Medical Center – Kiryat Hadassah (Ein Karem, in Abbell Synagogue); 011-972-2-677-7111; hadassah-med.com; go to see Chagall windows; Bible is primary inspiration, particularly Jacob’s & Moses’ blessings; each window dominated by specific color & contains blessing quotation; Chagall & assistant, Charles Marq, worked on project for 2 years, during which time Marq developed special process for applying color to glass, allowing Chagall to use as many as 3 colors on single pane, rather than being confined to traditional technique of separating each colored pane by lead strip.
Hezekiah’s Tunnel – Hashiloah Road (City of David, Kidron Valley); 011-972-02-626-2341; cityofdavid.org.il; wade through dark, 2.7K year-old tunnel with gushing water; Indiana Jones experience; built about 701 BCE as aqueduct leading from Gihon Spring to Siloam Pool; bring flashlight.
Hurva Synagogue – Hurva Square (Old City, Jewish Quarter); 011-972-02-626-5900, xtn 102 (for guided tours); rova-yehudi.org.il/en; recently renovated.
Israel Museum – 10 Derekh Ruppin Street (Givat Ram, on Museum Plaza); 011-972-02-670-8811; english.imjnet.org.il/htmls/home.aspx; Israel’s largest cultural museum; in addition to Dead Sea Scrolls, large model of Jerusalem during Second Temple Period; 3-4 reconstructed synagogues.
Jerusalem Archaeological Park – Dung Gate (Western Wall); 011-972-02-627-7962 or 011-972-02-627-7550; archpark.org.il; often referred to as Southern & Western Wall Excavations, or Ophel; most dramatic and monumental finds are from Herodian period (late 1st Century BCE); can see, for example, square-cut building stones from original Herodian Temple wall, dramatically evidencing 70 CE Roman destruction; also, modern spiral staircase descends below present ground level to partially reconstructed, Byzantine dwelling labyrinth, mosaics and all; from here can reemerge outside present city walls; Davidson Visitors Center (on your right as you enter site) offers visual aids, some artifacts & 2 interesting videos (which continuously alternate between English and Hebrew).
Lutheran Church of Redeemer – 24 Muristan Road (Old City, northeast corner Christian Corner & Muristan); 011-972-02-627-6111; evangelisch-in-jerusalem.org/english; among its most interesting features is on medieval northern gate’s original sculpture; door decorated with Zodiac signs and well-worn month symbols (January symbol at bottom left and at top center are sun (half-figure with disc above his head) and moon (female with crescent) beween June and July, August symbol, thresher, is in best shape; October is man with cask); church houses 4 Lutheran congregations speaking 4 different languages: Arabic, German, English, and Danish; 12th Century cloisters, with 2 gallery tiers, and refectory are on south side; climb 177 steps up bell tower, tallest in vicinity, for fine view over Holy Sepulchre Church and as far as Olives and Zion Mounts.
Mahane Yehuda Market – bounded in part by Agrippas Street & Jaffa Road; machne.co.il/en; bounded by Jaffa Road to north, Agrippas Street to south, Beit Yaakov Street to west, and Kiach Street to east; also called Shuk.
Mount Herzl Military Cemetery – 1 Herzl Boulevard (Mount Herzl); 011-972-02-632-1525; graves of Israeli Prime Ministers (Meir, Rabin, etc.), as well as soldiers who fell defending Jerusalem in 1948 War; more like park.
Mount of Olives – Old City; world-famous Jewish cemetery (Menachem Begin buried here) on southern and western slopes; Russian Orthodox Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Garden of Gethsemane, and other sacred places; view from Mount’s Seven Arches Hotel encompasses Old City walls, detailed mosque domes, church towers, modern buildings, and Judaean Desert’s barren hills.
Museum on Seam – 4 Chel Handasa Street (bordering Mea Shearim & Old City); 011-972-02-628-1278; coexistence.art.museum; old Turkish-era mansion, later fortress, still later Israeli command post during 1948 War of Independence (until 1967); now museum intended to establish coexistence, dialogue, and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians, using art exhibits, lectures, and state-of-art media displays.
Old City – 4 uneven quarters in City Center: Armenian, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim; jerusalem-oldcity.org.il/english.aspx; .35 sq mi) walled area; until 1860, when Mishkenot Sha’ananim neighborhood established, this area constituted city’s entirety; following 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Jordan occupied Old City, evicting Jewish residents; during Six Day War in 1967 (which saw hand-to-hand fighting on Temple Mount), Israel reunified Old City alongside East Jerusalem’s remainder; UNESCO World Heritage Site List in 1981; in 2010, Jerusalem’s oldest writing fragment found outside Old City’s walls; Western Wall, Church of Holy Sepulcher, and Temple Mount with (Dome of Rock); walk stations of cross; stroll souks in narrow cobble-stoned alleys.
Ramban Synagogue – Amaziah 4th Street, Bet El and Misherot Hakehuna (Old City, at HaYehudim Street & main square corner); 011-972-52-862-2321; ramban.org.il; oldest active Jerusalem synagogue.
Ramparts Walk – Jaffa Gate (Old City); 011-972-02-627-7550; jerusalem-oldcity.org.il/pages_e/Ramparts_Walk_Southern_Section.aspx; ancient Jerusalem stone catwalk atop Old City walls; walk, at least, from Tower of David to Jewish Quarter, and from Damascus to Jaffa Gates; offers unique perspective; fee.
Russian Library – 88 Agrippas Street; 011-972-02-537-5723; many of 100K books donated by immigrants: classics by Tolstoy, Communist Party records from 1930s, stories translated to Russian from Yiddish, volumes of Russian Jewish newspapers, and mementos.
St. Stephen’s Monastery (École Biblique) – 6 Nablus Road; 011-972-02-626-4468; ebaf.edu; located along ancient road to Damascus, approximately .25 mile outside Old City walls; modern Dominican monastery and French School for Biblical Archaeology; modern complex built on former Byzantine monastic compound constructed by Empress Eudocia in 438 CE; upon entering compound, visitor immediately struck by quiet; 1st Christian martyr Stephen buried here.
Supreme Court of Israel – Sha’arei Mishpat Street; 011-972-02-675-9612; court.gov.il; eclectic, postmodern complex constructed of local limestone; incorporates numerous Jewish historical elements (courtrooms replicate Talmudic synagogues and formal entrance area Pyramid is 2nd Temple architectural representation); guided tours in English.
Ticho House – 9 HaRav Kuk Street (Givat Ram, near Zion Square); 011-972-02-624-4186; go-out.com/ticho; among 1st houses built outside Old City walls; oasis worth making special trip.
Tisch Family Zoological Gardens (Jerusalem Biblical Zoo) – Manahat (Malcha); 011-972-02-675-0111; jerusalemzoo.org.il; Old Testament-themed zoo showcasing near-extinct and endangered species native to region.
Tower of David Museum – Jaffa Gate (Old City); 011-972-02-626-5333; towerofdavid.org.il; restored citadel housing extensive museum; traces 4K years city history.
Vertigo Dance Company – 11 Bezalel Street (Gerared Behar Center); 011-972-02-624-4176; vertigo.org.il; Jerusalem-based dance company for over 20 years; choreographer-founder Noa Wertheim.
Western Wall Tunnels – 2 HaOmer Street (Old City); 011-972-02-627-1333; english.thekotel.org; located under Old City (open-air portion approximately 200' l, majority underground); allows access to additional 1.6' of wall.
Wohl Archaeology Museum – 1 HaKaraim Street (Old City); 011-972-02-628-3448; ilmuseums.com/museum_eng.asp?id=18; Jewish Quarter's most visually interesting site: sumptuous mansions from late Second Temple period, preserved in basement of modern Jewish seminary; geometrically-patterned mosaic floors, still-vibrant frescoes, and costly ceramics & glassware; several small stone cisterns identified as private mikvehs (Jewish ritual baths); holograms depict their use; large stone water jars just like those described in New Testament (John 2, Cana wedding); rare stone tables resemble dining-room furniture depicted in Roman stone reliefs found in Europe.
Yad Vashem Holocaust History Museum – Ein Kerem; 011-972-02-644-3600; yadvashem.org; swooping triangular tube jutting nearly 600' through Mount of Remembrance, capped by 30' conical structure covered with pictures of 600 Holocaust victims.