The picture was taken by tzveyeger, a guy from Tel Aviv who has some mighty fine shots to check out – so please do!

Click to BIG.

I live on a moshav and can confirm that the celebrations are pretty darned unique, and just a little bit more than a good slice of cheesecake. There’s plenty of tractors doing some tricky maneuvers, folk dancing, kids singing, horses prancing, and some awesome kite flying once everything is over. Yep, it’s usually pretty windy come Shavuot time, which is always pretty useful when launching those kites…

Some of the kibbutzim and moshavs you can check out:

• Moshav Be’er Tuvia, in the south of Israel: Lots of activities spread over the weekend, including the annual Cow Beauty Pageant! Call 054-7780593 for more details. 
• Kibbutz Tzuba, a 15 minute drive from Jerusalem: Lots of Shavuot activities and shows between 12:00 and 16:00, with workshops for the kids and tractor drawn trailers for the kids to ride on. Call 02-5347952 for more details.
• Kibbutz Ein Shemer, just north of Hadera: Lots of good Shavuot things for the kids to do, including a tractor tour of the kibbutz. Call 04-6374327 for more details.
• Moshav Sarona, in the Lower Galilee: Free to enter, great show that starts at 17:30 and ends with some awesome kite-flying.

And here’s a taste of Shavuot on my moshav…

Click here to view the embedded video.

So here are the ESSENTIAL travel apps we feel you really should have on your device when you start thinking about that trip to Israel – and the best thing is, they’re all FREE!

1. XE Currency

OK, first things first, do you have enough money when converting it over to Israeli shekels (Warning: Israel is a lot more expensive than you might think…)? The XE Currency app will convert to and from almost all currencies and will be a big help when trying to work out if the taxi driver has just conned you out of your hard-earned cash… XE Currency is available for all the main platforms, including iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, and Android.

2. Hipmunk

If you need to check flights and the most efficient way of getting to Israel, the Hipmunk app is a great little addition to your smartphone. There’s even a nice graphical way of working out the most hassle-free way to fly, in regards to stopovers (it also integrates nicely with your phone’s calendar). Don’t even bother with the (er, crappy) hotel search option – use Trip Advisor’s app for that (see below). Hipmunk is available for iPad, iPhone, and Android.

3. Trip Advisor

It’s no accident these guys are one of the very best for independent travel reviews. The Trip Advisor app is a great tool for searching for restaurants and hotels in Israel, and we’d highly recommend it for its extensive coverage of options, especially based on some of the weak rival apps we checked out. Not everybody loves Trip Advisor, but this is a wonderful resource for a whole bunch of things to keep you fed and happy. Trip Advisor is available for iPad, iPhone, iPod, Nokia, Windows and Android.

4. Lingopal OR Google Translate

One of the first things you’ll come across on a trip to Israel is…Hebrew. We’ve got two options for you: Lingopal (you have to be 17+), or the old standard Google Translate. Both are great, although Lingopal will also teach those of you who need it how to flirt in Hebrew (and upgrade to get even more fruity, plus access to more languages). Great apps if you want to learn some of the local lingo. Both are available on the App Store and for Android.

5. Instagram

Taking pics on any vacation is, of course, a must. Taking pics on a trip to the Holy Land is an ABSOLUTE MUST! Instagram has become our favorite tool for taking pics and has fast become one of the most popular apps around. We love those filters, so come and find us – just search for igoogledisrael, we’ve already clocked up over 500 pics! Facebook may have recently purchased them, but Instagram looks like it’s here to stay… Instagram is available for the iPhone and Android.

6. Wi-Fi Finder OR Skype Wi-Fi

Finding some Internet-juice is often a tricky task, with most options we’ve ever come across when traveling demanding payment of some sort. But use either Wi-Fi Finder or Skype Wi-fi to locate those wi-fi spots, whether paid or free. It might be a good idea to use both if you’re in real need, just so you double your chances of finding a spot – and use your Skype Credits to pay for your online juice with the Skype Wi-Fi app. Both are available for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

7. VISITLV

There weren’t too many Israeli apps that impressed us, but the VISITLV app was definitely one we’d add to this list. It had a pretty comprehensive list of things to see and do and some decent info for users too. It’s officially part of the Tel Aviv-Jaffa municipality’s tourism push, and does a pretty good job, especially with the call and map options to each place and info on the free tours you can take. VISITLV is available for iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Android.

8. Waze

If you’re going to be driving around in Israel, this Israeli-created app is a MUST. Waze is a community-based driving app, meaning other drivers out there have posted updates, including police traps (which have saved my bacon on a number of occasions) and reports of heavy traffic. It’s a great navigational tool, with a useful GPS engine that will help you out if you don’t know where you’re heading in Israel. Waze is available for iPhone and Android, as well as Windows and Symbian devices.

9. Old City Walking Tours

Let’s face it, the Old City of Jerusalem is one of the places you’re more than likely going to squeeze in to a visit to Israel. And what better way to enjoy the twists and turns of the Old City than with the Old City Walking Tours app. You have to download each tour before you begin, but they only take a few seconds to get up and running. And they provide you with pretty much all the info needed for a great little tour! Available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, and Android devices.

10. Skype

Making free / very cheap calls (and don’t forget the video and messaging options) back home is what it’s all about, right? So we’d suggest getting the Skype app installed and jumping on a wi-fi network. We’ve not always experienced the best quality when calling internationally, so if you’re calling others with an iPhone, definitely try Viber, another FREE option but only available for iPhones (download it from the App Store – and make sure the person you’re calling also has it!). Skype is available for the iPad, iPhone, and Android.

And another couple of apps that were almost in the running (and if you know of any other must-have apps, please let us know!)…

Get Taxi – If you plan to catch taxis in Israel, the Get Taxi app is a great little app to have. You have to sign up using your mobile number, via which you’ll get sent an SMS with a code which will enable you to use the system, but it does look like a great option to  have if you’re unsure how to grab a taxi in the Holy Land. Available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

telobike – If you fancy taking advantage of the bicycle rental system in Tel Aviv, install telobike, which gives you live updates on the status of bike stations around the city (but is mostly in Hebrew only). Available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Bar was voted top of Maxim’s annual “Hot 100″ and was actually voted No. 1 by readers; this year’s Maxim list was the first to be opened up to reader votes.

Bar Refaeli was delighted to hear about the top spot and tweeted: So happy and honored to be #1 on #Maximhot100!! thank you @maximmag! this is very exciting!

And yes, we could have posted a shot of her just about wearing one of her barely-there bikinis, but in the pic below she is simply sizzzzzling. And I don’t think a blue dress has ever looked so slinky…

*cold shower time*

The annual Festival of Light in the Old City of Jerusalem will be taking place between June 6-14, and will be once again adding a stunning and dramatic dimension to the amazing Old City walls and alleyways.

If you enjoyed the Old City before, then head on over to this unique Light Festival to see this amazing place in a new light, quite literally!

The action takes place throughout the Old City, but a typically good starting point is Jaffa Gate, where much of the action kicks off. Events will start at 20:00 each night and shut down at 24:00 (Friday June 9th the festival will not be open).

This annual festival brings the world’s best light sculptors to the Old City. As well as some of their amazing works on display throughout the Old City, there is also a special daily opera production of Verdi’s La Traviata, held at Zedekiah’s Cave. In addition, the famous dance troupe Mayumana will also be performing at least two shows daily throughout the festival (there is an entrance fee, call 02-6237000 for details). For more details about the festival, see the official site: lightinjerusalem.org.il.

For a taste of what to expect at this amazing festival…

Click here to view the embedded video.

One aspect of tourism that has shown a noticeable change over these years is the shifting preference for spending the holiday in a city apartment as opposed to a hotel. Not that the hotels are complaining as they still command high prices for restricted sea frontage. There undoubtedly remain some tourists that prefer the hotel holiday lifestyle and will not relinquish this pleasure. Others have realized that their money can go further and explore the alternatives available to them.

As a case study, let’s look at the bustling and ever popular Tel Aviv vacation rental scene. Beautiful long beaches, bars and cafes stretching the length of the sand. Seasoned Tel Aviv visitors have realized that there is much more to the city than just being a ‘beach town’.

In order to maximize their ‘authentic’ Tel Aviv experience they need to live more like a local. This means renting a ‘short-term’ apartment somewhere within the hustle bustle of the city. As well as being significantly more cost effective, there are other benefits that an apartment has over a hotel room. Families prefer having a kitchen to feed children at home, a private balcony or garden means they can enjoy the sunshine without having to go down to the public hotel pool area.

The rise in popularity for apartments can be seen by the increase in the number of companies offering short-term apartment rentals. Tel Aviv based company ‘Stay at my Place!’ offered this insight into the growing trend: ‘Israel tourists today are much more street savvy than they once were. They know that the cost of coming here and eating out and shopping is not cheap so if they can save some money on their accommodation they will.’

It is equally as easy to book an apartment today online from anywhere in the world as it is a hotel. Websites are in English and have a list of apartment options with locations throughout the country. Some companies act as a ‘one-stop shop’ for travelers in Israel wanting to stay in different cities. By visiting www.stayatmyplace.co.il, a tourist could book a trip all the way from Eilat to Netanya, stopping off in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on the way.

Cara Katz of ‘Stay at my Place!’ thinks that the Israeli tourist is inherently different to your typical tourist: ‘They come here because they feel at home. Forget the beaches and tourist sites for a second, they are Jewish and for 2 weeks of the year want to feel like they are in their ‘religious homeland’. A home has to feel homely which an apartment offers much more than a hotel. This trend is only going to keep growing as more people keep coming back again and again.’

The legendary Canadian circus and street entertainers act, formed back in 1984, will be performing in Israel for the first time ever, from August 8th – 25th (extra shows have recently been added due to huge demand).

Cirque du Soleil will be presenting its amazing Alegria show, a show first created in 1994 and seen by over TEN MILLION people! The show presents Cirque du Soleil’s unique and stunning interpretation of the battle between classes and generations. In fact, the stunning technicalities that form part of the show were the initial stumbling block in bringing Cirque du Soleil to Israel, as they were adamant that the show be performed as it has been throughout the world.

Other highlights in the Alegria show include stunning acrobatic segments through sensational dance sequences, all set in a weird and quite wonderful fantasy world, with more than 50 actors taking part.

For ticket details, call *8965. Ticket prices range between 220 and 360 shekels.

And for a glimpse of what to expect from Cirque du Soleil…

Click here to view the embedded video.

The annual Tel Aviv Gay Pride Parade hits town on Friday the 8th June!

It’s not by accident that Tel Aviv was recently voted the world’s top Gay City – and with one of the biggest annual pride parades in Europe, there’s surely little doubt of Tel Aviv’s openness and liberalism.

The Pride Parade as per usual is preceded by a week-long party, with Gay Pride Week events running from June 1st til June 8th, including chillout sets every day on Hilton Beach from some of Israel’s leading club DJs; that amazingly colorful and happening parade will be wrapping up the week’s festivities.

The Gay Pride Parade actually sets off at 13:00 from Bograshov Street, and goes through Ben Yehuda Street and Arlozorov Street, ending up at Gordon Beach for a humdinger of a closing party that starts at 15:00. At the party on Gordon Beach you can catch sets by DJ Ofer Nissim and Elliyott, Tal Cohen (Shirazi) and Avihai Partok, while electronic ensemble TYP, hitting it big in Europe at the moment, will also be performing.

Be warned – Tel Aviv will be jammed and traffic will be a nightmare!

Catch more on the official Facebook page.

And for a taste of what to expect from the Tel Aviv Pride Parade…

Click here to view the embedded video.

The pic was taken by adam1211, a guy from the UK who looks like he was on a visit here a few months back, and who has some gorgeous shots of the UK to peek at…

These two legends, a huge part of one of the all-time great bands, will be performing at the Raanana Amphitheater on June 23, which is just outside Tel Aviv. Manzarek and Krieger were here last year and have returned to give their huge fan base in Israel something to smile about. They might be getting on a bit, but class is always class…

Tickets are now on sale for 199 shekels, for more details call 03-5107070.

These guys perform The Doors and a little bit more of The Doors…so if you still need reminding of just what The Doors were all about and that a 70-year old guitarist can still rock with the Gods…and is that Jimbo singing???

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Old City interests many people for many different reasons. But with so many amazing sites within the walls of the Old City, including the Western “Wailing” Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Dome of the Rock, whatever you’re looking for you’re bound to find something that will not only interest you, but may well knock your socks off!

Take it from us, we’ve been to the Old City a number of times, and the adrenalin rush upon entering Jaffa Gate and the seemingly never-ending twists and turns of the alleys and side streets always leave us wanting to stay longer…

Old City, Jerusalem (taken from the Tower of David)

A quick Old City history lesson

The Old City might be less than 1 kilometer squared, but this amazing walled city was actually the whole of Jerusalem until 1860, when the first neighborhood beyond the walls was built. Hard to believe today when you look at the size of the modern city of Jerusalem…

The core of the Old City of Jerusalem has a history that is believed to go back more than 3,000 years, while the great walls that encase the Old City were first built in 1538 by Suileman the Magnificent. Up until 1948 and the Israeli War of Independence, Jews could live here, but following the war they were evicted as Jordan occupied the area. It wasn’t until after the Six Day War in 1967 that Jews could once again live and work in the Old City.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the Old City of Jerusalem is one of the most fought over cities ever  in human history.

The Four Quarters of the Old City, Jerusalem

The Old City of Jerusalem is divided in many ways politically, but there are four different quarters that divide the city culturally, religiously and even historically:

• The Christian Quarter
• The Jewish Quarter
• The Muslim Quarter
• The Armenian Quarter

Each of the four quarters is unique in its own way, providing a sense of history along with its own religious beliefs.  There are many different areas to visit, it’s just a matter of knowing whether you want to just visit the main historical sites or if you’re keen to delve further and explore the nooks and crannies of each of the different quarters…

The Christian Quarter

The Christian Quarter of the Old City is probably the first most tourists come across, as many tourists head into the Old City from Jaffa Gate, which is the closest entrance point for many staying in Jerusalem hotels.  Also just inside Jaffa Gate is the majestic Tower of David, a highly recommended stopover (officially part of the Armenian Quarter, see below).

After heading down David Street, one of the Old City’s main market streets, head left down HaNotsrim for the Church of St. John The Baptist, a popular starting point for Christian tourists. Then continue down HaNotsrim and take a right down Saint Helena. On your left is the amazing Church of the Sepulcher (read our full guide to this amazing site here), the site where it is believed Jesus was crucified and then buried.

There are a number of different Christian groups that keep and maintain the Christian Quarter. But there are arguments about who really should be taking care of what portion of the Quarter, which shows the squabbling is no different than anywhere else around the world.

The Jewish Quarter

For those who want to see what the Jewish day to day life in the Old City is like, then walking through the Jewish Quarter will do the job. The immediate impression you’ll get is it’s a lot quieter and cleaner than other parts of the Old City. You will see people walking about, but many of the small streets aren’t really for visiting.

The Western Wall, known as HaKotel in Hebrew, is the place to really take in more about the Jewish faith (read more about the ultimate site in the Old City here). This monumental wall is where you can leave prayers between the cracks, and is amazingly powerful and intense. Be aware that there are separate sections for men and women.  The Cardo, an excavated and partially reconstructed section of the Jerusalem main thoroughfare in the Byzantine era, is another part of the Jewish Quarter that can provide you with an insight into the history of the Old City.

The Jewish Quarter gives you a real glimpse into the heart of Jewish life in the Old City.

The Muslim Quarter

The Muslim Quarter is similar to the Jewish Quarter in that it has narrow alleys, but the streets are a lot busier. There’s definitely a sense of activity and a busy market atmosphere in many of the streets.

One of the sites that Muslims will head for is the Dome of the Rock, which is part of the Noble Sanctuary, home to the Foundation Stone which is sacred to Muslims, Jews, and Christians (but non-Muslims are prohibited from entering this area during Fridays and prayer times).  This is where Muslims believe that Muhammad ascended into Heaven, accompanied by Gabriel. Another important site is the Monastery of the Flagellation, where it has been said that Christ was flogged by the Roman soldiers prior to His crucifixion and is the first point on the famous Via Dolorosa, the first of the 14 Stations of the Cross.

The Muslim Quarter happens to be the largest of the four quarters. You might also be surprised to know, considering the ever-present tensions in the area, that there are Jewish families that reside in this quarter.

The Armenian Quarter

The Armenian Quarter is the smallest of all the quarters. It has more of an ancient feel to it because of its compact size and number of people who are part of this quarter, and it runs itself like a city within a city.

The standout site to see is the amazing Citadel, known as the Tower of David. This is one of our favorite spots in the Old City, and well worth checking out (read our full guide here – and you might want to check out the impressive Night Spectacular Show too!). There is also the Armenian Museum and St. James Cathedral (one of the most beautiful of all the sacred old buildings in the Old City), two sites of interest for many Old City visitors.

Map of the Old City, Jerusalem

They will be playing at Tel Aviv’s Barby Club on June 15th and 16th. Tickets are priced at 250 shekels on the door, or 220 shekels if you pre-order (call 03-5188123).

The Afghan Whigs were originally formed in the 80s and went on to release a number of successful albums through the 90s, til their split in 2001. They briefly reformed in 2006, but this new world tour marks the 25th anniversary of their first live gig back in 1987…

Expect a rockin’ show – here’s a taste of what you can expect…

Click here to view the embedded video.