Now, we must warn you, this one isn’t for the fainthearted. There are even plenty of Israelis who’ve never set foot in this little market, set in the earthy and cheap (meaning it has a reputation for poverty and crime…) HaTikva neighborhood, which is otherwise known in Hebrew as Schunat HaTikva. But if you love meeting the locals and love the sights and sounds of a real market in action, this one could be for you.

Definitely not on the typical tourist trail, this market is as authentic and as close to the bone as you can get. And don’t expect your tourist looks and your expensive camera to get you any favors; none of the stallholders or locals will likely look twice…people are just so much more interested in getting their shopping done.

Possibly the best way to describe HaTikva market is a poor man’s HaCarmel market (one of the must sees in any visit to Tel Aviv). You’ll find plenty of great fresh produce at great prices (though the locals will always complain that the prices are never as cheap as they should be!), as well as a number of hidden away restaurants serving up some awesome home-cooked food with a Moroccan or Iraqi flavor…

Our top tip: start at the main entrance to the shuk (the easiest way to get to the shuk is to head down to the end of Yigal Allon Street, turn right, and you can see the entrance to the shuk 100 meters down on your left), stop by at the Asaluf Yemenite Bakery, maybe 3 or 4 stalls into the market on your left. Great local food, and great atmosphere, with plenty of locals supping a beer and holding conversation (loudly…). Once fed and refreshed, head down the main market lane and see what you can find!

As far as we’re aware, HaTikva market is open every day except Shabbat.

For a little taste of what to expect, check out this video…

Click here to view the embedded video.

If you like your beaches this is a great spot to check out! It probably doesn’t have the sex appeal of Tel Aviv beach, but then again, Tel Aviv doesn’t have much in the way of romantic coves and lagoons, all ready for you to explore…and for sure, Tel Aviv beach doesn’t have turtles being released back into the wild, which is what we witnessed one weekend!

As well as being a haven for turtles (yes, they often come and lay eggs on the beach in the summer months) Achziv is also renowned for sea anemones, urchins and small octopi that you can find hidden between the rocks. You can also spot remains of the ancient settlement of Achziv, mentioned in the Bible as a city of the tribe of Asher, and an important Jewish city in Talmudic times.

To get the most out of your visit, you could try the free Betzet Beach just past the main Achziv strip, but we’d highly recommend paying a few shekels and checking out Achziv’s Banana Beach or the Achziv National Park five minutes further up the road (Road 4, in the direction of Rosh Hanikra).

We detest paying for entry to beaches, but these two beaches are worth it, especially if you’re also thinking of camping overnight (it’ll cost you 60 shekels per adult). There’s grassy lawns, decent enough facilities, and great access to the beaches. You can also access the promenade that stretches up to Rosh Hanikra and enjoy a sunset stroll, just be warned, some of the sunsets in this part of the world are amazing!

One thing you might want to take into consideration if you’re camping: on Banana Beach they often have late night parties and loud music (even karaoke) while the Achziv National Park is much quieter.

For more about the Banana Beach, see their Facebook page. For more about the Achziv National Park, call 04-9823263.

And if you still need convincing Achziv Beach is for you, check out this little video…

Click here to view the embedded video.

You’ll find fields of olives throughout the country, and while times of harvest may differ slightly, they almost always use the same picking by hand methods. Groups of local Arab villagers, often accompanied by little children and even babies, pick their way through a field of olive trees unbelievably fast, and before you know it, they’ve wrapped up their sheets (placed under each tree to collect all the falling olives) and have moved on to the next field…

If you’d like to pick some olives yourself, check out any local kibbutzim or moshavs when out of the city areas (though some cities often have a few olive trees lining the streets and you are often able to pick from these). You might also strike it lucky when driving by an olive field and catch them in the middle of a picking session. If so, stop by and ask if you can watch or even help them out for a bit. Alternatively, you could try olive picking with the Alternative Tourism Group, though the cynic in us feels that $650 is a bit steep for some idealism.

Frankly we’re still unsure of what the fuss is all about when it comes to olives, but most Israelis love them. And don’t be surprised when sitting down with a beer in a pub to be given a little side-dish of olives…

Anyway, here are some pics we took at the weekend from an olive field just a few meters from our house.

The internationally acclaimed festival is usually held at the end of August in Israel’s most southern resort of Eilat, and is now a major factor in Eilat’s summer tourism (not that it was ever deserted through the summer months, as Eilat is the destination for hordes of Israelis (mostly families) in July-August).

Thousands of people from across the world, as well as those Israelis who love their jazz, plan their trip around this festival so they can catch some great jazz artists, some jam sessions and even jazz master classes. And with a unique, relaxed atmosphere, the Red Sea Jazz Festival is a must-see for any jazz aficionados…

Of course, Israel’s most popular tourist resort also offers plenty of sun, coral reef and good times, in addition to the jazz (check out our guide to the things to see and do in Eilat) but just be warned it’s extremely hot in August in Eilat. Don’t be surprised to see the thermometer reaching for the 50 degree threshold now and again…but never fear, the humidity is not as nasty as in Tel Aviv!

This year the Red Sea Jazz Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary over the usual four days (this year from 21st to 24th August), and has a variety of special events to celebrate, including CinemaJazz, which basically means special screenings of performances over the past 25 years, and a unique Photography Exhibition displaying the greatest photos of the last 25 years.

Performers will also be playing on the Eilat promenade for the benefit of the masses (free) and watch out for the now legendary late night jamming sessions which are open to all, and usually last until dawn. The place to be this year is the pool of the Isrotel Yam Suf hotel close to the port area; at around midnight grab yourself a seat, something cold to drink, and relax!

Musicians from around the globe will be there including legendary harmonica player Grégoire Maret and amazing Jazz pianist Eddie Palmieri, as well as Israelis Yael Deckelbaum and the Israel All Stars, among others.

But check out the Festival’s website for updates on who’s performing where and when and how to buy tickets (there are three concert venues and a variety of passes available): www.redseajazzeilat.com. I’d send you over to their Facebook page too but it’s entirely in Hebrew…

And here’s a taste of what you can hear at the Festival…

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Old City of Jerusalem is once again the site for this awesome festival, running for seven days between 15-22 June, each evening from 8:00-12:00pm. You might want to get there early, as it’s fast become a BIG attraction. To give you an idea of how big, last year some 250,000 people visited the festival.

There are a number of special light exhibits (free to get in) plus street events and performances, a light fair in the Davidson Centre Archeological Garden and four different trails through the Old City which lead you round a number of illuminated sites and installations. And, of course, you have the amazing Old City sites themselves…

This year the Festival explores the relationship between light and sound and the senses of sight and hearing, plus how a visual experience can enhance an audio experience and vice versa.

Artists are expected from around the world, including the French TILT group, who will be here once again with their amazing garden of light at Jaffa Gate.

For full details, check out the official website: www.lightinjerusalem.org.il (unfortunately they haven’t yet updated the English section for 2011…)

And here’s a taste of the action from last year…

Click here to view the embedded video.

Yes, mark it in your diaries!

Here’s a full list of the houses and buildings you can get to see. Some require reservation, most don’t. There are some great and amazing designs to see, check the list out.

Our personal tips: The Mosaic House in Yafo (requires reservation), the Underground Passageways of Dizengoff Center (requires reservation) and the Sarah Racine Root Research Laboratory.

Open House Tel Aviv started in 2007, and was inspired by similar events in London and New York. Tel Aviv does, of course, have some amazing buildings to see, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its concentration of buildings designed in the International Style.

In addition to touring some of Tel Aviv’s more established buildings, Open House also lets you experience some of Tel Aviv’s younger designers and architects. These younger guys use a lot of original thinking, innovative use of raw materials and are typically very environmentally-conscious.

And yes, there’s a place for kids too. For example, in an effort to push kids beyond their urban setup, every year there’s a workshop that helps build a mud shack in the yard of a kindergarten located in downtown Tel Aviv. This shack is then used by the kindergarten kids throughout the summer.

For more details, keep a track of events as they are confirmed on the Open House Facebook page.

The 500 square meter rink opened up last Thursday (March 10th) and will be open until April 14th. All are invited, as long as you’re older than 6, between the hours of 10:00 and 23:00. I’m taking a really wild guess and predicting this place will be packed during the upcoming Purim and Pessach (Passover) holidays. You have been warned.

To make your ice skating experience in Jerusalem complete, muzak will be piped over the airwaves, while there are also coffee shops and other goodies to buy inside a marquee alongside the rink. If you’re into your hockey, there will be ice hockey competitions and celebs from around the country and abroad.

The Israeli Ice Hockey Federation (NHL) will also be showing us what’s what on the ice-rink with a nightly hockey tournament over four nights.

Price to get in: Adults 40 shekels, children 30 shekels.

Get your skates on!

The competition will have some 700 wines and spirits from 25 countries on display, including some big players from France, Italy, Spain, Germany, USA, Australia and South Africa. The prizes to be had include best wine of country, best red and white wine, best kosher Israeli wine and best boutique wine. You can catch the vino carnival at the Daniel Dead Sea Hotel in Ein Bokek.

Haim Gutin, Israel Commissioner for Tourism, North and South America, had this to say:

The Terravino festival is a highly anticipated event that attests to the growing importance of the Israeli wine industry. It will feature a diverse selection of wines from some of the world’s top wine-producing countries.

As well as the wine competition, you can also enjoy a wide variety of wine-related festivities, including wine-tasting workshops, plus an olive oil and cheese fair, and lectures from Israeli winemakers.

Check out the official website for more details: www.mediterraneaniwc.com

The concerts kick off on Friday 24th September, and continue til the wee hours of the 29th. Among the big names from the Israeli music scene will be two of our favorites, Asaf Avidan (who will be performing a sunrise concert at Masada on the 28th, starts at 3:30am) and Balkan Beat Box (who will be playing with Matisyahu at Nahal Zohar (Zohar Creek) also on the 28th, at 9:00pm).

Also performing will be Din Din Aviv, Idan Reichel, and Carolina among others, and watch out for the free gig over at Sdom Square on the 27th at 8:00pm by Groovatron, Israeli funksters supreme. If you’re keen to catch Paul Young, who seems to have fallen in love with Israel recently, he’s performing on the 27th at Nahal Zohar, 9:00pm.

Tickets are priced between 150-220 shekels depending on the show. The concerts held nightly at Masada are actually the cheaper ones, maxing out at 180 shekels. You can get your tickets over here, while for more info about the festival, check out the Hebrew site: www.tamarfestival.com (no English anywhere I’m afraid).

By the way, if you were wondering, Tamar is Date (hence the sweet and sticky) in English, and that’s something you’ll see quite a lot of in this area, orchards of date trees (or palm trees). Set against a desert background they provide an awesome view, so don’t forget the camera, especially if you’re going for the Masada sunrise concerts.

The Jerusalem Beer Festival is celebrating its 6th year with an awesome shindig in the center of Jerusalem at the historic train station.

The beer festival scene in Israel has only recently taken off, but this one in Jerusalem is considered one of the largest, impressive and leading beer events in the country. Expect to drink some of the 100,000 liters expected to be poured over the two days, with a wide range of beers on offer, including local Israeli beers.

The historic train station will convert into a huge bar while each night there will be some live music to groove to, both by favorite Israeli bands the Giraffot and Dr Casper, and from leading Israeli DJs who will be spinning tunes later on to keep the happy, half-cut crowd in high spirits…

Hours: 18:00 to 24:00
Entrance: 30 NIS (25NIS if you’re a soldier, student or Jerusalem resident)

It might be an idea to get yourself over there early!

For additional info, check out the festival’s website:http://jerusalembeer.com

LCD Soundsystem have been around for a few years now but only released their third, and apparently last album, This Is Happening, a couple of months ago. If you haven’t checked them out before, then please go and do so! Now! Go on!

The Drums are a cool little band, with influences ranging from The Smiths to Joy Division to Orange Juice. Their videos might be a little twee, but the tunes are mighty catchy.

Cheers lads!

This years White Night festival happens tomorrow night (July 1st) and if you’re thinking of popping along to some of the festivities, we’ve condensed them down into five things we think you really should see and do…

Note that most events are free to the general public (the five we’ve listed below are all free). If some of the festivities you come across are not free you can expect some very decent discounts. And a word of warning – central Tel Aviv will be steaming! Absolutely packed to the rafters!

1. Take a tour of Rothschild Boulevard

A walk through one of Tel Aviv’s most interesting streets on White Night is a must! 50 of its buildings will be specially lit up, while up and down the street you can stop and catch various musical and street theater shows. This tour can be taken all night long.

2. Mayumana’s De La Guarda performance

The Israeli troupe Mayumana are having a special De La Guarda-style show in Tel Aviv Port. The show will feature acrobatics, wall-climbing and breathtaking special effects. Free to get in, the show kicks off at 8pm.

3. Madman magician at Azrieli Towers!

Israeli magician Hezi Din is going to scare us to bits with his death defying suspension between the three Azrieli Towers…at a height of some 330 meters! Of course, he’ll make it even more dramatic by setting fire to the ropes before untying himself and jumping free in bungee style! The show will start at 10pm and is free.

4. Night Market in Jaffa’s Flea Market

Night market shopping is a great way to spend your White Night! Jaffa’s Flea Market is an awesome place to visit by day, but on this special night it takes on an even more unique vibe, with great little stores, stalls a-plenty, music, street performances and galleries. Free to visit.

5. Jazz at the restored Manshia Train Station

The recently restored Manshia train station, close to the beautiful Neve Tzedek neighborhood, has become a bit of a focal point for new culture, and so joins the list of White Night locations with a variety of jazz concerts scheduled to happen there. Free to get in, the shows start at 10pm.

And here’s a taste of what you can expect on White Night in Tel Aviv (this video is from last year).