Culture in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is an energetic and somewhat gritty city, and traces its roots back only to 1909. That predates the establishment of the the State of Israel by a few decades, but still makes it virtually a new city and atmosphere-wise about as far away from the ancient walls of Jerusalem as you can get. Its early planners envisaged a garden city and the first Hebrew-speaking city, although today English and myriad other languages reverberate through its dense patchwork of streets.

Many visitors to Tel Aviv come and go with a stroll along the Tayelet Lahat (seaside promenade) or a dip in the Mediterranean as their chief souvenir, but the waters here run deeper than that: as a religious center the primacy of Jerusalem is beyond contention, but for most everything else, there's this city of 400,000 people that can sometimes feel much bigger than that.

Part of the reason for this is the outsized cultural life. The Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center is home of the Israeli Opera and world-class musical and dance performances. TAPAC, as it's also called, opened in 1994 and a newer wing houses the renowned Cameri Theater. Many productions feature screened simultaneous translation into English.

The Tel Aviv Museum of Art showcases works by greats like Picasso and Van Gogh and also has an impressive range of temporary exhibits featuring both Israeli and international artists. The main museum is located next to the TAPAC. The Helena Rubenstein Pavilion for Contemporary Art is a separate location.

Israel maintains something of a cultural edge where contemporary dance is concerned. If you have the opportunity to take in a performance of the Batsheva dancers or any other troupe at the Suzanne Dellal Centre for Dance and Theatre, don't miss it. The location in the heart of charming Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv's first neighborhood (not counting ancient Jaffa) alone makes it worth your time.

Yes, Tel Aviv is an international city and has the artistic muscle and Madonna moments to prove it. But it's also an Israeli city, and there are plenty of cultural venues that highlight both Israeli history and Jewish heritage. An excellent place to start is the Land of Israel Museum (Eretz Israel Museum), which has fascinating exhibits of ancient coins, less ancient postage stamps, archaeology, ethnography and more.

The museum is made up of a series of themed pavilions linked by walkways. Don't miss the pavilion dedicated to ancient glassmaking, and another that illustrates the role of the Baron de Rothschild in the history of Palestine and Israel.

The Beit Hatfutsot Museum of the Jewish People is located on the campus of Tel Aviv University in Ramat Aviv. A short taxi ride from central Tel Aviv but definitely worth the trip for the detailed exhibits which emphasize the continuity of Jewish culture throughout history.

Military history buffs will enjoy the Israel Defense Forces History Museum, located right next to the HaTachana marketplace.

Get an eyeful of Bauhaus architecture along Bialik Street and especially tree-lined Sderot Rothschild (Rothschild Boulevard) and catch a whiff of history at the Hagana Museum at no. 23. This small museum traces the early history of the Israeli military.

Beit Dizengoff, the simple home of Tel Aviv's founding mayor at number 16 Rothschild. It's where David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel and is now home of the Independence Museum.

Three unusual holidays in Egypt

A holiday to Egypt can be a truly breath taking, unforgettable experience; one that will make you want to go back every year! Here’s three very different holidays to Egypt that you can share with loved ones for a holiday that will leave you with memories that last a lifetime.

Cruising the Nile

You cannot visit Egypt and not have a Nile cruise as part of your holiday. The Nile – the longest river in the world – runs through ten countries! Since ancient times, the people of Egypt (and other countries) have depended heavily on this river.

As a tourist, if you wish to enjoy a calmer, more pleasant experience on the Nile, you could cruise the river in a small, wooden boat known as a felucca. It’s only capable of taking roughly a dozen people or so but it’s very popular with tourists. As part of the Nile cruise, you can (and should) arrange for a package that includes visiting the Great Sphinx of Giza and Egypt’s largest pyramid, the Pyramid of Giza.

How About Some Scuba Diving?

Yes, don’t be surprised. Most people associate the name of Egypt with the aforementioned pyramids but you’ll be surprised to know it’s a great spot to do scuba diving. For example, the Red Sea is a phenomenal place to do some scuba diving; perhaps one of the best places in the world to enjoy this activity. You’ll witness amazing reefs as well as be touched by wrecks and experience emotions at both ends of the spectrum.

The visibility and clarity is quite good as you witness the remarkable diversity of life in the waters. You may even catch a glimpse of the largest fish in the world – the whale shark. Don’t worry though, despite the name ‘shark’ and being absolutely colossal, they are gentle creatures that will glide effortlessly by and if you miss it, you’ll want to kick yourself! Try not to gasp if you see one; it’s not a very good idea underwater, but nobody can blame you if you do!

Romantic holiday for two

Egypt is a wonderful place to take a romantic break for two. Sharm el-Sheikh on the Sinai Peninsula is just the place for a truly intimate experience. You could enjoy some fabulous weather during your stay and be treated like a king and queen! There are plenty of high-end hotels full of staff ready to cater to your every need. If it’s pampering you’re after you won’t have to look far.

No matter what you choose, these are three very different holidays to Egypt that will leave you wanting more, so much so that you’ll probably want to come back year after year.