Author Archives: Lee Saunders

Jerusalem is Child’s Play Too

When you are traveling with children, you are giving them something that can never be taken away: experience, exposure, and a way of life. Exposure to life in Jerusalem is quite the experience and there is an abundance of fun activities to keep kids of all ages thoroughly entertained, Here – we look at six of the best attractions that youngsters will simply love.

Noah’s Ark Attraction and discovery of Giraffes at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo.

Zoos are commonplace but there is something unique and special about the enchanting Biblical Zoo, one of the top tourist attractions in Israel, regularly attracting more than 750,000 visitors annually to marvel at 170 species of animals, including many indigenous species from Israel, with a particular focus on those mentioned in the Bible. The zoo is home to many endangered species, which benefit from a raft of domestic and international wildlife conservation programs. The park’s centerpiece is a man-made lake, bordered by spacious lawns and picnic spots and includes a petting corner, Friendly Animal Houses and the Noah’s Ark Sculpture Garden. Located in a valley in the Judean hills, on the southern outskirts of Jerusalem, surrounded by green hills and modern neighborhoods, the park is easily accessible by car or public transport.

Adjacent to the Biblical Zoo is the Israel Aquarium, the first public aquarium in Israel and is dedicated to the conservation of Israel’s marine habitats – currently a major conservation challenge in Israel and around the world. This Aquarium is a unique opportunity for children to get up and close personal with the wonders of the ocean, right in the heart of Jerusalem. Enjoy a fascinating and wondrous tour that will take you on an adventure through the Israeli marine environment, with dozens of aquarium tanks showcasing life in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, with additional information about the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. Learn about the spectacular lion-fish surrounded by Red Sea coral, sea bream from the Mediterranean, tilapia in the Sea of Galilee exhibit, the only tank at the Aquarium with fresh water, and a dry exhibit which describes the Dead Sea region with its ecological challenges. Dan Hotels chain have joined these efforts, contributing toward the establishment of the Education Center at the Israel Aquarium.

Assist at a shark dance at the Israel Aquarium, Jerusalem. (Pic courtesy of the Israel Aquarium)

While educational activities are a huge bonus for both parents and kids, there is no substitute for physical exercise (and the temptation to tire them out!) Mere steps from the city’s Dan Boutique Hotel is Jump-Up Jerusalem, the city’s first indoor trampoline park. Located in the First Station hangar, Jump-Up trampoline park offers kids more than 2,000 square meters of trampolines, extreme ninja courses, ropes and ladder courses, cage ball, basketball, foam pits and a special section for younger kids. Open throughout the week, this facility is, however, observant of the Sabbath and is duly closed on Friday afternoon, opening one hour after sundown on Saturday nights.

Left: Kids enjoying the clues of Scaventures Activities – Right: Jump-Up Jerusalem – fun ensured with both.

Travel is as much about the journey as it is the destination and the exhilarating Israel ScaVentures takes parents and kids on a treasure hunt, armed with a map and a mission, weaving through narrow cobbled streets, learning about Israel and its people. Terrific for groups of all sizes, you have a choice of hunts, including the fascinating Old City mission, the exciting Shuk Dash through the buzzing Mahane Yehuda market, and the Windmill Dash, wandering from the Montefiore Windmill through the winding alleys of Yemin Moshe neighborhood. The journey is equally exciting at the phenomenal Time Elevator in Jerusalem has emerged as an iconic landmark combining technology, history, and time travel to keep children on the edge of their seats. History in school can be dull, but this immersive experience provides an overview of the 3,000-year history of Jerusalem in a fun, engaging way. Star of the legendary musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” Chaim Topol plays the lead character, guiding you on an unforgettable journey through Jerusalem’s historic turning points and milestones, and with tilting, moving seats, it gives visitors the feeling of being in the movie rather than watching it.

Hauling the kids through Jerusalem’s spectacular labyrinth of shops, restaurants and food vendors will have some appeal, but before any whining starts, there is a wealth of child-friendly attractions and activities to keep them enthralled, amused and entertained. Keep up to date with new attractions in Jerusalem via the Dan Hotels website or take a look on Fun in Jerusalem, a dedicated website for family fun in Israel.

Valentine’s Day in Israel – more than just flowers.

Leave a reply

Even the most jaded singles among us can feel a certain tingle when we see February 14^th rolling around. Maybe it’s the chocolates, the flowers, or even the sight of cartoon hearts decorating shop windows that gets to our inner-most souls; regardless, the truth is that love is certainly in the air. While Valentine’s Day has only recently taken hold of our hearts and pocketbooks here in Israel, it is already quite popular with locals and travelers alike, and what better time to show that special someone in your life just how much you care about them? It is estimated that people around the world will spend nearly $2 billion dollars on gifts this Valentine’s Day!

Tel Aviv port – great place for dates and Instagrammable pictures

And while bringing your special someone the traditional offerings of flowers and a box of chocolates is certainly wonderful, perhaps you want to do something extra special this year. Maybe it’s even time to pop the question! But before you get down on one knee, check out seven (lucky) and unique ways to warm your heart while celebrating Valentine’s Day in Israel.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Perhaps your partner is crazy about rom-com movies and you want to do something romantic and fun—without breaking the bank or serenading them from the street below. Tel Aviv is host to a number of excellent dance studios (including Dance Tel Aviv) where you and your love can learn the Bachata or any other dance you’ve always wanted to conquer. These classes are offered at all levels and you can join the fun regardless of whether you have ever donned a pair of pointe shoes! Sa’adia Gaon 24, second floor.

Dancing all over Tel Aviv – photo courtesy of Dance Tel Aviv

Maybe you want to be super romantic, but have two left feet? Then why not spend an evening learning about (and sampling!) delicious chocolate treats in one of Tel Aviv’s trendy chocolate boutiques? Ika Chocolate located in south Tel Aviv will certainly fill the bill for even the pickiest connaisseur de chocolat in your life. Artist and owner-operator Ika fills the shelves with a mindboggling array of handmade delicacies daily. Check them out at 11 Yad Haruzim Street.

In the mood for something that shows you’re an adventurous couple hungry for something new and unique? Head over to Blackout, the only dark restaurant in Israel and one of only fourteen in the world! Located in Na LaGa’at, a non-profit cultural and arts center, the restaurant’s waiters (who are all blind or visually impaired) will lead you inside and allow you to experience a delicious meal in total darkness. Surely improving your ability to navigate while in the dark can help in any number of situations! Find the restaurant at Retzif HaAliyah HaShniya, Jaffa Port.

Zefat

Is your significant other a Jeep-loving free spirit aching to head off-road? If so, why not surprise them with the gift of adrenaline and adventure?! Arrange a two-hour, four-hour or even an all-day tour of Israel’s green north with Israel Extreme and then spend a lovely evening together in the charming and mysterious Zefat at the Ruth Zefat Hotel.

Two options of Extreme sports activities for couples via Israel Extreme.

Eilat

Perhaps action and adventure speak to your tastes a bit more than sweets and dinner? If so, you and your partner should head south to perpetually sunny Eilat and book some activities that will get your hearts racing and give you memories that will last long past your weekend away! Kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming with dolphins, hiking in the desert—all are great options and easily accessible from Israel’s southernmost city! And when your fun in the sun winds down, the Dan Eilat has some great deals and is the perfect location to call it a night. With two pools, a spa, and an ideal central location, you have access to flagship restaurants and bars on your doorstep and right on the Red Sea beachfront.

Perfect place for celebrating Love on the 14th of February at the Dan Eilat.

Further north, overlooking the tranquil Mediterranean Sea, the Spa Accadia at the Dan Accadia Herzliya Take an idyllic spa and a range of jacuzzi suites to relieve the stress from day-to-day life and opt for a relaxing Ayurvedic or deep tissue massage, or any of the pampering treatments to leave you feeling ready for love. Nearby, catch the world acclaimed Van Gogh Alive exhibition before it leaves Israel in April.

Jerusalem

All over the world, love and romance have long been symbolized by the rose, so where better to head than the serene (and free) Wohl Rose Garden in Jerusalem for a romantic stroll? A walk past 15,000 rose bushes representing more than 400 varieties will mark your special bond and this special day.

The Soul of the Desert: Mitzpe Ramon

Leave a reply

The desert shatters the soul’s arrogance and is a natural extension of our own inner silence and there is nowhere more humbling or peaceful than the town of Mitzpe Ramon, in the heart of Israel’s Negev desert. Situated 2-2 ½ hours south of Tel Aviv and 2 hours north of Eilat, the area, however, never used to be so still and peaceful, as it witnessed the stunning formation of Ramon Crater over hundreds of millions of years.

Into the wild – Mitzpe Ramon. Photo credit: Doron Nissim

You could be forgiven for thinking you had landed on Mars or the set of a sci-fi movie, but you will be hypnotized by the sheer scale and size of one of the most fascinating and breathtaking sites in the country. Often described as Israel’s ‘Grand Canyon,’ this unique gigantic crater –about 14 km wide and 40 km long – was formed by erosion over hundreds of millions of years and today, you can take one of the many hiking paths and activities, such as off-road trips, rappelling, mountain biking and stargazing to appreciate the magnificent panoramic views.

Like the Ramon Crater, the sleepy town of Mitzpe Ramon took also some time to grow – although not quite as long. Founded in 1951 as a camp for workers building Highway 40, the first residents arrived in 1956 and were joined by immigrants from North Africa, Romania, and India in the 1960s, as it became one of the southernmost development towns in the Negev. Today it is home to about 5,500 people and various desert wildlife, living life at their own pace.

Markings of hiking route through Mitzpe Ramon part of Shvil Yisrael.

Whether you get to Mitzpe Ramon from Tel Aviv (around 185km), Jerusalem (around 160km) or Eilat (around 150km), the best place to start is the Ramon Crater Mitzpe Ramon Visitor Center, which tells the geological story of the formation of the Ramon Crater, the largest of five craters in the Negev desert. Learn about how these craters were created through a fascinating process of erosion, rather than meteors. Discover the incredible rock layers, unique ancient volcanic sites and water springs. At 500 meters deep, the deepest point of Saharonim Spring contains the crater’s only natural water source and sustains much of the wildlife, including onagers and ibex.

So, how was the Ramon Crater formed? Buckle tight! Briefly, long ago, during the Mesozoic era, between 66 and 250 million years ago, the central Negev desert was on the coast of the vast Tethys Sea, when suddenly – about 80 million years ago – a geological event occurred: the collision of Africa and the Eurasian continent. The result: a vast geological folding and the formation of mountains from Egypt to present-day Syria. The folds that were created were part of a system called the “Syrian Arc” and include the Negev, Judean and Galilee Hills. The highest mountain range in the Negev was submerged beneath the Tethys Sea, but its summit was exposed to long weathering processes and erosion, eventually leaving the Ramon Crater where the ancient mountain once stood.

A smaller crater was named in the early 1940s by a group of scout explorers, who gave it its name based on its resemblance to a mortar (makhtesh in Hebrew) and pestle, while in 1945, the Ramon Crater was discovered by a second group of scouts, including the late Shimon Persky, later known as Shimon Peres, one of the country’s founding fathers. In the early 1950s, mining was vital to the fledgling state so the Ramon Crater quarried minerals, such as gypsum, kaolin and other clays, but by the 1970s, it was already recognized as a natural wonder and phenomenal tourist attraction.

A night under the stars.

From Mitzpe Ramon, the view is nothing short of spectacular. Starting from the Mitzpe Ramon Visitor’s Center and continuing along the edge of Ramon Crater, the Albert Promenade is a trail with one of the best views of the crater. The paved trail is fairly accessible and connects to a path leading to the Har Gamal observation deck, one of the best places to watch the sunrise or set. This is great for those who love a hike, it is just a short walk away from descending ibex trails that lead to the bottom of the crater. Here, you can see these wild goats often descending the vertical rock face with embarrassing ease.

If you prefer, there are many jeep tours offered, including Deep Desert Israel, whose guides’ love of nature and the desert climate make the tour fascinating. With a network of hikes ranging from easy loops to advanced mountain scales with extreme passageways, this worldwide landmark is the perfect place for thrill-seekers to get their adrenaline fix. Be sure to catch the unbeatable sunset at the camel lookout or camp out under the stars. In fact, to look at the stars, there is nowhere better. In 2017, the American International Dark Sky Association declared the Ramon Crater to be an international “Dark Sky Park” – the first site in the Middle East to be bestowed with this honor, where conditions for planetary gazing are close to ideal most of the year.

The chilled vibe is present at Me’ever, a creative hub in Mitzpe Ramon, offering more than 30 yoga workshops and meditations, as well as festivals throughout the year. Located between Mitzpe Ramon and Sde Boker, Khan Hashayarot offers a Bedouin-Esque desert experience. Here you will find all the activities associated with a Bedouin stay, including camel rides, dinner eaten on cushions, bonfires, an introduction to the Bedouin life, storytelling, and tent sleeping.

Bedouin camp in the middle of Mitzpe Ramon.

To the north of Mitzpe Ramon, in the Ramat Hanegev region, is the famous kibbutz of Sde Boker and the museum dedicated to the life of Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion. You can take the Negev Highlands Trail, just north of here down to Mitzpe Ramon. To the west of Mitzpe Ramon is the Alpaca Farm, one of Israel’s most impressive wildlife successes, bringing South American animals to survive and thrive in the desert. Don’t miss out on getting up close and personal with alpacas and lamas and grab the chance to feed them. As a unique environment, the Ramon Crater is a unique habitat for wildlife. Take a guided tour with Bio Ramon, a pocket-sized wildlife park run by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, which offers an exciting peek at the rare and shy creatures – some 40 species of small desert creatures, as well as snakes, rodents, porcupines, lizards, scorpions and turtles.
While the birthplace of Jazz music may seem like a million miles away in New Orleans, the Mitzpe Ramon Jazz Club has weekly entertainment, and in December it hosts lectures, concerts and jam sessions in the middle of a stunning landscape, and be sure to drive 5 minutes to the fabulous Vegan Express, delicious Mauna restaurant and Hahavit, a first-rate and affordable pub in the area for great food.

There’s something deeply fulfilling and magical about slipping away to a town offering all you could ever need to relax, reflect, and recharge.

Mitzpe Ramon: How to get there? Aside from renting a car, a family-friendly option, you can also reach Mitzpe Ramon on two buses from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, changing in Beer Sheva, and one direct bus (392) from Eilat. Visit here for more details.

Festivals in Eilat all year round

Leave a reply

So often, festivals celebrate talent, promote diversity, and showcase our common humanity. Nowhere is this more visible than in the beautiful Red Sea resort of Eilat. Throughout the year, visitors come to this southern Israeli city, a jewel at the tip of the Negev desert, and the winter months are expected to bring in even more tourists following the opening of the new Ramon International Airport to international traffic this past April.

Beautiful sunset view from Eilat.

While you can snorkel and swim underwater with dolphins in Eilat, why not dive into the wide range of music festivals in Eilat that will leave you breathless. One of the landmark fixtures in the calendar is the widely respected and captivating Eilat International Chamber Music Festival. In the spot where the desert meets the sea and the red mountains cast their shadow from above, some of the greatest musicians from all over the world meet once a year to play music, give masterclasses and workshops, which consistently earn rave reviews. Founded by acclaimed violinist, teacher and performer, Leonid Rozenberg, the next festival takes place on January 22-25, 2020 at the luxury hotels, Dan Hotel Eilat and Dan Panorama Eilat, hosts for the past six years. The event will celebrate the 250th birthday of Beethoven in four days packed with the most talented international and Israeli musicians, hosting two orchestras, famous soloists, as well as programs of classical and Baroque music, jazz, and a rousing, foot-stomping Flamenco show.

Left and Right: a taste of the music and food from the Eilat Chamber Music Festival

All That Jazz
In the winter, Eilat becomes a city of music festivals and with more Israeli jazz artists contributing to the worldwide jazz community, check out the Red Sea Jazz Festival, the long-running one-of-a-kind celebration of jazz aficionados, serving up all sorts of jazz since 1987. Running between February 20-22, 2020, visitors get to enjoy some of the best jazz musicians combining the global and local, East and West, modern and traditional. At the crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa, Israel is a country of immigrants, a real melting pot of cultures and musical styles. Enjoy the diversity – from classic and traditional jazz through bebop, hard bop and New Orleans, to fusion, salsa, rock jazz, and world music scented ethnic jazz. Don’t miss out on the traditional jam sessions that run late into the evening after the shows. This festival comes fresh off the back of Eilat’s round-the-clock folk dancing festival during which more than 3,000 dancers enjoying folk artists and showing their appreciation of Israeli dance.

In the ‘Winter’ months, the streets of Eilat spill over with entertainment and food. One of the most popular events in Eilat is the Eilat Street Theatre Festival. Running next February 28-29, this free two-day festival takes place on the northern promenade, close to the Dan Hotel Eilat, the streets spilling over with marvelous circus artists, dazzling acrobatics, live sculptors, hysterical clowns, talented dancers, musicians, jugglers and more. While Tel Aviv and Jerusalem have well known culinary scenes and festivals, the Eilat Street Food Festival is definitely not one to miss. On March 31, 2020, the city’s fourth street festival is a gastronomical celebration, with food stalls dishing up an affordable and intoxicating mix of sumptuous dishes from many of Eilat’s finest gourmet restaurants. Sample the many aromatic flavors, while local artists entertain children, youth and adults with live performances.

Music at a Jazz Festival

As Spring approaches, one of the most special experiences for the whole family is a week-long festival opening your eyes up to the skies. The Eilat Birds Festival – running from March 22-29 – is an educational and fun gathering of bird-lovers from all over the world. Hosted by the non-profit, Israel Ornithological Center, discover the migratory habits of larks and sandgrouse, present in the desert plains around Eilat, while the blooming Wadis provide resources for a large range of songbirds. Look out also for the Mountain and Dorcas Gazelle, Southern Red Fox, Golden Jackal.

If you are looking for some winter sun and the music, food and nature to warm your soul, look no further than Eilat.

Check the latest Deals for Eilat hotels on our website >>

Culinary Jewels that Shine in Jerusalem

Leave a reply

“The view of Jerusalem is the history of the world; it is more, it is the history of earth and of heaven,” said the former 19th century British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli. And heaven is exactly how many would describe the food on offer across the country. Nowhere is this more true than in Jerusalem’s high-quality restaurants, serving up a variety of dishes suited for every type of meal and every type of budget. Here, we take a culinary wander through 10 of the city’s favorites.

Spices at Mahane Yehuda Market.

One of the most iconic food markets in the country is the vibrant Mahane Yehuda market, where you will find the lively Machneyuda, one of Jerusalem’s most well-known restaurants. Watch acclaimed local chefs Assaf Granit, Yossi Elad and Uri Navon while they prepare a menu of tasty modern Israeli and Mediterranean dishes, including sea bass with fresh market vegetables and signature dishes like the creamy Polenta with fresh mushrooms, hand grated parmesan and truffle oil.

One of the best chefs in Jerusalem, David Biton has, together with his team, been taking La Régence to new heights since taking the reins over the past decade. Located in the landmark King David Jerusalem Hotel, every dish is an exquisite and kosher masterpiece, a classic example of fine dining at its best that makes your stay in Jerusalem both mouthwatering and memorable. Do not leave without swinging by the King’s Garden Restaurant, above the hotel’s gardens, to sample the menu of traditional Israeli main courses and homemade sweets and pastries.

Some of the exquisite food served at La Regence restaurant at The King David Hotel.

One block away, the fancy kosher meat restaurant, Angelica offers guests fresh and colorful dishes of prime meat, fish and succulent, followed by hand-crafted desserts, precisely designed by chef Marcus Gershkowitz and his team.

If it is desserts you are after, the small, warm and homely Georgian dairy restaurant, Hachapuria inside the Mahane Yehuda Market specializes in Georgian pastries such as Khachapuri and other mouthwatering cheesy, carb-filled dishes, while the divine Kadosh Café Patisserie is a wonderful stopping point for outrageous pastries made on the premises and an all-day breakfast. Reminiscent of a Paris patisserie, the sweet and salty pastries, éclairs and tartlets make this the ultimate foodie heaven. Their Sufganiyot (Israeli styled donuts) are not to be missed, filled with creamy, gooey, finger-licking goodness and don’t miss the Cronuts that come around just once a year!. Call ahead, it is well worth the wait!

Of course, Jerusalem exemplifies history arguably more than any other city around the world, and you can combine this with tremendous food at the Anna Italian Cafe, located inside the historic Ticho House, part of the Israel Museum, one of the first homes built outside the Old City in the 1860s. This kosher restaurant dishes up classic Italian dishes, including the to die-for gnocchi, topped with cream, asparagus and cherry tomatoes. Interestingly, Anna works closely with the Dualis foundation and the Jerusalem municipality to employ at-risk youth.

Left picture: Anna Restaurant Jerusalem Right picture: Eucalyptus Restaurant Jerusalem

Also dotted around the Old City is the kosher restaurant, The Eucalyptus, nestled in an ancient stone building with a huge scenic balcony opposite the Old City’s walls in the Artists’ Quarter. Chef Moshe Basson offers his own modern interpretation of biblical cuisine, bringing back recipes, spices and herbs that were once part of the traditional cuisine. With the fish falafel and eggplant steak among an extensive vegetarian menu, you can also enjoy elaborate and generously sized tasting menus, including the Queen of Sheba, Shir Hashirim and King Solomon Feasts.

In central Jerusalem, Kikar Hamusica or Music Square is home to the elegant Kinor Bakikar and Andalucia. While the former combines Kosher gourmet meat plates, live music and a lovely outdoor courtyard, the latter provides guests with a Spanish ambiance, stirring music and a magnificent view of the Old City. Enjoy a long list of unique homemade cocktails and excellent Kosher tapas dishes, based on fresh fish and juicy meats.

Jerusalem may be the history of heaven and earth, and its restaurants prove it.

Check out our deals for Hotels in Jerusalem >>

The Finest Jerusalem Museums

Leave a reply

“A visit to a museum is a search for beauty, truth, and meaning in our lives. Go to museums as often as you can,” said Tel Aviv-born artist Maira Kalman. Far from long tedious school trips to look at dusty objects, museums today have transformed into enriching experiences for a whole new generation.

Dome over the Shrine of the Book at the Israel museum (istock)

With the highest number of museums per capita in the world, Israel is home to many bursting with history, culture, nature and innovation, and Jerusalem is very much at its heart. Home to a wide range of museums that will fascinate, stimulate and educate all who set foot in them. From extensive collections of Israeli and modern European art, as well as ancient findings on the development of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, there are many not to be missed. We had a look around some of our favorites.

Any Jerusalem museum tour should start at The Israel Museum, Israel’s largest and most magnificent cultural asset, consistently ranked among the world’s leading art and archaeology museums. The Israel Museum exhibits nearly 500,000 objects, housing encyclopedic collections with works dating from prehistory to the present day in archaeology, fine art and Jewish art. This is the place to get schooled on Israel’s 5,000-year history. The same complex houses The Shrine of the Book, a dome-shaped structure housing one of the greatest archaeological finds of the last century – the Dead Sea Scrolls. Accidentally discovered in the remote caves overlooking Qumran by a passing Bedouin shepherd, you will be astonished at this rare up-close encounter with the oldest Bible manuscripts in existence, a literary treasure of awe-inspiring magnitude.

Ancient history is equally located in the Tower of David, located at entrance to the Old City and close to the Dan Hotels’ four modern Jerusalem hotels. The Tower’s museum tells the story of the city and its significance for Jews, Christians and Muslims through specialized cultural events, activities, tours and multimedia exhibitions. From the top of the tower, there are breathtaking panoramic views of the city, both new and old. Do not miss the Night Spectacular, an outdoor sound and light show projected onto its stone walls telling the rich story of Jerusalem.

Night and Day at Tower of David Museum (courtesy of Museum, Photo credit: Naftali Hilger & Ricky Rachman)

If it is art you seek, you need not worry. Take a visit to the Wolfson Museum for Jewish Art, next to Jerusalem’s Great Synagogue, in the Palace of Solomon. This striking building, inspired by the architecture of the First Temple, was completed in 1958. Today, it is home to Jewish art, including artifacts from 18th-century Italy and various works of art by Israeli artists. At the L.A. Mayer Museum of Islamic Art, there is a beautiful and impressive collection of Islamic art, including an amazing collection of ceramics, glassware, jewelry and artwork arranged by the different eras of Islamic culture.

From the earliest recorded times, music has played an integral part in bringing people, families and communities together and the fascinating Hebrew Music Museum, a short walk from the King David Hotel, a modern museum in its own right, explores the roots of strings, percussion, woodwind and brass instruments. Be sure to enjoy the interactive, 3D experience on the top floor – imagining what life was like thousands of years ago.

Groundbreaking technology, surround sound and 3D maps are used at the Friends of Zion Museum, which accompanies you on an historic journey from the opening “Land of Promise” room, taking you through the 3,000-year-old saga of strong bonds and unity between Jewish and Christian communities. From religion to science, the engaging Bloomfield science museum will have kids and adults alike getting excited over science. Located near the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the museum offers scientific demonstrations, guided tours, workshops, colorful hands-on exhibits with interesting explanations, gadgets and a show on mind-boggling optical illusions.

Train carriage on display at Yad Vashem (istock)

Special deals for hotels in Jerusalem – Book direct and save >>

And last but most certainly not least, no visit to Jerusalem can ever be complete without stopping at Yad Vashem. Overlooking Mount Herzl, the 45-acre World Holocaust Remembrance Center is the biggest institution in the world aimed at commemorating the 6 million Jews who were murdered by the Nazis and their allies during the Holocaust. Indoor museums, outdoor monuments, gardens and sculptures fill the complex, which was opened in 1953. With interactive displays and survivor testimonies, documents, photographs, artworks and films, Yad Vashem, free to enter, welcomes over a million visitors each year and is one of the most visited sites in Israel. With regards to museums in Jerusalem, it is definitely not alone.

Capture the Culinary Magic of Israel – With a Class

Leave a reply

“Meals make the society, hold the fabric together in lots of ways that were charming, interesting and intoxicating to me,” said Anthony Bourdain, the late American chef, author and travel documentarian. In Israel, the diversity of the food reflects the diversity of its society – and can there be a more charming experience than returning home with tales and recipes from some of our favorite cookery courses around the country?

A sample of Israeli food (shutterstock)

Tel Aviv – ‘The Most Exciting Place to Eat’

“Tel Aviv is the most exciting place to eat in Israel,” confidently stated one of Israel’s most well-known chefs, Yotam Ottolenghi. Indeed, while he and his team now run six restaurants in London, Israeli food continues to make waves around the world and is on the tables of many of the top chefs. In Tel Aviv, there are many hugely talented chefs offering enjoyable and personal cooking classes and workshops, so that you too can become an Ottolenghi! The Dan Hotels has also been at the forefront of the food revolution since it launched the incomparable Dan Gourmet Cooking School. Running for 5 years, Dan Gourmet, which recently underwent a significant expansion and refurb, offers a fascinating selection of cooking, baking and confectionery workshops, culinary tours, wine trainings and culinary lectures. From meat to fish, bread to confectionery, the skills taught at the Ort Dan Gourmet Culinary Center are hard to find elsewhere and one of the first kosher cookery schools around the world.

Cooking classes at Dan Gourmet

Among others – Delicious Israel offers you the chance to experience the taste and history of this diverse food culture. You can enjoy guided walking tours of the local markets – the famous Carmel Market, the spicily aromatic Levinsky Market, as well as nearby Jaffa – while the ‘Shuk and Cook’ tour takes you through the spice sacks and fresh fruit stalls to learn about the fresh and dried ingredients critical for Israeli cooking before cooking in a nearby local kitchen studio. Whether it is fresh tehina or sabich sliders, Israeli chopped salad, chicken shawarma or Moroccan style fish, you will value this insight into the tricks of the trade.

Dan Hotels in Tel Aviv – Ideally located for business or pleasure >>

Another of the city’s most popular classes is offered by Orly Ziv, the author of Cook In Israel. After starting with breakfast in Carmel Market, she will take you on a historic tour, tasting different ethnic foods and spices along the way before shopping for the cooking class at her home. Learning a range of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes, you will cook around six fresh plates, returning home, armed with a booklet filled with recipes.

A sample of food in Jerusalm market – Machane Yehuda (shutterstock)

Jerusalem’s Chefs Dazzle You

While Ottolenghi indeed loves Tel Aviv, his native Jerusalem is also filled with talented local chefs, ready to dazzle you with their recipes and keen to showcase the best local food available. Among them – Tali Friedman, a Jerusalem native chef with over two decades’ experience in professional kitchens in Israel and abroad. Her stomping ground is the iconic and captivating Mahane Yehuda market, home to a kaleidoscope of fruits and vegetables, mountains of spices and addictive smells. Her 5-hour experience draws visitors from around the world, eager to explore Israel from a different perspective. The 90-minute tour of the market samples the range of flavors leaping out of its nooks and alleyways, takes in anecdotes from the vendors, before returning to her charming nearby Atelier Culinary Studio to prepare a meal. Another highly recommended Jerusalem-born hostess and chef, Atalya Ein Mor offers culinary tours in different areas of Jerusalem and her village, bread baking and pastry workshops and also the possibility of preparing a fresh and delicious meal in her home in Ein Karem – a charming, historic, hillside village on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Passionate about the culinary heritage of the region, she champions local ingredients and takes you on a food and wine journey, with the stunning backdrop of the Judean Hills. The popular Eat & Meet Jerusalem will take you on a private culinary tour in the Nachlaot neighborhood, as well as Mahane Yehuda, before an exciting cooking class at a nearby kitchen. You will peel, slice, chop, grind, bake and fry a delicious and colorful feast of the local cuisine, including falafel, shakshuka, the classic Israeli dish of eggs cooked in spiced tomatoes, and the twisted traditional bread known as challah.

Dan’s luxurious hotels in Jerusalem >>

Galilean Hospitality Leaves You Breathless

In the north, you can experience Galilee’s rich flavors and legendary Druze hospitality in a village cooking class near Haifa, with Galileat. Head off from one of two Dan Hotels in Safed or Nazareth and explore the taste of the Galilee. Join a Druze, Muslim or Christian family for a traditional coffee then prepare a seasonal menu, while learning about how people live in the rural Galilee. Local favorites include maqluba, a meat, rice and vegetable dish flipped upside down, rolled grape leaves, smoked green wheat and regional vegetables that give the dishes with a distinctive Galilean flavor.

Dan’s two hotels in Northern Israel >>

While thousands of restaurants in Israel can ensure that you eat well. Culinary tourism and cookery courses, though, allow you to explore the tales of the locals, inhale their flavors and taste their history.

The Deeper connection between Israel and India

Leave a reply

In 1997, Ezer Weizman, the former president of Israel, visited family in Bangalore, India having served there in the British Royal Air Force during World War II. Weizman’s accommodation during the war would have been vastly different to the 226 spacious rooms on 25 floors at The Den – the luxury hotel opened in the city by The Dan Hotels, some 20 years later.

The Lobby at The Den Bengaluru

And this year, The Den Hotel enters its third. These days, Bangalore is often referred to as the Silicon Valley of India, as the city has emerged as a booming destination for luxury business travelers, including from Israel. With almost 13 million people, Bangalore is almost double the size of Israel but the links between India and Israel go back much, much further.

While The Den may have arrived in 2017, historians believe Jews first arrived in India 2,000 years ago, enjoying a quiet anonymity in a country where they are hugely outnumbered by Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains and Zoroastrians. In fact, although an extremely tiny part of the huge population, India was, and to some extent, is home to some distinct Jewish groups with fascinating journeys, among them the Bene Israelis, who have the longest history in India and are believed by some scholars to be descendants of one of the 10 Lost Tribes of Israel who fled northern Israel in 721 BC after the Assyrian invasion. There are also the Baghdadi Jews, who fled persecution in the Middle East in the 18th and 19th centuries and the Cochin Jews, the oldest group in India, with roots dating back to King Solomon. They settled in the port city of Cochin, Kerala, in southwestern India.

Bene Israel Tribe – largest section of Jews in India

Bollywood or Jollywood?
Even though Jews are a tiny minority in India – around 5,000 out of a population of 1.3 billion – many of the greatest Indian movie stars have been Jewish. Bollywood – with its over-the-top action sequences and large-scale dance numbers – is recognizable across the world, but most Westerners probably don’t know that many of the industry’s early female stars were actually Jewish.

When Indian cinema began at the end of the 19th century, it was taboo for Hindu and Muslim women to perform on screen, so Indian Jewish women, often more liberal, took on female lead roles. Famous Bollywood stars such as Sulochana (Ruby Myers), Pramila (Esther Abrahams) and Nadira (Florence Ezekiel Nadira) all came from India’s Jewish community, though few Indians realized these legendary actresses were Jewish. Salome Aaron became a choreographer in Bollywood, while her sons Kunal and Aditya Kapur are successful Bollywood actors today. There is even a major Bollywood event planned in Israel in the coming months, which is expected to bring some of today’s stars to Israel – back to their unlikely roots.

Left: Actress Sulochana (original name Ruby Myers) Right: Advert on magazine cover for her film

Little India in Israel
After Indian independence, and the birth of Israel, the majority of India’s Jews emigrated, with the ancient city of Beer Sheva becoming home to thousands of Bene Israelis who moved to Israel after 1948, mostly from the western Indian state of Maharashtra. From a population of approximately 30,000 Indian Jews in 1948, only about 5,000 Jews remain in India today. Approximately 80,000 Jews of Indian origin keep their unique traditions alive in Israel, in places, such as Dimona, Ashdod and Ramle, according to the Jewish organization Aish. In Tel Aviv, there are a number of super tasty and authentic Indian eateries, among them the Allenby Street gem that is the highly recommended and affordable Salam Bombay, which brings you some of the best dal and tikka masalas around, while in Jaffa, not far from the Dan Panorama Tel Aviv, there is also Chanchal of India, organized through EatWith, the Airbnb of eating. It offers a uniquely informal and insightful dining experience hosted by a local chef at their home, as well as 24 Rupees, which offers cushions to sit on and taste amazing Indian food in a chilled ambiance. Tandoori is located near Dizengoff Square in dishing up special dishes, as well as vegetarian options, such as the paneers – all a step up from the menu in the RAF, when Mr. Weizman was here.

Dan Hotels in Israel – special deals and promotions >>

Leora Ruben, Mayan Sanlar, Avishai Mazgaonkar and Oved Gadkar dancing during Bollywood festival in Jerusalem