A Traveler's Guide to Tel Aviv

Tel-Aviv is the second largest city in Israel. It is located on the site of the ancient port city of Jaffa. Israel is bordered by Lebanon to the north, Jordan to the east, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Tel-Aviv is the financial capital of Israel, with most of Israel's major corporations headquartered there. The city's location on the ocean makes it a perfect place for international shipping and commerce.

Jaffa, the ancient site where Tel-Aviv is now located, was under the control of the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Persians. Because of this, many archeological digs near the city have revealed artifacts from many of these different cultures. In 1909 a small group of Israelis settled the area and renamed it Tel-Aviv. It wasn't until 1948 when Israel became an independent state again that Tel-Aviv began to grow. Old buildings were demolished and rebuilt, and the port was expanded to handle Tel-Aviv's growing shipping industry.

The Mediterranean climate of the region keeps Tel-Aviv very comfortable year round. Summer temperatures usually stay in the 80's Fahrenheit and winter temperatures rarely dip below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. This climate combined with the beach resorts has attracted visitors from all over the Middle East and Europe.

Tel-Aviv's population is over 90% Jewish by religion. There are a few Muslim and Christian centers of worship in the city, but synagogues outnumber them by far. Traditional Jews and secular Jews often clash over the city's liberal atmosphere.

Tel-Aviv has been called the "city that never sleeps" because of its night life. It has been compared to destinations such as Madrid and Miami Beach. The city has become increasingly popular with foreign tourists in recent years. Some of the world's most well known hotel chains have branches in Tel-Aviv, including Sheraton, Hilton, Crown Plaza, and Dan.

There is no shortage of things to do in Tel-Aviv. There are many walking and bus tours of the city. Recently Segway tours have become popular with tourists who don't wish to spend their time and energy walking around the city. There are several large parks within the city limits that provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Tel-Aviv has three of the most well known museums in all of Israel. They are the Eretz Israel Museum which displays archeology and history of Israel, the Beth Hatefutsoth Museum which displays information about the Jewish Diaspora, and the Batey Haosef Museum which displays Israeli military history.

The city is serviced by Ben Gurion International Airport, which is located 9 miles away from downtown Tel-Aviv. It has been voted one of the best airports in the Middle East and it is the busiest airport in all of Israel. An extensive bus and taxi system make transportation through the city efficient and convenient.