Pride is something that was felt as soon as our plane touched down at the sunnier climate of Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport. The landing air that was generally awkward broke and radiated throughout the plane — a happiness that was hard to ignore and even more difficult to not join in with! We have only witnessed far, in Israel and we chose to see this pride throughout our four days’ remainder. Israel is a nation that is proud of its customs, of its expansion but especially of its creation — and this introduction was a start to our Israel trip.

A breath-taking town of biblical proportions. Nestled on a plateau in the Judaean kilometres between the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean, Jerusalem is among the oldest cities on earth and a natural first location for our excursion.

We started in the old-city, an early slice of Jerusalem which spreads across 1km, and an old-living-city where a wide variety of faiths flourish in its own walls. Entering in in the side, throughout the Jaffa Gate, it was hard not to be enamoured by the history surrounding you.

It appears about every corner at the old-city is an epic story (it even includes the tomb of Jesus Christ), but among the biggest tourist attractions — of which we had the privilege to see — is the Western Wall. An sacred, ancient and treasured limestone wall in which messages and prayers to God are written on paper and then lovingly placed into women, men and the cracks are separated to worship and star-struck tourists stand in awe at the overpowering presence. If you are taking a trip afterward the Western Wall, along with the old-city, are a must-see as they stand to learn the stories waiting inside.

Is a souk that’s easily one of the best covered markets in the Middle East — greatest witnessed on the Sabbath and a wonderful little spot, that the Mahane Yehuda market. If you are after exotic fruits or spices, or have a craving for halva or tahini, or wanting to meander round the whilst soaking up the sun and the scentsthis is the place to go.

This market breathes life into this city flood the market streets and it turns into a center socialise and to drink with friends. What is even better is that Israel, and indeed Jerusalem, is currently experiencing a. Individuals as young as 20 opening bars are jumping on board and starting companies. On our first night in Israel we ventured into the market scene and were introduced to one such startup, a cocktail bar called Tail, Harness & which united two of our good likes: cocktails and tapas, and what more would you desire?

Jerusalem represents identities, it’s soaked in tradition and rich in culture yet areas like an emerging developing facet is shown by this marketplace to Israel. Our destination on this trip was since it is a city which needs to be seen, tasted and experienced one that we’d recommend to anyone.

Ein Karem

We seen with a unidentified gem at the Jerusalem district — Ein Karem before continuing to Tel Aviv. Birthplace of John the Baptist, it is an ancient village with an ethos centred on art.

Our tour guide and local artist, Haya White, gave us a glimpse of what it’s like to reside in this village. A refreshing community where everybody who lives there produces. The houses, individual houses representing individual personalities see A manifestation of the creativity. It’s a place that is home to all kinds of creative outlets, be it pictures, acting, writing, or something else — it’s difficult to be in this area for more than 5 minutes rather than start to feel that the juices of your own creativity boiling away. To explain this village as a paradise would just not be doing it enough justice, it’s one which should be on your own bucket list and the perfect destination for an artist retreat.

Tel Aviv

Referred to as the city that never sleeps, just is Tel Aviv. Warmer than Jerusalem and located by the coast with views of the Mediterranean Sea, Tel Aviv is the biggest metropolis in Israel where the only way is up is taken. Tall, sky-scraping buildings are on the upswing and re-developments are happening any which way you look.

In which we ventured into the morning it is also home to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. Collections have been showcased which included artists like Picasso, Monet, Klimt and Toulouse-Lautrec. Then you can just step into one of the numerous exhibitions running if art is more your scene, our favourite was one known as ‘Seeing Africa: Afro-Futurism and Contemporary Art’ which showcased artwork made in or about Africa from an Afro-futurist perspective. Of feasting on art, following a morning our tour took us into the Sarona Market, an indoor market where you are not only met looking food, but extreme scents and a hubbub of chatter. A wonderful spot ideal for browsing lunch, ice-cream or, the above all.

You will come across the Ilana Goor Museum, another great little place if you go down the coast to Jaffa. Museum and Ilana Goor’s home showcases both her work and her remarkable and enormous art collection. Her home by itself is simply incredible when being taking around her abode that is almost endless-roomed and it is impossible not to create home-envy. With absolutely unique rooms made even better by her collection, amazing sea views, a kitchen which really makes you want to cook and a roof-terrace where you can quite easily imagine spending a very long lazy day soaking up the sun, it’s fair to say we had to be coerced into moving on.

Safed

It’d be in Safed, when there was an ultimate means to finish our long weekend. Situated in the Galilee region this scenic city is home not only to Jewish mysticism, Kabballah, which can be an internal teaching of Judaism but in addition to the Yosef Caro / Alkabetz Street. Full to the brim of artwork galleries this street really start, or is an perfect place for anyone trying to high up and is a popular site for tourists, their artwork collection.

Safed is a ancient place that thrives on creativity, with a scattering of street-art which only increases the background rather than de-face it. The natives were enchanting, amazingly friendly and willing to take the time to settle back and tell you stories of how they arrived in Safed and just never left.

Ending this trip in the Abouhav Winery with a glass of wine, gave us time to reflect. Israel is not a nation of history and diverse and rich cultureindescribable beauty — and of course the weather- but a startup nation and a country which possesses an enthusiasm for art in a variety of forms. Israel should be on your must-visit list. There is, as we at Seen at the City are already planning our excursion!