Blogs from Israel, Middle East - page 2

Today was the first day of our tour. Last night we met our tour guide Evan and the other 23 people on the tour. One thing I love about touring is the people you meet. Our group is from all over the world. The U.S. (of course), New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore, to name a few. Most of us are of THAT CERTAIN AGE, so we have at least that in common. We do have some families, many couples, and a few single travelers, proving the point that anyone at any age can travel anywhere. Being alone is no reason to stop traveling. When you are on tour, you are with family, so don't fret. Get those airline tickets and get out there! I said earlier that touring is not a vacation. Today we got a ... read more

I have been tardy in writing this travel blog, but thought Israel definitely deserves a good write up given the beauty of the country. I arrived in Tel Aviv (direct flight from India, 5.5 hours) and the first thing that hit me when I reached my hostel that it was Pride weekend and people were partying till late night. Over the next few days, I noticed that people like to socialise, hang out and party a lot, kind of celebrating whatever the cause may be. My first day was on a walking tour of the Old City Jaffa. Jaffa (or Yaffo as it's called locally) is considered to be the oldest port city built in the world, claimed to be built by Japheth, the son of Noah (of Noah's Ark). It's a city depicted in Greek ... read more

For a Christianity history buff like me today was nothing less than spectacular! First breakfast in our hotel, The Dan Panorama. Our included breakfast consisted of an endless choice of amazing and ecclectic nourishment options. There was 5 different kinds of bread from rolls to bagels to sliced bread you cut yourself. There were several European cereals, fresh cooked to order eggs, fresh cooked to order pancakes and fresh brewed coffee. Choices included espresso, latte, Americano, and a wide variety of teas. The cold foods tables consisted of a variety of cheeses, olives, dates, raisins, hummous, and more. Some of the odd choices included salads, tomato and cheese, tuna salad, peppers, pasta salad and on and on. If you left the table hungry, it was your own fault. Cathy and I had tickets for the Red ... read more

June 6 Our First Day in Jerusalem We arrived in Tel Aviv right on time at 9:45 AM. Getting off the plane and through customs and getting your baggage can be daunting for the unprepared. Every airport has their own rules and means to govern passport control. If you make a misstep, you can be delayed for hours. It takes preparation, planning, and paying attention to the signs and directions provided to guide you smoothly through passport control. Here is what you need to know. First, your flight has 250 to 300 plus people on the plane, all of which are heading to the same place. You do not want to be in the middle of that crowd. Getting off the plane is your first project. I make sure I have limited carry on baggage unless ... read more

Tel Aviv, the city that never sleeps, is renowned not only for its vibrant nightlife, sun-soaked beaches, and an array of cultural offerings but also for its vibrant food scene. A paradise for foodies, Tel Aviv's food culture is a rich melting pot of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean traditions, offering an array of flavors that truly reflect the city’s cosmopolitan character. This week, I embarked on a mouth-watering culinary journey, hopping from one iconic eatery to another, and here are my gastronomic tales. Hummus Hummus, a dish of Levantine origin, is much more than just a simple spread or dip. It's a cultural institution, a staple food that transcends the boundaries of Middle Eastern cultures. Made from mashed chickpeas, blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and garlic, it's simple yet deeply complex in flavors. ... read more