April 30, 2012

Take a walk along Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv, Israel

Take a walk along Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv, Israel


Founded in 1909 by Jewish immigrants, Israel's hip coastal city is known for its arts and music scene as well as its gay and lesbian community.  It is also famous for its blocky 1930s Bauhaus architecture and has the world's largest concentration of these functional buildings.  In addition, it has a fine beach and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv, Israel
Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv, Israel


Wide Rothschild Boulevard has a central pedestrian path holding several landmarks, including  the Founder’s Monument and the city’s first well (at 8 Rothschild).  Considered Tel Aviv's most beautiful street, it was created shortly after the city was founded and is filled with eclectic-style buildings that were popular at the beginning of the 20th century.  It is part of the area known as the White City--a UNESCO World Heritage Site--featuring Bauhaus buildings in the 1930s German architectural style characterized by geometric lines and symmetry.  Restaurants and coffeehouses are plentiful. 


April 27, 2012

Visit the picturesque village of Ein Karem, Israel

Ein Karem  

+972-2-641-8682.

Just 10 minutes drive from Jerusalem, this picturesque village in the hills is the birthplace of John the Baptist. Today Jews and Christians live here together, and people visit for its churches, art galleries, and cozy restaurants. In ancient times, the town spring was the center of everything. Today Mary’s Spring, which is said to be where the pregnant Virgin Mary stopped to drink with her also-pregnant relative Elizabeth, is still a gathering place, though the water is no longer drinkable.






April 26, 2012

Jerusalem, Israel: Visit Jerusalem's Nachlaot neighborhood

Visit Jerusalem's Nachlaot neighborhood


Located near the Mahane Yehuda market and situated back from the main street, the very quiet Nachlaot residential area originated in the 1870s. It was one of the first neighborhoods outside the Old City walls. Plaques bearing photographs of former residents are attached to many still-standing original houses and compounds. Today, it is a gentrified home to many artists and musicians.

Nachlaot neighborhood of Jerusalem in Israel
Nachlaot neighborhood of Jerusalem in Israel




image c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

April 23, 2012

Holland: Everything's Coming Up Tulips; things to do

Everything's Coming Up Tulips


Want to see the spectacular annual tulip bloom in The Netherlands?  Read all about it in my article.
 
tulip bloom in Holland
tulip bloom in Holland



More ideas for exploring Europe.

image c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

April 18, 2012

Jerusalem, Israel: Shipudei HaGefen restaurant in Jerusalem, Israel review

Shipudei HaGefen 

74 Agripas St., near market, 02-6243030.

Shipudei HaGefen restaurant in Jerusalem, Israel
Shipudei HaGefen restaurant in Jerusalem, Israel


The Jerusalem grill-style kosher Shipudei HaGefen restaurant roars with happy groups of people chowing down on bountiful portions of delicious appetizer salads followed by big skewers of barbecued meats. Pastries and sweet tea end the feast.

April 16, 2012

Jerusalem, Israel: Mahane Yehuda market; things to do

open-air market is between Jaffa Rd. and Agrippas St.; covered market is along Etz Chaim St. Sun-F.

The large Mahane Yehuda market is filled with brilliant aromatic spices and fruits, as well as yarmulkes and souvenir tchotchkes. It provides the opportunity to sample new flavors and to interact with Jewish, Muslim, and Christian vendors. Friday afternoon is super busy with shoppers stocking up for the Sabbath.

Aroma Cafe 

This popular cafe is as omnipresent in Israel as Starbucks is in the U.S. A branch in NYC’s SoHo really packs ‘em in, but this location seems always to have space for more people.


BASHER-The King of Cheese  

 This tiny stall stocks 1,200+ varieties of cheese from all over Europe--Manchego from Spain, Cheddar from England, sweet brown gudbrandsdalen from Norway.
 




HalvaKingdom shop in Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem, Israel

HalvaKingdom 

10 & 72 Ets Hayim St., 972-54-7936805. This shop has been selling homemade kosher halva all over the world since 1947. It wins the “best” award in Turkey each year. Flavors include cinnamon, coffee, and chocolate chip.




Marzipan Bakery 

This shop is world-famous for its chocolate rugelach but also makes excellent Moroccan cookies, Syrian pastries and bourekas, and phyllo pastries topped with seeds and filled with salty cheese or vegetables.



More things to do in Jerusalem.

More ideas for exploring the Middle East.


video and images c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

April 13, 2012

Mexico City, Mexico: Metropolitan Cathedral/Catedral Metropolitana; things to do

Metropolitan Cathedral/Catedral Metropolitana 

On the Zocalo.

The Metropolitan Cathedral/Catedral Metropolitana is the oldest and largest cathedral in Latin America. Construction began in 1567, and it took almost 250 years to complete. It features Gothic, baroque, and neoclassical architecture and is renowned for its grand altar and mammoth organ. Because the ground in this area is sinking, handeliers hang at an angle. Noon is a spectacular time to be on site for a bell tower concert (18 bells are in the east bell tower and 7 in the west tower).






video c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

April 11, 2012

Mexico City, Mexico: Centro Historico + The Zocalo; things to do

The Zocalo/Plaza de la Constitucion in Mexico City

Centro Historico and The Zocalo in Mexico City


After Cortes conquered the Aztecs, he ordered their temples destroyed and the Spaniards built their new capital city on top. Today Centro Historico is Mexico City’s heart and historic center. Restaurants, shops, and hotels abound, and some are situated within exquisite historic buildings. Centro Historico was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.

The Zocalo/Plaza de la Constitucion at Juárez and 20 de Noviembre is Mexico’s largest central square, and the world’s second-largest after Moscow’s Red Square. Officially known as the Plaza de la Constitución, but referred to popularly as the Zócalo, this almost 10-acre square was built over the ruins of the Aztec’s biggest pyramid.



Webcam focused on the Zocalo.

image c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

April 9, 2012

Spend the night in Amberley Castle in Sussex, England

Amberley Castle 


Read my article about taking a side trip out of London via train to romantic Amberley Castle in Sussex!

interior courtyard at Amberley Castle in Sussex, England
interior courtyard at Amberley Castle in Sussex, England




More things to do in England.

More castles.

More ideas for exploring Europe.


image c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 
updated Sept. 8, 2023

April 6, 2012

Jerusalem, Israel: Dan Panorama Jerusalem; hotel review

39 Keren Hayesod St., 972-2-5695695. 292 rooms; 11 floors. Rooftop outdoor pool (April-Oct); fitness room; spa treatment rooms; kids’ club; synagogue. Free parking. No pets.

Featuring a white Jerusalem stone exterior, the well-appointed central hotel Dan Panorama Jerusalem is kosher and features Shabbat elevators. Family rooms comfortably accommodate two adults and two children, and many guest rooms have a view out into the leafy white-walled neighborhood. Dining is available in the Dikla dairy restaurant, a breakfast buffet room, and the Lobby Lounge and Bar, and just around the corner Nona Chocolate Cafe (28 King David St., 02-62441290) sells luxurious kosher chocolates and cafe items.



More things to do in Jerusalem.

More ideas for exploring the Middle East.


April 4, 2012

Jerusalem, Israel: Western Wall/Wailing Wall; things to do

Western Wall/Wailing Wall


This holiest site of Judaism, the Western Wall/Wailing Wall is the last remnant of the walls that once enclosed the Temple Mount. The wall is separated into male and female sides. People of all religions come here to pray and insert tiny papers bearing requests and prayers into crevices in the wall. You can check it out live via webcam.

worshippers inserting paprs into the Western Wall/Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, Israel
worshippers inserting paprs into the Western Wall/Wailing Wall
in Jerusalem, Israel



April 2, 2012

Jerusalem, Israel: Temple Mount; things to do

Temple Mount


Known as Mount Moriah in the Bible, the Temple Mount site has long lines and visiting times for non-Muslims are limited.

Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Israel
Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Israel


Dome of the Rock  

Dating from circa 690, this temple has a 24-karat-gilded dome and is where the prophet Mohammed is said to have ascended to heaven on a winged horse. It is also revered by Jews as the site where Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice his son Isaac, and it is believed to be the site of the altar of the first and second Temples of Judaism. Currently, only Muslims are permitted inside.


Al Aqsa/El-Aksa Mosque  

Featuring a distinct silver dome, this is the largest and most important Islamic prayer spot after Mecca and Medina. Currently, only Muslims are permitted inside.



More things to do in Jerusalem.

More ideas for exploring the Middle East.


image c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

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