May 27, 2012

Tel Aviv, Israel: Dan Panorama Tel Aviv; hotel review

Dan Panorama Tel Aviv   

Charles Clore Park. 483 rooms; 18 floors. Full breakfast included; outdoor swimming pool with stunning sea view; health and fitness center with dry sauna, Jacuzzi, massage treatments; indoor garage.

view from Dan Panorama Tel Aviv in Israel
view from Dan Panorama Tel Aviv in Israel


Located on the Mediterranean shore (the beach is just across the street), the hi-rise Dan Panorama Tel Aviv is well-located adjacent to the hip and chic Neve Tzedek quarter (behind it to the east), the bustling Carmel Market (behind it to the north), and the old-new “Tachana” (to the south); ancient Jaffa is a 15-minute stroll to the south. The lobby is elevated to the second floor, offering superb sea views. Guest rooms have a high ceiling and a small balcony overlooking the Mediterranean. The expansive breakfast buffet happens in a massive room with an ocean view; long counters are laden with fantastic choices, and an omelette station and coffee barista are available.

May 23, 2012

Tel Aviv, Israel: Suzana; restaurant review


mint tea at Suzana restaurant in Tel Aviv, Israel

Suzana  

9 Shabazi St., in Neve Tzedek, 517-7580.

A  pleasant bistro atmosphere greets diners at Suzana, with warm open rooms in winter and a shady garden patio in summer. Salad appetizers include a tasty fried cauliflower, while the extensive list of main courses includes an assortment of dried fruits stuffed with ground lamb, puff pastry stuffed with chicken livers-onions-pear sauce, and sweet potatoes-and-chicken meatballs. Roast goose leg with root vegetables is also an option. For dessert, don’t miss the fresh mint tea.









May 18, 2012

Tel Aviv, Israel: HaTachana + Soho; things to do

HaTachana  

Situated between Jaffa and Neve Tzedek.  The former Tel Aviv-Jaffa train station is now an up-market shopping and entertainment center.  The shops are not in an enclosed mall, but rather spread out in a series of small buildings. 

At one bright shop, Soho, it’s all about the design.  Many items displayed are designed, and some are produced, in Israel.  Most notably, the red “Hotman pot trivet” (which I purchased and enjoy as a souvenir) and “Key Pete.”  Designer Shahar Peleg says, “You know you’ve made it when the Chinese start copying your design.”   


 
More things to do in Tel Aviv.

More ideas for exploring the Middle East.


image c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

May 16, 2012

Guest Post: See The Amazon in Peru with Aqua Expeditions

See The Amazon in Peru with Aqua Expeditions


Guest Post
by Suzanne Flores

Travel professional and daughter of mine, Suzanne Meyers, recently returned from a trip with Aqua Expeditions on the Amazon in Peru.  Here are some of her observations:


During a recent trip aboard M/V Aria in the Peruvian Amazon, our group made a visit to a local village where we were greeted by a large group of eager children.  They were ecstatic to see us and hopeful that we had gifts in tow.  The village is one of about 20 in the area that Aqua Expeditions supports and visits on a regular basis.  




This girl was very adamant to have her picture taken, and she was ready to strike a pose!




A rare opportunity occurred.  The village shaman was present when we visited and agreed to teach us about the properties of various medicinal plants (he spent 10 years in the Amazonian rain forest in order to become an official shaman).  I lucked out and was given a spiritual cleanse!



More things to do in Peru.

More ideas for exploring South America.  


May 14, 2012

Gene Simmons visits Israel

Gene Simmons visits Israel


American rock star and Kiss frontman Gene Simmons (pictured here, with his son Nick, in Jerusalem) toured Israel last year with his family, where they were filming two episodes of the reality TV show, Gene Simmons Family Jewels. As guests of the Israel Ministry of Tourism, Simmons and his crew toured and filmed in several destinations around Israel, including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa, the city of his birth.  You might still be able to catch it in reruns.

Gene Simmons visits Israel
Gene Simmons visits Israel



May 11, 2012

Mexico City, Mexico: Café de Tacuba; restaurant review

Café de Tacuba 

Tacuba 28/Bolivar Allende, 55/5521-2048. B-L-D; $$.


interior of Cafe de Tacuba in Mexico City
interior of Cafe de Tacuba in Mexico City


Atmospheric Cafe de Tacuba is inside a 17th-century mansion dates from 1912 and is one of the city's most famous restaurants. Guests can sit in either of two long dining rooms decorated with lovely tiles and vintage paintings. The menu offers traditional Mexican dishes, including tamales, enchiladas, chiles rellenos, mole, and pozole. The tortilla soup is particularly delicious. Waitresses wear lovely uniforms and have big bows in their hair.



image c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

May 10, 2012

Mexico City, Mexico: Museo del Templo Mayor; things to do

Museo del Templo Mayor  

Seminario 8/Justo Sierra St., adjacent to the cathedral, just off the Zocalo, (55) 4040 56 00.

Museo del Templo Mayor in Mexico City
Museo del Templo Mayor in Mexico City


Opened in 1987 when the Aztec ruins were discovered here, this UNESCO World Heritage Site--the Museo del Templo Mayor--is home to the Aztecs' major temple and the spot where sacrifices were done. Construction of the first temple began sometime after 1325. It was rebuilt six more times, with each new ruler building a fresh layer on top. The Spanish destroyed it in 1521. Lost for centuries, it was accidentally discovered by utility workers in 1978 and is still being excavated (so far, 13 buildings have been torn down). If you’re short on time, just walk around the perimeter of the site without entering and you’ll see a lot.

May 7, 2012

Mexico City, Mexico: Mercado Artesanal de la Ciudadela; Mexico City, Mexico


Mexico City, Mercado Artesanal de la Ciudadela/Ciudadela handicrafts market/Balderas handicrafts market
painted tin heart
Mercado Artesanal de la Ciudadela/Ciudadela handicrafts market/Balderas handicrafts market

Balderas/Emilio Donde/Plaza de la Ciudadela, 10-15 min. walk from Zocolo.  Daily 10-5.  

The Mercado Artesanal de la Ciudadela handicrafts market has been here for a long time and is the best for arts and crafts.  Prices are good, but you can still haggle.  You’ll find everything from tiny chicken bobble heads to painted tin hearts (I bought the one in the photo and it is a treasured souvenir) to solid pewter frames.  

More ideas for travel adventures in California and the U.S. and around the world.

image c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

May 4, 2012

Tel Aviv, Israel: The Gutman Museum of Art; things to do

The Gutman Museum of Art 

 (21 Shimon Rokah St., (972) 3 5161970) is located on a 130-year-old street . Situated inside The Writer’s House, this museum displays the works of early-20th-century post-impressionist artist Nahum Gutman.

The first area to be settled outside of Jaffa, the Neve Tzedek neighborhood is now quite desirable. It is filled with 19th-century homes, many of which are recently renovated, plus fashionable bars, cafes, and unique boutiques. Winding streets and picturesque structures make it the perfect spot for wandering, and the The Gutman Museum of Art is located here.

interior of The Gutman Museum of Art in Tel Aviv, Israel
interior of The Gutman Museum of Art in Tel Aviv, Israel


May 2, 2012

Tel Aviv, Israel: Independence Hall; things to do

Independence Hall 

On Rothschild Blvd. Here, on May 14, 1948, the Declaration of Independence was signed and the State of Israel was born. Civil war erupted in Israel within 24 hours of the U.N. decision making it a Jewish state. During the attack by five armies, this building became a bunker with barred windows. The upper floors now house a Bible Museum.

interior of Independence Hall in Tel Aviv, Israel
interior of Independence Hall in Tel Aviv, Israel



More things to do in Tel Aviv.

More ideas for exploring the Middle East.


image c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

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