Road Trip Through Israel, Part One: Tel Aviv, Jaffa and Haifa
by Teri E. Popp, Tastemaker in Residence
“This article was written before the current status of our nation’s ability to travel. This article serves as a guide for ideas for after the Covid 19 pandemic is eradicated. Stay well and safe.”
Our trip included a trip to Tel Aviv, Jaffa, and Haifa. We self toured many of the more important sites and stayed in small, interesting boutique hotels along the way. When it’s safe again, give it a try.
We started our trip by staying in a little hotel just off the major beaches of Tel Aviv. A short walk brought us face to face with the lovely rainbow vistas that an early morning offered the jet-lagged traveler! Since our body clocks took a while to adjust and we were up very early, we were able to walk along quiet beaches with only the occasional jogger or seabird in sight.
We enjoyed a scrumptious Mediterranean meal at “Jessica” with an assortment of some of the best desserts I’ve ever eaten, topped off by Arak, a potent Middle Eastern drink worth sampling, available at most of Israel’s bars!
The next day, we loaded up the car and headed over to Jaffa. This ancient port city, also known as Yafo, is the genesis of the modern city of Tel Aviv. Jaffa mixes old with trendy in its bustling flea market and shopping areas. From kitschy restaurants to antique stores to street art, this neighborhood offers a little bit of everything for travelers and locals alike.
We headed north to Haifa along the Mediterranean Sea. A major metropolitan city, Haifa features the Baháʼí World Centre, home of the Baháʼí faith, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. This location offers beautiful gardens and views of the Shrine of the Báb, a mausoleum built to house the remains of the founder of the Baháʼí church, Baháʼu'lláh. His son, Abdu'l-Bahá’s, remains are also buried at this location.
We then forged on in our trusty rental car to our next stop along our road trip through Israel. Look for my next article on the ancient city of Jerusalem!
