ISRAEL TEL AVIV & JERUSALEM DESTINATIONS
orders Holy
Twin Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for a city break with a difference, writes Katie McGonagle
@katie_mcgonagle T
he afternoon sun was high in the sky, reflecting off
the honey-coloured sandstone buildings of Jerusalem’s old city, as we paused for a moment in the shade of the church on Mount Zion where Jesus is said to have shared the last supper with his apostles. As our guide gave us a whistle-
stop introduction to the history of this ancient land, a church group of middle-aged women, dressed in calf-length skirts and flowery headscarves, trooped past, climbing the stairs to the most sacred part of the church to pay their respects at this holy site. For us – or for me, at least – it was a fascinating part of Jerusalem’s
history and a key stop on any sightseeing tour. But for them, it was clearly an altogether more spiritual experience, offering far greater meaning than any simple tourist site ever could. That’s Israel all over – part ancient holy land, part fun- loving, youth culture-driven destination, with cities such as Tel Aviv that are better known for their nightlife than their biblical history. “We go to Jerusalem to pray,
then we go to Tel Aviv to play,” said our driver – and with a twin- centre city break pairing the buzz of Tel Aviv with the biblical sites of Jerusalem, you really can have the best of both worlds.
w TEL AVIV: NON-STOP CITY The contrasts are evident even in Tel Aviv, a beachfront city that combines the ancient port of Jaffa with ultra-modern architecture and vibrant nightlife. Start off in southernmost district Jaffa, the oldest part of the city, with a history that stretches back to biblical times. Its strategic seafront location made it a hub for everyone from the ancient Egyptians up to the Ottomans and, more recently, the British, giving rise to a jumble of architectural styles. It’s a pleasant walk from the
breezy waterfront restaurants of the port (just prepare clients for prices to match the views), to the Ottoman-era alleyways that
8 November 2018
travelweekly.co.uk 61
FAST FACT A 28-minute train from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is under construction. Until then, trains go via the airport
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