"The Trendsetting Place" a Tel Aviv-Yafo Travel Page by RhineRoll

As will be the case for many people, I was introduced to Israel by being introduced to Tel Aviv straight after arriving at Ben Gurion airport. It could not have been a better introduction. Proper Tel Aviv is significantly smaller than Jerusalem (although it forms a big conurbation zone with large suburb cities such as Ramat Gan), but it makes up in liveliness and style what it might lack in size. Due to my arrival in cool and windy February I couldn't fully confirm TA's reputation as one of the World's best party spots, but even then I couldn't fail to notice a pretty unique mixture of busy energy and laid back Mediterranean atmosphere. Tel Aviv blends in and stirs round a whole lot of different influences -- it would probably take ages to really explore all the different aspects. You can feel yourself in New York on one corner -- and in the deepest Middle of the Middle East around the next one.

Tel Aviv is famous for its abundance of bauhaus architecture. This style which originated in Europe -- especially Weimar and Dessau in Germany -- in the 1920ies, came to Tel Aviv mainly through gifted, cutting-edge architects immigrating into Israel from crisis-ridden Europe. There have been local adaptions and variations of course. Some places are quite derelict or their facades destroyed by ugly pipes and wires. More and more houses are being renovated and restored to present the main architectural characteristics which combine simplicity and clear geometric lines with elegant curves. Tel Aviv's unique collection of bauhaus architecture has been put on UNESCOs world heritage list.

Some parts of Tel Aviv also look interestingly decayful -- as this corner on Allenby Street near the Hacarmel Market... not at all far away from the Miami-Style highrise skyscrapers!!!