I have visited Tel-Aviv on business on a number of occasions. Often I spend time at the Sheraton Moriah hotel due to preferential rates our company gets through the Israeli Export institute. I advise if you are travelling to Tel-Aviv on business that you make enquiries.
The currency in Israel is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS). The exchange rate at the time of writing this review is 8.2 NIS to £1. Take time to check the online currency exchange page www.xe.com for up to date rates.
The city of Tel-Aviv is located on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean. The city has a great beach which is easily accessible and has a number of bars both on the beach and also set back. I advise that if you visit the city take time to watch the sun set over the Mediterranean in one of the many bars that fringe the sea front.
Many people in the city speak English and I do not find any major problems in being understood. Non-the less I have began to take lessons in Hebrew which greatly helps you understanding of the culture.
I have been to Israel 4 times now, and spent approximately 3 months there. I love the city and find it friendly and ironically safe.
I say ironically as I have had two close brushes with suicide bombers. The first was in Mike's place in 2003. I had spent a night in the bar located on the sea front and next to the US embassy. I had imbibed far too much alcohol and I had neglected to pay for my last drink. This had played on my mind the next day and I decided to return the next night to settle my tab. For some reason I had a double take when I got to the door and something told me not to go in. As I walked round the corner and entered a neighbouring bar a heard a huge explosion, which I was later to find out was a British born suicide bomber killing a handful of people. This was a terrible experience and my sympathy goes out to the relatives of those who died.
I was also in Tel Aviv in 2005 and was close to the bomb at the Stage Nightclub. Strangely I was stood in exactly the same place where I was with my previous experience two years previously.
I advise caution when you visit Israel. I advise avoiding crowded places, and areas that are clearly targets for terrorists.
Mike's Place
Mike's Place is an excellent bar with friendly staff that help you feel welcome when you are far from home. Even after my experiences I know a number of people at Mike's Place and have returned many times since, considering myself a regular when I am in Tel-Aviv. The live blues nights are superb and the food selection is good with hefty portions. This is one of the few places you can find bacon in Tel-Aviv!
Eating Out
Eating out in Israel is a great experience. Due to the influx of immigrants from across the world the selection of food in Israel is astonishing. The quality of food is also superb and there is something for everyone. Standard fast food in Israel is falafel (a ball of fried chick peas) which is served in a small, hot pita bread with a selection of salads. Also on the menu is schwarma, a kebab that is a mixture of meat and fat served in a similar way to falafel. Personally I am not fond of schwarma.
Summary
I find Tel-Aviv a very pleasant city to work in. The Mediterranean climate and the sea is complimented by a vibrant friendly city life. Tel-Aviv can be a base for tourists to travel to the rest of the country, however I also recommend a few nights in the city itself.
Caution is advised in public places as the security situation is still unfortunately not ideal.
I am looking forward to my next visit to Tel Aviv in March 2006.
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