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Or Torah Synagogue

The Or Torah or Djerba Synagogue is a beautiful, truly one of a kind Tunisian synagogue in Acre, Israel, built after the El Ghriba synagogue on Djerba. The building was erected in 1955 and is covered with millions of mosaics manufactured by Kibbutz Eilon – the outcome of 54 years of work. The synagogue boasts 7 Torah arks and houses hundres of millions of natural stones from all over Israel. In addition, it has 140 stained glass windows, as well as a large dome.

Image Attribution:
israeltourism from Israel, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons;
Geagea, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons;
FLLL, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Templars Tunnels

The Templars were a military-monastic order who – in the name of the pope – aided pilgrims coming from Europe to visit the holy sites of the Land of Israel.

They first settled in Jerusalem, on the Temple Mount, hence their name, “the Templars”, the guardians of the Temple. Following the conquest of Jerusalem by Salah Al-Din in 1187, the Templars made their home in Akko and began to build their quarter in the City’s southwest section.

Here, at the western edge of the tunnel is where the main fortress of the Templar order was built. “The Templar Fortress was the strongest one in the city and, for the most part, it abutted the sea line. As a strong fortress, its entrance was protected by two powerful towers with 28-foot thick walls. Two smaller towers were built on either side of the towers and each tower was topped by a gilded lion” (as described by a Templar who lived in Akko during the siege of 1291).

The tunnel is 150 meters long and it extends from the Templars fortress in the west to the city’s port in the east. It crosses the Pisan quarter and, in the past, served as a strategic underground passageway that connected the palace to the port. The lower part of the tunnel is carved in the natural stone and its upper part is made of hewn stones covered with a semi-barreled dome. The tunnel was discovered in 1994. The Akko Development Company, in collaboration with the Antiquities Authority, cleared away the dirt and made the tunnel available to visitors. The tunnel’s western section was opened to the public at large in August 1999. From 1999 to 2007, the Akko Development Company continued to expose and rehabilitate the eastern section of the tunnel and in 2007, the entire length of the tunnel was made available to the public (the site is accessible).

Photo attribution:
Ricardo Tulio Gandelman from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Gabo the Guide

Gabriel Najenson was born in Buenos Aires and raised in Jerusalem. He is a world traveler, tour leader and spiritual guide that goes by the name of Gabo the Guide.

After his 3-year military service, Gabriel left Israel to travel throughout Latin America where he discovered his passion for travel. After 14 months on the road as a ”Mochilero”, he arrived in the Yucatan Peninsula, where he settled on the Caribbean coast and lived there for 2 years until he decided to make a change and to live on an Island and explored his love for diving. After 4 years abroad, Gabo returned to Israel where he started his career as a tour guide. During that time, he was recruited to direct a Cyber-Intelligence start-up.

After getting a taste of the business world, Gabriel transformed his life again and started leading and guiding private groups in Israel and South America. Since then, he developed himself as an entrepreneur in the tourism field, where he finds his purpose till this day.

Ishai

Ishai has over six years of experience leading tours for travelers of all ages and physical ability levels. Ishai received his university degree in history and is a government certified tour guide. Ishai is also an avid explorer and outdoorsman, having completed the Israel National Trail, a hike that spans the entire country of Israel and the Pacific Crest Trail, which spans the length of the United States from Mexico to Canada.

Experience the magic of the ancient port town of Jaffa (Yafo) with a local on Ishai’s day tour. Ishai, a Jaffa resident who speaks both Hebrew and Arabic, weaves a rich tapestry of the past and present. Ishai uses the power of story-telling and his expertise in ancient and biblical history to take travelers back in time, as well as his extensive knowledge and local connections to show them the vibrant multicultural energy of today that makes Jaffa a city unlike any other in Israel.

Jaffa, which dates back to roughly 7500 BCE, is the oldest part of Tel Aviv and is famous for its many references in the Bible and Greek mythology. This tour walks through Jaffa’s history, from Clocktower Square, to Jaffa’s Port, through its ancient sandstone alleys, stopping for hummus and other local treats. This tour not only tells the story of Jaffa, but of Israel as a whole.

Slava Bazarsky

My name is Slava, I’m a Private Tour Guide in Israel.I was born in Ukraine and moved to Israel with my family on the 1988 “Aliya.” We were on our way to the United States, but God had other plans for us, so we ended up in Israel. I served in the Israeli military in one of the top intelligence units, which was unquestionably one of the best experiences of my life in terms of maturing and acquiring various “tools” for the future.

I’m married with two beautiful daughters. I graduated from the University of Tel Aviv with a BA in International Relations, and my next step was the Israel Ministry of Tourism academy, where I gained 2.5 years of valuable experience and a depth of knowledge about my beloved home, Israel. I adore my incredible country, and after completing my military service, I work as a licensed private tour guide in Israel, specializing in cultures, religions, gastronomy, architecture, and archeology. I crossed Israel back and forth and flipped every stone to tell you everything there is to know about my country.

I have been working as a private tour guide in Israel since 2006, and I am currently ranked in the top 10 best Israeli tour companies and among the best Israeli tour guides. I was also nominated by TripAdvisor as one of the best private tour guides in Israel in 2019 and won second place! I am fluent in five languages (English, Russian, Hebrew, Arabic, and Ukrainian), and my services have been used by some of the world’s largest corporations and their guests.

Traveling is my passion, and meeting new people is the best part of my job; I can honestly say that I have never worked a day in my life because I enjoy meeting different people from various countries and opening up a new dimension for them; I have many interests, and I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience with others; “working” as a private Israeli tour guide Is the best thing that ever happened to me because it appears to be a very complicated job for many people, but for me, it is the easiest and most enjoyable job in the world.

The Jaffa, a Luxury Collection Hotel

The Jaffa, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Tel Aviv is a 5-star property set within a restored 19th century complex that once housed Jaffa’s French Hospital. Centrally located near the Mediterranean Sea and the historic port of Jaffa, attractions like Shuk Hapishpeshim flea market, Museum of Antiquities and local boutiques are always a short walk away. Explore the ancient port city and discover the local culture, enjoy the epicurean delights crafted by our chefs at Golda’s and experience the serenity of L.RAPHAEL Spa and the personalized luxury of our 120 exquisite rooms and suites appointed by designer John Pawson. Allow our concierge team to personally choreograph every detail of your stay, replenish your spirit and spark your imagination.

The hotel’s history was discovered by chance during the its 11-year-long construction and renovation. British architect John Pawson, who designed the hotel, in collaboration with local architect Ramy Gill, said that the team always believed the excavations would unearth something of historical value. That was indeed the case and both an ancient 13th century wall, as well as an ancient courtyard was discovered. The courtyard now hosts the hotel’s central courtyard and pool.

Numa Hotel

We are all about relaxing and enjoying the enigmatic city of Jaffa. Jaffa is the historic and vibrant part of Tel Aviv. The hotel is carefully designed to provide a local atmosphere with the best amenities and hospitality features so you could relax, recharge and explore the city’s magic. From ethnic flavors, local markets and a short walk to the Mediterranean sea we urge you – go, explore and most important – enjoy!

The Setai

Situated along the Mediterranean Sea, Tel Aviv coastline and Jaffa Port, The Setai Tel Aviv is offering sophistication and tranquility at the crossroads of modern and ancient Tel Aviv-Jaffa. Housed within a historic Ottoman building, once used as a jailhouse, The Setai Tel Aviv offers an enviable entryway to the wonders of the Jaffa Port, Tel Aviv’s full beach coastline and steps away from the city’s bustling boulevards and urban hub.

The 120-room luxury property comprises five buildings of the former and historical Ottoman prison and police station, imaginatively transformed with contemporary touches and classic refurbishments. The Setai Tel Aviv’s marble and stone corridors connect the buildings and converge within a central courtyard. Original design details and stonework harmoniously compliment modern accents, converging with the restored Turkish Hamam Spa and infinity rooftop pool overlooking the entire Tel Aviv skyline – for breathtaking views from sunrise to sunset.

Located in the heart of the ancient port city of Jaffa, The Setai Tel Aviv beach hotel is as historic as the neighbourhood that surrounds it. Authentic, sophisticated, and welcoming, The Setai Tel Aviv merges the history and heritage of Jaffa with the lavish trappings of a modern-day metropolis.

Elmina

Approaching the archways of Hotel Elmina is like passing through a portal into a bygone era. Located in the swirl of Jaffa’s ancient alleyways, hotel guests are transported back to British Mandate Yafo, when the port city was blanketed in orange groves and served as Israel’s epicenter of culture and industry. Today, Hotel Elmina has been reimagined by world renowned architects Michael Azoulay and Ron Arad in meticulous Art Deco style, ensuring that it remains a gem of Jaffa.

The building, made entirely from Ottoman Era stone, was erected a century ago as a private residence for the wealthy nobility. To bring it into the modern day, visionary architect & designer Michael Azoulay built on the property’s classic bones with playful contemporary accents. Original hardwood floors are draped with colorful African rugs & textiles. Bold, contemporary artworks and decorative woven baskets play against the traditional window treatments. Modern furniture choices and pops of “happy” hues like burnt yellows and crimson reds breathe luxurious life into a centuries-old space. These choice accents help connect the rooms with the hotel’s crown jewel, its stunning rooftop.

Samarkand

Samarkand is the first restaurant in the country to present Bukharian hospitality to the Israeli public. The restaurant was founded in 1995 by the father of the family, Eliyahu Pozilev. Abroad, Elijah worked as a chef at an upscale restaurant in Samarkand, Uzbekistan where he specialized in traditional Uzbek cuisine. When he immigrated to Israel, the desire to open a restaurant remained, and due to difficulties adaptating to the language, he decided to involve his sons and eventually his grandchildren to the business.

In a country where in the 1990s, the Chinese egg roll was perceived as a unique dish, few people were privileged to taste Bukharian food. Reputable chefs and curious reporters began to arrive and try juicy dishes, and little by little the names of foods and recipes began to appear in the various magazines. The secrets of Uzbek cuisine have passed from father to son and grandson, and to this day are cooked in Samarkand using the traditional methods and preserve wonderful ethnic flavors.

From the moment you enter the restaurant you will encounter a pleasant, family and enveloping staff. You will get an explanation of the various meats, dumplings, soups or pastries that are on the rich menu. You will receive a variety of tastings, until the desired dish is generously served to your table.

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