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The global fashion magazine September 15, 2011

feature

Tel Aviv The beachin Israel’s mostfashionable city.

Back to Israel-ityBetween its timeless history and innovative food, fashion and technology, what makes a trip to

Israel epic goes beyond traditional expectations

by Elyse GlickmanPHOTOGRAPHED BY THE AUTHOR

THOUGH SOME PEOPLE TRAVEL to Israel todiscover their religious and familial roots, savvy 21sttravellers looking for the “trip of a lifetime” spiritualexperience blending innovative luxury, eco-tourism,food and shopping offerings will discover whatIsraelis and long-time expats have known for years:everything that’s old is not only new again, but theuniquely Israeli lifestyle is constantly being rethoughtby and for future generations.

Though one cannot ignore the gloriously displayedreminders of civilization-defining moments from theancient world, many Israelis under 50 cheerfullyexpound on how the food, fashion, spa and beautyfindings makes Israel one of the most modern andprogressive travel experiences anywhere.

While Israel’s world history paradox is striking (asenduring as human recorded history yet just over sixdecades old), its state of being in world affairs is justas complex. While Israel’s daily soap opera of politicalturmoil plays out on a global, melodramatic scale ininternational newsmedia, the close-up picture tells adifferent story. Small-town and rural Israel is warmlyidyllic. Neighbourhoods in both Jerusalem and TelAviv display the colour and joie de vivre associated with

Mitzpe Hayonym view

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sexy, sophisticated destinations like Rio de Janeiro,Barcelona, Miami and Sydney rather than a policestate often depicted in news footage. The golden Golan and glittering GalileeNorthern Israel presents itself as a Garden of Eden,albeit with everyday sociopolitical realities thatprevent it from turning into Disneyland. The Galileeis recognized as religious tourism-and-pilgrimage hub,with attractions that include Tiberius, Capernaum andthe Mount of Beatitudes. The Golan Heights carries alittle bit of baggage of political turmoil and borderskirmishes. However, get past that and you willdiscover Israel’s north is a region with much to offerfoodies, as well as wine drinkers, art and architecturebuffs, outdoors-y types and even shoppers.

Though Pausa recently counted National PublicRadio and top international news services as guestsduring the most recent Golan Heights conflict fiveyears ago (with one reporter deftly commenting thatit was the best place to stay in wartime), it is bestknown locally as a bastion of sanity, creativity andintellectual conversation that starts at owners Avigdorand Einat Rothem’s dinner table. To give the guestsan idea of the home-grown pleasures that await them,the Rotherms present them on arrival with a glass oftheir very own lemoncello made from lemons grownon their property. Breakfasts are flawless andabundant, and are often followed by a walk throughAvigdor’s gardens, where he will point out whatplants and fruits made it into the previous night’sdinner.

Just like a visit to the Rotherm house, when youvisit Roberg restaurant in the village of Livnim, youare-literally-part of Ilan Roburg’s family. Besides thefact that this restaurant will have you talking aboutRoberg’s artsy-but-approachable approach to kosherfood months after the meal, they will send you homeable to recreate those memories in your own kitchen.Although there are glorious views of the Sea ofGalilee and nearby mountain ranges, you will be justas impressed with the ongoing footage on several flatscreen TVs that show the different courses of yourmeal coming together in a way that picks up wherethe Food Network leads off.

Mitzpe Hayonym, founded in 1923, is aforerunner to the modern spa resort experience. TheRosh Pina resort today balances the timeless (1,000 mof organic hotel garden and fields with livestock, andviews of Mt Hermon and Galilee) with the new (age)via art gallery shops, classes, soap making, bakery, spaand wine- driven Muscat restaurant. Guests will alsobe enchanted by personalities like resident artist SaraShoval, a 65-year-old former dancer who lives herpassion through the artwork, art class instruction,garden walks and body work (spa) services sheprovides for hotel guests.

‘With every guest, I try to pass on a bit of wisdommy original dance teachers taught me years ago,’explains Shoval about the multi-faceted career andlifestyle she built for herself at the resort. ‘If you candance, you can sculpt. If you can sculpt, you candraw. If you can draw, you can write and move on tonew things throughout your life.’

Ambitious travellers will discover not all treasuresand great discoveries are buried within, and theancient city of Safed (Tzefat), the highest communityin Israel, reflects this. The compact founding city ofKabbalah is packed with charming narrow streets,landmarks, synagogues, jewellery salons and artgalleries, such as the Gallery of Mystical Art andSafed Candles. The 360-degree views from the nearby

Neve Tzedek

Roburg food

Villa Galilee

Tel Aviv skyline

more lucire volante headlinesA romantic break insnow-capped Hanmer Springs:just magic11.09.01Courtesy Vanessa Nelmes/Hurunui Tourism Shutyour eyes. Imagine lazing in a steamy hot tub withsomeone special. The sun is setting over thepicture-postcard snow-capped mountains. Not asound can be heard save the occasional bellbirdcall...

Auckland Home Show servesup everything from cooking tosustainability11.08.31The Auckland Home Show, which began August 31and runs to September 4 at the ASB Showgroundsin Auckland, comprises over 500 exhibitorsfeaturing renovation ideas and solutions, homedecoration and design, green urban living andsustainabil..

Unscripted shows creativeminds behind Wellington's filmindustry11.08.28Top Locket by Sophie Lewis-Smith. AboveJewellery by Steph Lusted. Below left Textiledesigns at Unscripted. Bottom Locket by SophieLewis-Smith. Starting on Saturday, September 3and running until the following Friday, theUnscripted exhib..

Brit Mary Wing To takes homeWorld of Wearable ArtSupreme Award—our fullreport11.08.26Top Hylonome by Mary Wing To (United Kingdom),the Supreme Winner at the Brancott Estate World ofWearable Art 2011 show. Above Runner-up, Hide inMy Bone Shadow, by Marjolein van der Wal(Netherlands). Walking into the TSB Arena inWelling..

Yohji Yamamoto amongdesigners in this year'sWestfield Style Pasifika11.08.18The International Designer Collection at this year’sWestfield Style Pasifika: Best of Pasifika will includeone-off garments from top international fashiondesigners such as Yohji Yamamoto from Japan andJohn Rocha from I..

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Villa Galilee Boutique Hotel are epic. However, pairthem with Victorian manor house appointments, anexpansive gourmet breakfast spread, vibrant florallandscaping and a nicely situated pool. What you endup with is a literal piece of heaven. Hail Cæsarea!It is hard to imagine that just a few decades back,Cæsarea (midway between Tel Aviv and Haifa) wasbest known as a beach with a few interestingscattered ruins. In its new incarnation—UNESCO

World Heritage site—visitors can appreciate Biblical,Roman and mediæval antiquities alongside a frozenmint-lemonade or cappuccino at one of the relativelynew cafes and via the high-tech Time Tower thatbrings history alive, and in 3D. The Roman Theatrestill operates as a performance venue for internationaland Israeli pop and rock acts. Diving enthusiasts canenjoy viewing the underwater ruins in thearchæological park beside the port.

The Art Nova Gallery, just outside the TimeTower, showcases statement-making art canvasesmade from felt-like synthetic fibres that do notcollect dust. Top Israeli jewellery and homeaccessories designer Ester Shahaf has her flagshipstore on site as well. The modern side of Cæsareaoffers a host of activities venues, from golf courses today spas, boutique hotels, the respected Ralli ArtMuseum and a historic site that houses the remainsof a magnificent palace with a mosaic floor ofamazing birds and a rare and unique table top inlaidwith glass and gold. Jerusalem and Tel Aviv: the global villagesThough “eternal city” Jerusalem and youth-driven TelAviv couldn’t be more different, both offerexceptional shopping, cultural and diningopportunities. While Tel Aviv is undisputedly Israel’sfashion centre, Jerusalem is no slouch when it comesto travelling in style.

The business-chic David Citadel Hotel and edgyMamilla Hotel have location in their favour, withproximity to each other, trendy modernneighbourhoods and Old Jerusalem. They also havethe advantage of sprawling terraces that make youfeel as if you could touch the peaks, and spires ofhistory. In addition to chic Israeli labels (DaniellaLehavi, Cassidi and Michal Negrin on the high end;Fox and Castro representing his-and-hers street wear)and international names (H. Stern, Mango, Topshop),Mamilla Mall’s narrow corridor is also a thought-provoking outdoor art gallery as well as a literalbridge between the modern and the ancient.New York-based Simon Hatcher, who co-owns theeco-friendly Israeli-American line Mango Tree FittedBangles refers me to his Israel-based partners DavidAviv and wife Helen Dukat, who aren’t afraid to findand recommend mind-blowing food and fashionoutside obviously trendy areas.

Though Jerusalem has more than its abundance ofmuseums, the couple points out that city parks,underrepresented in tour guides (perhaps for thebetter) are as alive with culture as they are with floraand fauna. ‘Sacher Park is our version of CentralPark—a large, meandering green park in the city,’Dukat says. ‘Monster Park is cool because of theNikki de Saint Phalle sculptures that dominate theplayground. Further afield, Park Denya is a nice quietplace to take kids, while teens will like Park Gilo withits skateboarding–scooter ramp and proximity toBethlehem and a view of the notorious security fence,if you’re so inclined.’

Jerusalem skyline

Safed

Beach sunset

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Given the couple’s connection to fashion, adiscussion about shops is inevitable. ‘I always tellpeople to stop by a shop called Ethnics, at 34 JaffaRoad. ‘It’s a cooperative of several well-known Israeliartists (Ayala Bar, Lali, Talma, Yoram Aviram) startedby my friend David Yom Tov, who now lives in NewYork,’ says Aviv. ‘For the best prices on traditionalJudaica, however, I recommend Meah Shearim andGeula. These are Orthodox Jewish neighbourhoods,however, so be sure to dress appropriately.’

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David Citade Hotel

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Lucire Volante: Back to Israel-ity (1) – The global fashion magazine http://lucire.com/2011/0629vo0.shtml

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