Tel Aviv is Israel's bustling Metropolitan City and a great place to buy last minute souvenirs. Jews founded the city in 1909 from the densely populated and predominantly Arab City of Jaffa, one of the oldest cities in the world. Tel Aviv later merged with Jaffa in 1950.

The name Tel Aviv literally means "Hill of Spring," but the city is quite flat and great for birthright students who love to walk. You will be able to discover Israel's hub of Israeli finance, commerce, and industry, as well as the nation's only stock!

Tel Aviv is also Israel's cultural center with theater, opera, dance troops and museums. It is no wonder that Tel Aviv is fondly called by Israelis "the city that never stops."

Many say that Tel Aviv's beaches are the most beautiful beaches in Israel. Well they certainly are the busiest! All year round you will see the beaches brimming at the rim with Israelis and tourists enjoying the year-round weather and cosmopolitan nightlife.

Until 1909 the entire area known today as Tel Aviv was a long stretch of sand dunes. Only two districts outside Jaffa - Neve Shalom and Neve Tzedek - housed a small Jewish population that were employed within the city walls. But in 1906, a number of families joined up and with the help of JNF funds purchased in 1909 a piece of land further north in order to establish a modern suburban community, less crowded and dirty. The group called themselves "Achuzat Bait" (House Estate), and names the new quarter "Tel Aviv", after the Hebrew name given to Herzl's book "alteneuland" (Old - New Country).

The first street in this area was appropriately named "Herzl". Soon Tel Aviv became a fast expanding cultural center for Jaffa Jews. Development was rapid. More houses were built as well as public institutions and recreation areas. Small factories were established as well as large offices and residential buildings. The dominant figure in those days was Meir Dizengoff, who late on became the first mayor of the established city.


If you have time visit both Shenkin and Nachalat Binyamin Street. Both these mark the borders of neighborhoods established by craftsmen and their families

Today, the pedestrianized Nachalat Binyamin has turned into the cool place in Tel Aviv with restaurants and specialty shops, whilst Shenkin Stret has become synonymous with Tel Aviv's alternative culture. If you have a free night in Tel Aviv these areas are a must!!

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