The Beach

Tel Aviv's long, vibrant and pretty shoreline is one the city's main attractions - just ask our kids!  By day, it's packed with families; tourists from all over the globe; locals who come to swim, play and work out (just like muscle beach in Venice in LA!); and even movers and shakers making deals on their cell phones.  By night, it doesn't seem to get any less crowded, with large groups of people barbecuing, smoking the nargileh (middle eastern water pipe), singing and dancing, and (you guessed it) drinking and reveling.  The beach is also a very short walk to scores of restaurants (ranging from windows selling felafel to sophisticated culinary hot spots), hip bars and coffee shops, and trendy shops of all shapes and sizes - many open deep into the wee hours.

If this sounds exciting to you and you're thinking of renting or buying an apartment . . . not so fast.  Apparently, Tel Aviv has become one of the most expensive cities in the world for real estate, due in large part to the recent influx of part-time residents from abroad buying up properties for holiday homes.

According to one of our local contacts, many of her neighbors are Jews from France who are increasingly spending time in Israel due to the rise of antisemitism in France.   We certainly heard a surprising amount of French on the sands and streets near her apartment.  We spoke with a man who lived in Paris, who said that he was coming to Israel more and more because he was feeling less and less comfortable as a Jew at home.

Whatever the reason for coming, the beaches of Tel Aviv are a great place to frolic, shop, eat, drink, and relax.  We'll certainly return often.  It's an easy (and air-conditioned!) bus ride, and we're quickly becoming well-versed in Tel Aviv's extensive (and air-conditioned!) bus system.

From our kids' perspective, the only downside to the beach was that they didn't like the french fries.  Apparently, they're too "potato-ey."  Alas, they prefer McDonald's...