Just like Paris, Berlin, Shanghai and London, Tel Aviv has its own landmark river, the Yarkon. Besides the benefits of having a green lung within an urban sprawl, waterways naturally turn the area alongside into a vast playground with leisure options that go way beyond the usual jog, dog walk, picnic or fishing spot.  A typical scene in Yarkon Park, Tel Aviv. Photo by ColorMaker via Shutterstock.com A look at what is on offer in the 3,800-acre Yarkon Park, which runs along both sides of the river, reveals a wide range of options for all age groups and interests.  Note: Easy-Cycles hi ..read more

“I found myself spending the whole summer waiting to see a hyena use a crosswalk in the middle of the night.” That’s just another day (or in this case, night)  in the life of Yuval Dax, a veteran nature photographer for the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI). A hyena walks by a bird in the Israeli wilds. Photo by Yuval Dax Over the course of his 22 years as a wildlife and conservation filmmaker, the 50-year-old Israeli has captured stills and videos of countless species, and has had his work featured by renowned publications. His works are exhibited in the Eretz Is ..read more

The Covid pandemic has had a significant impact on world travel practices, including the travel insurance industry. In the United States, where travel insurance was never a priority because most trips are domestic, “Americans really came to understand just how important travel insurance is during the pandemic,” Daniel Green, cofounder and CTO of Faye Whole-Trip Travel Insurance, tells ISRAEL21c. The once-in-a-lifetime worldwide health crisis highlighted the need to make it a priority going forward. “The travel insurance industry in the US is 20 years behind a lot of countries in the world,”&nb ..read more

Timna Park in the very south of Israel is perhaps one of the country’s most incredible sites, combining desert views, geological wonders and ancient history with great hikes, cycling routes and even flamingo-shaped pedal boats. Timna Valley, where the park is situated, is rich in copper ore, and as such has been a hub of human activity and particularly mining since the fifth millennium BCE.  It has been connected to ancient Egypt, the biblical kingdoms of Solomon and David and the Roman and Muslim Empires, and has attracted people of different cultures and backgrounds who left their mark ..read more

It was after a visit to the recently opened Tel Aviv gelato bar of Michelin-starred chef Eyal Shani that I realized why a “must-taste” tip to a hyped gelato spot in Florence (which entailed a half-hour wait in line) proved so underwhelming.  For years, Israeli ice-cream chains such as Golda have been raising the bar with their wide range of smooth textures and imaginative flavors. But what has really elevated our taste buds is the artisanal gelato now popping up across Tel Aviv.  This is where you get to experience inventive flavors — burnt marshmallow and caramelized roses are just ..read more

Until a few years ago, Haifa was perhaps Israel’s most underrated city. Written off as a sleepy, elderly place that’s not as cool as Tel Aviv or as special as Jerusalem, it passed under the radar. What a mistake. Earlier this year, the Seatrade Cruise Awards competition nominated Haifa as one of the three outstanding cruise destinations worldwide for 2023. Some 250,000 tourists are expected to arrive through the port this year alone – in contrast to 2018 when just 28,000 tourists arrived there by ship. Haifa has loads going for it: it is the center of real, everyday coexistence in Israel, it h ..read more

Travelier, an Israeli travel-tech company digitizing land and sea transportation, has fully acquired Brazilian online bus ticket platform DeÔnibus. The bus travel market in Brazil is one of the largest in the world, generating more than $2 billion in annual revenue. Yet only 30 percent of bus tickets in Brazil are purchased through online channels. This untapped potential fuels Travelier’s vision to capture a dominant market share in Latin America. The Ramat Gan-based company’s network of digital platforms allows customers to buy intercity tickets to ferries, buses and trains in local markets ..read more

Israel’s ‘Ubeidiya National Park, a globally recognized archeological site nestled in the Jordan Valley dating back a staggering 1.6 million years, was unveiled to the public this month, offering a glimpse of the world as it was when humankind took its earliest footsteps outside of Africa. “This is a red-letter day for prehistory,” explained Israel Antiquities Authority Director Eli Escusido. “Every year, the Israel Antiquities Authority develops tens of archeological sites, making them accessible to the public. But ‘Ubeidiya is unique: This is a prehistoric site of inestimable scientific impo ..read more

Nahal HaShofet (“Judge’s Stream”), tucked away within Ramat Menashe Park in northwest Israel, has recently reopened its gates to visitors following extensive reconstruction.  This scenic natural spring — known for its human-planted forests, oak groves and tranquil streams — suffered damage to infrastructure and amenities in 2020 due to flooding. A glimpse of the flooding that overtook Nahal HaShofet in 2020. Photo by KKL-JNF Taking advantage of this unfortunate situation, the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael – Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) launched a series of comprehensive revitalization efforts ..read more

Nestled in the heart of Jerusalem, the Israel Museum stands as a beacon of cultural heritage, housing some of the most significant ancient treasures that shed light on millennia of human history.  Among its vast collection are artifacts that stand out for their historical, archeological and cultural significance. Preserving and showcasing these ancient treasures not only enriches our understanding of the past but also serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of human civilization.  If you’re planning a trip to the museum, make sure you check out these 10 items recommended by the ..read more