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Tel Aviv is a fascinatingly diverse city and one of the reasons is its incredible collection of Bauhaus architecture which is actually the largest collection in the world.
The architecture covers much of the 'old' part of the city (really it's only about 100 years old) but if you have a limited amount of time, don't be tempted to spend it in a museum if you haven't explored here.
www.visit-tlv.com/
www.touristisrael.com/tel-aviv/3/
Best places to walk - Rothschild Boulevard, Bialik Street, and Sheinkin Street
Google map: bit.ly/L5WCc4
The West Bank – May 2011. We drove along the road until our path was blocked by huge boulders and we could go no further. Clambering over boulders we continued uphill by foot. On arrival, we were greeted warmly and shown into a brightly coloured cave by Daoud, our host, who told us of the history of the farm.
Situated on a hill-top south of Bethlehem, Daher’s vineyard has been in the same family since 1916, when it was purchased by Daher Nassar, grandfather of the family who now run it.
In 1991 the Israeli government declared the area including the Nassar’s land, to be Israeli state land. The family’s challenge has meant ongoing litigation. Despite this, the Tent of Nations was founded in 2000 as an educational and environmental organic farm “seeking to build bridges between different people, and between people and the land”
They have no mains electricity or running water. Solar panels have been installed and their water is collected via rainfall. Visitors and volunteers arrive from all over the world, and support groups are based in the UK and North America. They also run a number of other projects locally including projects for young people.
Our visit was part of a Holy Land Pilgrimage, when we met with local people and learn about organizations – of both Palestinians and Israelis - working for peace in the West Bank. Despite their difficult circumstances, I left with a feeling of optimism and hope for the future. A visit is a truly awe inspiring, unforgettable experience.
www.tentofnations.org/
Atan Street 17, PO Box 28, Bethlehem, Palestine
+972(2)2743071
I wanted to book through them, paid the deposit and waited for my holiday. A month before we were due to go, the owner just didn't want us there any more, no reasons given, and home4trip offered us something unacceptable, so we agreed to cancel the contract and get the money back. We're still waiting for the money and our credit card company is now dealing with the case... So unless you have money to lose abroad to frauds stay away from these people.
I recommend all visitors to go to the old city in Jerusalem where they can see the great history of Palestine. You can see really old churches and holy places. Also if anyone is going to Ramallah I recommend them to go to the old city also, which is called Ramallah Al-Taha. There you can see the old city of Ramallah and how it was before the occupation.
Security or land grab you decide - but the Separation or 'Apartheid' Wall as some Israeli activists call it - is an inescapable part of a visit to this part of the world.
Will interest cognoscentis of concrete architecture or grafitti ...
Look out for an original Banksy - a girl holding balloons - just the Ramallah side of the Qalandia checkpoint.
Many locations - within the border of the West Bank and around illegal Israeli settlements.
The stretch near Al Quds university is particularly 'impressive'.
Dheisheh is one of the largest Palestinian refugee camps - in reality a compact town of narrow lanes and tall buildings - 'the only way to build is up' said our guide Khamsi.
Khamsi took us from the Ibdaa centre - whose name means 'creativity' - from near the entrance and took us on what turned into a grafitti tour.
The grafitti is mostly of Handala - the cartoon refugee boy - cartoons include Handala clutching a sword the blade of which is a pen nib and him flying with a Palestinian flag.
Dheisheh is calm and the people friendly.
An important place to visit if you want to understand one part of the story that makes up the current history of this complex land.
Ibdaa Centre, Dheisheh Camp, Bethlehem
www.dheisheh-ibdaa.net
Lonely Planet says catch a service from Bab iz-Qaq in Bethlehem (3NIS).
I travelled with Rawda and Issa Khouriya who run a guesthouse near Ramallah and are happy to arrange trips at reasonable cost if you are staying with them. See their entry on this site.
No self-respecting Guardian reader should visit Israel and the Palestinian territories without experiencing the brutalist modern architecture of the massive checkpoint at Qalandia between Ramallah and Jerusalem.
You can visit Ramallah from Jerusalem - catch the no. 18 bus from the bus station close to the garden tomb by the Damascus Gate - and be whisked past it. You're not a security risk leaving Israel.
Catch the bus back and it's a different matter. Keep your ticket 6.50 NIS (about £1.20) as you'll be leaving your bus at Qalandia and getting onto another one on the other side.
Queue with your fellow passengers and admire their patience as they wait to go through the turnstiles.
Feel for the people trapped in the turnstiles between 'groups'. A woman carrying a toddler was stuck for 20 minutes despite calls to the guard to let her out while I was there.
Wait for the Stasi-like guard to check your passport only to discover it's a bored Israeli teenager dismissively shrugging you through.
Admire the chutzpah of the Israeli 'welcome' notice - 'have a pleasant stay in our country!'
Be thankful that you're a tourist and you don't have to do this every day to earn a living.
On the main road between Ramallah and Jerusalem. You can't miss it.
A Palestinian Christian village perched high in the hills above Ramallah. Jesus stayed here with his disciples to escape the intense atmosphere in Jerusalem. Nothing changes!
Taybeh has three churches, a brewery and a ruined Crusader church.
The Crusader church is built high and gives long views over the rolling hills around.
The brewery welcomes visitors, has a small shop and will show you a video of how come there's a brewery making modern beer in Palestine.
Drink Palestinian!
You will need to drive either from Jericho or Ramallah.
Taybeh is 15km north east of Ramallah. I travelled with friends but Lonely Planet says you can catch a servis for 10 NIS (around £2).
The students at the nearby high school recommend the ice cream at Baladna's. So do I!
I sheltered here from the rain and looked out on the busy main street and enjoyed five scoops of different flavours in one bowl. Wide choice - natural ingredients.
Refreshing and cleaned the palate - followed by an extra large traditional coffee.
A great way to while away an idle half hour or more.
Cost around 23 NIS - about £4.
Follow the main street from Al Manara towards the old city. Baladna is on the right.
A modern spacious and airy home from home just 8km from central Ramallah.
All mod cons including wireless internet alongside traditional Palestinian cuisine make this a place to refresh your batteries after exploring this fascinating land.
Rawda and her husband Issa will also take you on any tour you'd like. Their local knowledge keeps you safe and saves you money from some of the higher prices charged foreigners at some tourist attractions.
Have visited the Separation Wall, two refugee camps, Bethlehem and Jericho with them.
Highly recommended if you want to make your first visit to Palestine.
Jifna Ramallah, West Bank, Palestine
Contact: Rawda Khouriya
Email: rkhouriya@yahoo.com
Tel: 00972-2811485 Mob 00972(0)599587476
Kibbutz Ein Gev is beautifully located on the sea of Galilee. While it does have its own hotel, many young travellers go there to work as Kibbutz volunteers. It has a strong agricultural sector, growing bananas, mangoes, dates and catching the famous St Peters fish in the depths of Lake Kinneret. Volunteers can particpate in all these endeavours. While kibbutz volunteers work hard the beauty of Ein Gev pays for itself were you can climb mount Sussita or swim in the lake and get drunk in the Kibbutz pub.
A bus usually leaves twice a day from Tiberias on the opposite side of the lake from Ein Gev. A 20 minute ride along Lake Kinnert and you are there
It is great to be in Israel on Purim, or Independence Day, but avoid Yom kippur. For full run down of when to go and when not to go, see:
When in Hertzalia ( and there are other branches) try out Max Brenner's chocolate restaurant. Read more at the below address
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