Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is a city that masterfully blends modern life with rich history and is a vibrant destination offering something for every generation. One of the best ways to experience the diverse offerings of this dynamic city is to take a leisurely walk along the Tayelet, the picturesque promenade stretching from the stunning beaches to the port, known as the Namal in the North of the city.

Tel Aviv, a bustling metropolis on the Mediterranean coast, is a city that pulses with creativity, and nowhere is this more apparent than in its vibrant street art scene.

Israelis love to eat! They are proud of their food, and their culinary traditions and with very good reason. Street food, fine dining and all the varied hummus joints in between…

The Tel Aviv Museum of Art is home to one of the largest collections of Israeli art and boasts an impressive permanent collection of works as well as diverse calendar of temporary exhibitions. The building itself is a work of art and is a magical place to visit.

The Norman boutique hotel is a mere stone’s throw away from the beautiful Rothschild Boulevard, built over 100 years ago and one of Tel Aviv’s very first streets. Named after the legendary Rothschild family whose philanthropy has fuelled many aspects of the country, the famous boulevard has become the place where old school elegance meets a modish crowd.

The streets of Tel Aviv read like an old curiosity shop awash with all kinds of nostalgia – not least; vintage book shops, second hand markets full to bursting with memorabilia from times passed, vintage clothing stalls and even coffee shops that date back to the British Mandate.

The variety of spots the city offers for those who wish to keep in shape can be overwhelming, which is why The Norman comes to your help in sifting through the options;

Shaded by leafy trees, the Sarona area was formerly an agricultural colony established by German Templars in 1871. In the last years, its picturesque houses have been transformed into an impressive, and totally different from its origins, venue. The guests of our boutique hotel, especially those to whom the “shop’til you drop” saying sounds familiar, will surely appreciate this unique retail experience. This splendid complex houses shops, restaurants, cafes, ice cream parlors and a gourmet market within grandiose structures.

The flea market, (Shuk HaPishpishim) in Tel Aviv is the place to head to soak up the unique, diverse and colourful vibe that represents Tel Aviv!

For guests staying at The Norman boutique hotel who are looking to discover new and beautiful places to visit in the city, should head to the magic of Tel Aviv’s impressive botanical gardens.

Tel Aviv is proud of the diverse number of parks dotted throughout the city, many of which are off the beaten track. Here is The Norman’s guide to the most interesting urban parks, a breather for locals and visitors to the Big Orange.

Tel Aviv is full of wonderful urban sporting opportunities.  Because of the year-round sunshine, there is no need to always be cooped up in a gym to get fit.  For our guests at The Norman boutique hotel looking to work out and to enjoy the city at the same time, we have a put together some suggestions…

Winter blues simply don’t exist in the white city. Continually buzzing, Tel Aviv is full of life throughout the short winter, with plenty of blue skies and activities to occupy even the most summery of people. At The Norman, we take the words “luxury hotel” at face value and have the savviest concierge team to guide our guests on how to make the best of winter in Tel Aviv.

The meaning of “Nalaga’at” in Hebrew is “Please do touch” which is exactly how the actors,  waiting staff & visitors to the “Nalaga’at” non-profit center are encouraged to communicate.

Tel Aviv is Israel’s undisputed capital of urban art; Appreciation for art and architecture runs deep in the veins of the city.  It’s colors, shapes and messages tell the story of Tel Aviv’s new generation. Some street-art critics have named Tel Aviv the second hottest spot in the world after Berlin…

The Norman, has put together the giggle-leaders of the English language stand-up scene in the city that never stops having fun.

When seen from above, Tel Aviv certainly takes on a personality. The relatively small metropolis, bursting with people, honking cars and a sort of dreamy chaos at street level, has the appearance of a deeply ordered and organised city from above. Both perspectives however shine a light on the beautiful old Arab buildings that sit beside the Bauhaus ones, and some of the city’s great anomalies.

At The Norman we love new beginnings, which is why we love to welcome guests, new and old for a new Norman story each visit. But what other time of year represents new beginnings in its truest sense if not New Year’s Eve.

For guests at The Norman boutique hotel in Tel Aviv who are mad about running – be they novices or expert  the Tel Aviv Samsung Marathon is a highlight this February. It’s also a sight worth enjoying as a spectator! Our expert Concierge team will be happy to assist with further information on signing-up, routes and more.

The first Maccabiah Games, informally known as the Jewish Olympics, were first held in 1932, before the state of Israel was created, and continue up until today, in 2017.

The festival of Purim is celebrated annually on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar (according to the Jewish Calendar) meaning it falls in February or March. Purim is first and foremost a celebration characterized  by wearing masks and costumes and a party mood that takes over.

As the sun sets earlier during our Mediterranean winter, the mood and glow of The Norman hotel rises.

The undisputed perfect spot for flickering romance is The Norman Restaurant, the home to elegant fine dining and perfectly mixed cocktails from the new gin menu. But for those ready to venture further afield here is a guide;

Because “Start-up Nation” has become a synonym for “Israel” it comes as no surprise that Digital Life Design, the global conference network, has chosen Tel Aviv to celebrate its Innovation Festival.

Israel’s Independence Day, known as Yom Ha’atzmaut, marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of Israel. This year Israel celebrates its 69th birthday and the countrywide celebrations are piling up!

According to a recent survey by Columbia University on the happiest countries in the world, Israel ranks at number 11.  The Norman luxury hotel has selected the happiest places to be in our happy city, Tel Aviv.

Israelis love to dance and music is a prevalent element in the city’s vibration. So put a love of dance and a passion for music in one place and you know you are going to have fun!  The Norman boutique hotel Tel Aviv invites guests to explore the rhythmic side of this fabulous city.  Street dancing is incredibly popular with tourists and locals alike and not to be missed if you want to really get a taste for modern Israeli culture.

Warm summer evenings such as these need the soothing chill of a cold beer to take the edge off. Tel Aviv boasts an impressive array of venues that pride themselves on serving the very best beer of the region.

The hectically hot summer days have started to simmer and the new season announces itself with a refreshingly autumnal breeze and shorter days.

Passover, Pesach in Hebrew, ultimately commemorates the freedom of the Jews from slavery in Egypt.

It is observed for seven days in Israel and the main event of the Passover holiday is the seder (literally, “order”), a festive meal in which the haggadah (story of the exodus and related writings) is recited in a set order. During the entire duration of the holiday, it is forbidden to eat leavened food products (such as bread, pasta, etc.). The reason for this is that Jewish tradition states that in their haste to escape from Egypt the Jews did not have enough time to wait for bread to rise. Instead, they ate matzah, unleavened bread.

Guests at The Norman Tel Aviv have access to one of the best Concierge teams around, but before you get here, we’d like to share some of the museums, galleries and places of interest that Tel Aviv has to offer.

The biggest marketplace in the city, Carmel Market is renowned for its food stalls featuring local specialties – from falafel, to artisan breads, olives and exotic spices.

The structure of The Norman Tel Aviv was renovated by visionary architect Yoav Messer, who succeeded in preserving the original buildings in harmony with the neighbourhood’s distinct tradition of eclectic, modern, and Bauhaus buildings. The interior design, under the guidance of David d’Almada of SAGRADA, captures the dignified elegance of the 1920’s, skilfully blended with the unique Mediterranean ambiance of early Tel Aviv.

National Geographic rated Tel Aviv as the 9th best beach city in the world, secretly leaving locals wondering why it didn’t rate higher. The beaches of Tel Aviv are not only stunning, but each beach along the coastline boasts its own enchanting character.
Loyal locals have their favourites, others move north to south depending on the mood.

Rothchilds Boulevard : one of Tel Aviv’s principal streets, located in the city center. Beginning in Neve Tzedek, it runs north to Habima Theater along treelined, pedestrian and cycle lanes. A focal tourist destination, the boulevard is home to many historical Bauhaus buildings and as such is an important part of Tel Aviv’s UNESCO designated World Heritage ‘White City’ Site.

There are many museums in Tel Aviv ranging from large, national institutions such as the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and Beit Hatfutsot – The Museum of the Diaspora, to smaller, more specialized museums such as the Museum of the History of Tel Aviv-Yafo, the Bauhaus Museum, and the Reuven Rubin Museum. Our top 3:

Venues worth considering for music concerts; Rock Jazz Blues: Tel Aviv has a variety of venues for live music, some of them double-up as pubs or restaurant too. The following venues have different live music performances every night. The concierge at The Norman can keep you updated on what’s on and when.

Neve Tzedek (Hebrew: נְוֵה צֶדֶק, lit. Abode of Justice) is a neighborhood located south west of Tel Aviv. Neve Tzedek was the first Jewish neighborhood to be built outside the walls of the ancient port of Jaffa.

Tel Aviv has a longstanding reputation as the country’s undisputed nightlife capital. The city’s clubs have always been on the pulse of new music and cultural trends; from jazz, pop, rock and reggae to alternative and electronic sounds, with many of the world’s most renowned DJ’s frequently playing in Tel Aviv.

South Tel Aviv is not the quintessential tourist spot, but for the more adventurous, a fascinating urban landscape hiding many gems waiting to be discovered. Guests at The Norman Tel Aviv who are interested in going off the beaten tourist track but want to stay close to the boutique goodness of The Norman, have the chance to explore an area that, once neglected for decades, is in full-swing towards being fully recharged and revived .

The Norman Tel Aviv is ideally positioned for trips to some of the best theatres and cinemas the city has to offer:

• HABIMA
• HAKAMERI TEL AVIV CITY THEATRE
• HA’GESHER THEATRE
• BEIT LESSIN
• TZAVTA
• NA LAGAAT CENTRE
• CINEMA

The festivals in Tel Aviv allow you to experience the many cultural facets of the city, celebrating a varied cultural bag from Jewish tradition to the modern arts, European and Mediterranean culinary delights & local and foreign filmmakers.