Tel Aviv, often called the Miami of the Middle East, is at its best during the spring and early summer, when visitors can frolic beachside and lap up the luxurious warm weather. The coastal city, with high-rise hotels perched the length of the beach, boasts a spectacular waterfront walkway ideal for early morning runs or late afternoon walks, and a new bike rental system provides family-friendly fun for kids of all ages.

These coastal ruins, named as a tribute to Julius Caesar, are a remarkable reminder of Israel’s varied past; the town of Caesarea is thought to have been built around 25 BCE by Herod the Great, but later served as an administrative port for the Roman Empire and shuffled between Jewish, Persian and Muslim control. Now a national park, the stunning seaside ruins are a joy to behold, especially later in the afternoon when the sunlight reflects off the bleached stones of the Roman theatre.

Tel Aviv contains some of the most important Bauhaus style architecture in the world. The white apartment buildings from the 1930s that line Rothschild Boulevard were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. An architecture expert and historian can guide you through the top landmarks and recount the story of the city. Members can contact the Indagare Bookings Team to arrange.

The street artists of Tel Aviv have a culture all their own. It may have been inspired by the scene in New York but it has evolved. Learn about the lexicon—the difference between tags, pieces, poetry and art—and the players (there are crews as well as emerging and established names to know) and the rules. On a one or two-hour tour around Neve Tzedek and other neighborhoods, you can explore the language and symbolism of the city’s best known street artists. It is a fun and interesting way to explore the city for art lovers and families. Members can contact the Indagare Bookings Team to arrange.

Tel Aviv is home to many up-and-coming artists and designers. Visit their studios and boutiques with a savvy local who knows the fashion and art scene. Members can contact the Indagare Bookings Team to arrange.

See the city from the water on a sunset cruise on a private boat. Members can contact the Indagare Bookings Team to arrange.

Located on the picturesque Rothschild Boulevard, this iconic attraction was the site of the signing of Israel’s Declaration of Independence in 1948. A short, 45-minute tour gives a condensed but thorough history of the founding of the city, the logic behind its naming and a background of the men crucial to establishing Israel as an independent state.

This 19^th-century residential neighborhood is considered to be one of the most picturesque areas of the city with lots of galleries, shops and restaurants. You can wander among the restored houses, which have gone from dilapidation to prized real estate in a decade. Browse the stores and galleries and wind up at Ha Tachana, a former train station that is now a shopping and cultural center. Additional cultural spots include the Suzanne Dellal performance center and the Nahum Gutman Museum.

This historic drag in downtown Tel Aviv makes its way from the bohemian shopping district of Neve Tzedek to the national theatre in the city center. The idyllic tree-lined median is lovely to walk along, and those looking for some history can stop into Independence Hall, located here. Part of the White City of Tel Aviv (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Rothschild Boulevard is home to a number of Bauhaus-style buildings that are one of the city’s defining features.

Similar to New York’s Chelsea Market or Eataly, Sarona Market is Israel’s largest indoor culinary market. The complex, which opened in 2015 in a renovated 140-year-old former Templar colony, offers a modern urban experience that combines culture, entertainment and leisure. With 91 different tenants, there is a wide range of gourmet food and shops.

Stroll through the market to sample foods, or stop in one of the restored buildings that now house cafés and restaurants, as well as art galleries and boutique clothing stores. There are also parks and playgrounds throughout the complex, which are fun if you are traveling with kids. 

If you have an interest in wine, stop by the Tasting Room to sample a wide variety of local Israeli varietals. You can pour your own glass using the automated dispense system, or have the bartenders craft a cocktail to go with the menu of light bites.

Tel Aviv’s claim to fame is its long coastline—an attraction only made better by the bike rental system instituted in 2011 that stretches the length of the waterfront and has stations throughout the city. The eco-friendly transport system is as practical as it is enjoyable, and is especially fun for families with teenage children (the minimum age is 15) looking to expend some energy while taking in the beautiful city.

At first glance, to visitors and to the factory workers once employed there, the Ayalon Institute is nothing more than a hilltop factory comprised of a dining hall, chicken coop, barn, laundry and bakery. In fact, the kibbutz housed a top-secret, underground bullet factory put into place by the Zionist leaders in the 1930’s with the sole purpose of producing ammunition for their fight for independence. The visit here provides a fascinating change of pace from the traditional historical sights. Note that while the experience is fun (especially for kids), it can feel a little cheesy.

The Bahá’í Gardens, also called the Hanging Gardens of Haifa, are the can’t-miss attraction of Haifa. Literally. The botanical park is so prominent in this northern Israeli city that there’s no way you could miss it. Running almost a kilometer down one of Mount Carmel’s slopes, the grounds look other-worldly in their manicured perfection, their carpet of bright green grass stepping down oh-so-symmetrically to balustrades of white marble bearing pots of red geraniums. Part of the headquarters of the Bahá’í faith, whose chief prophet is buried here, the gardens were opened in 2001 after almost fifteen years of design and construction. They can be seen quickly—forty-five minute group tours run everyday except Wednesday—but the memory of the garden and breathtaking coastal view last a lifetime.