Tel Aviv
Keeping Fit in Tel Aviv
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;
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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.
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LGBT PRIDE MONTH
During June, the rainbow flag can be seen lining boulevards, outside cafes and on beaches in one of the most “gay friendly” cities in the world: Tel Aviv. The Norman boutique Hotel, joins the White City to celebrate Pride month.
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FLEA MARKET
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!
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BOTANICAL GARDENS
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.
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CHURCHES
Three of the world’s monotheistic religions have roots, holy sites and communities here in Israel (as well as many others), which means visitors to Israel are never short of wonderful religious sites, synagogues, mosques & churches to discover
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URBAN PARKS
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.
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URBAN SPORTS
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…
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The Israeli winter season is inaugurated with Hanukkah, the Jewish Holiday of Lights. Beginning this year on December 6th The Norman boutique hotel in Tel Aviv warmly welcome guests for Hanukkah and Christmas vacations with a festive winter guide.
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Blue winter Hues
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.
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VINTAGE
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.
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NALAGA'AT THEATRE
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.
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SUNSETS
With a stunning vantage point, sunset is a truly magical close to a day, especially during the balmy summer evenings. The views from the 3rd floor of The Norman are so magical we site ‘just after sunset’ as the closing time of the pool.
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STREET ART
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…
Read more read more about STREET ARTStand-Up Comedy
The Norman, has put together the giggle-leaders of the English language stand-up scene in the city that never stops having fun.
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Water Sports
Tel Aviv is a city that looks at the sea. Its shores, bathed by the Mediterranean, are most inviting for those with a weakness for water sports. From sailboats and windsurfing, to catamarans and jet skis. Our expert concierge team will give our guests at The Norman boutique hotel Tel Aviv specific information.
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Beyond the strictly musical definition, “rock” is an attitude that is perfectly fitting for Tel Aviv, and therefore it’s no surprise that most of Israel’s rock bands hail from, or live in the city.
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Tel Aviv from Above
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.
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New Year's Eve
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.
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Summertime
While Europe ushers in the autumn season, Israel just can’t let go of its summer. Tel Aviv is without doubt, one of the perfect places to visit for those of you who also can’t say goodbye to the sun, sea and balmy vibes.
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A Beach For You
Tel Aviv has many beaches, each one with its own exclusive character, from the kiter’s beach to the religious beach. And among them, there is the most inclusive beach of all: The Hilton beach.
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MARATHON
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.
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Maccabiah Games
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.
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LUXURY
The Webster’s NewWorld dictionary definition of luxury is “the unusual intellectual or emotional pleasure or comfort derived from some specific thing”. With pleasure & comfort at the heart of The Norman Tel Aviv experience, we think it’s safe to say hotel luxury takes on a new dimension here.
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MUSEUM OF ART
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.
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Purim in Tel Aviv
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.
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LOVE & ROMANCE
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;
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Literature
Israelis admire the originators of modern Israeli literature and many streets in the country are named after its finest writers, S. Y. Agnon, Haim Nachman Bialik, Leah Goldberg or Rachel Bluwstein for instance. For guests at our boutique hotel who would like to explore the points where Tel Aviv and literature converge beyond street signs, we have put together a list to tickle your interest.
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INNOVATION CITY
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.
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Israeli Independence Day
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!
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Hummus - its a thing
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…
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Ha'tachana
HaTachana, (in Hebrew: the station), built more than a century ago in 1892 was the site of the first train station ever built in the Middle East. In its early years, the 55 kilometer ride from Old Jaffa to Jerusalem, took 6 hours but still proved quicker than camel and cart!
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Happy Spots in Tel Aviv
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.
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DANCING
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.
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Cybertech
The international cyber industry gathers in Tel Aviv every year during the month of January, for the Cybertech exhibition; an event that includes conferences and exhibitions on cyber technologies, as well as a start-up competition. It is no surprise that this important cyber event happens in Tel Aviv, capital of the start-up nation, where cyber and security, technology and start-ups are the order of the day.
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Coffee
Israelis love a lot of things; hummus, falafal, malabi, sunshine and more…all of which are usually accompanied by another great love – coffee!
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Warm Evenings : Cool Beer
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.
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The hectically hot summer days have started to simmer and the new season announces itself with a refreshingly autumnal breeze and shorter days.
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Amazing April
As Ella Fitzgerald sings:
I never knew the charm of spring,
I never met it face to face
I never knew my heart could sing
I never missed a warm embrace
PASSOVER
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.
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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.
Read more read more about YITZHAK RABIN CENTERJAFFA
Old Jaffa is a focal tourist attraction, located to the south of Tel Aviv. The area is packed full of fascinating historical attractions, including the ancient port, as well as picturesque romantic alleyways and gardens.
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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.
Read more read more about MARKETSThe Art Collection
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.
Read more read more about The Art CollectionThe White City
During the 1930s, Tel Aviv tripled in size from newly arrived European immigrants, who brought with them the German Bauhaus architectural style.
Read more read more about The White CityBeautiful Beaches
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.
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Boulevards
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.
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Dizengoff
Considered one of the most elegant streets in the 1930s, Dizengoff is still one of Tel Aviv’s busiest thoroughfares. A 3km stroll down Dizengoff today will take approximately 50 minutes and showcases many examples of the city’s history and the changes that Tel Aviv has undergone over the years.
Read more read more about DizengoffMuseums
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:
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Music & Dance
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.
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Nahalat Binyamin
Guests enjoying the boutique delights of The Norman Tel Aviv are a stroll away from the charms and trinkets of Nahalat Benyamin Street. The northern part, cobbled & pedestrianized is adjacent to HaCarmel Market and for two days of the week brimming with unique handmade finds, weird & wonderful in the art & craft fair.
Read more read more about Nahalat BinyaminNeve Tzedek
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.
Read more read more about Neve TzedekNight Life
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.
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The Promenade (Ha'tayelet)
The promenade or HaTaylet as it is known in Hebrew, boasts five kilometers of award-winning beaches, cafes, and newly refurbished shaded areas that provide retreat from the insistent summer sun. Stretching from the northern port (HaNamal), to Jaffa, there are untold treats and moods along the way in both directions, depending on where guests from The Norman Tel Aviv begin exploring HaTayelet.
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Rothschild
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.
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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 .
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Theater & Cinema
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
Walking Routes
Tel Aviv is a great city for people who like to explore on-foot. There are three designated walking routes you can take, each of which affords an insight into a particular side of the city. These walking trails have been instigated as part of Tel Aviv’s 100th birthday celebrations, and each has been carefully planned to take in the city’s most notable sites and attractions.
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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.
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