"The Dave," A New Low Cost Sub-brand Of Brown Hotels, Opens Its Inaugural Property In Tel Aviv

The Dave's Ground-Floor Lobby

Tel Aviv -  Brown Hotels, an international hotel brand founded in Tel Aviv, has officially unveiled "The Dave - West," the inaugural property in a new brand of low cost urban hotels in Tel Aviv.    This new line of properties, referred to en masse as "The Dave - Sons of a Brown," will aim to diversify the boutique hotel brand's offerings by providing more accessible accommodations for the young urban traveler. Exterior View of  The Dave - West is the first of the Brown Hotel's "sons" to open its doors, and has found the perfect home for its more youthful, fun-seeking crowd. The 35-room hotel is located on the bustling corner of Gordon and Ben Yehuda Streets, just a two-minute walk from the Mediterranean Sea and mere steps from the city's best in food, drink & retail.  "The Dave will continue to embody all the Brown Hotel's core values of exemplary service and hospitality, just in a more relaxed and lighthearted setting," says Leon Avigad, Founder, Brown Hotels. "Tel Aviv has exploded as a destination for young travelers with limited budgets, so the intention behind Dave West is to open up the Brown Hotels experience to this next generation of globetrotters."    A Room at The Dave - West Designed by homegrown Israeli designer Agnon Granot,  The four-story hotel is a celebration of 1970's aesthetic, with each room housing its own eclectic assortment of flea market finds. Color is used without caution throughout the Jewelbox-like hotel; every door is a d "The Foxy Room" at The Dave - West The Dave Wests' rooftop will offer guests a Jacuzzi tub and a spa treatment room. At lobby level, guests can convene in "The Yard," an urban courtyard filled with comfy antique seating for optimal lounging. For breakfast, guests are directed to one of two nearby cafes, both of which are as popular amongst the locals as they are with tourists. There, guests are treated to all day breakfast. The hotel also will boast a pop-up tattoo parlor manned by homegrown Tel Avivian artists, as well as a bespoke barber concept by Barberia.  For more information about The Dave - Son of a Brown, visit www.brownhotels.com/dave.

Dan Hotels Unveils Newly Renovated Hotels In Tel Aviv, Eilat and Haifa

New rooms at Dan Accadia draw inspiration from the Mediterranean Sea

Israel's leading luxury hotel collection,  Dan Hotels, has completed renovations to three of its properties, Dan Panorama Haifa, Dan Eilat and Dan Accadia - just in time to greet the soaring number of visitors to Israel. April 2017 was the biggest month ever for tourism to Israel.  The addition of internal windows adds natural light throughout the new guest rooms at Dan Accadia The most extensive work was carried out in the Dan Accadia, a resort located on Herzliya beach, just 15 minutes north of central Tel Aviv - yet a world away. The design and planning of the new rooms and public spaces was led by architect Roni Federmann, along with Esti Robinson and the architectural staff of the Dan Hotels chain. The US$11 million renovation included upgrades to 117 rooms and suites, dining areas, corridors and banquet halls. The design teams sought to create a bright and colorful atmosphere, paying homage to the hotel's privileged Mediterranean location. The motif of the sea is reflected throughout - with the construction of new westward-facing windows in the main dining room; the addition of furniture created from a combination of wood, metal and sand in the banquet halls; and the installation of LED-based smart lighting synchronized with the sunset in the corridors to create an optimal combination of natural and artificial light. All guest rooms saw a complete overhaul, including new bathrooms featuring a spacious interior window looking through the room and onto the sea. The halls in the catering area were equipped with the most advanced technology in the field, including sophisticated refrigerated buffets and an active cooking stand for preparing food in front of the guests.  New guest rooms at Dan Haifa At the Dan Eilat, on the Red Sea, designers worked with a muted color scheme and renovated 120 rooms in all categories (Eilat, Deluxe, Executive and all Family rooms) to showcase the property's exquisite views. Guests can view and book these rooms, marked "NEW," on the website. At the Dan Panorama Haifa, the top four floors have been renovated, totaling 56 rooms - including two suites and new corridors. The design includes new furnishings, carpets, fabrics, lighting, beds, TVs and bathrooms. The hotel will offer a more modern look and feel with colorful accents throughout. For more information about Dan Hotels, please visit: www.danhotels.com.  ABOUT DAN HOTELS: Dan Hotels Israel is the largest luxury hotel group in the country. The history of the chain dates back to June 1947, when two brothers Yekutiel and Shmuel Federmann, purchased a 21-room guest house called the "Kaete Dan" on the Tel Aviv sea shore. Today, the chain owns a collection of twelve deluxe and superior first-class hotels in prime locations around the country, an international convention center and a hotel training school.

IsraAID COO Wins Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award

by TheTower.org Staff | 08.11.16 6:44 pm

A leader of the Israeli disaster relief organization IsraAID will be presented with the annual Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award next month in recognition of the group’s work aiding people affected by natural disasters and other emergencies around the world.

IsraAID chief operation officer Navonel Glick will be one of six under-30 recipients of the award to be presented September 17.

Founded in 2001, IsraAID has become renowned for its emergency response work. It was the first international team to reach Haiti following the devastating 2010 earthquake there. It has been present after disasters in Japan, South Sudan, the Philippines, and in the United States, such as the aftermaths of Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, floods in Colorado, and a tornado in Arkansas.

In recent years, IsraAID has focused on providing medical and psychological assistance to Syrian refugees who have arrived in Europe after risking their lives traveling by sea. Nathan Jeffay documented IsraAID’s efforts to help Syrian refugees in Greece in a Tower Magazine article published last November.

Glick, a Canadian-Israeli, manages IsraAID’s daily operations from its Tel Aviv office. He has also participated in the organization’s efforts in the Philippines, Sierra Leone, Iraq, and Nepal.

This will be the first award ceremony following the death of Ali, who passed away in June at the age of 74 after suffering for years from Parkinson’s disease. He was well-known for his charity work, and had been honored by many institutions, including Amnesty International and the United Nations. President George W. Bush presented Ali with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.

Glick appeared at the 2016 AIPAC Policy Conference to highlight the work IsraAID does with Syrian refugees.

[Photo: AIPAC / YouTube ]

The Latest Travel News From Israel

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS FROM ISRAEL ISRAEL GOVERNMENT TOURIST OFFICE NORTH AMERICA israel.travel #VisitIsrael

OFFICIAL LINEUP FOR TEL AVIV PRIDE ANNOUNCED Tel Aviv Gay Pride is expected to attract more than 180,000 participants from May 25 to June 9. Last year, some 30,000 LGBTQ tourists traveled to Israel for the rainbow-adorned celebrations, with only higher numbers expected for this year's 'Women in the Community'-themed festival. In addition to the daily happy hours and non-stop beach parties, events range from conferences on women's health to vegan culinary tours of Tel Aviv. Festival highlights will include the LGBTQ film festival, a free Eurovision concert and the pinnacle of pride week, the Tel Aviv Pride parade on June 3rd.    Find the full lineup of events and more information here.

STAR-STUDDED LINEUP FOR THIS SUMMER IN ISRAEL There's a hot lineup of international artists for this summer's concert season in Israel. Fans can catch one of the many shows scheduled to hit the stage in Tel Aviv, Rishon Le Zion, and the Caesarea ancient amphitheater. Headlining artists include:  Chris Cornell: May 6-7 Elton John: May 26 Die Antwoord: June 8 Barry Manilow: June 30 Foreigner: June 14-15 Buddy Guy: July 13 Avicii: July 22 Santana: July 30 Sia: August 11 Dire Straits Experience: September 7-9 (Photo Credit: Andrew Potter) Tickets can be purchased online on the individual event websites, or ticket agencies such as Eventim.

12-YEAR-OLD GIRL UNCOVERS ANCIENT EGYPTIAN PENDANT  A 12-year-old Israeli girl discovered an Egyptian amulet dating back more than 3,200 years last week. Neshama Spielman unearthed the rare artifact while participating in the Temple Mount Sifting Project, a program to sort through Temple Period rubble in Jerusalem. The pendant-shaped amulet bears the name of Egyptian ruler Thutmose III, affirming the artifact originates from pharaoh-era Egypt.   (Photo Credit: Adina Graham/City of David via AP)  For the full article, please click here.

INAUGURAL 'MEET IN GALILEE' SUMMIT SET FOR SEPTEMBER  A new summit, Meet in Galilee, has been organized in order to develop international conventions and cultural events in Israel. The first-ever summit will be held from September 24-26, 2016 and will include an international baroque opera festival and economic forum. The conference will focus on technology and the Middle East. Sessions will cover topics such as venture capital in Israel, digital transformation and cyber security. Tours of the Technion and visits to the Haifa technology incubator will also be offered. The baroque opera festival will hold its four concerts in the ancient city of Akko, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Concerts are under the direction of Christophe Rousset, an internationally renowned harpsichordist, orchestral conductor and creator of Les Talens Lyriques.  Find the full lineup of events and more information here.

NEW AIRPORT SHUTTLE OFFERS EASY SOLUTION FOR TRAVELERS Transportation to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport just got a lot easier with the creation of a new shuttle. Secret Tel Aviv, a popular website aimed at helping international visitors in Israel, has partnered with Flo Shuttle to create the only door-to-door, 24/7 service shuttle between Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv. The new shuttle provides a cost-effective, quality alternative to taxis and trains. Perks of the shuttle include no booking fees, free reservation changes and the option to privatize service for groups and families. For reservations, visit the Flo Shuttle website.  (Photo Credit: Israel Ministry of Tourism)

TIMNA VALLEY VISITOR CENTER OPENS  The Timna Valley Visitor Center hopes to encourage tourism to the 15,000-acre park. A 30-minute drive from Israel's southernmost city, Eilat, the ancient copper mines, towering rock formations and breathtaking views make Timna Valley National Park an ideal spot for travelers. The new center offers interactive exhibits for visitors and will serve as an event hall for special occasions. In addition to the visitor's center, the Ramon Airport (set to open in 2017) will replace both the Eilat and Ovda Airports, the two primary airports servicing domestic and international flights to the south. Both projects fall under a greater initiative to increase tourism to the region and bring travelers to the park before heading straight to Eilat.   (Photo Credit: www.parktimna.co.il)

MARITIME SPORTS SET SAIL IN TEL AVIV FOR ANNUAL FESTIVAL Seafaring enthusiasts will flock to the city's beaches this year from April 18-28 for the annual Sail Tel Aviv Yafo event. The largest maritime sports event in Israel will dot the coastline with hundreds of surfers, kayaks, paddle boarders, and yachts participating in a host of water-sport competitions. Main events will take place on April 28 with the Tel Aviv yacht race, stand up paddle board competition and kayak competition. The highlight of the festival includes a large rally to the Jaffa Port and back. The event will also be open on April 27th for the public to join in a day of paddle boarding, kayaking, rowing and sailing.  (Photo Credit: Israel Ministry of Tourism)  Find more information here.

JERUSALEM BAR SERVES UP 'BIBLICAL BEER'

Award-winning Herzl Brewery in Jerusalem has created 'biblical beer,' an expert-crafted beer believed to taste like the fermented beverage served during ancient times. In addition to hops, yeast and water, the brewers used a replicated strain of 2,000-year-old wheat developed by geneticists at Tel Aviv University. "It's unlike anything I have ever tasted," stated brewery owner Itai Gutman. "It has a very dry taste, but it also has a strong aroma and suggestion of red fruit - almost like a syrup." This could be the beginning of a trend to recreate beer, wine, and other boozy delights from biblical times.  Itai Gutman at the Herzl Brewery in Jerusalem  (Photo Credit: Emil Salman)  Find more information here.

Vegan-Fest Tel Aviv: The Largest Vegan Festival In The World To Take Place On September 24th

Vegan-Fest, the largest vegan festival in the world, will take place on September 24^th, 2016 in Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park and is expected to attract more than 15,000 visitors who will celebrate their love of animals, healthy lifestyle and environmental commitment.

Vegan-Fest, a day-long happening, will include an abundance of excellent performers throughout the day and night together with attractions for the entire family in the areas of culinary experiences, entertainment, sports and nutrition, and personal enrichment and education. Among the attractions:

• V-TED area: For those who want to enjoy short and targeted lectures there will be a specially designated V-TED area in which there will be 10-minute TED lectures on varied subjects relating to veganism such as, veganism and feminism, veganism and sports, veganism and spiritualism, keeping your sanity as an animal activist, etc.
• Therapy and beauty-care area: Vegan-Fest will offer a full Holistic and Therapeutic area for Yoga sessions, Shiatzu and other alternative treatments and Pilates classes, alongside fashion and cosmetic stands presenting companies whose products were not used in animal experimentation.

Tel Aviv was recently named #1 destination for vegans by the Daily Meal, holding the highest percentage of vegan-friendly restaurants per capita in the world (150 vegan friendly restaurants, consisting of 10% of the restaurant scene in Tel Aviv). The vegan population in the city is also considered to be one of the highest in the world: between 5-10%. Check out this YouTube video for more information on why Tel Aviv is the BEST city for vegans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfSf7R6ew3o.

The festival, a joint project of Vegan-Friendly and BUZZ productions, will take place on September 24^th, 2016 from 12am to 11pm in HaYarkon Park. The ticket prices will be advertised on the Vegan-Friendly site soon. This year it is expected that hundreds of people will come from all over the world in order to be part of what is expected to be the most famous vegan event in the world.

The Latest Travel News From Israel

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS FROM ISRAEL  israel.travel #VisitIsrael

ISRAEL DRAWS CROWDS FOR EASTER Tens of thousands of Christians are celebrating Holy Week this week in Israel, leading up to Easter, to visit the places described in the New Testament firsthand. The Catholic Holy Week officially began on March 20th with the celebration of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Highlights of the day included the solemn mass at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher with the Blessing of the Palms and the traditional palm procession. The celebration continued from the church of Bethphage down the western slope of the Mount of Olives across the Kidron Valley and into the Old City of Jerusalem.   Find more information here.   NEW 'BEHIND THE MASK' EXHIBIT OPENS AT THE BIBLE LANDS MUSEUM Opening in time for Purim is the new "Behind the Mask" exhibition at the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem. The exhibit is part of a new initiative at BLMJ called "Community Curates" that allows the public to dust off their treasures and put them on display for all to see. "Behind the Mask" features both ancient and modern masks from all continents and collectors all over Israel. Special guided tours, family-friendly activities and programming is available throughout the day. The exhibit will be on display until September 2016.   Find more information here.  AMERICAN TOURISM TO ISRAEL UP 7% IN FEBRUARY 2015 was the best year ever for American tourism to Israel and the trend is continuing in 2016, with a 7% increase in January and February 2016, compared to the same period last year. "We're very encouraged by this positive statistic," says Uri Steinberg, Israel Tourism Commissioner for North America, "and it bodes very well for the remainder of the year."    ISRAELI HIKER STRIKES GOLD:  2,000-YEAR-OLD ROMAN COIN FOUND IN ISRAEL While hiking in eastern Galilee, Israeli Laurie Rimon discovered a gold coin so rare that archeologists say it may be one of only two of its kind in existence. The coin shows Emperor Augustus, founder of the Roman Empire and Caesar's heir. The other side is minted with Roman military legions. According to Israeli archeologists, it was created by Emperor Trajan to honor the Roman Emperors who reigned before him. The coin was difficult to use due to its high value - it was worth enough to cover a soldier's monthly salary. The Israel Antiquities Authority's plan is to publicly display the extraordinary artifact in museums soon. (Photo Credit: Israel Antiquities Authority) EPIC ISRAEL HOSTS ULTIMATE MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE FOR PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR RIDERS Epic Israel will challenge professional and amateur riders to the limit with a full board stage mountain bike race with long routes through spectacular views of nature. The 75- to 110-kilometer route changes annually, giving riders a challenging and versatile mountain biking experience with the goal of finishing the race within the time limit. The race will take place this year from September 29-October 1.    Find more information here.  INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY FESTIVAL GEEK PICNIC TO TAKE PLACE IN JERUSALEM Geek Picnic, the international science and technology festival, makes its Israeli debut April 25-27 at Jerusalem's Sacher Park, a 40-acre green expanse in the city center. The event is geared towards tech and science professionals and science enthusiasts of all ages who are fans of gadgets, gaming, virtual-reality experiences and wearable tech. Approximately 45,000 visitors are expected to attend the three-day celebration of technological innovation, which will feature exhibits devoted to "The Lightning Show," "The Hand of God," "The World of 3D Printing," "Virtual Reality," "My Android Friend," "An Airborne Duel" and more.   Find more information here.  FIRST INTERNATIONAL HOLY LAND CHOIR FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED The First International Holy Land Choir Festival "On The Lake" will take place on the shores of the Sea of Galilee from May 16-18, 2016. Choirs from around the world have been invited to participate with Israeli conductor and composer David Loden as the Musical Coordinator of the Festival. The theatrical backdrop for the festival is the impressive Berko Archaeological Park where the Southern Gate and walls of the Roman City can be seen.   Find more information here. ICE RETURNS TO JERUSALEMYAMBAKERECH 2016 YambaKerach, an indoor skating rink, will be an added attraction for visitors at Cinema City through April 30, 2016. The ice skating rink offers children and the entire family an amazing, hands-on experience that includes "seals" to enable younger children to move about the rink in a seated position, with the help of their parents.   Find more information here. THRILLER LIVE MUSICAL COMES TO TEL AVIV AND HAIFA Michael Jackson's legacy lives on with the Thriller Live musical. The show celebrates the music of The Jackson 5 and the solo work of Jackson that made him the King of Pop. The musical will open in Israel on May 19 at the Heichal HaTarbut theater in Tel Aviv. There will be a total of eight shows in Tel Aviv from May 19-24, and another show in Haifa on May 26. Find more information here.  UNESCO RECOGNIZES BET SHE'ARIM AS 15TH WORLD HERITAGE SITE IN ISRAEL UNESCO declared the Necropolis of Bet She'arimin in the area southeast of the city of Haifa as a World Heritage Site in 2015 - making it the ninth site in Israel to hold this distinctive and prestigious certification. Bet She'arim became a renowned Jewish center due to the presence of the spiritual leader Rabbi Judah Hanasi, head of the Sanhedrin. Visitors can explore this and other World Heritage Sites in Israel on a daily basis throughout the year.  (Photo Credit: Israel Nature and Parks Authority) Find more information here. A 75-DAY JOURNEY ALONG THE ISRAEL NATIONAL TRAIL BEGINS MARCH 25TH Starting March 25, 2016, backpackers from Israel and abroad will embark on a 75-day adventure walking the Israel National Trail with non-profit organization WalkAboutLove. Beginning in Eilat, the scenic trail winds through the Mitzpe Ramon Crater, the Arava Desert and the Negev, up to Jerusalem, Caesarea, the lush Galilee and the Golan Heights, finally ending at Mount Hermon. WalkAboutLove offers those interested in Israeli culture the incredible opportunity to discover the country through a combination of nature, culture, history and unique traditions. Find more information here. TEL AVIV SAMSUNG MARATHON 2016 A HUGE SUCCESS! The 2016 Tel Aviv Marathon, which took place on February 29th, has been lauded as a huge success, welcoming some 40,000 runners from Israel and abroad participating in the nation's biggest international sports event. Celebrating the nonstop party life, the run began in Tel Aviv, along the shore of the Mediterranean Sea and into the historical city of Jaffa. The runners crossed the finish line to a lively music celebration at Ganey Yehoshua. The winner, William Kiprono Yegon from Kenya, finished the race in 02:10:51. The 2017 marathon is scheduled to take place on February 24, 2017.  (Photo Credit: Ronen Topelberg) Find photos from the Tel Aviv Marathon here.