We fly from Israel to Madrid to take the train to discover Toledo, (where we have a home exchange secured) reputed to be a jewel of Medieval architecture. Aerial view – coming into Madrid Toledo distinguishes itself by its multi-cultural…
A weekend in Jerusalem
After the happening place that Tel Aviv is, we are ready to spend a weekend in Jerusalem, the traditional nexus of three religions: Judaism, Islam and Catholicism. Each religion places both historical and religious significance to Jerusalem and has been…
Tel Aviv, Israel ~ Boardwalk, ancient Jaffa and reconnecting with childhood friends.
After some time on the Moshav, we are ready for the city. I do not know Tel Aviv at all, so we are glad to have an opportunity to spend some time here to get a feel for it. Tel…
Zichron Yakov, Israel ~ Of art, ancient ruins and friends
Before we arrive in Israel I get a warm email from Sally inviting us to visit and spend time with her and her husband Yossi, in Zichron Ya’akov. Sally is a very close friend of my sister Dina (from Dina’s…
Ashkelon, Israel ~ Visiting Niki on Moshav Nir Yisrael.
We are staying with my older sister Niki on the Moshav where she and her husband Dave have lived for the past 30 years. Gili and Tal, their sons, grew up on the Moshav. The main reason and priority for…
My connection to Israel ~ Returning years later!
My (Peta) connection to Israel began with my maternal grandmother who was born around 1907 in the Old City of Jerusalem, in what was then Palestine. She was the 5th generation in her family to be born in Palestine. My…
“I’zaz” ~ A modern loft space in Istanbul, Turkey
We are being hosted for our last two nights in Istanbul, at the unique loft spaces, “I’zaz”in the Taksim neighborhood of Istanbul. Izaz appeals to and attracts the more independent savvy travel or those that frequent Istanbul often and come…
Istanbul, Turkey ~ of mesmerizing mosques and beckoning baklava
The Ottoman Empire… Constantinople… Turkish coffee … kilim carpets….How little we know in fact about Turkey, both modern and throughout history! And yet, the very name Istanbul evokes romantic notions of the Orient… For this reason we have always been…