Tel Aviv

International business travelers go through the Ben Gurion International Airport as the main entry point in their visit to Tel Aviv. International visitors are usually received at the newest airport terminal where the airport is easily accessible to the city from there. The airport features amenities expected from a first class facility. Ben Gurion also has the one of the largest duty free shops in the world.

From the airport, it is just a matter of choosing the right mode of transportation for you. International travelers usually ride in taxicabs to go into the heart of the city. The taxi fares are regulated at friendly price levels for light business travelers. If you have a lot of bags to bring then be prepared to pay an extra fee.

Other transportation options include buses and trains. These vehicles can be easily accessed from the terminal. An integrated subway from the terminal straight to Tel Aviv is under construction and will be ready by 2012. Whether you go by train or bus, travel time will vary during the weekends because of the Shabat (Sabbath). It usually takes ten minutes to go from the airport to Tel Aviv by train on a weekday.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

The same transportation options that will get you into the city will also get you to the different landmarks and hotels around the city. If you plan to travel by bus, you will find many bus stations because of Tel Aviv's wide network of buses. The bus service starts at an early 5 A.M. Business travelers who decide to stay for a long time in the city can receive a monthly free pass that can cut down your travel cost. Bus drivers are very knowledgeable in English and they will converse with you in English if they are spoken to.

You can also travel by train even though it won't be as far reaching as the bus. While there are plans to build a future line, it is better to consider road travel now as it would be hard to get to your desired place because of the lack of stations within the city. You can use the train as main hubs to go from one district to another.

If you decide on a taxi, calling one off the street is not hard. For scheduled rides you can coordinate with your hotel with extra surcharge. There are also special taxis that can hold six to twelve passengers that are useful for company trips. If you are riding a taxi during a weekend, an extra charge will be taken.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

Tel Aviv has the combination of the old and the new common to other cities in Europe. It is a small-scale metropolis lying on the coast of the Mediterranean. You can be just as enamored by its skyline and beach environment with the old walls and rich culture of the city. In many ways, Tel Aviv is an international city, as it is well known as a party town among the religious cities in Israel and in the Middle East.

Tel Aviv has a nice mix of suburban residential and the corporate, highly urban environment. This is seen more in a north-south line that divides the city. Once you get there you will know exactly what area you are in just by looking around. Depending on your orientation, you regard Tel Aviv as pretty spacious with its hosts of residential cities. Most of the landmarks are spotted in one sector of the city near the beach. If you plan to unwind, you can walk through the night strips in this party town.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

Tel Aviv has various kinds of hotel ready for business travelers or any kind of tourist. The costs range from budget hotels, mid-tier, and luxury 5-star hotels - all offering reasons for you to lodge in their spaces. Some budget hostels are at a minute's walk from the beach or any landmark. Budget rates range from $30-$60 a night. Some hotels even include breakfast in the package. Business travelers will find budget hotels very helpful for their needs since they offer wireless Internet and other business amenities. If you plan to stay in Tel Aviv for a long time without burning some money, then budget hotels are perfect for you.

Mid-tier hotels can reach up to $100 a night. With this price tag you can get into a 4-star hotel and different historic houses that will blend a local flavor to your travel experience. Mid-tier hotels have excellent architectural tastes, mirroring the "White City" architecture in which Tel Aviv is famous for.

Large hotels such as the Hilton have several suites where you can hold your business meetings. Most luxurious hotels are smartly located within the center of the financial district or just a stone throw away from the coastal environment. You can get into these hotels trough online reservations or instant check in. Local hotels are encouraged for business travelers to help you give a nice atmosphere.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

Tel Aviv has the complete set of restaurants across the board to keep you eating. If you desire the usual fast food taste, Tel Aviv has a line of famous western fast food restaurants. You can also try the local menu within these fast food restaurants to see how they put in the Israeli flavor to common western dishes.

Local restaurants are abundant in Tel Aviv. If you find tourist food to expensive and out of your taste, you can ask your hotel staff to find you the best local restaurants in the city. Local restaurants will give you a good feel of the uniqueness of their cuisine since they give larger servings than restaurants catered to tourist and business travelers.

For quick meals, cafes are not out of the question. In fact, the coffee in Tel Aviv is excellent. You can grab your bite sandwiches, toast, or snack and be on the go for your next meeting without much pause.

If you are looking for the elegant kind, it is best to ask your hotel staff before you go in. They usually know what past business travelers enjoyed in their stay. Therefore, they have a good gauge of popular spots that is usually missed in travel guides.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

If you have some time to spare between meetings or before leaving town, Tel Aviv has a lot of history and culture to offer. Tel Aviv has the hint of the European classical tradition and the west Asian traditions that charms business travelers into going back.

Old Jaffa is the oldest city center within Tel Aviv. It has a nice collection of shops, synagogues, and churches influenced by Arab, Christian, and Jewish cultures. As an example there is a church in Old Jaffa built on the remains of the Crusader's fortress.

If you want to stay downtown, you can appreciate the "White City" architecture of Tel Aviv. This architectural style made Tel Aviv a UNESCO world heritage site. There are literally lines of buildings that are enough to be an eye-catching experience for the lover of building design. Of course, the main strength of Tel Aviv as a tourist spot is its fusion of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures that you can see from the seaside promenade and the flea markets in and around the city. Finally, you can go to the famous Rabin Square, which is a large public park known for Prime Minister Rabin's assassination.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

If and when you have more time on your hands, or tasked to organize a business meeting in the city, there are a number of high-profile activities that you can do in Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv's performing arts is the best in the country. The Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Israeli Opera play classical music. You can also find dance performances in Suzanna Dellal Center. Your local hotel will have full information on the play dates of these performances.

Israelis are very passionate when it comes to basketball and this city is no exception. The local team Maccabi Tel Aviv is one of the most celebrated teams in the European basketball league and the top European basketball clubs visit Tel Aviv to give some competition to its home fans. Tickets to these games are available throughout the week.
If soccer is your taste, Tel Aviv has three soccer clubs from its famous districts. Two of these teams are the top squads in Israel and these games draw a large number of fans. However, take extra precaution since large crowds can lead to violence among fans.

The most attractive activity in the city is a leisurely walk along the beachfront. The facilities in this city is comparable with the best beached in the world. There are several marinas where yachts can launch from to complete exciting boat parties in Tel Aviv's clear blue waters.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

Tel Aviv has always been a city full of people who will meet you with open arms. The local are very approachable, helpful, and friendly. Despite the constant threat common in the region, Tel Aviv feels like one of the safer places in the world since the locals make it to a point to look after foreigners especially tourists.

The Israelis are rather positively loose and informal in business meetings. You can notice these qualities from the way they dress. Israeli hosts can come in a meeting in loose khaki pants and sandals. After a quick formal introduction, they prefer to call you in their first name and buzz through the details of the meeting in direct fashion.

With these in mind, informal meetings could not be as smooth as expected from Israeli hosts but that is just because they prefer going to the core of the business rather than wallow in greeting traditions. Israelis are very creative and tend to move past difficult questions in meetings. In many ways, they resemble American businessmen who are right on the dot aside from their more legalistic approach.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

It is important for business travelers to feel safe in the cities that they are visiting. However, half of that should come from the tourist's own preparation. Tel Aviv is in a region where bomb threats are common. In this case just be aware of suspicious packages or curious behavior in the in public places. The local police can easily speak to you in English and there will be no problem asking for help.

Like any other big city, Tel Aviv has the usual number of pickpockets that you should look out for as a foreigner. This is especially true in flea markets and places with a thick number of people. To compensate for that, there are security checkpoints along mall gates that will check the bags of people. Thankfully, Tel Aviv is one of the safer cities in the country.

Do not be discouraged to take public transportation. With all the bomb scare that ward of tourists and business travelers; buses are still safe and effective mode of transportation. Locals are also very friendly to tourist so it will be hard to wrongly assume that they suspect you as the "unfriendly" type. If you have questions, you can approach the driver or any locals and you will usually get a direct answer.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303