Accessible Travel in Israel, Part 3: Tel Aviv
Posted January 4th, 2010 in access guides, helpful information and Wheelchair Accessible Attractions
Aerial view of Tel Aviv
Photo by: Jonathan Fain (Stock Exchange)
Happy New Year from Disabled Travelers!
Today we’ll be finishing up a great run through Israel, a destination that combines the best of the west and the Middle East. We’ve touched on wheelchair travel throughout the country, disabled organizations, and accessible attractions in Jerusalem. Now we’ll finish up by looking at great places to visit in Tel Aviv, the hub of modern Israel. Unlike many towns and villages in the countryside that date back hundreds or thousands of years, Tel Aviv was founded in 1909 and has a distinctly modern feel, perched on Israel’s beautiful Mediterranean coast.
Any trip into Tel Aviv is most likely to begin at Ben Gurion Airport, which sits convenient to both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Airports in Israel don’t generally have their own standalone websites, but the Israel Airport Authority has a main site including an index of common questions about accessibility. It’s a one-stop shop for information on air travel around the country. My write-up on accessible cruise ships for the country is still forthcoming, but as it happens, there is a travel agent specifically for this situation: America-Israel Travel, which also runs tours throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean. Possibly worth a look, at least for their travel tips!.
Once you’re there, Tel Aviv is a great city for disabled travel. Wheelchair accessible attractions feature some of the best in Israeli culture, including museums, parks, and monuments. Shalom Tower was the city’s first skyscraper and is inexorably intertwined with its modern history, playing host to exhibitions all about the city. For the arts and theater, The Suzanne Dellal Centre for Theatre and Dance is designed to have maximum disability access, including spacious pathways, elevators, and restroom facilities. The National Museum of the Jewish Diaspora is another good pick; and of course, you can’t miss out on The Tel Aviv Museum of Arts.
The official website for the city’s beautiful Yarkon Park is, unfortunately, not available in English, but I’ve been assured the paths are flat and level, offering great accessibility for wheelchair users and those who prefer a more leisurely pace. Israel Travels is a tour operator that offers pages on featured trips and destinations, as well as several useful books and guides for travel in Israel. While Israel Travel’s offerings aren’t specifically from the handicapped traveler perspective, Access Israel, which I mentioned last time, has its own access guide for Tel Aviv. No matter what your plans include, check there first for the best in Israeli travel with a disability.
Well, that’ll be that for Israel, at least for a while. Where we’ll go next through this blog, even I’m not quite sure – but you can bet we’ll be going there with the best in disabled travel resources at our side. Until then, keep adventuring, and be sure to get in touch if you have questions or comments. You’ll be hearin’ from me!
Si
