Tour Israel Blog

The pedestrian mall located at the end of Agron St., opposite the site of the future Waldorf Astoria Hotel, across the street  from the five star David Citadel Hotel and below the newly opened luxury boutique Mamilla Hotel, connects  East and West Jerusalem seamlessly.

Enter the pedestrian walkway from Agron St., walk straight through and exit at Jaffa Gate right by the Old City Arab souk and the Tower of David Museum.

Outdoor sculpture, Jerusalem, Israel

French tourists, scarved Arab Israeli women, tourists from Jordan, black hatted ultra Orthodox Jewish men,  global-looking teens, stroll along the open air store lined street.  Shoppers with bags bearing logos of  international brands  – the newly opened GAP among them – rest and refresh at one of the cafes (all with free WIFI).

Life-size scultpure line the outdoor mall and attract the attention of little kids, hand-holding couples, and even sprinting pedestrians hurrying to the next appointment.

Mamilla Sculptures, Jerusalem

Tingling sensations, slight dizziness – can’t help it – when I see a sign with the magic word Outlet – I simply need to cross the street to investigate. As I dash through traffic (this can get you fined in Israel), I see the sign hung in the window: 70% off Italian Imports.

Six women in various stages of undress twist and turn in front of the mirror and ask the opinion of the well-accessorized saleswoman.

I spy a huge hot pink straw hat which shades my face (I look kind of like a walking parasol). Anticipating seven months of strong sun in a cloudless sky, I buy the finely made, richly detailed Italian straw hat. It shades my face and is the perfect accessory to create a look, with minimal breezy summertime clothing.

Filmy gossamer scarves – not made in India, but made in Italy, as stated on the very classy tags – in cool pinks, shades of chartreuse, and hot fuschias, as well as a linen sheath with an overlayer of linen cut on an angle, all catch my eye. These are Italian designer pieces at outlet prices, without the Milan hotel bill.

As I leave, the saleswoman (yes, the well-accessorized one) promises to phone when the collection of flowy summer skirts arrive – I’m thinking bare legs and sandals.

Closer to Israel than to the U.S., the influence of Italian design and products is visible in housewares, furniture and clothing. Italian designer items are widely available in stores in Israel’s larger cities.

Goia Roma Outlet Store can be found on Rehovot’s main street at 194 Rehov Herzl. Tel: 08.946.5897.

Tel Aviv’s Old Port, located at the northern end of Dizengoff Street, where the Mediterranean meets the Yarkon River, is the latest in-place to shop, eat, stroll, bike, fish, exercise.

The boardwalk which connects the hangar-like buildings of this once industrial area is, in fact, the perfect place to rollerblade, fish and gaze across the waters to Europe.

Comme Il Faut, a high fashion Tel Aviv design studio has created a total environment in Beit BeNamal. Besides their own label high-end boutiques, Beit BeNamal features Comme Il Faut’s branded restaurant of California-style foods, as well as an adult toy store for women only.

The complex is located at Hangar 26 in the Old Port. Tel: 03.604.1025.

The fine leather evening bags shown here caught my eye at the designer showcase which took place in the Old Port of Tel Aviv. Designs are embossed into the leather to create texture and depth. Or and Idit Bellinky, a husband/wife team, and recent graduates of the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem, design and create in leather.

Handcrafted leather, embossed with free flowing patterns is their signature look and is incorporated into evening purses and larger day bags. Great attention is paid to detail and special hardware which decorate the bags.

Bellinky leather goods can be found in stores around Israel.

The studio is located in the Talpiot neighborhood of Jerusalem. Visitors are welcome, but are advised to phone ahead. Tel: 050.373.9804.

Kakadu Wood Designs offers a unique opportunity to work alongside the company’s chief designer, Reut Shahar, an accomplished artist and sculptor.

Reut’s most recent work can be viewed at the Picabu Restaurant in Disneyworld, Florida. Reut designed Picabu with highly colorful original artwork.

The workshops revolve around the highly colorful unique wood sculpture – both 2- and 3-dimensional – that Kakadu is known for around the world.

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