Bloomfield Science Museum (Jerusalem)
This hands-on museum is an exciting and educational place for the whole family. Throughout the week experienced guides hold scientific demonstrations, guided tours, workshops and activity corners. Located at Museum Boulevard, Hebrew University, Givat Ram Campus. Phone: +972 2 561 8128

Hayarkon Park (Tel Aviv)
This spacious 1000 acre park has a multitude of activities for the entire family such as mini golf, pony rides, tandem bike rentals and mini train rides to the Puppet Theatre. The park also features exotic gardens, a massive playground and a Bird Safari Zoo where you can feed swans and ducks. The family can also sail on the Genai Yehoshua Lake and cool off at the Memadion Water Park. Located at Hata'arucha Road (North Tel Aviv)

International Cultural Centre for Youth (ICCY) (Jerusalem)
With three centres in Jerusalem, Nazareth and Dalyat El Carmel, the ICCY offers many activities to encourage children of diverse cultures to play and work together. The centre hosts afternoon playgroups, a summer camp and year-round cultural events. The best feature for travellers is the pen-pal. Call for group reservations to learn about Israeli-Arabs, Druze culture and the relationship between Israel and its neighbours. Located at 12 Emek Refaim, Jerusalem

Kad v'Homer (Jerusalem)
This is Israel's first paint-your-own pottery shop with 100 different items to decorate. There is an extensive selection of traditional Jewish pottery such as menorahs for Chanukah and honey pots for Rosh Hashanah. The price of each item includes firing and glazing. Allow for up to five days for items to be ready. Phone: +972 2 624 5329. Located at 9 Kikar Safra, (by City Hall)

Liberty Bell Park & Train Theatre (Jerusalem)
This is a perfect place for children of all ages. Located across from the Yemin Moshe neighbourhood, this park has a playground, puppet theatre, train theatre, shaded picnic areas, basketball courts and a smooth rink for roller skating or street hockey. At night the outdoor amphitheatre occasionally hosts concerts, movies and folk dancing. Lining the park are paths for strollers and shaded areas for picnics. At the intersection of Keren Hayesod and Kind David Street

Time Elevator (Jerusalem)
This thrilling simulator ride takes you through 3000 years of Jerusalem's history. A simulated journey through earthquakes, fires, and the destruction of the city (with seat jolts to accompany) takes the seat-belted audience through 25 minutes of fascinating and realistic history from the times of King David to the Six-Day War in 1967 and concludes with a beautiful aerial ride over modern Jerusalem. There are stationary seats for heart patients, pregnant women, or those with motion sickness. The attraction is not suitable for children under five years.
 www.time-elevator-jerusalem.co.il/

Tisch Family Zooological Gardens (Jerusalem)
This is a great zoo with indoor and outdoor exhibits, including a petting zoo and a lake that is home to many birds and an island of monkeys. Larger animals such as zebras, elephants and deer run freely in an extensive outdoor area. There is a 15 percent discount for tourists, just show your passport to the cashier.

Tree Planting in the Jerusalem Forest Take part in a 100 year tradition and plant your own tree in the Jerusalem Forest. For a small donation, you can receive a tour of the forest and receive a small tree to plant. Participants will receive a certificate and the feeling of doing a good deed for the environment and the Israeli landscape. Call in advance to reserve a planting time. Phone: +972 2 670 7411. www.kkl.org.il/

YMCA Kids Activities (Jerusalem)
This centre provides numerous activities for ages two through 17 as well as a nursery school and kindergarten with small classes and great facilities for interactive learning. Children can choose from and music classes, swimming lessons and other creative activities. The Youth Leadership Club is a cultural programme that brings Israeli Jews and Arabs together, including field trips, sports, movies and lectures. Located at 26 King David Street Phone: +972 2 569 2692

Hiking Near the northern border is Mount Hermon, the highest point in Israel. It is an inviting place to hike year round, with clear summer days bestowing fantastic views of Galilee, the Golan, and southern Lebanon. Its high, cooler elevation offers a refreshing break from summer heat with its slopes still bursting with the vitality of springtime. During the winter, Mount Hermon is a popular ski resort, although even in the middle of summer, there are still snowy areas in the upper part of Mount Hermon; the chair lift operates all year.

Summer visitors to Mount Hermon can enter the site free of charge and take part in free tours led by guides from the Nature Reserves Authority. You can also take a jeep tour, with the expert guides of Safari Hahermon.

The outskirts of Jerusalem features a popular 9-kilometre hike which covers a range of historical sites. Known as the Nahal Hama’ara trail, this well-marked route begins at Moshav Bar Giora and finishes at Moshav Zanoah. Outside Jerusalem, high on the hills of East Talpiot, the Haas Promenade offers magnificent views of the entire Jerusalem landscape. There are many walking trails and lovely, shaded grasslands for picnics. Visitors are advised to avoid visiting the area alone at night as it is not well lit and far from the centre of town.

In Tel Aviv, hiking and walking can be enjoyed during the cooler months in Yakorn National Park, Eliat has Coral Beach Nature Reserve, in Haifa visit Mount Carmel National Park, and Tiberias features Hamat Tiberias National Park.

In Tel Aviv, hiking and walking can be enjoyed during the cooler months in Yakorn National Park, Eliat has Coral Beach Nature Reserve, in Haifa visit Mount Carmel National Park, and Tiberias features Hamat Tiberias National Park.

Skiing Surprisingly, there is a year-round ski season at Mount Hermon, on the northern border. Chair lifts operate all year and snowy areas can be found in the upper slopes even in the middle of the summer.

Water Sports Fishing, sailing, yachting, surfing, swimming, water-skiing, windsurfing and kayaking are all available on the Mediterranean Sea. There are marinas in Akko, Eilat, Jaffa and Tel Aviv. Scuba diving and snorkelling are especially popular in Eilat on the Red Sea coast with an excellent underwater observatory descending to the floor of the coral reef near the town.

Dining in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv is a pure delight. The array of cuisine and venues is impressive, ranging from small local eateries to fine dining and exotic taverns.

Israeli cuisine is essentially a combination of Asian, Middle Eastern and Western tastes, with an additional distinct flavour brought by the many nationalities which populate Israel. Some restaurants are expensive, though a high price does not necessarily mean a high standard. Restaurants, bars and cafes catering for tourists usually have menus in two languages (Hebrew plus English or French).

Some national specialties are Falafel (deep fried mashed chickpeas), Humus (ground chickpea spread), Tahini (sesame seed paste), Shishlik (charcoal grilled meat on a skewer), Kebabs (meat usually served in a pita bread), Gefilte fish (a traditional Jewish white fish dish), and chopped liver with chicken soup. National drinks include wines ranging from light white to dry red and sweet rosé, beer from Gold Star and Maccabee, Arak (an anise drink), Hard Nut (a walnut concoction from Eliaz winery), and Sabra (chocolate and orange liqueur).

Kosher means food conforming to Jewish religious dietary laws. Dairy products may not be served together with meat in the same meal. Pork and shellfish are officially prohibited, but it is possible to find them on many menus in non-kosher restaurants.

There are some outstanding restaurants in Jerusalem worth mentioning. A visit to one or more of the following will surely enhance your Israeli experience:

Armenian Taverna is one of the most charming restaurants in town, complete with a fountain, large chandelier, and soft Armenian music in the background. Their delectable Armenian specialities and intoxicating atmosphere make reservations essential on Friday and Saturday evenings. Deserts, wine and mixed drinks are also served. Located at 79 Armenian Patriarchate Road, Jerusalem Phone: +972 2 627 3854

Beni Fish Restaurant is one of the best places to enjoy fresh fish prepared and inspired from Jewish and Middle Eastern specialities. An impressive array of exotic sauces accompany your fish, such as olive and almond sauce, apple and mushroom sauce, and banana sauce. Kosher shrimps broiled with mushrooms and nuts is a scrumptious dish and so is their baked trout. Children will be happy with their British style “fish fingers”. Located at 1 Mesilat Yesharim Street, Jerusalem

Chakra is a popular local hangout with a beautiful seating area with huge windows around the bar and an antique crystal chandelier. The food is impressive and the drink selection extensive, including the finest Vodkas and beer on tap. The cuisine is ranges from Barbecue Shish Kebab and Fettuccini Alfredo to a generous array of shellfish such as calamari and mussels. Located at 18 Shlomtzion, Jerusalem Phone: +972 2 625 2733.

Darna prides itself on its authentic cuisine guaranteed to have been created by chefs of Moroccan descent. Needless to say, its speciality is couscous, served in a bowl big enough for two with a variety of toppings from meats to fish and vegetables. Not to be missed is the famous Sahlab, a fragrant dessert made with soy milk and rosewater. Located at 3 Horkanos St, Jerusalem www.darna.co.il

Eucalyptus is run by award-winning chef Moshe Basson who picks herbs and mushrooms from the hills surrounding Jerusalem. He also runs seminars in English and Hebrew about cooking with local herbs. It is staffed by both Jews and Arabs and serves dishes that reflect the two cultures. Located at 4 Safra Square, (City Hall), Jerusalem Phone: +972 2 624 4331.

Holy Bagel Factory is a paradise for bagel lovers, offering a staggering variety of fresh bagels, cream cheeses and mouth-watering toppings. Also baked daily are muffins, croissants and borekas (filo pastry filled with cheese, potato or mushroom). Two locations: at 220 Jaffa Road, (near the Central Bus Station), and 39 Jaffa Road, Jerusalem.

Kohinoor is Israel's first Kosher Indian eatery and winner of the Chaine des Rotisseurs award. Its ornately tiled Indian doors are a sign that you are in for an authentic and upscale experience. The Indian staff go out of their way to be polite and attentive. There is a classical Indian dance performance every night at 19:00. Situated in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem Phone: +972 2 658 8888

Pasha's presents an authentic Lebanese dining experience, with most dishes cooked with love by the owner's mother. It draws an eclectic crowd from sheikhs to journalists and is open until midnight. Located at 13 Shimon Hazadiq, Sheikh Jarrah Phone: +972 2 582 5162.

Haoman 17 is the place to party, featuring the best DJs from around the world and weekly theme parties and entertainment such as trapeze artists, fashion shows and fire eaters. Music is mainly techno house, trip-hop and acid jazz. There is a full bar and sushi is also served. Getting in sometimes takes waiting in long queues or having a connection. Situated at 17 Haoman Street, Jerusalem

Note:
By law, a 15 percent service charge is added to restaurant, cafe and hotel bills.

Shopping in Israel offers great choice from traditional handmade products to high fashion. Outside of the boutiques and inside the street markets, bargaining is the name of the game. Both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem provide shoppers with a wonderful selection of fabulous boutiques and exciting outdoor markets.

Special purchases include shoes, leather goods, jewellery, precious stones, ceramics, embroidery, glassware, wines, religious articles and holy books.

Be sure to browse the alleyways of Jaffa Flea Market in Old Jaffa, Tel Aviv. Run primarily by Sephardic Jews, Jaffa's famous flea market is a haven for antique lovers. Adorned with carpets, furniture and antiques, this is one of the most colourful street markets in Israel, swarming with locals and tourists alike. A fantastic collection of junk is sold in the backstreets of the market with some superb bargains on antiques.

Also in Old Jaffa is the wonderful Gabrieli Weaving shop, featuring an array of mostly hand-woven traditional Jewish items. These include tallit, (Jewish prayer shawls) kippot (yarmulkes), and decorative works with Jewish themes. Though traditional, the styles are distinctively modern and original, with vibrant colours and innovative designs. There are also other items besides those of a Jewish nature such as dresses, shawls, handbags, etc. Located in a narrow corridor at 12 Mazal Dagim Street, Old Jaffa (gallery area), Tel Aviv

The eclectic and stylish Gazith Shoes attracts everyone from celebrities to tourists, presenting a seemingly endless array of fashionable footwear from funky and sporty to formal and casual. Located at 5 Sheinkin Street, Jaffa, Tel Aviv

Another great place for shoes is Shaul Shoes in Jerusalem. A long running family business, Shaul Shoes specialises in shoes for comfort as well as extra narrow or wide and large sizes. The range includes orthopaedic shoes as well as the brands Naot, Clarks, Birkenstock, Beautifeel, Hush Puppies and Soft Spots. Located at 2 Bezalel Street, Jerusalem

For those with a sweet tooth, head to Candyworld and Max Brenner (Chocolate by the Bald Man), both in Jerusalem, offering a mouth-watering assortment of homemade sweets and chocolates in singles or with beautiful packaging. Candyworld is at 47 Jaffa Street, while Max Brenner is at 23 Emek Refaim.

While in Tel Aviv, you can’t miss Blue near Rabin Square. Two faux men sit on top of a roof above a large painting of a woman holding a gigantic pair of jeans. Here is where you’ll find clothes by Armani and Cerruti, to name a few. Located at 132 Ibn Gvirol Street.

Aminut, in Tel Aviv, is a coin collectors dream, selling coins from around the world (especially gold) as well as bank notes, Israeli stamps, albums and velvet display boxes. They also buy foreign coins. Located at 55 Ben Yehuda Street

If you want a really unique souvenir, you can make your own piece of jewellery at Haruz Kazeh in Tel Aviv. In addition to a huge assortment of beads and charms, there is also a selection of unusual ready-made items. Located at 84 Bograshov Street

Tourists who buy leather goods at shops listed by the Ministry of Tourism and pay for them in foreign currency are exempt from VAT (Value Added Tax) and receive a 25 percent discount on leather goods if these are delivered to them at the port of departure. Cash-back on purchased items can be claimed from the Customs Office at the airport.

Shopping hours are generally from Sunday through Friday 08:00-19:00. Shops in hotels are often open until midnight. Due to the variety of religions in Israel, you may come across different shopping hours depending on the venue: Muslim shops close on Fridays, Jewish shops on Saturdays and Christian shops close on Sundays.