May 20
I am captivated by street food and open food markets. Sliding into already crowded streets, the colors, smells, and variety of the stalls are fantastic for exploring and getting to know a new destination. Cities and regions can be defined by their offerings. The character of the street food reveals something about a place and its culture.
Making Falafel in Jerusalem. I’m pretty sure I ate the ones frying in this picture.
Terrific view of old city from the roof deck of the Akko Knights Youth Hostel (Photo from hostel)
I wrote recently about the old historic core of Acre (or Akko), Israel which is packed with Crusader era ruins. Since Acre is mostly a day-tripper’s destination, we stayed a night in the only accommodations in the old city – a youth hostel. Apparently you can’t dig anywhere in the Acre without discovering an archaeological site! I was surprised to find that our youth hostel had its own set of ruins on site and did an excellent job exhibiting them as natural elements of the hostel premise.
The monthly ArtSmart Roundtable brings together some of the best art-focused travel blogs to post on a common theme. This month we are focusing on Art Experiences. Check out all the inspiring and fantastic stories below!
Norman horsemen riding into Battle from the Bayeux Tapestry
I’ve joked before about my “art pilgrimages” but I truly think some works need to be seen in person. There are details that can not be conveyed in photographs, and sometimes the scope and effect of the piece can only be appreciated in front of the artwork. I’ve experienced this sense of presence most intensely with the 12th century Bayeux Tapestry. Essentially a 230 foot long storyboard of exquisite embroidery, this object retells the the Battle of Hastings with drama, charm, and emotion. Without even realizing it, I spent 4 hours with the Bayeux Tapestry and loved it!
One edge of square shaped Acre abuts the ocean ad is heavily fortified
For approximately the 12th and 13th century, Acre (or Akko) served as the capitol of the Crusader kingdom of Palestine. A valuable port city on the Mediterranean, Acre received soldier and supplies as waves of European warriors landed. This city also prospered as a trading hub between Europe and the near East. The old city of Acre and the Crusader structures therein are well preserved and provide a glimpse into this bloody period of history. But what I found in Acre was a well established historical city with elegant architecture suggesting a more stable community during a very violent period in the region.
Some cities like Bruges, Rouen, and Sienna are locked into one architectural style. Huge swings in economic prosperity followed by war or plague created these time-capsule cities preserving their perfect medieval core. But this kind of preserved architectural purity can still happen!
Detailed railings and shutters at 44 Balfour St. make this one of the most decorative homes in the White City.
A huge wave of Jewish immigrants from Europe landed in Israel in the 1930’s. Moving just North along the coast from Jaffa, these new residents build the city of Tel Aviv. Skilled architects and brilliant modern designers created the city in the Bauhaus, or International Style. Originally an industrial design ascetic which focused on pure lines, simplified geometric forms, and maximal utility, the Bauhaus concepts developed into a unique and thoroughly modern sytle. Much of “old” Tel Aviv was built during this period which has resulted one of the most consistent modern architectural neighborhoods in the World. In 2003 UNESCO recognized this so called “White City” as a World Heritage Site For visitors, its a living museum of pure Bauhaus.
Daydream Tourist 