#ilovejerusalem

[lanternlightersblog]

#Repost @jerusalem.flaneuse • • • • • • Jerusalem, Israel Wander around with no destination in mind and you just might find beautiful surprises. 2019. . . . . . . . . #jerusalemflaneuse #citystroll #alleyway #jerusalem #israel #nachlaot #buildings #architecture #rooftops #cityscape #cityviews #urban #urbandesign #skyline #visitisrael #ilovejerusalem #photooftheday #design #aesthetic #view #scenic #sky #goldenhour #wanderlust #explore #cityphotography #beautifulearth #Иерусалим #ירושלים #Ukrainewillwin https://www.instagram.com/p/Cje6j6Uo1aD/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[mosaicofsoul]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Michael Polkanov (@maiklpol)

#nofilter #jerusalem #ilovejerusalem #israel #hot #warm #weather #blue #sky #city #telaviv #road #street #way #people #life #live #architecture #video #bird #myway #night #light #view #hotel (at Jerusalem, Israel)

[yuval-david]

My love and I in a city I love, Jerusalem. #ILoveJLM #I❤️JLM #ILoveJerusalem #YuvalDavid #inlove #Jerusalem #JerusalemCity #OldCityJerusalem #israel #israeli #gaycouple #gayisrael #LGBTIsrael #lgbtq #lgbtisrael #🇮🇱 #🏳️‍🌈 #👬 #👨‍❤️‍👨 #husbands #gayhusbands #israelipride #ירושלים #ירושליםשלזהב #ישראל (at Jerusalem, Israel) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0HICSMBng0/?igshid=1g0l8z6yt4npk

[ronnymata23]

"Tell Aaron and his sons, This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them"." (Numbers 6:23-27) #mystery_of_jerusalem . . #כותל #ירושלים #ilovejerusalem #humansofjudaism #our_jerusalem #loves_israel #all_israel #israel_best #jew #westernwall #judaism #templemount #jewishpride #jewishpeople #jewish #sukkot #photodocumentary #instagram_israel #kotel #birkatkohanim #israeli_frame #photojournalist #priestlyblessing #templemount #minveciviczazitku #visitisrael #itraveljerusalem #il_instagram #jerusalemoftheday #jerusalem_photo_of_the_day (en Jerusalem, Israel) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoMKgHhhcG2Ks7C_Cv-MexBOvBs32cH8lwLmS00/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14y9yfnf4s7ss

[theresegilardi]

#mountofolives #jerusalem #ilovejerusalem #israel

[valigiaaduepiazze]

Buon anno nuovo dalla Città Santa che raccoglie tra le sue mura il cuore delle tre grandi religioni monoteiste. Siamo nell’incrocio della Vita. * Happy New Year from the Holy City which preserves the heart of the three great monotheistic religions. We are in the intersection of Life. * * * * * #valigiaaduepiazze #valigiaaduepiazzeinisraele #israel #israele #igersisrael #ig_israel #jerusalemoftheday #jerusalem #ig_jerusalem #holycity #theholycity #holyland #theholyland #gerusalemme #ilovejerusalem #happynewyear #happy2018 (presso Wailing wall - הכותל המערבי)

[samuelherrera]

En el tren de Jerusalén. #Jerusalen #jerusalem #Jewish #Israel #istandwithisrael #Israelgram #ILoveJerusalem #jerusalemtrain #Instagram #InstaVideos #InstaEveryThing (en רחוב יפו ירושלים)

[travelure]

  Abhaneri Baoli – a 1000-year old architectural marvel

The first-ever Festival of Places (7-9 April 2017) is currently on in Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi. Incidentally, I was invited to speak here on its inaugural day (7 April). The proposed topic was – ‘A Change in the way We Think, Talk and Use Public Spaces’. This article is a gist of my talk there. It uses Akko Crusader Fortress as an excellent example a deliberately designed repurposing of space.

Akko Crusader Fortress – Designed Repurposing of Space

As a Travel Photographer who aims to make destinations desirable, I look for beauty in a place. Mostly, this beauty is evident. In some cases, I have to unearth it, as it may not be that obvious.

I have travelled to numerous destinations – both, in India and abroad. I have noticed that the destinations sought after by travellers for their heritage and history have their own unique brand of spaces that attract.

Common sense tells me that when these spaces were created, they had a strong purpose that was relevant to the people of those times. Once the times change, many of these structures would lose their relevance.

For example, Baolis (Stepwells) were created as a place that helped harvest rainwater to meet a community’s needs. They also acted as “Facebook/Twitter/Social Media of that era where the community gathered for catching up on news.” – as quoted by Vikramjit Singh Rooprai, a heritage activist and a fellow speaker at ‘Festival of Places’.

Once that happens, a natural progression is these spaces are then re-purposed.

Let us take a look at some such repurposed spaces

Jantar Mantar, New Delhi was built in 1724. It is a set of 13 architectural astronomy structures. Its primary purpose was to track the timing and the movement path of various planets and stars. As times changed, this structure was no longer required to perform its mandated purpose.

Hence, the people in Delhi repurposed this space for various protests, simply because this space was close to the Indian Parliament building.

Anarkali Bazaar – a haven for souvenir-hunting tourists

Similarly, the UNESCO heritage site of Red Fort was built with an original purpose of fortification. Over the years, the task of such fortification became more sophisticated. It meant – defence forces that use myriad ways of securing the nation’s borders hijacked the original purpose of Red Fort.

Result? Red Fort was repurposed as a historically significant space. It started getting thronged by travellers interested in Nation’s glorious history. Additionally, the ramparts of this fort are used for the Independence Day speech of India’s Prime Minister.

Tourists at the Red Fort

Designed Repurposing of Spaces

There is nothing wrong if these spaces get repurposed; particularly, if it happens with a thought. And here, the thought cannot just be to protect a historical monument.

Such superficial reason to protect a heritage structure is unlikely to stop the ravages of times and communities. It is likely that sooner or later, such a structure will bite the dust, as the people of the vicinity would see no plausible benefit.

Here, a case in point is the ancient monuments of Delhi. Vikramjit, on his site www.monumentsofdelhi.com, pegs the total number of such historical monuments at 1317.

While a couple of hundred of these monuments are being looked after by the state government, records of Archeological Survey of India (ASI) show that ASI manages 174 of these.

But this number dwindled to 149 when ASI did a physical verification. It seems that the missing 25 monuments have been demolished and the people of the vicinity have repurposed its building material and location, as they saw no practical use of those old dilapidated structures (Data Source: The Times of India Archives, courtesy Dr Nalin Mehta, a fellow speaker at ‘The Festival of Places’).

Given this reality, it is imperative that if the governments wish to protect such spaces, they should now allow arbitrary or accidental repurposing of such spaces. They actually need to design a complete repurposing package.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Akko (Acre) Crusader Fortress

An excellent example of ‘repurposing with a clear design’ is the Akko Crusader Fortress. The Old Acre Development Company Ltd., a Government Company reporting into the Israel Ministry of Tourism, is managing this fortress. While it was accorded a UNESCO heritage site status in 2001, the excavations to unearth this Pompeii-like township continued. Its newly excavated areas were opened to the public in 2011.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The fortress has used dioramas, still and video projections, and life-sized statues in period costumes to bring the history of the place alive. These efforts help the visitors get a deeper understanding of the history of the crusader era Israel. A day visit to the Fortress costs 40 Shekels (approx. Rs. 800).

But this day visit is just a vanilla version experience of this fortress that has seen the knights jousting in its portals, kings plotting and annihilating enemies, prisoners who were condemned to the underground dungeons, and more.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The Royal Experience

Akko Fortress offers an embellished experience to visitors. Here, you may reserve a seat at the royal dinner table and dine with a make-believe King. This experience begins as soon as you arrive outside the fortress. Just outside the fortress, you are greeted with knights dressed in crusader era costumes, elegantly perched on their handsome steeds.

Once you enter the fortress building, a sommelier offers you a welcome drink of wine. Hostesses dressed in period finery usher you towards the royal dining hall. Along the path, you see the day-to-day happenings from the annals of history – slaves digging a tunnel, a wrongdoer being whipped by a prison guard, etc.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Furthermore, in the royal dining hall, you are made to doff a colourful paper crown and become royalty. As soon as you are seated, a troupe of royal entertainers waltzes in to regale you with their performances during the evening. Soon enough, you see entertainers of all hues – dancers, musicians, acrobats, jesters, fire dancers, and knights. And did I say there is a king too! This 2.5-hour dinner is rounded off with an exhilarating show of jousting!

This surreal experience costs the visitors 200 Shekels (approx.. Rs. 4000)

A jousting knight

The Advantages

This dining experience creates longer-lasting memories for the visitor and they get their bragging rights of having dined in a UNESCO heritage site. Naturally, it heightens their engagement with the fortress and helps them develop a better understanding of the history of medieval Israel. And of course, it helps the organisers bag 5x revenue!

For the local community, it brings in more travellers to their city for longer time – leading to more spending by the tourists. It also has generated a lot of direct and indirect employment for the residents in and around Akko. Surely that gets in more overall revenue for this small town. It has also given them a reason to be proud since the gushing travellers rate Akko as a ‘Must-Visit’ site in Northwest Israel.

The Festival of Places – A much-needed platform for dialogue on public spaces

So, what’s the point?

Nothing stops us in India to create such memorable experiences around these heritage spaces that may have lost their original purpose and relevance, but can still turn into a rich source of revenue for the community around these spaces. Such designed repurposing will truly be a win-win-win for all stakeholders.

Now, can you imagine the pull of a Royal Mughal Dining experience in Taj Mahal precincts or inside the fort walls of Red Fort? Additionally, can you imagine the revenue potential it offers the resource-starved government departments? Such experiences have a potential of enhancing India’s pull as a destination. And the visitors who experience it will not be wrong in flagging our country as ‘Incredible India’!

PIN IT!

Akko Crusader Fortress – Designed Repurposing of Space #TBEXjlm #FestivalOfPlaces The first-ever Festival of Places (7-9 April 2017) is currently on in Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi.

[danielschneider]

I got to write A Food-Lover's Guide to Jerusalem for the @TheSundayTimes & @ilovejerusalem https://t.co/sRe0TJl6vj pic.twitter.com/Gzy2JxBMYI

— Noga Tarnopolsky (@NTarnopolsky) July 5, 2019

[cheese-traveller]

Tweeted

My Jerusalem: Places I Love In This Timeless City >>> https://t.co/9Hx4XsIjTt #travel #ttot @ilovejerusalem pic.twitter.com/eX2QSzOgez

— Claudia Tavani (@Claudioula) February 26, 2018

[fb101-blog]

@ilovejerusalem: Tasty Travels Around #Jerusalem: @Bitemojo Self Guided Food Tours - https://t.co/pCdYeNZ9cu via @trip101com #travel… https://t.co/4LYwJG2MsV

http://twitter.com/ilovejerusalem

[mappingmegan]

Israeli Visa For Indians https://t.co/Px546P1DyP #travel #TbexJLM #ilovejerusalem @MeetinIsrael @IsraelTourism via @soumna

Israeli Visa For Indians https://t.co/Px546P1DyP #travel #TbexJLM #ilovejerusalem @MeetinIsrael @IsraelTourism via @soumna

— Megan Claire (@mappingmegan) March 30, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/mappingmegan March 30, 2017 at 06:00AM via IFTTT

[valigiaaduepiazze]

Stare fermi e osservare a lungo. Il primo impatto con ciò che resta del Tempio. Il mio, come quello di questa sconosciuta. * The first impact with what remains of the Temple. Me, like this girl. * * * * * #valigiaaduepiazze #valigiaaduepiazzeinisraele #gerusalemme #westernwall #murodelpianto #wailingwall #ig_israel #israele #all_israel #igersisrael #jewishgirl #jerusalem #ilovejerusalem (presso הכותל המערבי - Western Wall)

[samuelherrera]

"¡Canta, oh capital de Sión! ¡Da voces de júbilo, oh Israel! ¡Alégrate y regocíjate de todo corazón, Oh ciudad de Jerusalem!" - Sofonías 3:14 (BTX) #jerusalem #Jerusalén #Israel #istandwithisrael #Israelgram #ILoveJerusalem #Zion #Sión #Instagram #Instapic #InstaEveryThing (en Jerusalem, Capital of Israel)

[travelure]

Sunrise from my balcony

Feeling Like Royalty At Hotel King David Jerusalem – Travelure ©

For the third consecutive time, TBEX invited me as a speaker. This time, the invite was for speaking in TBEX International, Jerusalem. While the conference was for 4n/4d (including the Speakers’ party), my total stay in Israel was for 9n/10d.

Dan Hotels, Israel’s premier chain of hotels, hosted me in three of their properties – Hotel Dan Panorama (Jerusalem), Hotel Dan Carmel (Haifa) and Hotel King David, Jerusalem. We had a packed itinerary during our stay at Dan Panorama and Dan Carmel. We had a hectic conference followed by a hectic Familiarisation Trip.

For my account of my Jerusalem Visit – Do Not Die Without Going To Jerusalem, click HERE.

After the Fam Trip concluded, I returned to Jerusalem for a 2-night stay in Hotel King David. My intent was to visit Beit Guvrin (Bet Guvrin) Caves in Central Israel, just about 55 km from Jerusalem. During these two days, my schedule was light and I got to truly experience the hotel.

The Institution Called King David

Calling King David a hotel is blasphemous. The property is an iconic institution that has hosted the global ‘who’s who’ over its 85-year existence. As a heritage monument, it has witnessed hues of history as varied as parades in honour of royalty, communal clashes, random bombings, and more. In fact, in 1946, a section of the hotel had collapsed courtesy one such bombing.

View from the Jerusalem Suite

Located just across the road from YMCA, the hotel accords stunning views of Jerusalem. While the rooms in the front overlook the New City with YMCA in the foreground, the rooms on the rear offer the coveted view of Old Town Jerusalem.

First Impressions

I had arrived late in the evening from Haifa. The journey had been tiring, yet interesting, as we had made stops at the only 18-hole Golf Course in Israel (Caesarea Golf & Country Club), Caesarea Amphitheatre and Roman Ruins, and Tel Aviv. As soon as our tour bus dropped me in front of King David and I started to wheel in my baggage, a courteous bellhop took charge of my luggage and ushered me into the luxuriously appointed subtly lit lobby of the hotel. The general environs exuding cheeriness took away whatever fatigue had engulfed my body.

For more Israel experiences (In The Footsteps of Jesus), click HERE.

The Dining Hall, King David

Once in the room, I was impressed with the thoughtfulness of the room fittings – especially the number and placements of the electrical sockets. I could simultaneously charge my camera batteries, my phone and still had enough sockets to plug in a few more gizmos!

The French window led me to a balcony that was an impressive overlook to the Jerusalem City Wall, Jaffa Gate and the Tower of David. I poured myself a drink, settled down there, and thought to myself – ‘Life is good!’

The view

The Experience

As I got out of the elevator to make my way to the stately dining hall that served breakfast, a vanity strip caught my attention. The strip ran bang in the middle of the aisle leading to the restaurant. What adorned this white strip were the autographs of past and present celebrities, heads of states, Forbes 500 list-ers, Time Magazine Men of the Year, and more. A gentle inquiry revealed that King David had hosted all of them at some time or the other.

The Vanity Strip

Here’s a small, yet representative sample of the famous guests hosted in the past by King David – Nelson Mandela, Joe Cocker, Richard Gere, Bill Clinton, Candice Bergen, Harry Belafonte, Lord Mountbatten, Yehudi Menuhin, Winston Churchill… and this list can go on and on!

The breakfast buffet was a lavish spread comprising half a dozen or more fresh juices (and even more available on request). There was an elaborate range of cereals and cheese, fish, eggs to taste, salads et al. Settling down, I enjoyed my most perfect egg benedict here as I took in the ambiance.

Entrance, as viewed from the lobby

The Ambiance

There was a palpable lack of loud and boisterous guests. In fact, the crowd was, what I would classify as elegant. The service was attentive, yet unobtrusive. And the ambiance, while it could have been stiff and standoffish, was in fact pleasantly friendly.

During my breakfast the next morning, I experienced that extra edge King David has – its staff. Some of them have been with the hotel for as much as 30 years! For these loyalists, the trademark King David hospitality has started to flow in their veins. One such staffer walked up to me and politely asked if I would care for an orange juice and an egg benedict. I was amazed at his attentiveness. He had taken pains to remember my choices from the previous day. I am sure this kind of attention to a guest’s likes is truly welcome for returning guests!

My Walk About in King David

The famed table that went to Sea of Galilee for Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty signing

As the hotel had hosted me, Ms. Naomi Prizker from Guest Relations took me around on a tour of the hotel and its history. This show around was punctuated by some remarkable tales of history-creating moments that have had a powerful impact on modern-day Israel and its strong presence on global stage. One such tale was of an antique table from King David’s Reading Room that was transported to the Sea of Galilee for the signing of the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

As we made our way towards the Jerusalem Suite (the largest suite in King David), she mentioned that later in the day, the Slovakian President would be occupying it as he was on a state visit to Israel. As we entered the suite, it left me overawed. With an area of 155 sqm or 1670 sq ft, this Head-of-State Office-cum-Residential Chamber is larger than most 2BHK apartments in Israel.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Its entrance lobby passages lead you to the boardroom-cum-dining room or to the lounge-cum-living area. Right here is a guest powder room that may be accessed through this lobby. The living area comfortably seats 8. The suite has its dedicated nook for a treadmill and comes with a fully stocked bar.

My room too had this magic TV in the bathroom!

While showing me the bathroom, Ms. Prizker asked me if I knew what the dark patch on the bathroom mirror was. Noticing I wasn’t sure what it was, she stepped up and flicked a switch. That dark patch suddenly came alive as a TV screen! Well, that feature isn’t only reserved for the Jerusalem Suite but is de rigueur across the various room categories King David offers.

The Outdoors

While the terrace of the hotel is out-of-bounds for normal guests, I was taken there to savour the 360-degree view around the property. I can easily say this was perhaps the best view of Old Town Jerusalem (with an exception of the view from the Mount of Olives). My walk through the poolside gardens filled me with an unusual calm as the constant buzz of a city in Brownian Motion suddenly felt distant.

For a cool video of Buzzing Jerusalem (Vignettes of Jerusalem), click HERE.

The outdoors

Earlier during my stay, I had tweeted an image of King David and one of my TweePals had messaged me back urging me to stay a few more days at King David till the pool opened as this was the best pool in town!

Here’s that tweet!

Enough said, I say.

Given this blue-blooded lineage, it is no wonder that the tariff here is steep. Here, the lowest category room can set you back US$ 500 or more, depending on the season (For further details on tariff and reservations, click HERE). But if you compare like for like hotels anywhere across the globe, it is a competitive tariff. Even more so, when you know that Israel is a relatively expensive destination.

Like I said, fit for the blue-blooded

So, if you are looking to feel like royalty anytime soon, and happen to be in Jerusalem, check in to King David. You can thank me later!

PIN IT!

Feeling Like Royalty At Hotel King David Jerusalem Feeling Like Royalty At Hotel King David Jerusalem - Travelure © For the third consecutive time, TBEX invited me as a speaker.

[fb101-blog]

@ilovejerusalem: What's Roman Baklava? This delicious dish at @inbalhotel in #jerusalem https://t.co/hyvCbfj7yV via @savoryroad… https://t.co/eOKy1osXpK

http://twitter.com/ilovejerusalem