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I've been to Istanbul. To be honest, it's not that impressive and nice as it looks on pictures and TV.
Lots of homeless people, moderate unreported crime rate, developing, crazy drivers.
Tel Aviv is modern and well designed. It combines the best elements of a North American city (technology) and a European one (culture). The people seem happy and are easy to talk to.
Athens is a historic but somewhat chaotic city. There is much more to it than Omonoia and Syntagma. The south coast near Glyfada feels like Tel Aviv. Kifissia and other northern suburbs are great for hanging out. There are many hidden gems that are off plain sight that you would have to read a guide to become aware of. The locals are generally friendly. If someone is xenophobic it is likely Albanian and a woman.
Rome I have no experience with.
Istanbul I also have no experience with but I would steer clear of a country where Islam is the dominant religion.
Tel Aviv: I'm not really a beach person and I guess there are equally good places for a nice party elsewhere (read: not that far away) in the world.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pigeonhole
I would choose Tel Aviv in a heartbeat : more southerly, beach culture, great nightlife, a south Californian/ Rio de Janeiro feel, and more secure than the rest of Israel in terms of tensions with Palestinians.
There is a lot more to Tel Aviv than just a beach, cafe and party culture. There is real culture as well.
In Tel Aviv there are Israeli National Theater Habima, the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, the Israeli Opera (located at Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center), the well known Tel Aviv Municipal Kameri Theater and the Israel Ballet Company (which is based in Tel Aviv).
Also the well worth a visit is the Diaspora Museum (located on the campus of Tel Aviv University) and if one likes modern art the Tel Aviv Museum of Art is another noteworthy place of culture.
Israelis are friendly to visitors and has good public transportation (except on the Jewish Shabbat/Saturday and religious Jewish holidays). So it a good place to visit if one hasn't been there.
I'd really like to go to Tel Aviv one day, I've heard outstanding things about it.
I don't plan on going to Turkey ever, and I don't appreciate them stealing Greek historical sites and putting them in their tourism commercials.
I've been to Rome and Athens. Both outstanding, both quite different. Both have their pros and cons.
However, for nightlife/beaches I give a strong edge to Athens. Rome I don't consider a party city. There are wonderful places to go to at night with your significant other, but I don't consider the club scene strong there.
Athens on the other hand is outstanding at night. Hundreds and thousands of places/clubs to go to have a great time. And you're REALLY close to some fantastic beaches. It's like a 30-40 minute drive from the heart of the city to Saronida which is a fabulous beach spot. Greek beach water in comparison to Italian beaches is a vast difference.
Don't know why so many are saying Tel Aviv, what's so interesting about it? Might as well stay home in America or go somewhere in Europe.
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Athens and Tel Aviv
