After record numbers of tourist arrivals to Israel last year, the Ministry of Tourism has approved around £30 million of construction to build new hotels in the country, expand existing ones and convert buildings into hotel use.
And a new low-cost hotel aimed at young urban travellers has now opened its doors in Tel Aviv, one of a string of new properties coming to the country this year, including the Setai in Jaffa, the Vera in Tel Aviv and the Six Senses Shaharut, south of the Negev Desert.
The Dave — West is the first in a new line of properties owned by Brown Hotels, with The Dave — South also coming to the city in August this year.
The 35-room hotel, with its 70s style, bold colours and vintage décor, is set in a preserved Bauhaus building on the corner of Gordon and Ben Yehuda streets, just a few minutes from the sea with breakfast served at two local cafes, a rooftop terrace with jacuzzi and a tattoo parlour pop-up.
GoIsrael.com
The Caribbean's new private island
There’s a new private island to discover in the Caribbean from next year, with the opening of Ocean Cay MSC Marine reserve, exclusively for guests of MSC Cruises.
The island in the Bahamas will have 40 acres of beaches, split into six different areas — each designed to have its own individual atmosphere.
The cruise line will have six ships in the Caribbean for winter 2019/2020, with MSC Seaside, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Divina and MSC Armonia all calling at the island, as well as itineraries including Martinique and Guadeloupe in the French Antilles.
And closer to home, the new MSC Grandiosa, one of two ships coming into service in 2019, will be visiting the Western Mediterranean, while MSC Sinfonia will be calling at Haifa, spending two days in Israel as part of a 14-night cruise through the Mediterranean.
Peru with a view
If you’ve always wanted to discover the lost city of Machu Picchu in Peru, there’s a new way to get to the ancient Inca site from this month.
Inca Rail has launched a new scenic service, the 360° Machu Picchu Train with domed panoramic windows to give better views of the Andes, as well as an open-air observation carriage at the centre of the train.
And if you want to share the scenery on social media asap, there are USB ports on each seat to keep phones charged, as well as a GPS activated app to tell you more about the landscape, including the Urubamba river valley.
There are two departures per day from Poroy station at Cusco, and four from Ollantaytambo, with prices from £250 for a return journey.
To infinity and beyond
This summer, you can step into Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World Resort in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, when the new area opens on June 30.
Designed to make visitors feel as if they have shrunk to the size of a toy, you’ll venture into Andy’s backyard with all the favourite characters from Pixar’s films, including Woody, Buzz and Jessie.
As well as giant game pieces and building blocks, the 11 acre-site will have a family-friendly Slinky Dog roller coaster and the chance to take a spin in toy spaceships.
The new opening is part of the largest expansion in the theme park’s history, with the 14-acre Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge also coming next year.
