EL AL | Atmosphere

Netanya Kikar Ha’Atzma’ut I The city’s main square is its beating heart. After recently undergoing a bit of a facelift, the old square has been decidedly renewed. It has a new interactive fountain with its 70 water jets and a LED screen statue that alternates between projecting sound games, video art, music shows, and light projections. At nighttime, everything is beautiful and illuminated. The square is lined with cafés and restaurants, has plenty of shaded seating areas, a fishpond, and a kids’ area. The Red Army Victory monument I Located at the very end of the beach promenade, this monument commemorates the victory of the Red Army over Nazi Germany in World War II. The memorial is designed as a maze, in which key tragic events in the history of the Jewish people during the Holocaust are depicted in reliefs. When coming out of the maze, visitors are met with two 7-meter high wing-like elements that symbolize the transition from darkness to light and the watersports activities to choose from here, from speed boat rides, to jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, surfing, kite surfing, etc. Netanya also has a skatepark and bike trails, but one of the most original and interesting ways to discover the city is paragliding; with aspiration to freedom and peace. Watersports I There are so many

Paragliding over Netanya Beach

The fountain in Kikar Ha’Atzma’ut, Netanya

the help of an instructor, you can glide above the city and admire the great open sea from above. (paraglidingil.com) Food I Netanya is bursting with restaurants and the “Marée” is one of the best. Situated on the 15 th floor of the Vert Lagoon hotel, the Marée is both a Kosher gourmet restaurant and a nightlife venue. The design of

Photo: Ariela Aflalo

The Red Army Victory monument, Netanya

the restaurant is inspired by the sea and corals and rocks cover the walls (maree. co.il). Another great spot is the Jorno Bakery, a local patisserie located by the sea and open on Saturdays. There’s an endless choice of croissants, tartes, and cakes, as well as salads and sandwiches ( @jornobakery).

The Marée restaurant I Photos: Amir Menachem

19

ATMOSPHERE AUGUST 2023