Tel Aviv (scroll down for more) The worlds first modern Jewish city, Tel Aviv celebrates its centenary next year. This place is a blend of European progressiveness with Levantine and Arab traditions. Thanks to recent developments, such as Israels pull-out from the Gaza Strip and a boom in the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, the city finally appears ready for its international close-up. This year even saw it gain the chic boutique hotel, Montefiore.