Whenever I travel, I make an effort to explore the local arts scene. I always find inspiration in alternative art museums, design stores and markets — and Jaffa, Israel was no exception.

Follow along with me, as I encounter whales, pandas, and a row of… peni?

La Carmina’s outfit of the day:

Blue leopard print dress: from Apartment at Siam Discovery in Bangkok (similar to this $49 dress)
Short leather jacket with hood: similar to this one by Michael Kors
Cross pattern stockings: Jonathan Aston Harnessed Tights, gifted by UK Tights. The geometric pattern mirrors the straps of my dress.
White crown purse: Baby the Stars Shine Bright, Tokyo

Jaffa or Yafo was an ancient port city, and now a district of Tel Aviv. As this cute fountain suggests, this was the site of biblical stories including Jonah and the whale, King Solomon and St Peter.

I should mention that while Israel’s official languages are Hebrew and Arabic, pretty much everyone speaks English. Still, I recommend having a guide like our awesome Uri Golani to help you get around in a van, and explain the history.

Jaffa Flea Market was like a scene from Arabian Nights. I felt like I had stepped back in time.

I was most intrigued by the jewelry stands, which were strung with metal hamsas: amulets shaped like an open palm, to defend against the evil eye.

Hamsas are available online too — here are links to a gold hamsa charm and a pendant.

The Arabian filigree necklaces and lockets were also beautiful. (Photography by Eric Bergemann, Melissa Rundle and me.)

Jaffa Hill has such a long history (going back to the Bronze Age) that there are constantly new archaeological discoveries. We walked past several excavations, and even passed an abandoned building that houses flying bats!

Today, Jaffa has a hippie / hipster vibe. We went into organic clothing stores, and laid-back cafes covered in ivy. Like in Portland, we saw bird murals and “creative” bicycles.

Loved the big doors and gates. Israel generally has hot weather, but you’ll want to wear a jacket and good walking shoes in Jaffa, since it’s by the water and has cobbled roads.

We poked our heads into modern furniture stores, including one that focused on African designs. Others sold antiques, children’s toys, you name it.

Everyone we met was friendly. Tel Aviv is ultra liberal, and nobody will make a fuss if you dress alternatively.

I generally prefer walking around and seeing street art, instead of going inside a museum. However, we got a tour of the Ilana Goor Museum, and it was the best art experience we had in recent memory.

Ilana is a decorated Israeli artist, and this 18th century building is her home. Visitors come to see her eclectic art collection, which includes her own works such as funky self-portraits and this phallic coat hanger called “Turkish God of Fertility.”

Ilana Gur actually lives here, and you can feel her personality and passion in each room. Beneath a ceiling punched with holes (an ancient form of air conditioning), I found a fellow blue-haired girl.

From her taste in art alone, I can tell that Ilana and I would get along. There were a number of horror-bizarre objects, such as these creatures emerging from vases.

The rooftop overlooks the water, and is inhabited by offbeat sculptures including bronze cats.

If it weren’t for the wind, I could have spent all afternoon sitting in the garden, under the olive trees.

Next, we dropped by the Yafo Creative House, a space where travelers can live and collaborate with Israeli artists. The young residents hold weekly meals and exhibitions, and inspire each other to make art. We listened to this singer-songwriter perform two acoustic songs, one in Hebrew and one in English.

Finally, we walked around the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. There were pieces by international masters, like Monet and Picasso, but I was more interested in the modern Israeli works.

We were confused, disgusted, or amused by the various works, which ranged from obscure video projections to a giant fabric “party monster” that extended over two floors.

These photographs, showing a woman with her eyes or mouth sewn shut, reminded me of the lip-sewing TV show I did.

In the basement’s special exhibit, I learned that Andy Warhol did children’s book illustrations and product designs. Warhol’s robot has a “kawaii” feel to it.

Same with this panda bear banging a drum. As you can see, we filmed all throughout the trip, and will have a travel video for you soon.

Doesn’t Israel have an intriguing design scene? What do you think of the cross tights and leopard dress I wore in Jaffa?

Let’s continue my indie shopping tour of Tel Aviv! In part 1 of my TLV Style Tour, my guide Galit Reismann introduced me to a mad hatter and jewelry designer. Now, we’ll discover the sweetest twee and vintage fashion in Israel.

(Details of my Very Metal dress and Goth cross tights are in this outfit post.)

We began with a walk through the fashion-centric Noga district. Small clothing shops and cafes huddle next to pastel street art featuring eyeballs.

Galit took me to Roni Kantor’s studio, which doubles as a boutique. I was charmed by Roni’s retro-chic designs, especially her reconstituted vintage dresses. This one perfectly matched my hair color.

I was right behind her mission of upcycling and respecting living creatures. Roni is particularly loved for her vintage-inspired shoes, made from vegan leather in a family factory.

Galit, Roni and I twirled parasols for the travel video, which my team is working on now. In the foreground, you can see Roni’s darling footwear collection.

(Photography by Eric Bergemann and Melissa Rundle, who were hosted along with me on this press trip.)

Then, we took a short walk to Pioo Pioo, a gem of a boutique near the nightlife-centric Rothschild Boulevard. Try saying the name out loud. It mimics the sound of a laser gun!

I instantly felt that designer Mor Bauer and I are kindred spirits. Absolutely loved her colorful rocketship dress with fringe at the bottom, creating the movement of a blast-off. Her rainbow jewelry would feel at home in Harajuku or Shibuya.

Mor’s tailoring is beautiful, and she uses fine materials like silk. The jacket’s striped interior reminded me of Beetlejuice.

Her clothes can be dressed up or down, suiting a variety of personal styles.

The boutique is decorated with retro rainbow toys, an extension of Mor’s whimsical taste.

I particularly liked her grapes-and-leaves headbands, and fun embellishments like a baby’s head on a zipper.

Flower crowns, polka dots and crop tops.

Mor wore this creation when she walked down the aisle. Two unicorns are better than one.

She’ll custom-make clothing for you, and specializes in sewing romantic, lacy wedding dresses.

I felt so much at home, at Pioo Pioo. Thanks to Galit for the custom fashion tour (find out more on her TLVStyle Facebook), and hugs for all the talented Israeli designers I met!

Here’s a bonus photo of my Nintendo nail art, by Glam Nail Studio. I asked for green and blue designs from the Super Mario universe, to match my hair. See if you can spot Boo, Luigi, a Koopa turtle shell, mushrooms and a POW block in there.

Do you ever wear vegan or vintage fashion? What do you think of the unicorn dress and Nintendo nails?

PS: I wrote a guide to alternative Japan for the Sunday Times Travel Magazine, one of the world’s leading travel publications. My plush cat Basil Farrow is blocking my byline…

You can pick up the April issue about “Hip Cities,” in stores now. Looking forward to writing more for this UK-based magazine.

PPS: have you seen the photos of this fuzz-face on my @lacarmina Instagram, including a video of him jumping and wahh-ing?

Have a cute week!