A Tale of Four Sisters

Our "eldest" Sister City, Netanya, became our first international sibling in 2005. Netanya was founded in 1929 in a region that would later become Israel. It is a sparkling and lively locale offering visitors an international-style vacation. Nestled on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Netanya offers beautiful beaches, elevators taking you down to the sea, seemingly never-ending promenades, wild cliffs, rare nature preserves, and green parks.

Netanya, located between Tel Aviv and Haifa, was the first declared city in the new state of Israel in December 1948. There are a great many historical places that offer a glimpse of ancient history and demonstrate the true genius of those that lived on this land more than 2,000 years ago. From wild lands to seaports to grand structures built by hand, this land is truly an experience not to be missed by anyone traveling in the region. As the tour guide says, “Netanya not only offers a great starting point for your trip across Israel and the Middle East but also a great place to spend your days, with its great museums, galleries, cultural events and abundant activities.”

Taormina, Italy, a Sister City since 2012, is a small town in the Province of Messina, on the east coast of the island of Sicily, Italy. The village sits on the cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea and is forty-five minutes from Mount Etna. This popular tourist destination has much to offer, such as beaches accessed by cable car, antique shops, a lively nightlife, old churches, a second century Greek Theater, a Roman Odeon and summertime concerts and theater performances. Explore the twisting, ancient and mysterious streets and enjoy fine dining along the way. Take a trip to the countryside and experience the charm of this unique island province.

During the early 20th century the town became a colony of expatriate artists, writers, and intellectuals – aiding in its development as a very cultural and eclectic town. The ancient Greek Theatre is host to many pop and classical concerts, operas, and performances recorded and produced on TV quite often.

There are cultural events every month of the year, including the summer Taormina Film Festival held in the dramatic Antico Teatro. For more information on events in Taormina go to  www.comune.taormina.me.it  or email:  info@summerinitaly.com .

Hengchun Township, the third Sunny Isles Beach Sister City, is an unspoiled peninsula located in the southernmost tip of Taiwan island. The name Hengchun means “Eternal Spring” originating from colorful orchids covering the southern island.

City of Sunny Isles Beach officials signed a Sister City agreement with delegates from Hengchun, Taiwan on Monday, June 17, 2013, in the City of Sunny Isles Beach Commission Chambers.

One of the best preserved archaeological sites is found in Hengchun Old Town. During the late 1800s, Japan invaded the beaches of Hengchun and the people built four giant stone gates and a stone wall to surround and protect the City. Parts of it still stand today, and are classified as a tier-two National Historic site and a must-see Taiwan tourist highlight.

Outside of Hengchun Old Town is the entrance to Kenting National Park. This tropical area is known for its clear blue waters and pristine beaches where the popular movie "Life of Pi" was filmed. Tourists and beach lovers enjoy 300 miles of bike trails, body surfing, snorkeling, and its National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium.

Punta del Este, Uruguay, our "youngest" sister, signed an official Sister City Agreement with Sunny Isles Beach on June 15, 2017. This tourist town in South America represents our Latin American community.

In 2011, Punta del Este had a population of 9,277. The area has a mild oceanic climate, with pleasant summers and cool winters. Punta del Este’s scenic coastline is divided into two regions: Brava (Spanish for “fierce”) and Mansa (Spanish for “tame”). The limit between the two marks the end of the Rio de la Plata and the beginning of the Atlantic Ocean. The split is signaled by the Mano de Punta del Este, which the sculptor designed to warn swimmers about the danger of rough waves.

The city has much colonial architecture contrasting with more modern buildings. The city has a scenic shore, resort houses, modern buildings, a port with mooring capacity, department stores, restaurants, and pubs. There are several large houses and gardens lined with plants.

Sister Cities International was created at President Eisenhower’s 1956 White House conference on citizen diplomacy. Eisenhower envisioned an organization that could be the hub of peace and prosperity by creating bonds between people from different cities around the world. By forming these relationships, President Eisenhower reasoned that people of different cultures could celebrate and appreciate their differences and build partnerships that would lessen the chance of new conflicts.

For more information visit  sistercities.org .