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Eilat
Israel's southernmost city, Eilat is a unique mix of desert tranquility and seaside action. It is Israel's primary vacation resort during the summer months, attracting to it thousands of domestic and international tourists annually.
Though Eilat fairs quite poorly in the way of historic sites (compared to cities such as Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv, Tiberias or Caesarea), it more than makes up for this with its splendid scenery and nature resorts.
Combining the mystique of the desert with the beauty of the sea, there is no place better suited for relaxation and fun in the sun than the city of Eilat . No matter the purpose of your tour to Israel—whether a Bar Mitzvah tour, a Bat Mitzvah tour or a family tour to Israel—Eilat is the perfect destination to unwind and recharge after a tiring trip.
Eilat - Best Marine Life in the Middle East
At the southernmost end of Eilat's Coral Beach you will find the Coral Beach Nature Reserve - an aquarium dedicated to local marine life, featuring a one-of-a-kind underwater observatory. Here you will come as close as humanly possible to different flora and fauna, live sharks, sea turtles and many breeds of fish.
If a visit to the Coral Beach Nature Reserve leaves you wanting more, its time to get wet! In the nearby Dolphin Reef visitors don't stand at a safe distance, but jump in for a swim with the dolphins. A riveting experience that's sure to leave a lasting impression, swimming with the dolphins is the perfect treat for your kids when on a family tour to Israel.
If you are feeling brave and dare to venture out on your own, Scuba diving equipment is available for rent in most diving clubs in the city. Many of these clubs are located on the beach and can be accessed just by taking a stroll on the strip.
Eilat - Bedouin Hospitality and Camel Rides
In recent years the Bedouin community in Israel's southern region began taking notice of Eilat's popularity as a tourist destination and decided to cash in on this popularity. The unique Bedouin lifestyle and gracious Bedouin hosting tradition, as well as their proximity to the city of Eilat, have inspired the Bedouin community to open their homes and hearts to visitors. These days experiencing the Bedouin hospitality is a focal point of many trips to Eilat.
When visiting the Bedouins, tourists will be asked to leave their shoes at the entrance to the tent, then invited in to sit on beautifully decorated cushions. They will then be served Arabic tea and an assortment of pastries. If you decide to stay for a meal with the Beduins, you are in for a real treat! Traditional foods will be cooked before you and served to you in as is customary in Bedouin culture.
Camel riding is another popular activity well worth trying when visiting Bedouin settlements. Here you will be helped onto (a well padded) camel's back and walked through the desert sand. The Bedouins will not leave you to your own devices, so there is nothing to worry about. They are very familiar with their neck of the desert, and will not let you get lost.
When traveling with children Eilat has yet another major wildlife attraction to offer. Located just outside central Eilat, the Hi-bar Yotvata (Hebrew for "The Yotvata Wildlife Reserve") is a zoo specializing in the preservation of Biblical animals. Here you will meet the Asian elephant, the wild ass, the Syrian horse and other animals in danger of extinction.
Eilat - Desert Glory
The mystique of the desert, its silent beauty and its ever-changing scenery, have been the subject of many stories. Arab folktales have capitalized on the beauty of the desert, often using this scenery to invoke romance and passion. If you remember the old Hollywood classic, The Sheik, you know all about the glory of the desert.
Indeed, the desert's innate beauty is not only a figment of the imagination but an actual place. Timna National Park, located at the northern entrance to Eilat, is a natural reserve dedicated to the preservation of desert life.
In this desert enclave you will see shapely rocks such as "The Mushroom" and "Solomon's Pillars" and colored sand that will take your breath away. The colored sand, ranging in colors from pink to red to yellow and black is all natural, getting its different hues from the composition of minerals in it.
Timna Park's visitor's center offers guided tours throughout the park, as well as impromptu crash courses in making colored-sand decorative bottles.
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