A Jewel On The Red Sea - Eilat

This tiny resort of around 30,000 inhabitants is located at the southern tip of the Negev, sandwiched between the rocky landscape of the desert and the Red Sea. It shares its borders with Egypt’s Taba and Jordan’s Aqaba and like them, Eilat, Israel’s foremost holiday resort, has a coast giving over to the wonders and delights of sea dubbed the Red Sea Riviera.

Eilat resort is so elegant and poised that it is hard to believe that just 50 years ago, it was a sandy penal colony for petty criminals. Naturally, this penal policy didn’t last long. Since then, this year-round sunny resort, has progressively grown from a tiny military outpost of just three buildings located on the shore (only one building remains and is comically referred to as the ‘old town’), to a superb conglomerate of Las Vegas styles hotels of gargantuan proportions and opulence, unhindered by the political tensions experienced elsewhere in the region.

From Eilat you can see the beckoning red mountains of Aqaba, and thanks to a peace treaty signed some 10 years ago with Jordan, tourists can walk from one country to another, by handing over a tenner at the check point and submitting a passport to get stamped. A similar system exists with Egypt.

All three countries are keen to preserve the beauty and easy going peace of the region and over the last few years they have co-operated to protect the ecosystem at this end of the Red Sea. As a result the area remains the most peaceful of Israel’s borders. Kibbutzinks (residents of the kibbutz in Eilat – a sort of co-operative village) regularly cross the border to exchange agricultural information with their Jordanian neighbours. Most famously, one of King Hussein’s prize racehorses managed to swim from Jordan’s Aqaba to Eilat, but was soon returned by the Israelis to an appreciative owner.

There is no gambling in Eilat (apart from a casino on a cruise ship anchored on the Red Sea), but the five star hotels offer stimulation in many other ways in the form of extensive beauty parlours, spa treatments, massages, yoga, fitness regimes or simply lazing by beautifully manicured pools while enjoying the antics of poolside entertainers or on the hotels’ private beaches. If retail therapy is on the agenda, then Eilat, a tax free zone, has a good shopping centre and shopping is generally cheaper than back home. You may even find a bargain at the market stalls clustered along the vibrant coastal boulevard.

Hotels provide a range of eating experiences within their complexes but Eilat has a pulsing night life. Set back from the coast are bars, nightclubs, restaurants and even some tent like structures where young people go to relax on cushioned floors, dance, have a drink and even smoke apple scented tobacco from a hooka (a water pipe which looks like an ornate vase).

Eilat is probably best known for the superb diving and there are ample opportunities to dive all year round. The most northern coral reef in the world is in Eilat and is protected by Coral Beach Nature Reserve. www.parks.org.il Tel: 08-6376829.

Sure the corals and under water life is indeed superb eye candy for divers, snorkelers and snubers (a mix of scuba diver and snorkeler), and companies such as the Club Snuba Tel: 08-6372722 www.snuba.co.il will guide and provide you with everything you need whatever your level of expertise (or lack of it). But what if you like to stay on terra firma. Here are some Must Do’s

Underwater Observatory Marine Park
The best way to experience the sea world without getting wet is to visit the Underwater Observatory Marine Park. Built in 1975, the Marine Park is an enormous aquarium, which consists of a circular reef tank, shark tanks, turtle and sting ray pools, aquarium room and the piece de resistance: the underwater observatory.

In the observatory, huge glass walls allow you to see the exotic dance of sea life. The movement of the tropical marine life and the huge spectrum of colours can be hypnotising. At some point you get the weird sensation of role reversal when you begin to feel that it is you being viewed by inquisitive sea life. There are also glass bottom boat cruises and a fascinating dive down to 60m below sea level on a yellow submarine. Allow the best part of the day to truly enjoy the park.
Tel: 08-6364200 www.coralworld.com

Dolphin Reef
Swim with dolphins or stand on the pier to reach out to these tantalisingly playful mammals. They seem to love human interaction. The private, lush, secluded beach has its own restaurant and is ideal for relaxing under a beach umbrella while watching the dolphins bob and dive in and out of the water. In the evening the luxurious spa baths open their doors to a series of three candle lit pools, one of sea water where you can take a swim, the second a pool of pure water without salt or minerals where you can float on floats and enjoy a sensational massage.  The third is a salt water pool where you can float unaided while the salt water both holds you up and softens your skin. www.dolphinreef.co.il. Tel 08-6371846

Desert Safari
In the Negev Mother nature has shown herself to be a superb sculptress and this natural artwork must be explored to see how she has turned mountainous, rocky desert into works of outstanding beauty. A trip to Tinma Valley National Park is recommended to see the awesome King Solomon’s Pillars and a trek through the Red Canyon in all its reds and salmon hues is simply awe-inspiring.

Tours are available by jeep, on foot, even in an air-conditioned car. Camel treks which include a Bedouin lunch on a hill-top in the desert are also available.
Alfonso Desert Tours Tel: 972-7-6372749
Yuval Russ Tour Guide: 972 52 237714

Cuisine
You can find an eclectic range of menus in Eilat, but regional cuisine offers chicken and meat served in skewers and tehina, hummus, peppers, olives and pita bread. Bedouins roam around the desert and dotted around Eilat are Bedouin tents open for business as eateries offering their own style of desert food and pita bread which they make while you wait

Know Before You Go

Currency:
NIS (New Israeli Shekel. 1 Shekel is divided into 100 agorot (singular agora).
Currency Exchange Rate Around 8 New Israeli Shequels to the £ and 4.5 to the $

Language:
Hebrew and Arabic are the main languages. English is spoken widely.

Passport Control:
Entry: You need a passport which is usually stamped. You have the option not to have your passport stamped. Just inform the official prior to submitting your passport.

Flight Time from Heathrow: 5 hours.

Israel Government Tourist Office
UK House
180 Oxford Street
London W1N 9DJ
Tel: 0207 299 1113
email: information@igto.co.uk
www.go-israel.co.uk

Crossing Borders

Israel-Jordan
Allenby Bridge (King Hussein Bridge)
Tel: 02-9942626

Arava (wada Araba)
Tel: 08-6336812

Israel-Egypt
Rafia (Rafah)
Tel: 08-6734080

Taba
Tel: 08-6372983

Note: A fee is levied on exiting Israel. Before visiting Egypt contact Egyptian consulate in Eilat to confirm entry requirements. Tel: 08-6376882

16 December 2005