Eilat

Water, sweet or salty, at the hotel or at the nearby beach, and all the wildlife associated with water, is the major attraction of Eilat, naturally.

The resort town on the Red Sea is a fabulous getaway all year round. The sea that is cool for most Israelis even in the summer, is a draw to those used to Atlantic temperatures... The Coral World Underwater Observatory, the Underwater Observatory Marine Park with its famous turtle-nesting exhibit, and the Dolphin Reef are among the many outdoor attractions of this unique city on the sea. A fun moment, while taking a break from the sun and sand, can be had at the Oceanarium, a movie theatre designed to give the guest a sense of “being there,” wet and underwater, by means of a simulation movie, great for family entertainment.

In 2005 The Kings City Theme Park opened, providing an active, interactive, hilarious experience for one and all. Situated near the East Lagoon, Kings City is a kaleidoscope of experiential learning with lots of laughs so the knowledge seeps in without even noticing! One of the popular attractions at the park is a huge cave with giant labyrinths, a “crooked room” and chambers where Biblical narratives are experienced in 3-D.

There are signs of habitation in Eilat more than 10,000 years ago. Being the only land bridge between Africa and Asia, Eilat was rarely ever quiet. Used as a route for their spice trade by the Nabateans in the Hellenistic period, until the Romans annexed the Nabateans in 106 C.E., Eilat was always a place of motion and change. In the 4th century the Romans forced Christians to work in the copper mines in Jordan and a mere 200 years later, the Byzantines turned the town into a Christian center. After it transformed once again under Moslem rule which began in the 7th century, Eilat became a meeting place for pilgrims from Damascus and Cairo headed for Mecca. Clearly, many kings reigned over a diverse list of cultures.

What worked in ancient times remains popular in the present as Eilat serves as a great starting point for day trips to Petra and to the Timna Park with its testimony to the magic of nature at Solomon’s Mines. Once back, a great fish meal at a seaside inn can’t be beat for way to unwind after a great day.