Travel Guides: All Countries / Middle East / Israel
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| | | | Winter sun on the Red Sea
As a holiday destination, many people remain wary of Israel because of the political tensions.
Yet Eilat, situated at the country's southernmost tip, has over the last 20 years developed into a popular winter sun resort, as far removed from the troubled West Bank as you can get.
Eilat provides a good variety of luxury and self-catering accommodation, plus US-style shopping malls and facilities.
Located on the banks of the Red Sea, Eilat is a reliable winter sun resort, with an average temperature of 24C/76F during the season.
It is a five-hour flight from London Heathrow, with weekly flights provided by Israel's ultra security-conscious international airline El Al.
As well as the sun, the region offers plenty of opportunities for scuba diving, snorkelling and desert tours.
The hidden beauty of the region undoubtedly lies at the bottom of the Gulf of Eilat.
Here, the semi-tropical climate has created an environment rich in coral and marine life.
As well as snorkelling and scuba diving, this underwater world can be explored by visiting the Underwater Observatory Marine Park, which boasts a submarine.
The local marine life can also be viewed from one of the glass-bottomed boats which regularly cruise the Gulf of Eilat. Another water attraction is the Dolphin Reef, where visitors can observe the dolphins at close quarters and help their trainers feed them.
Israel: Travel guide
Unforgettable experience
My wife and I visited Eilat in February 2001 and stayed at the Palmyra Hotel. We were amazed at the clean streets and also the fact that one does not wait long for a taxi. There is one cruising by almost every five-10 minutes.
The weather at that time of the year was approx 26/29c but nights were somewhat cooler.
We also took in an arranged tour from Eilat to Cairo and visited the museum, papyrus institute, the pyramids at Giza, night cruise down the Nile and the bazaar and all in all was an unforgettable experience.
The Palmyra Hotel upgraded our stay to half-board and the food (on a serve-yourself basis) was better than dining in a five star hotel. Take US dollars which are in great demand and easily changed by the numerous bureaux de changes/banks/hotels etc
For the traveller with extra cash to spend you can visit the diamond factories and buy stones at 20/35% cheaper than at Hatton Garden.
Israel: Travel guide
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| | | | No fun on Eilat's beaches
Despite the impressive sealife and diving opportunities, the beaches in Eilat are a major disappointment.
Although within easy reach, most are very short and can easily become crowded. Many consist of mainly stone and gravel, rather than sand.
By way of compensation, the hotels and apartment complexes are all located by large, landscaped outdoor pools with excellent sunbathing facilities.
Alternatives to Eilat's sun and sea pursuits mean safaris or shopping.
Situated just outside Eilat is a rather tacky Texas Ranch. Originally built as the set of a cowboy film, it now offers camel treks and jeep safaris. However, a problem in the winter time is that the sun sets before 5pm.
In the centre of Eilat is a large US-style mall, while most of the hotels sell internationally branded goods.
As a winter sun resort, Eilat is a dependable destination providing a safe and relaxed environment.
But it is not perfect. Compared to other winter sun destinations, it can be expensive with prices often comparable to London.
The service culture, or lack of it, is also an issue. Hotel staff can seem unhelpful and even simple requests might prove too much.
The only time Middle Eastern politics becomes an issue is at airports.
A downside to the tight security is the possibility of interrogation, especially if your passport has an Egyptian or other Middle-Eastern stamp.
Order an El Al Superstar Holiday brochure on 0870 7270435. A seven-night stay (B&B) at Isrotel's King Solomon's Palace costs from £511pp.
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