Red Canyon, Eilat

Advantages: Climate, loads of history, swim with dolphins
Disadvantages: Questionning at the airport

...I visited israel in the winter of 1997 and stayed at the Seraton four points hotel in Eilat. This is a nice hotel but you can use the Red Sea across the road which is nicer and has a great pool and jacuzzi. Although Eilat itsself is nothing spectacular, it is a great base from which to visit the Negev dessert, Jerusalem, Bethlehem and the dead sea. You can book a trip to see all of the above over the course of two days. This is a must. I am not religious, but it was amazing to visit all these places and learn all of the history from the excellent local guides. Of course the trip would not have been complete without a swim with the dolphins. BIG TIP: Take a cheap underwater disposable camera if you plan to do this - I got some grat pictures from mine and it is certainly cheaper than buying a 10 minute video which they try to sell you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: sea, sun and more if affinities
Disadvantages: lack of culture

...restaurants, you will visit a beautiful aquarium, you will be able to devote yourselves to the water sports of your choice... but you will not even touch with a nail what Israel is. I spent 3 days there , and I had fun indeed... but if you go to Israel, do not pass beside the rest of the country, the real one. The sea ##### It is the principal attraction of Eilat. Even in summer, whereas the temperatures largely exceeds 40°, the waters of the Red sea are fresh and pleasant. Eilat has 5 distinct beaches which go from fine sand to the rollers. If you are fortunate, offer yourself a luxual hotel on the northern beach. For the smallest budgets, there are more accessible hotels close to the marina (in particular out of season), rent a cheap bungalow or go campin, more to the east. 6 km fromthe center Shmurat Almogim, the coral reserve. I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: see article
Disadvantages: see article

...Its many years since I’ve been to Eilat but I still have very fond memories of the modern Israel. I backpacked around Egypt and Israel and Eilat was my last port of call. As with all backpackers after three months of travelling I was broke, Eilat was a good place to find casual work. The thing that I loved about Eilat, which kept me there for quite some time, was the diving. I did my diving licence in the Red Sea, which was out of this world, its like diving in an aquarium. There I saw Rays, turtles and all shapes and sizes of aquatic life. Some of the fish come up to you for feeding and you can always tickle the clown fish when they try and suck your fingers. Within a matter of a week I was doing 40-meter dives and night dives that again is quite different as you see different fish in the evening. I stayed in a hostel called... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful