Timna National Park, Eilat

Advantages: Hot weather, water sports, and great hotels.
Disadvantages: All entertainment costs money!

...Eilat, is the glamourous holiday resort in Israel, situated next to the the desert, (similar to Las Vegas in that way)It is also next to the sea. Being Jewish, and with half my family living in Israel, I go to Jerusalem a lot, but i much prefer Eilat. Israel has a reputation, for having many orthodox jews and synagogues all over the place, but Eilat is quite the opposite. It attracts 90 thousand tourists a year, but not all are Jewish. This is for many reasons. A key factor of Eilats popularity, is that even in winter, the temperature rarely drops below 25 degrees, and is almost always sunny. In the summer, the temp, rarely drops below 35 degrees! Secondly, there are many hotels, all incredibly fancy, reasuringly expensive, and luxurious, ranging from 3 to 5 stars. There has been a lot of competetion to make the best hotels in Eilat... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

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

...I have lived in Israel for almost 3 years now and I plan to deliver my opinion each site which I visited. Eilat...priviledged destination of the fortunate French, the rich Americans... and the young people without a penny who will camp in a field. Around Eilat, it is the desert, a choking and splendid desert. From Eilat one can leave to go to Jordan and to visit this splendid site called Petra, and which is currently deserted by the tourists due to unfavourable geopolitical and economic situation. Now, Eilat itself. A few decades ago, Eilat was simply nothing; and from the desert and the sea was born this seaside resort without heart, whose main interest is that one does not fear there (or little) the dangers which make you tremble in Tel-Aviv or Jerusalem... In Eilat, you will feel hot, you will bathe, you will eat in good... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

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