Red Sea Eilat

The Underwater Observatory in Eilat, Israel Svenska: Undervattensobservatoriet i Eilat, Israel (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Discover Eilat, the Perfect Spot For Your Winter Getaway

By Tom Harel

Deciding where to go on your winter vacation can be both exciting and frustrating at the same time. It's exciting because you know you will be getting to visit a new place and enjoy new experiences, along with the opportunity to relax and get some extra rest. It can be frustrating because there are so many choices available.

One of the most ideal places for a winter vacation is Eilat. Situated in the southernmost part of Israel, this town of about 55,000 people is often referred to as the "window on the Red Sea". It is isolated from the rest of Israel by the Negev Desert and is sprawled right along the coast of the Red Sea. People come from all over the world to enjoy the awesome temperatures and relaxing climate.

Eilat is filled with history dating back to Biblical times. Eilat is first mentioned in the book of Exodus in the Bible and during the time of Abraham, we know that rams grazed in this area. Later, King David conquered this city along with Edom and it was then developed further by his son, King Solomon. The Queen of Sheba passed through this area also, on her way to see King David in Jerusalem. For centuries, this area has been a part of the history and culture of Israel. In 1947, when the United Nations enforced the Partition Plan, Eilat was established as a city in the Jewish state. Since that time, Eilat has continued to grow into the exciting, affordable resort that it is today.

The Red Sea is one of the main attractions of the area because it provides so much entertainment for vacationers. The sea is generally very calm, so you can participate in boating of all kinds such as kayaking, sail boating, row boating, and motor boating. Swimming and diving in the Red Sea are very spectacular experiences. The beaches along the sea also provide places to relax and soak in the warm sun. In the evenings, the nightlife begins with music, food, and entertainment on the sandy beaches of the beautiful Red Sea.

Transportation in the area is simple, as there is an airport right in the center of town. The Central Bus Station runs regular tour routes through the city and is on an hourly schedule. Although the busses and taxis are more comfortable, many people walk to enjoy all of the sights.

There are so many sights to see that one hardly knows where to begin! If you want to experience the creatures of the sea and amazing underwater fish, you will want to visit the Coral Beach, an underwater marine reserve. All equipment for diving can be rented and there are changing rooms and a snack bar for your convenience.

Another amazing attraction is the Dolphin Reef. Here, you can actually swim and interact with the dolphins. Plan to go early in the day, as the dolphins are friendliest in the morning hours and seem to tire as the day progresses. There are also beaches in this area and a spa for your relaxation.

If you want to just look at the sea animals and not get wet, you will enjoy the Underwater Observatory. Here, you will find some awesome aquariums with sea life of every color, size, and class. The aquarium surrounds the room and the fish actually swim around you as you stand in the center. Outside the building are more huge aquariums with sharks, sea turtles, and manta rays.

One place you will also want to visit in the area is Kings City. This is a biblical theme park in the shape of a medieval castle. There are caves to explore and you will journey into the past with the panoramic screens of ancient Egypt. There are the King Solomon Falls and the David Winding Slides for your fun and excitement. There is also a souvenir shop and there are food courts for your convenience as well.

Fraom September to November each year, about one billion birds migrate through this area as they travel from Europe to Africa. From March through May, the birds then migrate back to Europe. Bird watching is one of the many things that people totally enjoy in this area because of the huge variety of birds. Eilat also is the headquarters for the National Birdwatching Center.

Other interesting attractions you will find in Eilat include camel tours, freefall parachuting, an IMAX theater, and the Timna Valley Park, which contains the oldest copper mines in the world. King Solomon's Pillars, ancient pit mines and rock art are some other unique attractions for tourists. There are every kind of restaurant and hotel imaginable for your dining and accommodation needs.

Eilat will not disappoint you. There is such a variety of things to do and places to go, that the experience will leave you breathless. It truly is the perfect spot for your get-away winter vacation.

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Scuba Diving - Red Sea Eilat