Old Moaner Travel
I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list
Eilat
Situated on the southern tip of Israel, close to both Egypt and Jordan, Eilat is Israel's playground, with golden beaches and the welcoming Red Sea.
Eilat is also quite a contrast to the rest of the country, more secular and much more laid back and chilled and it's the place Israelis themselves come to relax and play.
Getting There
You can drive from Tel Aviv to Eilat but, frankly, it's a pretty boring drive through the desert for 218 miles and a toll of around £7
Most people go by bus, more a luxury coach, a journey that takes 5 - 6 hours with up to 10 daily departures (no buses between 16:00 Friday and 14:00 Saturday). This is the only intercity bus route in Israel where booking is mandatory, the fare is 82 NIS (£18.38) each way.
You can fly from Tel Aviv to Eilat, flight time approx 1 hour and a return fare of around £153.
Getting Around
Eilat is a very compact city and if you are staying in the North Beach area most of the attractions will be in walking distance.
If you don't fancy walking, a bus service links the two beach areas - flat fare of 4.90 NIS (£1.10).
With the town being small, taxi travel is good value for money.
What to Do
Situated at the northern end of the Red Sea it almost goes without saying that water plays a major part in what happens in Eilat.
Be it sunning and chilling along the 6.84 miles (11km) of beach or being more adventurous on or under the water.
With warm clear waters and coral reefs it's no surprise Eilat is a popular diving destination and the resort caters for all standards from intrepid underwater explorers to absolute beginners.
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If diving is a little bit too much for you then there are plenty of glass bottomed boats plying their trade at the resort.
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If a glass bottomed boat is more than your nerves can take, then the Underwater Observatory will still give you a glimpse of the amazing underwater landscape.
For those who love water and are not overly keen on the nature aspect then there are all the usual jet ski, water ski and rib rides.
For a more sedate journey there are plenty of other boating options ranging from sightseeing boats to luxury yachts.
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One brilliant aspect is all the beaches in Eilat are plastic free. It is forbidden to bring plastic, aluminium, cardboard and paper to the beach and kiosks and restaurants may not sell these items.
The final aquatic attraction is probably the most controversial - Dolphin Reef, where you have the opportunity to interact with a colony of dolphins who live just offshore. Unlike other dolphin experiences the dolphins are not captive, so it's up to them if they choose to interact with the humans.
Entrance to the private beach, which has viewing platforms is 69 NIS (£15.48) for adults and 48 NIS (£10.77) for children 3-15. Interactive activities cost more
Eilat is on the bird migration route between Europe and Africa, especially during spring and autumn and there is a bird watching centre 2km outside the town on the road to Jordan.
Although, effectively, a desert town Eilat has a stunning Botanical Gardens. On the hill above Eilat, this botanical garden is a shady spot of lush tropical trees and plants. It's an excellent escape from the scorching sun. It's also a great place for an early evening stroll, when the worst of the heat has passed.
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30km (18 miles) north of Eilat is Timna Park.
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This national park has surreal desert landscapes and an intriguing ancient copper-mining history. Famous for its bizarre rock formations that have been sculpted by wind and rain. The most well-known of these is called Solomon's Pillars, a 50-meter-high wall of sandstone rock, carved into pillar shapes by erosion.
A flight of steps leads up the cliff face to a relief depicting Pharaoh Ramses III making an offering to the goddess Hathor.
Copper has been mined here since as early as 3,000 BC, with both the Egyptians and the Israelites working the mines at different times. Opposite Solomon's Pillars is the Hill of the Slaves - a camp in which the miners of the 14th and 12th centuries BC were housed. The surrounding camp walls and the remains of houses and workshops can still be seen.
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20km (12 miles) further north is the Hai-Bar Nature Reserve. Opened in 1963 the 10,000-acre park is home to plenty of wildlife, including antelopes, wild asses, hyenas, ostriches, and a whole bundle of other desert creatures.
All the animals have been reintroduced to the wilderness here since the park was established with the aim of populating the area with animals that would have lived here in ancient times.
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If you're fit and active then the Mount Zefahot Trail just south of the town is worth an early morning visit, before the sun gets too hot. It takes around four hours to walk the train but from the summit, you get to see four countries. Eilat below you, the Jordanian city of Aqaba, Sinai in Egypt and, across the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia.
A more gentle walk can be had at Red Rock Canyon where a family friendly 30 minute trail is available. For the more adventurous a half-day walk takes in a wadi.
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If you have children with you there is King's City Theme Park.
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Temperatures in Eilat rarely fall below 15 degrees and is often in the high 30's low 40's.
If things get too hot then visit Ice Space, with a constant temperature of -7 Celsius, you can walk around some stunning ice sculptures and escape the midday sun.
Tours are available to Jordan, including Petra and Egypt.