TRAVEL
Israel’s Red Sea Resort
Effervescent Eilat by Rebecca Underwood
© Eilat Marina courtesy of Dafna Tal for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism
© Flamingos at the Salt Pools, Northern Eilat courtesy of Dafna Tal for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism
© Hotel's Beach - Eilat -courtesy of Dafna Tal for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism
Located beside the glittering turquoise waters of the Red Sea, Eilat attracts crowds of water babes keen to take advantage of a wide range of water sports including stand-up paddle boarding, snorkelling and SCUBA diving. This resort is recognised as one of the most popular diving locations in the world due to excellent water conditions and the pristine Red Sea reefs teeming with marine life. Other attractions include meandering desert hiking trails and of course the VAT free shopping is an added bonus. A hot desert climate and 14 kilometres of beaches stretching from the Jordanian and Egyptian borders, ensures that this Israeli resort remains a popular destination. Another major attraction is bird watching, as Eilat is a major migration route for hundreds of millions of Passerines and waders and three million birds of prey on route, twice every year, between Europe, Africa and Asia.
© Timna Park courtesy of Dafna Tal for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism
The International Birding and Research Centre, which is based in Eilat, works to maintain and improve habitats, renew food sources and conducts research in order to safeguard the migratory route. The on-site Bird Sanctuary features a fresh water lake, which attracts kingfishers, waders, waterfowl, herons, Flamingos, Gulls, waders and a multitude of human spectators who are welcome to watch the birds being tagged and released. Although Eilat offers a wide choice of hotels, to experience true tranquillity, the utmost privacy and the freedom to indulge in a long lie-in and to whip up my own breakfast at leisure, I opted to stay in a comfortable and spacious two bedroom private property which can accommodate up to six guests. Featured on the airbnb website, the property is located in a peaceful neighbourhood and within walking distance to the desert trail, a well stocked supermarket, an excellent bakery and a pizza restaurant. Keren, who resides in an adjacent property, is a most delightful and charming host. She welcomed me on arrival and escorted me around the
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