4 PAGES OF TOP HOLIDAY IDEAS
Clear seas and sunny skies make Israel’s Red Sea beach destination Eilat a perfect escape in the UK’s colder months, says GEORGINA STUBBS
‘IHAVE never seen snow in my life, and if it snows here, I will leave,” laughs our guide Naftaly Gal Or, who is skillfully driving an openbacked jeep through the dusty and mesmerising mountains surrounding the southern Israeli city of Eilat.
When most of Britain is being lashed by wind, freezing rain and snow in January, temperatures here average 20˚C. Alongside just 30mm of annual rainfall and 360 sunny days a year, it is easy to see why sightings of the white stuff are rare.
Nestled on the coast of the Red Sea with its crystal clear waters – home to an abundance of colourful marine life such as lionfish, parrotfish, octopus and seahorses – Eilat has plenty of potential for adventure.
Clinging to Naftaly’s bouncing jeep as he deliberately moves it up the inclines of the path ahead, singing the vaguely recognisable tune of “shake to the left, shake to the right”, it is difficult to believe he is approaching 70.
The back wheels are kicking up dust from the rocky track as we meander our way through the harsh and barren landscape of Solomon Valley – close to the Egyptian border – headed for our second view point of the two-hour excursion.
With the air invitingly warm as the sun is engulfed behind the jagged edges of the mountains, casting a soft light amongst the crevasses and highlighting the many differing hues of red, browns and grey, it is hard not to be captivated by the immense natural beauty of the area.
Founded in 1950, the resort and port town neighbours the Jordanian city of Aqaba, which, from the height of the mountains, becomes visible as a mass of street lights as darkness descends.
But spectacular views are not all Eilat has to offer...
TAKE A DIP WITH DOLPHINS
ONE of the resort’s more unique attractions is Dolphin Reef (dolphinreef.co.il), home to four bottlenose porpoises called Neo, Nana, Luna and Nikita, who live in their natural environment – a large netted part of the sea.
Instead of forcing the marine mammals to perform tricks, at Dolphin Reef the animals are treated with respect and sensitivity.
There’s the option to dive (339 New Israel Shekels/£71) or snorkel (290NIS/£61) with the sea mammals for 30-minute sessions, and once immersed in their underwater habitat I’m overcome with a sense of excitement and joy that I know I havn’t felt since the Christmas Eves of my childhood.
A dolphin glides beneath me with such grace it takes me completely by surprise as it inspects this latest being to enter its world. I can’t get enough of listening to their clicks and squeaks as they chatter between themselves.
There is also a pebbled beach and a floating walkway where visitors can observe the animals (67NIS/£14), and three relaxation pools with the option of an unusual water-based treatment (320NIS/£67). I’m moved around one of the pools by a specialist, into positions designed to relax mind, body and spirit.
MAKE FEATHERED FRIENDS
IN AUTUMN and spring the skies above Eilat teem with birdlife as half a billion flamingoes, raptors, kingfishers and other winged creatures migrate. In a typical March, more than 130 species can be seen in a day.
Providing a safe haven, a team of researchers and conservationists maintain an oasis of freshwater and saltwater ponds and lakes at the International Birding and Research Centre in Eilat, close to the Jordanian border.
Pre-booked tours of the sanctuary start from 35NIS (£7) per person.
The centre humanely catches and rings birds which pass through the area, to collect data for their work.
Best of all, visitors can actively participate in the work. I gently undo a cloth bag to reveal a reed warbler ready for release, and am given careful instructions on how to hold its delicate body. Watching the warbler fly away, I feel awed by the tiny creature which journeys thousands of miles every year.
EXPLORE THE JUNGLE
“THERE are only two seasons here – summer and hot summer,” Yoram, one of the founders of the Eilat Botanical Garden, tells me as he guides us through the collection of plants and trees, which include the baobab, almond tree, the holy fig, and details how they keep them all alive. Entry costs 28NIS (£6)pp.
The pinnacle of the gardens is a rainforest, where a misting water feature activates every six minutes and provides the most refreshing reprieve from the blazing Israeli sun.
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN HISTORY
A MERE 30km from Eilat is Timna Park, a 60,000sq km valley where copper ores were mined from as early as the 5th millennium BC.
There are many mine shafts to climb into and discover, and geological formations such as the mushroom, a natural stone formation which resembles the fungus, and the incredible King Solomon’s Pillars – imposing red sandstone cliffs that look like they ripple through the landscape.
The ruins of a temple dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Hathor can be seen at the base of Solomon’s Pillars. Look out for a carved inscription by Pharaoh Ramses III making an offer to the goddess. Entrance to the site costs 49NIS (£10.30).
SINK TO THE LOWEST POINT ON EARTH
AT 431 metres below sea level, the ever-shrinking Dead Sea is the lowest dry-land point on Earth. It’s a two and a half hour drive away, but worth the effort to visit. Eilat Shuttle offer an organised day tour for 145NIS (£107).
It is free to enter the public beach and there are full changing facilities available, but make sure you take waterproof reef shoes as the salt crystals that have formed on the water’s edge can be a little rough under foot.
With normal swimming strokes rendered impossible by the volume of salt, after spending just 15 minutes floating in the water your skin will feel incredible.