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Eilat
Israel, Red Sea
A resort town of over 55,000 and a bustling port, combining sea and desert, Eilat is the jewel of Israel's Red Sea region, seperated from the rest of the country by the Negev desert. It is sprawled along 7 kilometers of Red Sea coastline, between the borders of Egypt and Jordan, and offers spectacular views of the Gulf of Aqaba.
The 2 km North Beach area is full of hotels with opulent names like Herod's Palace and Queen of Sheba. The Tayelet promenade extends the length of the beach front and hosts numerous stalls, street artists, restaurants, and fashionable shops. The promenade has great views of the bay, and each evening it is full of strolling tourists. The southern beach, which has coral reefs, is protected by the Israel Nature Reserve Authority. It has many public beaches and excellent scuba diving centers. The Navy and commercial ports lie between the south and north beaches.
Eilat is a great place for water skiing and swimming. The calm surface of the sea is also ideal for boating activities: sailboats, rowboats, kayaks and motor boats.
The main attraction of Eilat is diving in the Red Sea (actually an inlet from the sea known as the Gulf of Eilat or Aqaba), one of the world's most spectacular underwater preserves. You can see brightly colored coral and fish and may see everything from a venomous lionfish to a moray eel to a shark to a sea turtle to a manta ray.
Even if you're not a diver, you can enjoy the magnificent coral reef from the surface with a snorkel and mask or on a glass-bottom boat ride (though you usually don't see nearly as much). If you want a really unique view (and don't mind spending the money), try an underwater safari in a submarine (yup, it's a real one) that holds 50 people and takes you 200 feet below the surface. And, if you're really a landlubber, there's the Coral World Underwater Observatory that lets you enjoy the wonders of the Sea as if it were an aquarium. One of only four in the world, the observatory offers a kaleidoscopic view of the reef and sea life 15 feet below the surface. One of the newer Eilat attractions is Dolphin Reef, where you can swim and dive with dolphins.
And there's plenty of activities outside the water, including rappelling on craggy cliffs of the desert mountains, hiking in the desert and mountain biking.
Less well-known is the fact that Eilat is one of the best places in the world for bird watching. Approximately one billion birds traverse the area between the Mediterranean coast and the Jordan mountains, making southern Israel the site of one of the greatest concentrations of migrating birds in the world. The migration from Europe to Africa takes place from September to November and the return flight begins in March and lasts through May. Eilat is the headquarters for the International Birdwatching Center.
Eilat is also known as a great place to party at night with lots of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. It's also a good place to shop because the city is a free trade zone with no VAT.
Holiday Hotels in Eilat
£115
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Hilton's renowned high standards of luxury and comfort together with beautiful sea views and unique architecture make the Hilton Queen of Sheba one of Eilat's most striking hotels. Built at a cost of US$100 million, the hotel's interior brings the spirit of the legend King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba to its fullest expression. Interior designer Buki Zuker travelled to far-flung corners of the globe, such as the legendary Lost City in the former Bophuthatswana, in southern Africa, to Las Vegas and to India for inspiration and materials. The Hilton Queen of Sheba features 481 newly refurbished rooms including Standard, Junior and Family Deluxe rooms. All feature :- air conditioning, private facilities, cable TV, radio, telephone in both the bedroom and bathroom, safe, mini fridge, tea & coffee facilities, hairdryer.......click here for more
£95
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The Isrotel Royal Beach Eilat is located by the beach on Eilat’s North Shore, with all rooms commanding spectacular views of the Red Sea. The hotel's central location allows direct access to numerous dining, shopping and entertainment facilities, including easy access to Le Boulevard, an exclusive shopping centre located inside the Isrotel Royal Garden and the WOW show, located in the Isrotel theatre. The Isrotel Royal Beach Eilat features 363 air-conditioned rooms and suites, including Bellavista (standard) rooms and suites, family rooms, Royal rooms and suites, and Presidential floor rooms. All rooms feature:- private facilities and sitting area, air conditioning, most offer a south-facing balcony affording spectacular views of the Red Sea, TV, radio, telephone, safe, mini bar, wireless internet access (payable locally), tea & coffee facilities. ......click here for more
£98
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Located on Eilat's striking Red Sea beachfront, the Dan hotel offers everything one needs for the perfect vacation. Imaginative architecture, luxurious d'cor, warm blue pools and cascading waterfalls, excellent cuisine and the highest standards of service; all combine to help guests indulge and enjoy. The Dan Hotel Eilat is centrally located on Eilat's North beach, adjacent to the lively seafront promenade, with its dramatic views of the Red Sea gulf. The hotel is close to many of the main tourist attractions and centers for water sports; amongst the attractions are the Kings City theme park, IMAX cinema and a myriad of vibrant bars, caf's and discotheques. Eilat is renowned for the natural beauty of its surroundings and the clear waters of the Red Sea are home to a huge variety of exotic fish. Marvelous coral reefs make Eilat the perfect destination for scuba diving, snorkeling and trips in glass-bottomed boats. The underwater observation station, which also offers exciting submarine cruises, is just a short distance south of the town, beyond Eilat's port.......click here for more
Holiday Hotels in Egypt
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Set on a secluded bay, the Hyatt Regency Sharm el Sheikh is an impressive hotel featuring beautifully landscaped gardens and water features, providing the perfect setting for a sumptuous, relaxing holiday. High standards of facilities, accommodation and services make the Hyatt a favourite amongst many returning customers. Each of the 471 air-conditioned rooms feature the following :- balcony/terrace, satellite TV, high speed internet access, telephone, safe, mini bar, bathroom amenities and hairdryer.......click here for more
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This hotel is located just 15 minutes stroll from the scenic Naama Bay area. Shopping areas, restaurants and vibrant nightlife districts are also accessible within easy walking distance from the hotel. This traditional style exterior hotel is well kept and maintained. The Novotel Sharm El Sheikh Hotel has a good size swimming pool that has plenty of sun beds set around it and has a clean private, not too crowded beach. Rooms are spacious, and have all the little standard facilities that make a stay pleasant and enjoyable such as good air conditioning and tea and coffee making facilities for when guests wake up in the morning.......click here for more
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The beautiful Intercontinental Resort Taba Heights offers the perfect luxury holiday, combined with excellent facilities and friendly service, on the shores of the Red Sea, overlooking white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and stunning desert scenery. Sandwiched between craggy mountains and the sea, the InterContinental Taba Heights Resort is part of a premier resort community on the Red Sea coast. It offers a wealth of leisure options including golf, water sports, shopping and gaming. A short drive away are Pharaoh’s Island, Colored Canyon and the Taba Protected Area. ......click here for more
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The Hyatt Regency Taba Heights overlooks the Red Sea and is backed by the mountains, situated on its own 450m stretch of golden sandy beach in the Taba Heights, with panoramic views of neighbouring Jordan. It is a high standard hotel set in spacious, relaxing surroundings on its own stretch of golden sandy beach. Staying at this hotel you’ll experience a friendly atmosphere due to the hotels absorbing location and its setting within extensive gardens. ......click here for more
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Set on its own beach overlooking the Red Sea‚ the Hurghada Marriott Red Sea Resort offers its guests the highest standards of accommodation and service. Excellent sporting facilities and a choice of restaurants are on offer alongside stylish‚ spacious bedrooms in which to relax after a day unwinding in the hotel's spa facilities or by its large‚ attractive pool. The Hurghada Marriott is the perfect place for that special break and well–deserved beach holiday.......click here for more
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This Nubian style resort is set in lush gardens and offers a wide range of facilities in a friendly atmospehere. Located on the edge of Naama Bay, this hotel is situated across the road from its sister hotel, the Sonesta Beach. The Sonesta Club Sharm el Sheikh features a main restaurant serving buffet style meals, Terrace restaurant and Dolphin a la carte restaurant plus the Bistro Bar and Tropical bar for light snacks. The hotel is available on an all-inclusive basis though not all services in the restuarants and bars are covered ......click here for more
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The Hilton Sharks Bay Resort offers a good range of facilities in a stunning setting, and the all-inclusive board basis offers excellent value for money. The recent addition of a new extension increases the range of options and introduces a new level of luxury. The Hilton Sharks Bay enjoys a peaceful setting in Sharks Bay, about 20 minutes drive from Naama Bay, Sharm el Sheikh's bustling centre. The Hilton Sharks Bay Sharm el Sheikh features 629 air-conditioned rooms, each featuring; private facilities, shower, tea and coffee making facilities, safe, satellite TV, mini fridge, telephone, hairdryer. Most rooms also feature a balcony or terrace.......click here for more
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Situated in the heart of Na'ama Bay and a mere 10 minutes drive from the airport at Sharm El Sheik, this 4 star resort's private beach area slopes into the shimmering Red Sea - a playground for water sports and scuba enthusiasts. Explore world-famous coral reefs and underwater cliffs with the friendly PADI instructors. This resort is the perfect holiday destination for family-friendly fun and water sports, candlelight dinners on the private beach and for watching the world go by on the promenade. With a total of 210 rooms with private balconies and 150 beachfront bungalows, this is a superb hotel to unwind in......click here for more
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The Maritim Jolie Ville Resort & Casino Sharm el Sheikh is set amidst landscaped gardens in the centre of Naama Bay. The hotel features 3 wings, with the Preferred Front Area located in the main section of the hotel near to the beach, the Front Palm Area adjacent, and the Sports Area Wing across the road. Featuring 396 air-conditioned rooms set in one or two storey buildings, the Maritim Jolie Ville Resort & Casino, Sharm El Sheikh is popular, as it is set along a fine beach, along Naama Bay. Guests can have a great time on the resort’s well kept private beach or enjoy snorkelling at the coral reef that lies just a few steps from the waters edge......click here for more
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The Hilton Taba Resort has great views and plenty of activities to entertain the whole family. As you would expect from a hotel overlooking Egypt’s Red Sea there are plenty of water sport activities including the opportunity to dive, snorkel and explore the fantastic underwater world the area is famous for. On the private beach you can join in with a game of beach volleyball or relax on a hammock under a palm tree. For the more energetic there are five asphalt floodlight tennis courts and for children there is a hotel-run kids club and a playground.......click here for more
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Framed by a dramatic mountainous backdrop the Taba Heights Marriott Beach Resort is a great choice for families and couples seeking a quiet and relaxing beach holiday. The spacious rooms are located in either the main hotel building or in two or three storey buildings set in tiers, with each room providing comfortable accommodation and a range of modern amenities. There’s a lazy river-style pool in the well-maintained gardens, and the abundance of on-site facilities and activities offers guests a fantastic choice of things to do.......click here for more