Sea, it is an international haven for
divers who explore Eilat's magnif-
icent coral reefs.
Three thousand years ago, King
David established Eilat as a defense
outpost. Soon afterward, King
Solomon transformed Eilat from a
tiny oasis to an important port on
the Far East trade route.
Today, Eilat is a small but gow-
ing resort boasting a wealth of lux-
ury hotels, restaurants and night
spots. It's a free-trade zone, mean-
ing that visitors are exempt from
paying Israel's Value Added Tax.
Pleasantly warm in the winter
(in the 60s and 70s), it becomes
progressively hotter as summer ap-
proaches. Spring and fall are the
best times to visit, since tempera-
tures reach well over 100 degrees
during July and August
Unfortunately, no remnants of
ancient Eilat remain intact, so most
people stay close to the sea or
g pool.
Still, there are some attractions
that combine history with nature.
Timna Park, located about 20
miles from Eilat, is home to the
6,000-year-old Timna Copper
Mines. You'll find an llth-centu-
ry BCE temple known as Hathor.
The desert landscape is breath-
taking.
When you're not swimming,
snorkeling, scuba diving, wind-
surfing, parasailing or deep-sea fish-
ing, visit the Underwater
Observatory, situated on Eilat's
Coral Beach. The observatory af-
fords a rare view of the fantastic va-
riety of fish that inhabit the Red Sea
and the intricate ecosystem of the
living coral reef.
For an unusual teat, go the Dol-
phinarium, also on Coral Beach,
and swim with the dolphins.
Looking for a romantic way to
spend an afternoon? Rent a sail-
boat, complete with captain, and
sail the calm, clear waters for a few
private hours. Boats and yachts can
be booked through your hotel. ❑

At Marriott,
we bring something extra
to every
reception we plan—
a tradition of care,
concern and service
that makes

27033 Northwestern Highway, Smithfield, Michigan 48034 (810) 356-7400

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