Where the desert meets the Red Sea

Arrive at Ovda International Airport and you’ll almost certainly be heading for Eilat, where the Southern Negev Desert meets the Red Sea. Basking in year-round sunshine, with plentiful beaches, rugged desert hinterland, great diving and pulsating nightlife, Eilat is a refreshing antidote to the crowds of the Med or the flashy megaresorts of the Arabian Gulf.

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Must see:
Head out into the Negev and get up close and personal with nature in the raw at Timna Valley National Park, noted for its amazing sandstone formations and some of the oldest copper mines in the world, dating back 6000 years.

Must eat at:
Hang out with the local elite (and just a few wannabes) at Ginger, Eilat’s in-spot for in-people. A great, buzzy place for dining, if you like to rub shoulders with celebs you’ve never heard of!

Must be there for:
The Red Sea Jazz Festival is unquestionably the Middle East’s most prominent and respected jazz event, attracting top performers to Eilat every August. 2008 highlights included Incognito, Sara Lazarus and the Sax Summit.

Well-travelled tips:
· Two international borders are nearby – those of Egypt and Jordan – so if you want to explore three countries for the price of one (and you have the necessary paperwork), you can!
· If you’re up for a bit of rewarding but hard work, nearby Yotvata Kibbutz takes in travelling volunteers, and even teaches a bit of Hebrew.

Visa:
British citizens holding valid UK passports do not need a visa to enter Israel. Conditions apply, more information