European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 28, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse Getaway opportunities abound from the dead sea to the red sea the Beach at the Moriah hotel at the dead sea opens at 8 . And is nearly filled by 10 . By Bob Klose staff writer Black ice gloomy dark skies Cabin fever need not be the Only memories of Winter 1993. Warm weather resorts in Israel a from the dead sea to the red sea a Are proof there s life before the springtime thaw in Europe. On the Southern end is Eilat the Bottom Point on Israel s map where Sandy beaches water sports desert camping four Star hotels night life Are available in february in temperatures approaching 80 degrees. In the North dead sea resorts spas operating on the lowest Point on the planet offer mud Baths therapeutic swims in Salty seas. In Between for visitors who want to get out of the water the Negev desert offers extensive historical Sites spectacular natural scenery. A Short drive from the dead sea is Masada the Mountaintop fortress where 900 jews chose suicide Over surrender to romans in 66 . And a dozen Miles North of the red sea Are the Copper mines pillars of King Solomon. Both ends of this wintertime hot spot Are easily accessible. Dead sea resorts Are a one hour car or bus ride away from Jerusalem. Arkia airlines otters regular flights to Eilat. Eilat Eilat was Moses first landfall when he led the children of Israel out of Egypt thus is sometimes called Israel s first City. It is at the northernmost end of the red sea the Southern end of the Border Between Israel Jordan. Step foot in the red sea surf look South saudi Arabia is just around the Corner on the left Egypt the Sinai on the right. Civen the geography it s a piece of real estate lots of civilizations coveted Eilat changed hands Many times Over the centuries. It was last conquered by the israelis during its War of Independence. Although it was once King Solomon s seaport to the outside world Eilat a generation ago was a second fiddle neighbor of Aqaba in Jordan. It offered Little More than an abandoned police station from the old ottoman Empire when israeli defense forces raised the Star of David in 1949, but it became an important seaport for Israel especially after 1956, when the Suez canal was closed to israeli shipping Eilat was the Only Access to the Indian Pacific oceans. The reopening of Suez under the 1979 Camp David accords Cut deeply into Eilat s port business. Eilat still has a Navy base port but it now looks to tourists for most of its income. It seems Eilat has answered the calling quite Welt. Eilat is perched on the Edge of a rock1. Mountainside. The Airport is plopped right in the Middle of town. Its runway Heads straight into Jordan. Coils of razor wire remind visitors Israel remains in a state of War with that Eastern Arab neighbor. Like everywhere in Israel armed soldiers regularly patrol the streets the Ocean front boardwalks. It s a fact of life treated so casually that a couple strolling on the Beach barely noticed when the barrel of a passing Soldier s m-16 snagged sunbathers line up by the Pool at the Moriah hotel. In the Young woman s sweater. The main Street Heads Uphill through a business District before disappearing into residential neighbourhoods. But most of the attention is directed the other Way toward the dear Blue Green Waters of the Gulf of Eilat in the red sea. Its beaches Are lined by More than two dozen High Rise hotels fully equipped to pamper couples families. Double occupancy runs $175 a night plus 15 percent for a meal at a top of the line Beach front hotel. Families that can squeeze into one room Are charged $10 More per child under 13 plus 15 percent for the meal. Families needing Mere space Are Given a 25 percent Cut Oft the Price of the second room. Nearly All have swimming poo s restaurants bars discos unless you drive in to the desert they Al Are a few Steps from the Beach. Everything begins at the teach in Ehat opposite the Airport the Beach in front of the luxury Moira hotel opens at 8 . And is getting crowded by 10. M the brochures pros be deck Chad at pod Side on the Sand Are occupied by Young bronzed Beautiful people. = it s ret unc crr or on to see to m in e c o Der Sun worse leers Are be 1 represented too up c r Cut is a
