Page 5 - Discover Israel Magazine - UK edition 2018

Experience adventure, ancient sites,
authentic Bedouin hospitality and
modern innovation
Shahar Shilo, Negev Highlands
Tourism Administration
Welcome to the world's
friendliest desert. Just a
few hours by plane from
chilly Europe and you land
in the heart of a warm and gorgeous primal
landscape that offers a slew of experiences
and adventures, along with the kind of
peace and tranquillity generally available by
prescription only. The enchanting desert in
the south of Israel boasts several unique
advantages that have earned it the title of
the world’s friendliest and most accessible
desert. As soon as you land at Eilat’s new
Ramon Airport (also known as Timna
Airport), you are invited to embark on their
desert trip - no need for lengthy travel or
transfers to hotels.
The pastoral environment surrounding
the airport offers a variety of comfortable
country-style accommodations, along with
desert attractions to suit every taste. The
friendly desert serves up a one-of-a-kind
combination that can't be found anywhere
else in the world -
• A magical desert cloaked in ancient
splendour, offering a whole range of
activities and, yes, steeped in peace and
quiet.
• Eilat, on the shores of the Red Sea, is a
highly developed tourist destination, with
water sports, diving, coral nature reserves
and rare fish, along with outstanding
nightlife.
• The third element that makes the desert
friendly is the proximity and accessibility
of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea to the
desert accommodations and tourist sites
in southern Israel. It is the only place in the
world where you can combine a vacation
of desert adventures with a visit to some
of the world's leading heritage tourism
sites, the cradle of monotheism and the
birthplace of Western civilization, as known
to us today.
The southern part of the ancient Land of
Israel is located entirely in the desert strip.
However, unlike most deserts around
the world, the Israeli desert is particularly
friendly, convenient and accessible. The
biblical Negev promises breathtaking
landscapes, with peace and tranquillity
to boot, but is also surprisingly close,
accessible, friendly and particularly safe.
Below are some of the reasons why the
Israeli desert is the world's friendliest.
1. Accessibility and convenience, alongside
the geographical proximity to Europe.
A mere 4-5 hour flight from anywhere in
Europe, and you will land at a new and
modern airport, due to open close to Eilat
at the beginning of 2018.
2. Safety and security, the most advanced
medical services, and some of the best
search-and-rescue teams in the world.
Most trips to the world’s deserts have
to factor in some elements of risk. Israel
has highly qualified search-and-rescue
teams, operating in full cooperation with
our world-renowned Air Force, to give
24/7 coverage to any rescue operation
needed in the vast desert. Israel’s medical
services are exceptionally advanced, and
in case of emergency, you will be receive
quick and outstanding care.
3. Our desert also boasts the largest number
of well-marked trails in the world per
acre. The Negev is a smallish desert,
highly accessible and pleasant, affording
travellers a much-needed disconnect,
without being too far away from
civilization. With the largest number of
trails in the world, it also holds endless
possibilities for adventure - from an easy
breezy walk to a challenging trek.
4. Israeli inhabitants of the desert are well
known for their hospitality and
friendliness. What’s more, many of them
speak English and other languages.
These advantages not withstanding,
the Israeli desert also boasts vast and
spectacular primal landscapes, rare and
unique natural phenomena, a highly diverse
range of ancient sites, next to modern
communities with innovative agriculture,
DISCOVER ISRAEL 5