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This weekend I was literally forced to leave my sweet, comfortable, busy Tel Aviv, as the company I work for decided to take all of us employees for a weekend in Eilat. Normally I wouldn’t be caught dead in Eilat, but when the boss is paying, even I can’t say no to a suite at the Hilton.

So I packed my bags, my husband, and some good friends, knowing that I had two goals for this weekend:

1. Take as little part as possible in organized company activities (because all this group bonding makes me want to throw up).
2. Try to find as many things in Eilat that would make me feel like I am still in Tlv.

I am happy to announce that I succeeded in both missions way way beyond my expectations!!! I actually managed to participate in only one of the millions of company events that filled this short weekend, and still it was quite a traumatic experience, as it included the CEO of the company singing “Pretty Woman” in the karaoke version..

As for mission number 2#, I was very surprised to find out the Eilat has a lot of Tel Aviv, or more accurately, wanna be Tlv, in it…So I give you a few Tel Aviv like activities and tips:

Santa Fe Restaurant
Santa Fe (http://www.santa-fe.co.il)) is a Mexican grill restaurant, which really means it’s a very good place to have a shot of Tequila (the original kind with the worm and everything). My attraction to this is spot is because of its similarity to my all time favorite place in Tlv, Chimichanga. Sadly Chimichanga was burnt down a few months ago and now it seems that you have to travel all the way to Eilat in order to find some decent chicken fajitas. They also make quite a good imitation of Chimichanga’s classic Lemon Margarita, so that you can return to the hotel pool just a little bit tipsy…
Northern Beach, in front of the Caesar Hotel, 03-6338081

The Reef Beach
In Eilat, just like in Tlv, to really enjoy a day at the beach you have to find a beach that fits you. This weekend I found my beach: The Reef Beach. The beach is situated at a distantance from the center of town (towards the border with Egypt, but not really close to it…), and this gives it a quiet, calm atmosphere. Just in front of the water you can lay back and relax on some very cozy beach sofas, while ordering a beer or a Bacardi breezer (a drink you can really drink only in Eilat, Ha Ha Ha ). For you wind/ kite surfers, this is the beach where all the sportive action is happening, and this automatically makes it the place to find some hotties, I was lucky enough to spot the famous Noam, star of the Israeli version of Survivor…
Southern Beach (Eilat-Taba Road) Near the Reef Hotel

Olla Tapas Bar
Another symptom of the Tel Avivness in Eilat can be seen in the Eilati tapas bar named Olla (http://www.olla-tapas.co.il/). A tapas bar is with out a doubt the funnest place to pass an evening with a light layed back dinner, this definitely fits the essence of Eilat!!!. Order two glasses of Cava (even in Tlv I have never been asked whether I prefer my Cava dry or half dry!!!), a few tasty tapas, whichshould be split into vegetarian, meat and fish, and of course don’t forget the house bread to complete the experience and soak the Cava… I must admit that even though the tapas are very good and appetizing, they still lack that Tlv specification and elegance, and this is what leaves you with the urge to get back to Tlv and make a reservation at Tapeo
7 Tarshis St, in front of the Bell Hotel, 08-6325566.

The Herods’ Hotel Mall
Anyone you ask will tell you Eilat is the place to shop, and the main reason in because there is no VAT on the products, and this makes the spending much easier…also something in the dry hot weather makes you lose your head and open your wallet. Most people go straight to the main mall called the “Mall Facing the Sea“, but I can save you the trouble and send you to where the really good shopping is taking place, just under the Herods Hotel. This “Boulevard” has a few very nice stores and boutiques like the FM Store that carries brands like GSUS, Pepe Jeans and Meltin Pot. This is also the only place you can find a normal Tel Aviv kind of coffee at Arcaffe (Its not exactly like Tlv coffee, but its close enough).
Northern Beach, under the Herods Hotel

The 3 Monkeys Bar
Ok, so this last item has absolutely nothing to do with Tel Aviv, and this is because there in no way in the world you can compare between the exciting lively night life Tlv offers and the amusing, a little bit pathetic, stuck in the eighties Eilat scene. You just have to go with the flow, expecting nothing, and then you might be surprised for the better. The 3 Monkeys bar is a good place to start; it’s a big bar, situated on the promenade, and it is always packed full. Nothing changes at the monkeys, meaning it still looks and feels the same as it did when I was there ten years ago, and I guess this is its charm. So go in, order some weird large cocktail that you can order only in Eilat, and maybe some fun cover band will be playing in the background, YaYaYa!
Northen Beach, under Royal Beach Hotel, 08- 6368989