18 months ago (natch) my family and I spent the most incredible two weeks exploring every part of Israel. We traveled from the North to the South and from the East to the West. After planning a huge Bat Mitzvah in New York, and this trip three days later, I was completely burnt out when we returned. Finally, I started writing a blog post about our experience and couldn’t stop because everything about this trip was just – perfect. I was overcome with the beauty of the country and this once-in-a-lifetime extraordinary adventure we experienced. Not surprisingly, the one blog post morphed into seven.
All seven were completed and I started publishing them at the end of September 2023. I posted my second one on October 6th, 2023. The next day Israel was brutally attacked. Much like all Jews across the world my heart broke and my tears couldn’t, wouldn’t, and haven’t stopped. It no longer felt appropriate to post about our perfect trip. Therefore, I waited hoping things would end quickly.
Sadly, that was (and is) not the case. With October 7th’s anniversary approaching I’ve been thinking about our trip a lot. I’ve been thinking about how I asked my husband at the midpoint of our trip – in Tel Aviv – if he felt unsafe for one moment of our journey. He said no and as a first-time visitor, he was happy the media hype was not the reality.
Unfortunately, that narrative changed when this magical country was attacked only months later. I want to believe the hostages will come home safely. Until that happens, in the name of honoring those who haven’t come home yet and those who won’t return, I’m releasing these posts leading up to the first anniversary. I want to believe peaceful Israelis “will dance again“. Additionally, I want to believe families like ours will be able to take a trip like this again.
Please read these posts with that in your heart. Please also click on the links to the experiences and vendors and follow their social media accounts. My goal is creating a list for you of the best Israel has to offer so it’s there when you’re ready.
As you can imagine tourism has plummeted since the attacks. Many of these incredible businesses have suffered not only personally but professionally. They need all the help and support they can get. Read about them, help them (if you’re so inclined), and most importantly – visit them in person when you can. With so many kind, amazing volunteers heading over right now my hope is they’ll have time to take a cooking class, visit the dolphins, or experience the magic of Dig For A Day.
Shana Tova
South Israel District – a huge area to explore with fun galore!
This article outlines the route we took to Central Israel and South Israel after five nights in Jerusalem. We visited a few amazing experiences on the way – with an overnight stop to star gaze and glamp in Mitzpe Ramon.
Next, we stayed in Eilat for a night before venturing to Petra the next morning. Since this was my third trip to Israel I was really excited to visit this fabled place… from Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. After Petra we headed north to Tel Aviv for the second week of our adventure to begin!
And away we go…
Caliber 3 Gush Etzion
My kids were dying to visit Caliber 3 for their counter-terrorism training experience. During our two-hour IDF Shooting Adventure we learned different ways to be vigilant to terrorism from retired IDF officers. Every aspect of this training was a new experience for us and very exciting (and quite honestly, very scary). My kids loved it. Caliber 3 Gush Etzion is an easy day trip from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv and a perfect stop on your way South to the Central or Southern Regions of Israel.
Dig For A Day
I know I keep saying everything was the best, but the truth is the BEST of the best was Dig For A Day. This was one of the – if not THE – highlights of our trip. Dig For A Day gives you the gift of being a one-day archaeologist on-site at their active archaeological dig. Quite simply, it was incredible. We descended into a cave that was partially excavated and dug until we found bones (!), jaws (!), tiles (!), and even stairs (!) from the time of Chanukah (roughly 8th century BCE).
Next, we brought up our excavated buckets and sifted through them to reveal even more treasures of history. Our exceptional guide told us that artifacts found – by people like us (!) – have been used to recreate historical objects that ended up on display in museums around the world. After we wrapped our heads around this awesome concept, we toured a fully excavated underground cave used as an oil press and pigeon “farm”. The experience just kept getting cooler and cooler!
This was by far one of the most incredible places I’ve ever been in my life. These caves – all hidden under the land in Beit Guvrin National Park – were jaw dropping. Additionally, UNESCO agrees! Beit Guvrin National Park is recognized as a World Heritage Site.
Cave of the Patriarchs
This important religious tomb – and its current structure built by King Herod – has existed since Biblical times. It’s believed Abraham bought this land to bury Sarah. Additionally, it’s believed that Abraham, Isaac and Rebecca, and Jacob and Leah are all buried here as well. Some scholars posit Adam and Eve were also buried here as its location may have been the entrance to the Garden of Eden. Droves of people come here to pray and connect spiritually with our Patriarchs and Matriarchs. It’s one of the holiest sites in Judaism.
Mitzpe Ramon – Welcome To South District Of Israel!
Two things on my “must” list for this trip were star gazing and eating an authentic Bedouin meal. My daughter’s Bat Mitzvah theme was space, and she loves all things astronomy. With that said, we couldn’t wait to get to Mitzpe Ramon the First International Dark Sky Place In The Mideast to check it all out!
Astronomy Israel
When you’re in a crater – in one of the darkest places on Earth – you can imagine how good the star gazing is each night (vs in New York where it’s filled with light pollution). Since we wanted to continue the space theme of my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah this activity was both a must and on brand. We met Ira from Astronomy Israel Star Gazing and followed him to his seated area inside the Ramon Crater. He then guided us through the night sky by the naked eye and using huge telescopes. Since I never took my eyes off the sky I saw a meteor shoot across! It was so cool. We loved this experience and would highly recommend it. Additionally, next time I’d listen to Ira and wear a base layer since it was February and freezing… but that was a small price to pay.
Eilat: The Southern Most Part Of South Israel
Eilat is a beautiful seaside southern Israeli city. This is a destination to relax, not to sightsee. It was so pretty and with the best vibe. Not only did we have a wonderful day and night there, but the hotel – Abraham Eilat – was our favorite and the activities were awesome.
Dolphin Reef Eilat
Our first and third (yes we liked it so much we went back!) Eilat activity was the gorgeous ecological site Dolphin Reef Eilat. This place was heaven and what I see when I close my eyes and picture something peaceful. It was an oasis, beyond special, and one that evoked the feeling of traveling to another time. It felt part Robinson Crusoe and part Swiss Family Robinson.
Dolphin Reef Eilat has a few parts to her beauty. One area boasts a multi-level tree house with lots of lounge areas, vantage points, a restaurant, and an 18+ area for some quiet. Another area offers a secluded beachfront with palm trees, shops, restaurants, art areas, and even some peacocks to greet you. But my favorite area – the pièce de résistance – presents you with a floating circular wooden pier. This hovering pier allows you to walk over the Red Sea and observe dolphins in their natural habitat.
Because the dolphins come and go as they please you never know when they’ll arrive! This results in a relaxing, exciting, and very beautiful experience. One I didn’t want to leave. In fact, I loved it so much that we returned after our camel ride to see the sunset over Jordan’s mountains across the way.
Eilat Camel Ranch
My middle son’s only trip request was a camel ride. Since I strive for authenticity I refused to bow to a “gas station” camel. I wanted the OG experience with a full hump parade. After much research, we decided on Camel Ranch Eilat. Our family camel ride was an hour and a half and split between a desert tour through Eilat Mountain Reserve and a freshly made snack.
Upon returning to the Ranch our tour guide brought us to their Bedouin tent and made us fresh pita. He also served labena cheese, olives, and their unique tea brewed from desert plants. It was the perfect camel riding experience. I loved everything about this place and our tour. Additionally, they offer more adventure options like ATV tours and a full ropes course experience. Plus – as an added bonus – we went on a Wednesday!
Petra – An Easy Day Trip From Eilat
Ever since Indiana Jones bowed as a penitent man inside Petra‘s Treasury I’ve wanted to see it for myself. Petra is an easy day trip from Eilat and super unique. The façade – carved into the side of a Nabatean Kingdom mountain – is a forty-minute walk (through gorgeous carved stones ) from the entrance. As you approach this lost city and it unfolds before you it’s evident why UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site.
Food and Accommodations In South Israel
We had great luck with food and accommodations on this short 48-hour adventure (more on both in our Israeli Food post and our Israel Accommodations post). In Mitzpe Ramon we loved the authentic Bedouin dining experience with Land of Tents and the super cool glamping experience at Silent Arrow Desert Lodge. In Eilat we loved our dinner at Varkada and the GORGEOUS, made-for-families Abraham Eilat which had the coolest decor I’ve ever seen!
South Israel Conclusion
I hope this South Israel post helps you plan the perfect family-friendly Israel trip to this region. But there’s so much more! Please look at our full Israel itinerary and other Israel posts: Know Before You Go, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, North Israel and The Golan Heights, Israeli Accommodations, and Israeli Food. Each post aims to help mesh history, culture, nature, adventure, education, and fun into the ideal Israel tour. So, start packing your bags and get ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime!
*I put together our Israel itinerary and then reached out to business owners to work together. All opinions above are my own. No compensation was received for my opinions. In some cases, a discount or hosted experience was provided in exchange for my honest review.*
For more unique family trips click here!
Please follow The Mint Chip Mama on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Amazon, and Tik Tok!
You support my blog (and taco habit) when you click on The Mint Chip Mama’s affiliate links, thank you!
4 thoughts on “South Israel and Central Israel: There’s Eilat To Do Here!”