Eilat to Jordan's Petra

While in the neighborhood, how could we resist the temptation to travel 190 miles south of Jerusalem, over the Negev desert, to Eilat?  This Israeli sun-drenched seaside resort town sports palm tree  protected pools, beaches, all types of watersports, restaurants, shops and a boardwalk. There's certainly something for everyone, from young families to retirees.

Legend has it that after Creation, the angels painted the earth and when they got tired, spilled their paints. The blue became the waters of Eliat and the other colors became its fish and coral.

In a sense, what's most stunning is Eilat's position relative to Aqaba, Jordan's largest port. Both are located directly across from each other at the top of the narrow, pointed Gulf of Eliat. The lights you see here on the right is Israel, the left Jordan and dead center a huge freighter waiting to unload.

Although this gulf eventually turns into the Red Sea, Eliat residents can easily point out Jordanian royals' yacht, vacation villas and, of course, there are the many large freighters just hundreds of yards off the beach. But here the atmosphere is purely festive. 

Petra - often considered the eight wonder of the world - the ancient "rose red city, half as old as time" was settled by the Nabataeans more than 2200 years ago. 

Begin by crossing  through passport control to Jordan, and drive two hours north of Eilat, you will pass both desert mountains and farmable land; Bedouin contemporary towns and tented villages. Finally you arrive at this ancient trade route, secreted among high cliffs. The main entrance to Petra is an impressive 1,200 yard long, deep narrow stunningly beautiful multi colored gorge with agricultural terraces, votive niches and monumental reliefs carved into the stone. Just when you think you've seen enough dazzling sights, you suddenly come upon the towering Al-Khazneh "treasury".

Remind you if Indiana Jones? You would be right. Some of the filming occurred right here at this UNESCO site. Its boulevards, temples, splendid toumbs and amphitheater make the steep hot treck completely worthwhile. 

Gradually Christianity replaced the old religion and the rise of sea trade began to precipitate Petra's decline. The Muslims took over in 633, the Crusaders arrived in 1179, but after their defeat, the city sank into oblivion, known only to the Bedouin, until rediscovered by a Swiss explorer in 1812. And maybe by you - an intrepid traveler.