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Ein Gedi – This is the kind of place that gives "oasis"
a good name. There are cliffs with waterfalls cascading into lovely
pools where animals and birds come to drink. Ein Gedi has a Kibbutz,
a youth hostel, a campsite and a hotel, an auditorium,
cafeterias and restaurants. |
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 Treat
yourself to a picnic by a waterfall. Pack dates, goat cheese, pita
bread and read from the Song of Songs – the kids may giggle but this is
a day they'll never forget. |
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Camping – If camping with your kids under Middle Eastern stars is irresistible
to you, why not do it at the spot that King David memorialized in a song
(1:14)? |
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Kibbutz – Whether you stay in the Ein Gedi Kibbutz or not, take time to visit
the lush and beautiful Botanical Gardens famous for its range, which
features both local plants and plants from all over the world. |
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Health
spa – You’re at the Dead Sea, of course there’s a health spa. This one
is special: tennis courts, gym, jogging track, outdoor and indoor swimming
pools, thermo-mineral baths fed by the natural hot springs (38 degrees
C) and free mud-packs. The bromine is supposed to relax the nervous system
(just the thing after all that tennis, hiking, camel rides...) and the magnesium
will tone your skin. While your 10-year-old may not think he needs a skin
treatment, he’ll be boggled when mom insists that he cover himself in mud. |
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Boat
cruise – Enough already with the hiking? Then relax on a lake cruise
in a wooden boat! You’ll tour the Dead Sea on the Dead Sea. Cruises
leave from the Ein Gedi pier – plan on a relaxing sunset trip and snack
in the boat's cafeteria, or go at midday to beat the heat. |
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Kalia Kibbutz – Founded in 1968 in an oasis on the
Dead Sea, this kibbutz is a working farm open to tourists. An excellent
jumping-off spot to explore the area. Kalia has guest rooms,. a large lap-style
outdoor pool and gives discount passes to area attractions, such as the
water park. |
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Go
riding – You don’t have to be an overnight guest to take time out from
hoofing around archaeological treasures for a horseback ride. Helmets are
provided on the guided tours through the desert (four make up a "tour group.")
Tell kids to use a little imagination and feature themselves journeying
through the 1st century. |
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Pet
a hyena? – Like petting zoos around the world, the Kibbutz version offers
kids a chance to pet and feed animals, such as deer, goats, donkeys – even
hyenas! |
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The
black mud and pebble beach – Across from the Kalia Kibbutz you’ll also
find a pebble beach and that therapeutic Dead Sea black mud if you’re inclined to slather yourself into beautiful skin while the kids
are whooping it up next door at the Atractziah Water Park. |
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Almog Kibbutz – With "suite" type guest rooms, this
Kibbutz opens the doors of its museum to day-trippers and overnight guests
alike, and offers camel tours. There's also a modestly priced cafeteria. |
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Beit
Hasofer Museum – The "House of the Scribe" Museum features the story
of how the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. An audio visual show
covering 9,000 years of the region and fantastic replicas of the scrolls
make the story come alive for kids of all ages. |
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Desert
tours – Take a camel ride and relax in Bedouin tents!
Can it get more Biblical than this? It may be a little scary for small children
to climb up onto those strange beasts – but if they’re game, how can you
miss it. |
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Metzokei Dragot – Like the previous two, another Kibbutz
that offers choices. There are desert and attraction tours, of course, but
what makes this kibbutz a little unusual are the rock climbing and rappelling
courses offered. May be just the thing for older kids and especially athletic
adults who want to lace on their hiking boots for an adrenaline rush. The
Desert Touring Center is the best place to get oriented. |
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Note: We've only listed a few (because of their special attractions)
but for links to kibbutzim all around Israel, click here: Kibbutz |
