Kids in the Negev

The Negev is a huge sandbox for kids. There's lots to do and enjoy: alpaca rides, camel trips, Jeep excursions, snorkeling, floating in the Dead Sea, smearing on mud. And children like the kind of food prevalent in the Negev, such as french fries and schnitzel (fried breaded chicken cutlets). Even fancy restaurants have these on their menus, to please the young ones. The hotels in Eilat go out of their way to cater to kids, trying to outdo one another with their children's sections, often called Kiddyland. These are separate facilities on the hotel grounds, filled with every imaginable distraction, from toys and crafts to Playstations, and there are trained attendants on hand. Many hotels employ staff trained to keep kids entertained. And even in upscale restaurants at night it's not unusual to see baby strollers parked beside the candlelit tables.