Israel is fast becoming the adventure sports capital of the Middle East and, while action aficionados can expend vast quantities of adrenaline all over the country, the fun starts in earnest in Eilat.
On the edge of the Red Sea with the desert behind it, Eilat - at the southernmost tip of Israel, in sight of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan - provides thrills on land and in the water. Qualified PADI divers will need no second bidding to head into the sea, but novices might want to start off at the Underwater Observatory Marine Park, an aquatic zoo with a shark tank, turtle pool and aquariums filled with tropical fish.
Up close and more personal, a trip to Dolphin Reef on the Red Sea allows visitors to swim with these playful mammals and get close enough to touch them.
From the sea to the ship of the desert, camel safaris hark back to ancient times when these animals were the main method of transport. An hour or two perched high in the saddle is an exhilarating way to take in the countryside, with occasional stops to admire the view or learn how to make pita bread over a camp fire. Faster and less prone to kick, bite or spit, quad bikes are an alternative way to get to grips with the desert, but they can be noisy and dusty.
A mite comfier than both quad bike and camel, four-wheel-drive dune buggies are the Rolls-Royce of desert exploration. One of the best tours is through the Judean Desert on the West Bank, roaring along rugged trails in a style that combines Lawrence of Arabia with Indiana Jones. There are Crusader-era forts to admire along the way, but the true Kodak moment is from atop Jabel Um Katef, with vistas of the Dead Sea, Jericho, the Hurkanya Valley and Muntar Mountain. The Judean Desert is a year-round destination, though high temperatures and scorching winds can make travel less comfortable in summer.
The thrills continue elsewhere in Israel. In the north, near the Syrian border, Mount Hermon (2,766 metres) is the country's little-known ski resort. The season runs from December to April, with the best snow in February. And while it's less developed than resorts in Europe, there are 14 slopes with 45km of runs well-suited to beginners and intermediate skiers. Instructors are multilingual, and for apres ski, the nearby town of Neve Ativ kicks up its heels with abandon after dusk.