The Dead Sea

To reach the highest place on Earth one must be a skilled and experienced climber.
To reach the lowest place on Earth - The Dead Sea - all one has to do is to come to Israel.   The Dead Sea, one of the most breathtaking natural sites in the world, lies 417 meters below sea level.

The Dead Sea is the saltiest body of water on Earth - ten times that of the water of the Mediterranean Sea. 

People bathing in the Dead Sea can float effortlessly on the water and enjoy the warm sun and desert wind.   No life forms live in its waters, which is why it is called the Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea area is hot and sunny with more than 300 cloudless days a year and with very low rainfall.  The average temperature at the Dead Sea is 90 degrees and the average humidity is 35 percent.   

 Therapeutic Healing
The special medicinal mud, hot springs and naturally filtered sunlight have all made the Dead Sea a center for health and therapeutic healing.   Tourists and visitors come from all over the world to rest, seek therapeutic healing, enjoy the excellent hotels and spas and the beautiful desert landscape.

What to See:
There is a lot to see in the area.  

Masada is a mountaintop fortress which King Herod transformed in 35 BC into a three tiered winter home.   Easily accessible via a cable car ride or by hiking up the serpentine path.  Qumran, ancient caves and settlement on the northern shores of the Dead Sea and the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.   Trace the lives of the mystical Essenes, a Jewish sect that fled Jerusalem 2000 years ago.  

Ein Gedi Oasis and Nature Reserve an oasis with lush vegetation, located between two streams.  Today, fresh spring water from Ein Gedi is bottled here.  At the Nature Reserve, visitors have access for viewing bird sanctuaries and desert wildlife and hikers can follow trails viewing waterfalls, caves and canyons.

 Beaches
The Dead Sea air contains a high concentration of oxygen and you will notice the difference in your breathing.  There are a number of public beaches offering the signature element of the Dead Sea - black mud to cleanse and stimulate the skin - which has both cosmetic and therapeutic benefits.  Relax at the Ein Bokek or the Ein Gedi Public Beach. Relieve muscle tension rheumatic pain and improve blood circulationat the Ein Gedi Spa Beach.

Visit Mineral Beach, which also offers a fresh water beach and public pool.    Families will enjoy Atrakzia, a water park with fresh water pools and slides.

 Sun and Water Treatments
In recent years, the Dead Sea area has become known as a health, rehabilitation, recreation and beauty spa destination.   The Dead Sea water is said to have a therapeutic effect on the skin due to its high salt and mineral content.  In addition, the high levels of bromine in the air seem to add to the patient's sense of well-being.   The Dead Sea area is a popular destination with travelers suffering from Psoriasis.  Psoriasis patients sunbathe in enclosed solariums.  There is a central public solarium and the majority of hotels have private solariums for their guests.   Exposure to the sun is steadily increased to a total of three to six hours per day and bathing in the Dead Sea is restricted to twice a day, 30 minutes at a time.   In order to receive the maximum benefits and remission time, patients are advised to stay at least four weeks. People suffering from Psoriatic arthritis can be treated with applications of Dead Sea Mud to affected joints and regular baths in sulfur pools together with exposure in the sun and bathing in the Dead Sea.  Many of the treatment centers also provide physical therapy services.

 Health and Beauty
The Dead Sea Spa's can provide you with the pampering, care and beauty treatments you deserve.   The Dead Sea is the ideal setting for a full range of treatments including massages to improve the blood flow, facial mud masks to soften your skin, reflexology and oil baths for relaxation from stress, and much more.

Aida Opera at mount Masada
Following the overwhelming demand for the Nabucco Opera at Masada event in 2010, Aida opera is schedule for 2011, Save The Date: 2, 4 & 5 June 2011
Verdi's Aida opera under the baton of Daniel Oren .
Among the soloists:
Aida: Hui He
Radames: Pierro Giuliacci
Visit the official Aida at Masada website

 Desert Tourism
A thriving tourist industry has sprung up around the shores of the Dead Sea offering for the adventurous traveler; predawn hikes to the top of Masada to view the sunrise, hikes along desert paths, mountain biking on desert trails, desert tours in all-terrain vehicles, meeting Bedouins in their encampment, camel rides and desert safaris, mountain rappelling.

 Masada Sound and Light Show
During the summer months enjoy a spectacular pyrotechnic show in the natural amphitheatre on the west side of the mountain.   The show recounts the dramatic history of Masada.


Dead Sea
The lowest place on earth and one of the most breathtaking natural sites in the world, lies 417 meters below sea level.

Key words:
Dead Sea,  Lowest Place on Earth, Therapeutic Healing, Black Mud,  Psoriasis, Masada, Qumran, Desert Tourism