Dead Sea Israel – Your Next Spa Vacation
The Dead Sea is really a wonder. Just effortlessly float on your back and enjoy the Mediterranean sun and splendour of the desert around you. Not to worry – you can’t sink in the Dead Sea. It is immeasurably beautiful with milky blue water and shores encrusted by white salt deposits. The Dead Sea rewards each visitor with an unforgettable experience. Wade into the salty water, scoop handfuls of black mud and slather it on your body for a photograph.
Dead Sea – Quick Facts
It is not a sea but a lake, bordered by Israel and Jordan. The evaporation hovering the Dead Sea gives a constant haze over its surface. The Jordan River flows into the Dead Sea, but it has no exit point so that the rich minerals build up within the Dead Sea water. Due to the high salt content of the water, no living creatures can live in the sea except for microscopic creatures such as bacteria and microbial fungi. In recent decades, the Dead Sea has been rapidly shrinking.
Photo by Google Maps
Dead Sea – In The Bible
It is known by a few different names in the Bible, including the Salt Sea, the Sea of the Arabah and the Eastern Sea. It has been mentioned several times in the Bible.
An advancing force of Ammonites and Moabites was on their way from beyond the Dead Sea to fight King Jehoshaphat.
“After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.” – 2 Chronicles 20:1-4 (NIV)
Read the full story here – 2 Chronicles 20
Ezekiel prophesied that the Dead Sea will one day flow with fresh water and fishermen will be able to cast their nets from shore.
“He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea. But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” – Ezekiel 47:8-12 (NIV)
Read the full prophecy here – Ezekiel 47
Zechariah also echoed this same prophecy that life-giving waters will flow where today the Dead Sea water is salty.
“On that day life-giving waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half toward the Dead Sea and half toward the Mediterranean, flowing continuously in both summer and winter. And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord—his name alone will be worshiped. All the land from Geba, north of Judah, to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem, will become one vast plain. But Jerusalem will be raised up in its original place and will be inhabited all the way from the Benjamin Gate over to the site of the old gate, then to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s winepresses.” – Zechariah 14:8-10 (NLT)
Read the full chapter here – Zechariah 14
Dead Sea Minerals – A Vital Secret
The Dead Sea is full of superb minerals which can help keep your skin healthy, smooth, young-looking. Dead Sea beauty treatments make use of the mineral rich Dead Sea mud dug out of the banks and floor of the Dead Sea. The mud and minerals from the water are used in creams, anti-aging remedies, make-up, face masks and more. People suffering from skin disorders are often told to soak in the Dead Sea. They visit the Dead Sea to take salt baths and mud treatments to improve various conditions and illnesses such as psoriasis, arthritis and various allergies, and get their skin revitalised. The Dead Sea air has a low pollen and allergen content, making it ideal for those with respiratory problems. The air is also high in oxygen which is great for overall well-being.
Dead Sea – Spa Resorts
In ancient times, the Dead Sea was a sought-after destination for royalty such as King Herod and Queen Cleopatra who visited the Dead Sea to enrich their bodies with the essential minerals of the water and mud pools. Consider spending a night or two at the Dead Sea. This will enable you to soak in the therapeutic waters across two days and will allow plenty of time to indulge in a few spa treatments offered by many of the hotels that line the shores. You can enjoy a full health club and spa that offers natural thermal and mineral body treatments. You can cover your body from head to toe in the all-natural nurturing Dead Sea mud, leaving your skin soft and fresh, and your soul with an experience of a lifetime. You can also enjoy a soothing massage. There are many suitable alternative accommodation options such as hostels, guest houses and cottage style units at local kibbutzim. Prices tend to be cheaper, and you mostly won’t have access to an on-site spa or health club – but you will certainly experience stunning sunrises and sunsets alongside local flora and fauna, which is just as pleasurable.
Dead Sea – Beaches
It is possible to visit the Dead Sea as a day trip from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. Top choices for day trippers are Neve Midbar Beach and Kalia Beach. You can find mud to slather yourself in and showers to use when you’re ready to wash off. Other amenities include changing rooms, lockers as well as a café to satisfy your appetite with lovely views of the turquoise waters of the Dead Sea and the surrounding golden-brown mountains. It’s ideal for people of all ages, families and couples.
Excursions Around The Dead Sea
There are interesting places to visit nearby the Dead Sea. The sites can easily be worked into a full day itinerary or spread over two days. Along the shore of the sea are several biblical locations: the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, the desert wilderness of Ein Gedi where David took refuge, the Jordan River Baptismal Site and Jericho city. Other attractions on the western shore include Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and Masada (as seen below), the royal fortress of King Herod which stands atop a cliff with views over the Judean desert.
Dead Sea – A Must Visit
When it is safe to travel again, do consider a trip to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth at 434m below sea level and the hottest spot in Israel. The Dead Sea is not just your average beachside vacation – it’s a complete world of attractions and leisure sites throughout the entire local desert region. At the same time, take the relaxing opportunity to hover on the water surface, while your skin enjoys all the benefits of the salt and minerals.
Create a DIY Dead Sea Israel Spa Day at Home
Now that you have more time due to the COVID-19 outbreak, it is a good time to pamper yourself. Try a DIY Dead Sea Spa Day at home. While there’s nothing like a real-life Dead Sea spa experience to make you feel rejuvenated, it may add a little comfort to your day and improve your overall feeling of wellness. Your body will thank you. You can coddle yourself with Dead Sea minerals, from bath soak and body scrub to hair care, facial mask and anti-aging treatment. You can get some of the popular Dead Sea mineral products like Ahava, Premier or Seacret online. Enjoy!
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
