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Apr

15

2012

Jun

30

2012


Float along the Waters of the Lowest Point on Earth at the Dead Sea

Published by Kristin Cowles, Editor-in-Chief

Country: Israel

The Experience

Despite its dark name, the Dead Sea is in fact not at all deadly to humans, but is to other organisms such as plants and fish, hence the complete lack of living inhabitants. This is due to the levels of salt in the water which is approximately 30% salinity, 9 times saltier then the Mediterranean. These levels of salt are also responsible for the ability to float along the waters of the Dead Sea, the increased density in the water allows visitors to float effortlessly along the surface. Located between the banks of Israel and Jordan, this natural spa is 420 m below sea level making it the lowest place of the earth's surface. Visitors flock to the oasis of the Dead Sea to kick back, relax, and enjoy a healing mineral mud bath in the sun!

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Want a Guide?

Highlights of Jordan - GAP Adventures
While conjuring images of sheiks, camels and deserts, Jordan is so much more. Explore Jerash, one of the largest and most well preserved Roman ruins in the world. Discover the mysteries of the Dead Sea, journey through the dramatic scenery of Wadi Rum and don't forget to stop in at Petra, the most famous and utterly fascinating site in the country.

More Experiences Nearby

Follow the Path to Crucifixion at the Via Dolorosa
Following in the footsteps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem is one of the most meaningful and significant ways to experience the Old City. Jerusalem, one of the most vibrant and most fought-over cities in the world, is a holy site for three of the world’s major religions: Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Pilgrims from all over the world flock to this beautiful ancient city in search of inspiration and fulfillment. From the arresting sight of the faithful in earnest prayer at the Western Wall, to glimpses of the beautiful Dome of the Rock, Old Jerusalem overflows with incredible ...25 miles away.

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Books and DVDs

Jordan - Lonely Planet
Ancient cities, desert landscapes and the most intriguing sea in the world: Lonely Planet's Jordan covers them all. But venture beyond Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea for activities coverage you won't find in any other guidebook.
Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Greatest Trips (Hardcover)
No one knows the world like National Geographic—and in this lavish volume, we reveal our picks for the world's most fabulous journeys, along with helpful information for readers who want to try them out.
Dancing at the Dead Sea: Tracking the World's Environmental Hotspots (Paperback)
The itinerary of this winning pilgrimage is well-chosen to illustrate contemporary environmental crises. Mitchell, an environmental journalist at the Toronto Globe and Mail, visits some familiar disaster areas, including the island of Madagascar, whose deforestation by a populace hungry for land and firewood is wiping out a unique ecosystem; the dying Jordanian oasis of Azraq, whose aquifer has been drained to support development in Amman; and the Canadian High Arctic, where the native Inuvialuit people see apocalyptic portents in the warming of winters and thinning of sea ice.

Elsewhere on the Web

Dead Sea - Wikipedia.org
The Dead Sea (Hebrew: ??? ??????????????, Y?m Ha-Mela?, "Sea of Salt"; Arabic: ??????? ????????, al-Ba?r? l-Mayyit?, "Dead Sea") is a salt lake between Israel to the west, (including the West Bank) and Jordan to the east.
The Living Dead Sea - Dead Sea.co.il
Thanks to its unique elements of nature, life and quality of life at the Living Dead Sea are unlike any other place in the world. People of all countries and of all wakes of society make frequent "health and well being pilgrimages" to this region.
Dead Sea - Extreme Science.com
Sounds kinda creepy, doesn't it? It's called the Dead Sea because nothing lives in it. It is some of the saltiest water anywhere in the world, almost six times as salty as the ocean!
Israel Travel Guide - World 66.com
Israel is a beautiful country and a great place to visit. The country has marvelous old cities, good beaches and plenty of culture, history and holy places... and really good food.
Travel Report Israel - Voyages.gc.ca
WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Media References

Coming Alive - Time.com (magazine)
Wedged precariously between Israel and Iraq, and lacking the oil riches of other countries in the region, the desert nation of Jordan appears to have received a raw deal.
Diverting Red Sea to Save Dead Sea Could Create Environmental Crisis - National Geographic.com (magazine)
A multibillion-dollar canal project that would divert water from the Red Sea to save the shrinking Dead Sea may inadvertently cause critical environmental side effects.
Unwinding Beside the Dead Sea - NY Times.com (newspaper)
With the recent revitalization of some of the world's most ancient baths and the development of new seaside spas, Israel offers a wide range of health- and beauty-oriented vacation spots that also make excellent sites to unwind in after a whirlwind tour. In fact, because of the relaxed atmosphere of most of the establishments and a certain mystique about staying at a spa, many guests leave refreshed without taking any of the formal treatments.
Mud Moguls - Time.com (magazine)
About 20 years ago, a SPA technician named Ziva Gilad spotted some mud-covered women on the shore of Israel's Dead Sea. Every day she would watch the women, whom she jokingly called gingerbread cookies, douse their skin in the rich mud and let it wash away as they floated on top of the saltwater.
Israel - National Geographic.com (magazine)
Israel lies on the Mediterranean coast of southwest Asia, with most people living along the coastal plain. The eastern interior is dry and includes the Dead Sea—the lowest point on the Earth's surface.
Ten Escapes to the Exotic: Israel - NY Times.com (newspaper)
here, visitors can climb in a cable car to the ancient mountaintop fortress of Masada. They can float in the Dead Sea at any of several public beaches or at their hotel. They can take easy hikes in the desert. And they can spend the night at one of several resorts, many featuring elaborate health spas.

Language Guides

Arabic , French , Italian , Russian , Spanish , Turkish are some of the languages spoken in Israel. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!

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