I’m not going to a city today but somewhere that is still extremely unique. I’ve seen on television that you can literally run across this body of water! The Dead Sea, technically a lake, is located in between Jordan and Israel. It is called the Salt Sea by locals and its surface is roughly 1,400 feet below sea level, which makes it the lowest elevation on Earth’s surface on dry land. Although it isn’t the saltiest body of water in the world, it is the deepest salt lake in the world at 1,237 feet deep.
With 33.7% salinity, the Dead Sea earns its name because there are no animals or plants who can survive in the harsh environment. It has been a huge attraction for thousands of years, and according to the Bible, it was a place of refuge for King David and a health resort for King Herod. The density of the lake is extremely high, making difficult for people to swim but rather easy to float around (literally).
Today, there are many resorts and spas found near the Dead Sea. The salt and mud from the lake have been extremely popular for millennia (yes, millennia!) because they are believed to have healing powers and health benefits. The salt and mud are rich with minerals and are some of the main attractions to the Dead Sea for visitors from all over the world. Some of these spas feature thermomineral hot springs…talk about some extreme pampering! Dead Sea salt and mud aren’t just a local craze. I know I’ve personally walked around malls and was stopped by kiosk workers to try out their Dead Sea bath salts, mud packs, and body butters.
Around the lake, there are great hiking trails available and excursion packages that are led by locals. If you want to get the full Dead Sea experience, you can go on guided tours where you not only get a tour around the area but can also try out mud sculpting and drum circles. What do you think of the Dead Sea?
