Everyone should experience floating in the Dead Sea at least once in their lives. The sea (actually a lake) has such high salinity that it is incapable of supporting marine life (hence the name), and causes an amazing buoyancy. You don’t float so much as bob to the surface—there really is nothing like it! For extra soft, smooth skin, slather some rich Dead Sea mud over your body before entering the water, let it dry a bit and soak into your skin, then rinse. Both the mud and the water are mineral-laden and believed to have therapeutic properties. At the very least, you’ll be left feeling smooth and soothed.

Most of our Israel and Jordan tours incorporate visits to the Dead Sea. Our knowledgeable guides recommend their favorite bathing spots along the sea, and can point you to the best specialty shops if you are interested in purchasing any Dead Sea products. In Jordan, we recommend staying at least one night at the luxurious Kempinski Hotel Ishtar, known for its excellent private beach and Anantara spa offering a wide array of excellent Dead Sea treatments.
—L.R.