Israel & the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is a great salt lake between Israel and Jordan, with a salinity of around 33.7%. Its dense, oil-like water is rich not just in salt but in a rare blend of magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium chlorides, bromides and iodine. The bromine vapours have a calming effect, and a few days by the shore leave the nervous system rested and balanced. A trip here is a wonderful way to unwind — and to treat conditions that are otherwise hard to cure: chronic skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis clear up almost completely in some 90% of cases after a course of therapy.

Because the lake sits in a deep depression beneath an unusually thick layer of atmosphere, the tan comes out even and natural. Treatment is also highly effective for the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, while the spa and medical centres along the shore offer massage, thalassotherapy and professionally supervised care.

Dead Sea relaxation combines easily with absorbing excursions across Israel — the holy city of Jerusalem is just two hours away, with the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the site of Golgotha, while nearby lie Bethlehem and the Basilica of the Nativity.