The Dead Sea
is one of the world’s best-known and most unique therapeutic resorts.
The region is characterized by an unusual combination of natural
resources and climatic conditions – the saltiest sea in the world that
is also mineral-rich; thermo-mineral waters; medicinal black mud;
filtered sunrays; dry air rich in minerals; a pleasant temperature most
of the year; a relatively high concentration of oxygen; air that is
almost completely free of allergens and other air pollutants. Both a
briefly bathing at one of the beaches or a stay for a pampering vacation
at one of the hotels and guest rooms scattered along its shores are
recommended.
A thirty-minute ride from the Dead Sea is the city
of Arad, whose cold, dry, clean air makes it a haven for people
suffering from asthma, allergies and respiratory problems.
Mineral Beach
In Mineral Beach,
on a well-tended shore of the Dead Sea, are two little pools: a
fresh-water pool for small children, and a sulphur-water pool with a
fixed temperature of 39 °C whose water arrives from an adjacent spring.
On the shore there are open-sided, chill-out style, shelter pavilions
from around the world, and plastic chairs. Right on the shoreline is
natural mud – when spread on your body, it stimulates blood circulation,
strengthens hair roots, and renews skin cells. On the site are
cloakrooms, showers, a treatment room, a cafeteria, and a small shop
where you can buy Dead Sea products and plastic sandals for entering the
sea. A treatment room also awaits visitors, offering various types of
treatments and massages by prior arrangement.
Ein Gedi Spa
The Ein Gedi Spa,
a well-established site on the shores of the Dead Sea, has six indoor
thermo-mineral pools – two for women, two for men, and two for mixed
bathing. There is also an indoor resting area facing the primordial
panorama of the Dead Sea. The pools are refreshed by a constant flow of
salt and mineral rich water, and have a steady temperature of about 38
°C. Outside the building is a large bath containing rich, heavy black
mud, which is great for ridding the body of poisons. An
all-terrain-vehicle-type train, waiting outside the indoor baths, takes
vacationers to the ever-receding seashore, for bathing. There is also a
natural freshwater pool outside, which operates in the summer, as well
as a spa treatment center. Visitors can enjoy various treatments and
massages in the private treatment rooms. It’s worth while to book your
treatment in advance, and to inquire about the pampering packages, which
include a visit to the facilities on the site, a treatment of your
choice, and a packet of cosmetics manufactured from the Dead Sea water.
Neve Midbar
Neve Midbar has
baths extending over an area of 8,000 square meters. In the center is a
splendid building, inside and around which are stylish pools full of
thermo-mineral water drawn from a depth of some 900 meters. The
temperature of the water fluctuates between 40 – 46 °C, and is rich in
minerals, sulphur and magnesium. There are also saunas and treatment
rooms, lawns and a cafeteria at the site. Next to them is Kibbutz
Mash'abei Sade, which has guest units.
Khamam Tse’elim
After
using the thermo-mineral water for agricultural irrigation for years,
the members of Kibbutz Tse’elim discovered its healing powers, and
turned the natural resource into a therapeutic site. The small site on
the grounds of Kibbutz Tse’elim comprises a little whirlpool, whose
water temperature is 40 °C, a dry sauna, a treatment complex, as well as
a regular swimming pool. The kibbutz operates as a tourist center,
organizes trips in the vicinity and offers the experience of authentic
Bedouin tent hospitality. Nearby are the kibbutz vacation apartments.
Ein Bokek
A
resort and a therapeutic site at the estuary of Nakhal Bokek, on the
western shore of the Dead Sea. The site has some ten hotels, therapeutic
baths, two beaches, and a few restaurants. Next to Ein Bokek are
several sites, including Nakhal Bokek, Metsad Bokek and Ma’ale Bokek. At
Ein Bokek is also located Solarium-400, a
site for the natural treatment of skin and arthritic diseases, and
psoriasis. The Solarium offers treatments combined with bathing in the
Dead Sea and exposure to sun rays used for the healing and treatment of
skin and arthritic diseases. The site is located in an enclosure, and
has separate sunning courts for men and for women. The main building has
four professional clinics that specialize in skin diseases, a workout
gym, cafeteria, pub and shops. The site also offers table games and
social games, while the workout gym also holds physical activities
focusing on joint problems, proper breathing, and the like.