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| The Dead Sea | |||
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This region, only a half-hour drive from Jerusalem, is famously the lowest point on Earth at 400 meters below sea level. Inspired by the heavily salted water that will buoy any body type, there are health spas and hot springs everywhere along the western bank. |
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Masada | ||
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The Kibbutz Experience | ||
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Float in the Dead Sea – You don’t need to check into a spa to take advantage of the big draw: just a quick swim in the waters of the Dead Sea is said to be restorative for the weary (tired parents?) – and a source of great amusement for the not-so-weary (your kids?) | ||
| Tips for enjoying the Dead Sea: | |||
 Float
on your back Don't put your
head in the waterDon't drink this
water, good for your skin, not your insides Bring plenty
of fresh drinking water |
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| Once you’ve been "cured" in the Sea, you’ll want to visit the wonderful variety of sites in the region. Some have great religious importance for Jews and Christians, and some are just plain fun: a water park, a mini-race car track, a petting zoo, a ride on horseback or camel, a boat cruise around the Sea. | |||
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Ein Bokek – If you’re staying at a hotel in the region, it will probably be here, a small city on the shores of the Dead Sea. Ein Bokek claims to be built on the spot where Sodom and Gomorrah once stood – so tell the kids to watch their manners. Besides all the usual amenities you'd expect in a tourist town, don't miss the Sulfur Springs which have been famous forever – both Cleopatra and Aristotle made the trek to soak in these hot springs. | ||
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Atractziah Water Park (across from Kalia Kibbutz) – A classic water park, with pools, slides, aquatic sports and freshwater swimming pools. Tip: Be careful when you schedule your trip, while the park is open from March until November, some times and even days are gender specific. The park provides changing rooms, freshwater showers, a cafeteria and snack bars. |
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Beit Hasofer Museum (Almog Kibbutz) – The "House of the Scribe" Museum features the story of how the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. An audio visual show covering 9,000 years of the region and fantastic replicas of the scrolls make the story come alive for kids of all ages. | ||
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Ein Feshcha Beach – There are plenty of beaches around the Dead Sea, but don’t miss these five kilometers of lush nature reserve on the north shore. What makes it really special are the gushing sweet waters that run into artificial pools big enough to swim in – a wonderful contrast from the heavy salt water of the Sea. | ||
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Desert Tours – Take a camel ride and relax in Bedouin tents! Can it get more Biblical than this? It may be a little scary for small children to climb up onto those strange beasts – but if they’re game, how can you miss? |
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Qumran National Park – In ancient times this was the site of a Jewish monastic community of the Essenes, and modern excavations have revealed the ruins of an Essene Monastery worth exploring. There is a visitor center (with cafeteria!) in the park that can tell you all about the Caves of the Dead Sea Scrolls. | ||
| Caves
of the Dead Sea Scrolls – While it’s unlikely you’ll stumble
across another pot filled with ancient writings, it was just a few decades
ago that the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in these caves. Actually, it wasn’t
one find, but several – some found by monks, others by Bedouins, and some
by archaeologists. Visit the Shrine of the Book in the Israel Museum in
Jerusalem to see the Dead Sea Scrolls displayed. |
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| Tip: As with Masada, it’s not so much what you can see here as what was once here that makes the place interesting. Visit the Almog Kibbutz' Beit Hasofer Museum before coming to make this place really come to life. Get one of the books for kids about the discovery, significance, even the "look" of the Scrolls, made of animal skin "sheets" tied together in rolls up to 25 feet long. The Scrolls dealt with poetry, warfare, architecture, rituals – virtually every aspect of life. | |||
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Monasteries – There are quite a few spectacular looking ancient monasteries in the region. Here is a sampling: | ||
| Dir
Mar Jeris Monastery – Don’t pass up the chance to see this spectacular
monastery, built impossibly into the cliff face on three levels that seem
to hang in air. The highest level holds the Cave Church, the middle
contains the main buildings, and in the lowest level are the tombs
of monks going back centuries. About five kilometers from Jericho, make
sure you have your camera and really secure shoes. |
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Hogla – Near the Jordan river, where Jesus was baptized, "Hogla
House" was founded in the 4th century by St. Hieronimus as a
monastery dedicated John the Baptist. |
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Kasr el Yehud – This is where tradition holds that John the Baptist baptized Jesus and The Baptismal Site is naturally of the holiest sites in Christianity. Check before making the trip: political unrest make this a "hot spot" in all the wrong ways. | ||
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Horkania Fort – These Hasmonean ruins were once used by King Herod as a prison. The Inn of the Good Samaritan pays homage to tradition that holds this is the site of the parable in the Book of Luke. The views alone are worth the trip, but it wouldn't hurt to bone up a bit on the story. | ||
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Murabbat Canyon – This canyon has been a favorite hide-out for centuries: archaeological finds include remains all the way back to the second century revolt against Rome! Today, the black mud of the Dead Sea is reworked into cosmetics and health products by the Ahava (Love) Company, but cosmetics were once made here for Cleopatra and King Solomon. You and your daughters enjoy the fun of trying out the samples. |
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Fun food – |
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The Seven Species. That’s how the ancient Hebrews called those foods you’ve seen mentioned again and again in the Bible: grapes and raisins, figs, pomegranate, wine, honey, wheat and barley, olives. Sounds like a great shopping list for that lake side or oasis picnic... |
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| (More children's books on other Israel pages) | ||||||
travel for kids | israel | the dead sea |
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