Float in it, slather it on, and feel the mineral-rich waters of Israel's famous Dead Sea soothe your skin with their healthful properties.

How can something "dead" be healthful? In Hebrew, the body of water is called the Salt Sea. It is so chock full of minerals that nothing can live in it - but those very minerals are therapeutic for many skin conditions and are prized as ingredients in cosmetics.

The minerals make for a super body mud mask and are fun for bathers, because their density makes you float on top of the water.

The beaches of the Dead Sea are just an hour's drive south of Jerusalem.