Many tourists on Sharm el Sheikh holidays take the 1 hour 45 minute plane ride to the Dead Sea in Jordan, to take advantage of its healing properties. The Dead Sea is a land locked body of mineral enriched water, renowned for its salt content. Many spas use the mud and the water from the Dead Sea for its therapeutic properties. At 1300 feet below sea level it is the lowest point on Planet Earth. In the past, many people flocked to this area for its Biblical history and its resorts, now they come for the spa treatments.

So why do many come here? Even those on Naama Bay holidays, which have a selection of spas in their resort, make the journey to sample the properties of the Dead Sea. Long cited as having beneficial health properties, the Dead Sea contains high concentrations of salts and other minerals and a low pollen content. This concentration of salt makes bathers in the Dead Sea bob around like corks and makes it almost impossible to drown here. After a dip in the sea, you must wash the salt off, as it will dry on the skin and may cause a rash. The high atmospheric pressure at this depth has a beneficial effect on people suffering from respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis. Sufferers from psoriasis also benefit from the ability to sunbathe here for long periods as there are very low ultra violet levels.

So popular have these spa treatments been, that 4 hotels have been built alongside the Dead Sea's muddy eastern shores, complete with spas. This has the effect of drawing tourists to the area, even those on Sharm el Sheikh holidays, who take a plane out here, have a day of spa treatments and then resume their holidays in Egypt. The spas are very ornate. Sandstone temples framed by peaceful lagoons. The spas all have indoor and outdoor hot tubs, saltwater and spring water pools, Fitness Suites and solariums. Some spas even have a cosmetic surgeon on hand! Mud wraps are on offer at Kempinski's Asian-style Anantara Spa. Your body is wrapped in Dead Sea mud and then tightly bound in cloths. You then go to a Relaxation Suite where gentle music relaxes you, before the mud is washed off. You are then given an oily rub and given hot ginger tea to drink. As well as mud wraps, there are massages and aromatherapy sessions available.

The water at the Ein Gedi Spa is a constant 38 degrees C. The waters have the highest percentage of bromine in the world. This reduces blood pressure and relaxes the nervous system. The high concentration of oxygen in the water opens the respiratory system and, increases stamina. The waters are rich in sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and sulphur, all of which help to detoxify the system. Newe Zohar is located 5 miles south of Ein Boqeq on the Dead Sea and has several hot springs, a spa, and treatment room. It is near here that King Herod and Queen Cleopatra came and bathed in the Dead Sea. There are three types of therapy practised here. Climatotheraphy involves using the natural climate to promote healing of illnesses such as cystic fibrosis. Heliotheraphy, using the sun's natural radiation to help psoriasis sufferers and Thalassotheraphy which uses the Dead Seas mineral rich water to cure skin conditions and as a beauty treatment.. Although Newe Zohar has many treatments available, it is not for the young as there are very few things to do here except luxuriate in the spas and be pampered.