Of all the amazing locations that I've written about so far, The Dead Sea is the only place I've witnessed first-hand. And boy is it true what they say about this incredible body of water. I dare you to try and submerge yourself fully here. It won't happen. It's not uncommon to find regulars out on the water in their beach chairs (yes...chairs) with some sunblock on, reading the morning paper. This Israel tourist hot spot is definitely a site you can't miss.

At over 1,300 feet below sea level, The Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth on a mass of land. The amount of water that evaporates from it is greater than that the amount that actually flows into it. Because of this, the sea has the highest concentration of salt in the world and nothing is able to grow in the water (hence the name). Sea salt is farmed from the southern section of the sea, while the northern part is largely tourism-based.

Many visitors come daily to experience the sea's healing properties. When I went, our group slathered on signature black Dead Sea mud before going in the water (tip: do not shave your legs, or any part of your body for that matter, before you go – boy does the salt sting!). You emerge clean as a whistle with baby-soft skin (I kid you not!). Fun fact: For centuries, the sea was thought to be cursed land and it wasn't until the 1930s that the people in the area were able to mold the image into one of healing and prosperity.