Israel Hotels

Enjoy Israel

Dead Sea scrolls and Qumran

The Qumran Ruin is a complex of structures located in the Yehuda Desert on the verge of the Dead Sea. It can be found on a barren terrace between the Dead Sea and the cliffs where the long-untouched Qumran Caves reside. The Qumran Ruin is located just next to the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea, some 1300 feet below sea level and several kilometers south of Jericho, and is one of the main tourist attractions in the Dead Sea area.

The design of the Qumran ruin is unique, with many large halls that used to serve public functions, and a relatively small number of living quarters. The main structure used to have several rooms arranged around a central courtyard. Additional building complexes, to the south and east of the main building, have contained long halls, rooms and ritual baths. A large number of mikva’ot (ritual baths) were found throughout the site, as was typical of public and private buildings in Jerusalem in the Second Temple period.

Beside the spectacular archeological value of these ancient ruins, Qumran is best known as the nearest settlement to the burial place of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Dead Sea scrolls were discovered between 1947 and 1956 in eleven caves around the area, and have been considered to be the greatest manuscript discovery of modern times. The scrolls consist of about 825 to 870 separate documents of great religious and historical importance that include the only known existing copies of Biblical documents created before 100 AD.

The Dead Sea Scrolls were most likely written by the Essenes, a strict Torah observant, Messianic, new covenant Jewish sect during the period lasting from about 200 B.C. to 68 A.D. They enhance our knowledge of both Judaism and Christianity, and represent a non-rabbinic form of Judaism alongside a wealth of comparative materials for New Testament scholars.

Visiting the Qumran National Park is an exciting and inspiring experience. The most important findings in the area are the ones from the end of the Second Temple period and from the Bar-Kochva rebellion era. It is possible to see the cave in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, and other structures that were excavated nearby. An audio-visual presentation tells the story of the site and the people who used to live here. In addition, it is possible to take a short walk up the Qumran canyon, in a nice desert surrounding, and appreciate the one-of-a-kind surrounding of the lowest place on earth.

Israel's favorite Deadsea - More options:

Luxury and Relaxation at the Herbert Samuel Hood Dead Sea Hotel

If you're looking for a luxurious and relaxing getaway, the Herbert Samuel Hood Dead Sea Hotel is the perfect destination. This hotel is located in a stunning location where the yellow of the desert meets the blue of the sea, making for breathtaking views. The hotel's warm and welcoming atmosphere will make you feel right at home, and the attention to detail in every corner is impressive. The lobby invites you to sink into one of the soft sofas and enjoy a drink while taking in the silence. The pool is large and well-kept, and the view of the Jordan mountains is captivating. The spa complex is one of the most beautiful in Israel, and the treatments offered will allow you to disconnect and reconnect. The hotel offers a variety of rooms, including double rooms, family suites, and luxury suites with an attached pool. The Herbert Samuel Dead Sea Hotel is the ideal starting point for many trips and attractions in the area, including Ein Bokek, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, and Masada. The swimming pool is surrounded by open, green, and well-maintained areas, and the lobby bar is a pleasant and relaxed space where you can enjoy a quiet break, a light meal, and a drink from the diverse collection. The Herbert Samuel Restaurant serves seasonal products, culinary adventures, and a celebration of flavors throughout the day. The spa complex includes sauna rooms, a jacuzzi, a salt pool, a sulfur pool, 16 treatment rooms, and changing rooms. The hotel also provides bicycles for guests to use, and a gym is located in the spa complex. The seaside is a few minutes' walk from the hotel, and guests can enjoy the beach promenade at the lowest point in the world. The hotel also offers conference and event halls, advanced technical equipment, audio systems, lighting, and wireless communication. The Sunrise Hall is perfect for theater-style seating arrangements for up to 50 people, around a table for up to 40 people, and classroom style for 30 people. Overall, the Herbert Samuel Hood Dead Sea Hotel is an excellent choice for a vacation, personal break, or family vacation. The warm hospitality, luxurious amenities, and breathtaking views make it an unforgettable experience. Reviewers say: The Herbert Samuel Hood Dead Sea Hotel received generally positive reviews from guests. Many praised the hotel's fantastic location, amazing food, and friendly staff. The spa area, with its hot Dead Sea water and sulfur pool, was also highly rated. Some guests had concerns about the renovation of the hotel, the cleanliness of the towels, and limited parking space. However, overall, the hotel was considered a great option for a relaxing break or an unforgettable family vacation. Guests highly recommend the hotel to those looking to rest, relax, and replenish.

Welcome to the Dead Sea

Scientists are still puzzling over the geological factors that created the remarkable body of water known as the Dead Sea, which lies further beneath sea level than any other spot on earth. For visitors, there is no mystery. This extremely dense and saline sea, which has a far greater concentration of minerals than any of the oceans, and is unable to support any life form, is the source of life-giving properties to all who choose to bathe in it. Floating on the sea is not just fun, it relaxes the body and does the skin and the joints a world of good. The therapeutic black mud, found exclusively on the shores of the Dead Sea,does wonders for everyone's complexion. The Judean Desert has always attracted people seeking spiritual refuge from the world. The archeological discoveries at nearby Qumran, where the 2,000 year old Dead Sea Scrolls were discoverd in ancient pottery jars, show us how the Essenes created their unique settlements deep in the heart of the desert. Visit The Ein Gedi and Kalia Kibbutzim for an Ideal family visit and an Israeli cultural experience. http://www.inisrael.com/tour/dead/index.html

The Dead Sea: A Natural Wonder of the World and a Must-Visit Destination

The Dead Sea is unlike any other place in the world. It is one of the main attractions for tourists visiting the Israel, and for many good reasons. Thanks to the climate and the mineral qualities of the area, it holds a variety of therapeutic qualities and offers many beauty treatments and body massages you only have to choose from while visiting. At minus 416 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth. It is a very sunny area, with 330 days of sun a year and a miraculously dry air, unpolluted so it can purify respiratory systems. The sea itself is the only un-drownable lake on earth, and the sensation of floating in reading position in the salty water is one of the unique pleasures travelers from all around the world come to the Dead Sea for. Because of its therapeutic qualities, the Dead Sea is the ultimate Spa destination. An assortment of mineral waters of various qualities is used for therapeutic and cosmetic treatments, and the mineral-rich springs rise from deep down into little ponds along the shores. The well-known natural black mud is another famous Dead Sea feature, which improves blood circulation and relieves tensions of mind and muscle. The outdoor activity of getting covered by mud is one that a visitor to the Dead Sea should not miss. Besides being a relaxing resort, the Dead Sea is also a fascinating and lively location with many attractions for more active travelers. These include the Qumran National Park, with its ancient caves on the northern shores where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest biblical documents known to men, were found. The Ein Gedi Botanical Gardens offer a fun trip for flora lovers, with more than 1000 species of plants from around the world. The Ein Gedi Nature Reserve is another great place for visitors to view some bird sanctuaries and wildlife of the desert. The Arugut reserve, with its series of shallow pools, perfect for bathing, is another popular destination for a short trip, and the Zohar Fortress and Canyon, a canyon in white soft limestone, is also worth a stop. There are many other routes and small trips to take while visiting the Dead Sea. You can easily find useful information in the tourists Information center in Ein Bokek center, where most of the area's hotels are located and few restaurants and shops can be found as well. Hotels in the Dead Sea >>

The Dead Sea: A Unique Tourist Destination with Healing Properties