When we were there my son wanted to try the "goat trail". Glad we did not, still managed to get mild heatstroke and of course, there is no such thing as a "refreshing" dip in the Dead Sea. We did stay at the kibbutz at Ein Gedi, wonderful pool and wonderful vegetarian food and managed to bump into another person I knew.
I have been reading a semi-fictionalized book about the life of Herod and how he fled to Masada with Mariamne and her family during a revolt in Jerusalem.
Did you see the Herodian mosaic set in the floor of his palace? Is it still virtually intact?
My wife took a dip in the Dead Sea and, yep, you guessed it, insisted on putting some of the mud on her face, which promptly caused the temporary loss of eyesight due to the salt.
She had to be led out of the water by a kind gentleman. We had a wonderful experience in Israel, and recommend that everyone try to go there at least once in their lives.
The produce is the best and fresh vegetables are served even at breakfast.