Museum at the Lowest Place on Earth

"As its name implies, this museum on the Dead Sea’s southern peninsula sits a staggering 1,329 feet below sea level. There’s more to see than just the rather impressive altimeter in negative figures, however. Housed in a beautiful modern building that unfurls like a nautilus shell, the museum boasts well-presented archaeological remains and modern artifacts covering some 4,500 years of human habitation in the surrounding area. Standout pieces range from Bronze Age pottery to contemporary woven baskets made from discarded plastic bags. After touring the museum, head uphill to Lot’s Cave, where the namesake prophet’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt after the couple fled Sodom and Gomorrah. A small Byzantine monastery marks the location."