Visiting Masada, the ancient fortress built atop a mountain plateau in modern day Israel, is a life-changing experience.
Ben Gilbert/Business Insider
One of the many incredible views from the top of Masada, overlooking the Dead Sea.
No caveats necessary.
There's simply nothing like visiting an ancient mountaintop fortress that overlooks the Dead Sea. It doesn't feel real. But, due to its isolation and the arid desert climate, the ancient fortress once occupied by King Herod is a shockingly well-preserved relic of humanity's ancient past - one that you can climb to on the same paths used by visiting dignitaries and invading Roman troops.
Here's what that experience is like, first-hand, based on my visit last week.