While this Arab kingdom in Western Asia typically conjures up images of vast sprawling deserts, it is, in fact, a remarkably diverse destination offering ancient churches and castles, spectacular mountain scenery, and stunning beaches, as well as some famously friendly local inhabitants. Itinerary highlights include: the incredible Dead Sea; the 2000-year-old ‘lost city’ of Petra; and the famous Lawrence of Arabia trail, which takes visitors from the ruins of his fort at Azraq to the picturesque deserts of Wadi Rum. While Jordan’s long and fascinating history provides travellers with a host of intriguing historical and biblical sites, the country is certainly not stuck in the past. With its slew of modern luxury hotels, trendy restaurants and lively bars, the city serves as a great base to explore the many ancient sites. For a captivating destination full of natural, historical and cultural wonders, look no further than the enchanting nation of Jordan.
Spread across seven hills, Amman, the capital city of Jordan, is a sprawling modern metropolis. While many travellers to the Middle East overlook Amman in favour of more celebrated destinations such as Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and Petra; those discerning enough to add Amman to their itinerary will enjoy the treasure trove of hidden surprises this modern capital city has to offer. The city features a bustling maze of busy streets and is divided into two distinct areas. The first is Western Amman, with its lush residential suburbs, elegant restaurants, stylish bars, and state-of-the-art shopping malls. This modern sophistication stands in sharp and intriguing contrast to the laid-back Eastern Amman, boasting a more traditional, earthy side. Spend your days visiting an array of attractions such as Amman's Roman Amphitheatre the fascinating Jordan Museum or the countless luxurious cafes.
Fringing Jordan, the Dead Sea is a salt lake that lies in the Jordan Rift Valley. It serves as the main tributary of the Jordan River. This vast salty lake is one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth with over 10 times as much salt in it as seawater. The Dead Sea is one of the most intriguing natural phenomena on earth. Visitors can float easily on the surface due to the high quantities of salt. This has made it a world-famous destination, popular for the healing property of salt for treating skin problems. It is the largest free spa on Earth, drawing both locals as well as visitors from all corners of the globe.
Wadi Musa means ‘Valley of Moses’ in Arabic and it is believed it is here that Moses struck water from rock at Ain Nusa (Moses’ Spring). It is a modern town in western Jordan that acts as a gateway to one of the country’s most spellbinding and awe-inspiring archaeological attractions - the ancient city of Petra. Circa 1 BC, a Bedouin tribe called the Nabateans carved a series of vast, elaborate palaces, temples, tombs and shrines into the area’s red-pink sandstone cliffs. The ‘Rose City’s’ decorative façades - complete with stately columns and intricate sculptures - reflect the exceptional engineering and architectural wisdom of the era.
Aptly dubbed 'The Valley of the Moon', this desert area in Southern Jordan, set east of Aqaba, features an other-worldly landscape. Scenes of massive razor-toothed mountains, undulating dunes, and rocks sculpted by the forces of nature into incredible bridges, towering canyons, bulbous domes, and a variety of other impressive formations take centre stage. With very little modern development, Wadi Rum makes for an astonishing, unspoiled destination. While more adventurous travellers can plan an overnight stay in a traditional tented Bedouin camp and can explore the extraordinary topography on horseback, those seeking a bit of luxury can stay in one of the modern villages in the surrounding area and explore the area on a guided four-wheel drive tour. However you choose to do it, Wadi Rum is a major highlight and an essential component of any tour of Jordan.
Strategically located at the northeastern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, the Jordanian town of Aqaba offers an excellent base from which to explore places of interest in the southern part of the country. It features a fascinating history, wonderful beaches popular for windsurfing and other water sports, and several fantastic scuba diving spots. The Yamanieh coral reef Aqaba Marine Park, among others, allow divers to see strange and brightly coloured fish, turtles, red octopuses and shipwrecks. Some of the top historical attractions include the Islamic-era Aqaba Fort and the adjacent Aqaba Archaeological Museum, which houses artefacts dating back to around 4000 BC. Don’t miss a visit to Wadi Rum, a natural wonder of dramatic sandstone mountains also known as the Valley of the Moon, which feature prehistoric inscriptions and deep chasms, and offer fantastic opportunities for stargazing.
Set on the northern banks of the Dead Sea in Jordan, the town of Swemeh (or Sweimeh) offers its visitors a holiday paradise of luxury resorts, hotels and spas. Sunbathe on soft sandy beaches, indulge in massages and body treatments, or learn (or take part in) an array of outdoor sports. Activities on offer include hot air ballooning, skydiving, microliter trips, and floating in the salty water. The water’s high level of salt makes floating on one’s back much easier (but watch out- normal swimming is difficult). Attractions nearby include the historic Mount Nebo; the ‘City of Mosaics’; the sacred ‘Lot’s Cave’, and the ‘Baptism Site’ where it is believed Jesus was baptised; the Dead Sea Museum; the wonderful series of hot springs and waterfalls at Hammamat Ma'in; and the Mujib Reserve, home to incredible birdlife and the spectacular Jordan Grand Canyon and waterfall.
