Despite being surrounded by warring countries, Jordan has managed to retain all the stately grandeur of a country carved out by ancient history. Virtually every place you set your feet in this desert kingdom has a story, whether it be mythical, religious, political or historical. And some places, like the ancient archaeological site at Petra, have elements of all. Carved into the red-rock of the desert, the towering buildings at Petra have been called one of the most important properties of man's cultural identity. Also take a peek at some of the Dead Sea Scrolls in Amman and marvel at the sand structures of Wadi Rum, where years of wind has turned the desert sand into delicately layered pillars and dunes.
Best time to go
Avoid extreme heat or cold by visiting Jordan during the spring or fall when the weather is milder. During the month of Ramadan in the fall, people don't smoke, eat or drink in public, and the hours of stores and shops change drastically, so travel during this time is more challenging. The large celebration at the end of Ramadan draws huge crowds, but public transportation during this event will be almost impossible, as well as getting a hotel without a reservation.
Language Barriers
The official language is Arabic, but most Jordanians also speak English, especially those who live in larger cities.
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Situated in mountainous terrain, the ancient city of Petra is an abandoned necropolis of temples and tombs cut into towering cliffs of red sandstone. Primarily known as the capital of the Nabataean culture during the centuries around the time of...
Go for: Sacred Places, Archaeological Sites
1 experiences:
Petra.
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Known for its carefully preserved Greco-Roman ruins, the area around Jerash has been inhabited since the Bronze Age around 3200 BC. Tourist interest in its history, demonstrated in its ages of architecture has fuelled development over recent years...
Go for: Judaeo-Christian, Archaeological Sites, River Trips
4 experiences:
River Jordan, Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a), Mount Nebo.
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The ruins of the glorious old Roman city of Gadara have been part covered by the less magnificent modern city of Umm Qais. Gadara was a fort city set on a hill and the ruins are still surrounded by the ancient walls, crumbled and part submerged in...
Go for: Archaeological Sites
1 experiences:
Umm Qais and Gadara.
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Built in the early 8th century, this exceptionally well-preserved desert castle was both a fortress with a garrison and a residence of the Umayyad...
Go for: Castles & Palaces, Forts and Fortifications
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Wadi Rum literally means 'High Valley' and is one of the most spectacular desert locations in Jordan - and consequently second only to Petra as a...
Go for: Deserts, Rock Climbing, Most Scenic
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The four Nabatean towns of Haluza, Mamshit, Avdat and Shivta, along with associated fortresses and agricultural landscapes in the Negev Desert, are...
Go for: Going Places
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The Dead Sea is the lowest place on Earth but it is far more than just a geographical wonder. Located on the edge of the Negev and S'dom Deserts, the...
Go for: Lakes
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Petra
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