Proving to be one of 2023’s most popular destinations is Jordan. Famous for the rose-red city of Petra, there is so much else to see in this Hashemite Kingdom.
In 2019 I spent an amazing week exploring from the capital Amman to Aqaba by the Red Sea. Accessible in just over five hours by direct flight, my tour started in Amman where we spent two nights as a base from which we were able to explore Jerash, a wonderfully preserved Greco-Roman city and home to Hadrian’s Arch, the temples of Artemis and Zeus, and the colonnaded street, Cardo Maximus. I recommend you spend your evenings in Amman on Rainbow Street where you will find some great restaurant choices to sample local dishes including Shawarma, Fatteh, and Mansaf.
Whether as part of an escorted tour or with a private driver, as you head south towards Petra, visit Mount Nebo, one of the most revered holy sites of Jordan, where Moses is said to have stood and seen before him the Promised Land. As you reach Madaba, visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St George where you can see the mosaic map depicting the Holy Land. As you continue on the King’s Highway stop at the 12th-century crusader fortress, Shobak. In the early evening, you arrive at Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
I was amazed by the sheer scale of Petra, from the famous Siq leading to the Treasury, we continued walking through the basin where locals sell local crafts to the steps to begin the climb of the 800 steps to the Monastery – highly recommended.
I spent a brilliant afternoon at Wadi Rum, the setting for the film Lawrence of Arabia. We headed off in a jeep with the local Bedouin before returning to camp for dinner. Staying in one of the bubble camps is highly recommended and offers excellent stargazing opportunities.
The perfect way to finish is with a few days of relaxing, either by the Red Sea in Aqaba or heading to the Dead Sea where you will be around 430 meters below sea level and can float in the salty waters.
I travelled on a guided group tour with Insight Vacations and there are a number of different options available from a private tailor-made itinerary to a small group tour. To discuss options give us a call at Savannah Travel on 01904 623444.
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