Jordan

Jordan is a country I know little about but will be visiting later this year. To me it is place full of history and mystery. It is reputed to be a land of mesmerizing beauty and contrasts.

To ride in the desert on the back of a camel or horse to see the sights especially of Petra must be quite an experience. Mind you I’m not sure if my hind quarters could stand too many days of it, so a 4x4 safari would be the more comfortable option with the camel and horse riding thrown in for the atmosphere.

The Jordan Rift Valley, the area where Jesus Christ was baptized, is one of the world’s most amazing places with its dramatic and beautiful landscape. This is the lowest point on earth. The Dead Sea has long been on my agenda as a must visit place. The sight of people floating on top of the water has always intrigued me plus the mineral deposits look spectacular. With mountains to the East and the rolling hills of Jerusalem to the west it has an other-world beauty. To indulge in a spa treatment here would be quite the experience, especially the mud.

Diving in the Red Sea at Aqaba is also another must do on my list. The waters are so clear and the fish life reputed to be amazing not to mention the nice water temperature.

The Wadi’s are also appealing with hanging gardens, hot springs and abundant water in narrow sandstone gorges and monolithis rockscapes rising up from the desert.

One of the best preserved Roman provincial towns in the world is in Jerash. During July the Jerash Festival is held which is one of the world’s liveliest and spectacular cultural events with folklore dances, ballet, concerts, plays, opera and sales of traditional handicrafts, all in the floodlit dramatic surroundings of the ruins.

Religious sites are a must. The panoramic Mt Nebo, a revered Christian site is where Moses was buried. The renowned Herod the Great established his stronghold at Mukawir. Herod’s son commanded John the Baptist to be beheaded after Salome’s dance of the seven veils. For archeological splendor of churches and mosaics, Madaba is a must see. The imposing Crusader stronghold of Karak where the fates of kings and nations were decided for millennia presents a striking silhouette. Jordan’s desert castles, beautiful examples of both early Islamic art and architecture, stand testament to a fascinating era in the country’s rich history.

Petra, the rose-red city, is often described as the eighth wonder of the ancient world and is one of Jordan’s most valuable treasures and the greatest tourist attraction. Arab civilization settled here more then 2000 years ago and it became an important junction for the silk, spice and other trade routes that linked China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome. This would be a great place to see on camel back.

As if this is not enough variety, there are also nature reserves to visit.

For a good overview a minimum of seven days is recommended. Can’t wait to go.

Courtesy of Heather from Pack Ya Bags - please click here to read about Heather or ask her a Travel question.

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