Jordan

This is one of the greatest sights in Jordan. Petra is a vast city that was carved entirely out the sheer rock face by the Nabataean people, who settled here more than 2000 years ago and turned the area into an important trade junction. They built the city around 600 BC, so that they could lay the foundations for their commercial empire, and the amazing feat of engineering still stands to this day.

Walking into Petra is a truly humbling experience. Feel a sense of awe as you walk through the narrow gorge between soaring cliffs to face a 43-meter (140 feet) high façade carved from the sheer rock face. Marvel at the sophisticated engineering accomplished so many centuries ago.

Discover hundreds of elaborately carved tombs, an enormous theatre which could seat 3,000 people and the impressive Ad-Dier Monastery. Visit the Petra Nabataean Museum and the Petra Archaeological Museum, which display artefacts found in excavations and offer insight into Petra’s past.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wadi Rum is an exquisite natural wonder – with monolithic boulders creating a stunning landscape that hides 4,000-year-old rock drawings, secret water holes and many other treasures. In this spectacularly scenic desert valley, the only permanent inhabitants are the several thousand Bedouin nomads and villagers who live in goat-hair tents.

Visit the Bedouin Nomads and spend a night with them in their tents, listening to traditional Arabic music around the campfire while gazing up at the stars. Many of the camps will provide authentic Bedouin Meals, including goat or chicken cooked under the desert sand – which is called “zarb.” Dine with the tribe – learning first-hand about their unique culture. Also, make sure that you see the legendary Seven Pillars of Wisdom and the Burdah Rock Bridge.

The Dead Sea is one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world and its name comes from the fact that the water is far too salty for any marine life to survive in. Several rivers, including the River Jordan, reach the Dead Sea and then become landlocked with nowhere to go. As the water evaporates, they leave behind rich salt and mineral deposits which are important to local agriculture, industry and medicine. The region has become a major hub of wellness tourism, with plenty of popular spas and luxurious resorts.

Float effortlessly in the water, ten times saltier than the sea, and enjoy the health benefits of the magnesium, bromine and potassium. Follow in the footsteps of King Herod the Great and Queen Cleopatra who once bathed in these waters and treated their skin to the rich, dark mud.

This fascinating ancient city has been occupied for the last 6,500 years and lies on a beautiful plain surrounded by a hilly wooded area. It was once one of the ten great Roman cities of the Decapolis League, and now it’s thought to be one of the best reserved Roman provincial towns in the world. It was hidden under sand for centuries and over the past 70 years it has been excavated and restored.

Stroll through the lovely paved streets, hilltop temples, spacious public squares and beautifully designed baths, fountains and city walls of this lovely ancient town.

Madaba is known as the “City of Mosaics” because of the spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics here. These incredible works of art are made with millions of pieces of colourful local stone and they depict the local hills and valleys, villages and towns.

The most impressive is the Madaba Mosaic Map which covers the floor of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. There are other breath-taking mosaics to be found in the Archaeological Museum and the Church of the Virgin and the Apostles.

Mount Nebo is an elevated ridge in Jordan, which is mentioned in the Bible. It was the place where Moses got a view of the Promised Land – which he would never enter. The view from the summit provides a truly impressive panorama and on a clear day you can see all the way to Jericho and Jerusalem.

There is a small Byzantine church that was built there by early Christians, which has since been expanded into a vast complex. There is a viewing platform in front of the church where you can take in the mesmerizing view.

Karak is a historic city which was once home to a notable Crusader fort – the remains of which can be seen today. It is around 900 meters (2950 feet) above sea level and the town rests on a triangular plateau, with the castle on the narrow southern tip. Karak has been a fortress since biblical times and these days it is home to around 170,000 people.

Walk through the city and marvel at some of the exquisite restored 19th century Ottoman buildings. Karak also offers a number of excellent restaurants and welcoming places to stay.

Experience the natural beautiful and biodiversity of Jordan at the Dana Nature Reserve. This is the largest nature reserve in the country, with over 300 square kilometres covered by four different bio-geographical zones. It is one of the most biologically rich areas of Jordan and has also been continuously inhabited for centuries – so it is home to ancient copper mines, Neolithic villages, Byzantine Churches and Roman aqueducts. Nature lovers will be enchanted by the diverse landscapes and the abundance of plant, animal and bird life.

Keep an eye out for the endangered Nubian Ibex, as well as the Caracal, Lesser Kestrel, Syrian Serin and other protected species. After a day of hiking and exploring, take a rest in the 15th century stone village of Dana – located on a precipice overlooking the valley with excellent views.