Destination Spotlight: Jordan
December 7, 2015 | By Linda Smith
An example of the rock-cut architecture in Petra.
Another adventure! I just returned from spending a week in Jordan, where I toured all the great historical places the country has to offer. My favorite spot was Petra which is a UNESCO world heritage site and was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007. This archaeological city in southern Jordan is famous for it’s rock-cut architecture. There are almost 900 different buildings, the Treasury being the most famous. You could easily spend two days walking around all the ruins as the area is very large.
Ruins in Jerash
When arriving in Jordan there is a visa charge of 40 Dinar or almost $60.00 USD. This visa charge is waived for people booked through a tour operator that stay at least three nights in Jordan. The airport is approximately 45 minutes from the city of Amman. I would recommend spending two nights in Amman where you can easily visit the citadel, amphitheater, and the ancient city of Jerash where you can walk among the ruins of the Greco-Roman city, Gerasa. It is sometimes referred to as the Pompeii of the Middle East because of it’s size and excavations.
We drove to Wadi Rum and took a jeep ride in the desert sands. We visited the site where TE Lawrence, a British archaeologist and diplomat, tried to help with the Arab revolt against Turkey. His experiences led to the making of the movie, “Lawrence of Arabia”. There we visited several Bedouin camps where you can spend a night in the desert and view the stars and then the next day ride out of camp on a camel.
Linda Smith (far left) floating in the Dead Sea.
The Dead Sea was our last stop before heading home. There are several resorts where you can spend time relaxing in their spas or floating in the Dead Sea. The main resorts are the Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa, Kempinski Hotel Ishtar, Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea, and Crowne Plaza Dead Sea where they have a huge spa area – one of the nicest I have ever seen. When you are at the Dead Sea, you put mud on your body before you get into the water. The black mud is rich in minerals good for maintaining healthy, supple skin – but they only want you to float around in the Dead Sea for 15 minutes due to the high salt content in the water, and they have someone there to remind you of that.
Linda Smith, enjoying a tea at Wadi Rum.
The country of Jordan has amazing Mediterranean food, jaw-dropping historical sites to visit, and warm, friendly people. I felt very safe while I was there and highly recommend it as a great destination to visit.