JORDAN

THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM
OF JORDAN

Hospitality is a cornerstone of Arab life. It is commonplace for Jordanian families, particularly desert dwellers, to welcome strangers into their home. Wherever you go in Jordan, you are likely to hear the word, 'Welcome', and you will frequently be invited into people's homes for food or a cup of tea.

Petra  More than 2000 years ago nomadic Nabataean Arabs arrived north of Arabia and created Petra as a fortress city. The Nabataean Kingdom endured for centuries, and Petra became widely admired for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels. Set in a deep canyon and only accessible through a narrow winding cleft (the siq) in the rock, Petra is carved from sandstone that takes on deep rusty hues interlaced with bands of gray and yellow. The most famous ruin is the Khazneh, or treasury, whose beautifully carved facade is the first thing you'll see when you enter from the siq. The monastery is equally imposing, and if you climb to the top you'll get stunning views. Other ruins include an 8000-seat amphitheatre and the Temple of the Winged Lions, still in the process of excavation. The Victorian traveler and poet, Dean Burgon, gave Petra a description that holds to this day: "Match me such a marvel save in Eastern clime, a rose-red city half as old as time."

Amman  Known in history as Rabbath-Ammon and in Greco-Roman times as Philadelphia, Amman the capital of Jordan is a city of contrasts, a mixture of ancient and modern. Still rapidly growing, Amman is a busy commercial and administrative center with many first-rate hotels, restaurants, galleries and shops, and a vibrant souk.

Madaba   A small town, south of Amman, Madaba is known as "the City of Mosaics." In the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George is the earliest surviving original of the Holy Land, made around the 6th century.

Mont  Nebo  Just west of Madaba, overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea is Mount Nebo, long believed to be the burial place of Moses. Mount Nebo has impressive mosaics and other remains from 4^th century AD churches, monasteries and hermitages. On a clear day one can see the Golden Dome of the Mosque in the Old city of Jerusalem.

Wadi Rum  Also known as "Valley of the Moon". Wadi Rum is a truly magical place. Its serene desert terrain washed with softly colored sands and wind-sculpted mountains, offers both deep relaxation and high adventure. Enjoy rock-climbing, jeep tours, or for a more traditional view of the desert, a camel ride. T.E. Lawrence described Wadi Rum as "Vast, echoing and God-like."

Jerash  Considered one of the best-preserved and most-complete cities of the Decapolis, a confederation of ten Roman cities dating from the 1^st century BC, Jerash was an open city of freestanding structures richly embellished with marble and granite. Its engineering was so advanced that large parts of the city survive today.

Ajlun  16 miles west of Jerash, through hilly villages, orchards and forests, the medieval Islamic fortress of Ajlun commands the heights above the Jordan valley. "Qalaat-ar-Rabbad" served as a base for Saladin’s army to drive the Crusaders out of Jordan in 1189. As you cross the moat, climb the stairs, walk the keep, and wander into dark mazes of sleeping chambers and stables, it is easy to imagine soldiers standing watch in the towers above.

Desert Castles  The Eastern Desert of Jordan is dotted with ancient castles, farming estates, forts, hunting lodges and caravanserai dating back to the Roman, Byzantine and Arab/Ummayad times. Al-Azrak Castle oversees an important oasis and wetland ecosystem. Azrak also served as temporary headquarters for T.E. Lawrence, "Lawrence of Arabia", during his march with the Arab army to Damascus.

Aqaba  Greatly prized as Jordan’s window to the sea, Aqaba offers sandy beaches and coral reefs that are the most pristine on the Red Sea. With several first-rate hotels, restaurants and shops, Aqaba caters to a tourist crowd that is tranquil and relaxed. Aqaba boasts some of the world's best scuba diving by day or night. There is snorkeling, fishing and sailing, or glass-bottomed boats for those who prefer their marine life at arm's length.

Dead Sea  Located at the lowest point on Earth this unique sea, more than 400 meters below sea level contains so much salt the bathers float effortlessly while reading books and magazines. The leading attraction at the Dead Sea is the hot salty water, with 30 percent salt content and other minerals beneficial to health such as bromine, iodine and magnesium, which soothes rheumatism, arthritis and respiratory complaints. The opening of the new 5-star Movenpick Hotel and Resort allows visitors to stay in the Valley while exploring many attractions.

Kerak  The historic King's Highway that stretches from Amman to Aqaba is littered with the remains of Crusader forts and outpost. The most important among these are Kerak and Shobek. The impressive castle of Kerak with its dark maze of stone-vaulted halls and endless passageways is an example of the Crusader's architectural military genius.