Top Travel Trends2019 – Jordan
Jordan is a desert paradise which combines centuries of ancient civilisation with a modern Middle Eastern vibe. Its possible to have a number of completely unique adventures here, as well as enjoy being pampered in relaxed sophistication.
During the day, you could be snorkelling in the warm, clearwaters of the Red Sea, or taking in the colours and sounds of the bustling souk.At night you could be looking up at more stars than youve ever seen before;from the sand dunes of a traditional desert camp.
The luxury tours we offer to Jordan take into account everything you need to enjoy an action-packed holiday there. Many of the internationally respected tour operators with whom we partner, offer a VIP door to door service. This means youll be picked up and taken to the airport to take your flight from London to Amman.
Your flights and any transfers required, to get you to thevarious destinations of your handpicked itinerary, will be included in theprice, as well as the tour manager who will oversee everything. They will ensureyou arrive at your overnight accommodation on time, guide you around iconic landmarks, and manageany local experiences included in your tour, not to mention host sociable mealsand generally be on call for any queries you might have.
So what can you expect to see during your fully immersivetrip to Jordan? Today were going to have a look at some of the exceptional experiencesyou might have and the places you will visit.
Amman
Most tours start in Amman, the capital of Jordan, giving youthe chance to explore this ancient, urban centre. Here, almost unbelievably,youll find architecture from the Neolithic era in the old down town area,underneath the citadel, as well as buildings from the relatively more recentOttoman Empire. Youll have leisure time on your hands, and theres so much tolook at, so where do you start?
If you want to look at the city from on high, youll need toclimb up to the Citadel. Up here, youll also gain access to the archeologicalmuseum and a Roman theatre. However, ifits religious grandeur youre after, why not head over to the King AbdullahMosque. With its blue mosaic domes, its an impressive sight on the Ammanskyline. Another highlight is a 13th century Roman fort, which is agateway to the Eastern Desert. It was used by TE Lawrence; a diplomat,archaeologist and writer who was given the title Lawrence of Arabia. You mighthave seen the film!
When youre hungry, which you will be as soon you take inthe tasty smells of the Souk Bukhara market, youll find delicious snacks allover the place. You can get roasted peanuts on the Arab Bank, any flavour ofice cream you care to imagine on Rainbow Street and falafel with accompanying hummusin any of the restaurants, all of which should be washed down with copiousamounts of fresh mint tea.
Petra
On route from Amman to Petra, the rose-red city, youllundoubtedly stop at the ruins of the castles in Kerak and Shobak. These werecrusader castles, built in the 12th century, by the King ofJerusalem to guard the road from Egypt and Damascus.
The city of Petra itself was lost from public view forhundreds of years, until it re-emerged dramatically in 1812. The things thatwill strike you first about the city is the imposing sandstone walls thatsurround it, but the memory of the first glimpse you take of this ancient citywill stay with you forever.
During your daylight tour, youll explore a theatre cut outof the sheer face of the rock and the Hellenistic faade of the famous treasurybuilding, youll discover royal tombs and wander up and down the colonnadedstreets, as well as examine the Siq. This is the narrow walk way through whichyou enter and leave the city. Its an unusual and impressive sight.
The Wadi Araba mountainside overlooks Petra and its herethat youll find an ancient monastery and a cave with biblical originals. Itsaid to be the cave in which Lot and his daughters hid during the destructionof Sodom and Gomorrah. If your itinerary permits it, itll be well worth alook.
Then, a little later, as the sun goes down, you may beoffered a tour of Petra by candlelight. Lighting up the sandstone streets withhandheld lanterns, whilst Bedouin songs whisper their haunting melodies in yourdirection, will allow you to view this beautiful city in a new, exciting way.
Jerash & Wadi Rum
Earning itself the reputation of being the mostwell-preserved Roman city in the Middle East, Jerash is home to the Temple ofArtemis; the ruins of which are still impressively high, The Arch of Hadrian,which is dedicated to the man himself, and the Temple of Zeus, are otherarcheological treasures here.
Immortalised by the film Lawrence of Arabia, the Wadi Rumdesert has to be seen to be believed. As you ride through the sand dunes in asturdy 4 x 4, on your way to the traditional Bedouin camp, known as Sun City,which will become your home for the next couple of nights, youll be struck bydesolate the place is. Nothing but sand, as far as the eye can see!
En route youll gain an insight into how the terrain wasused by Bedouin guerillas and see wartime sites. Youll also be taken toarcheological sites that have been discovered here. Once you arrive at thecamp, youll find the accommodation very comfortable. Youll enjoy atraditional meal and spend a good portion of the evening, marvelling at theromance and serenity of lying on a sand dune as you contemplate the universelaid out in front of you.
The Dead Sea
The Dead Sea couldnt be any more different to the coldtides that lurk off the British coastline. For a start youll be bathed insunshine as you walk across the sand and enter the water; water that feels likea comforting bath. Youll lie in its warmth, floating on an invisible supportof salt with minimal effort. Take a book or a magazine with you to read as youblissfully lie in the water, relaxing as you would on top of a lilo, but withno plastic necessary. Its certainly a unique experience!
Booking your trip toJordan
Aspen Travel specialises in luxury escorted tours to destinations all over the world and Jordan is enjoying quite the travel industry buzz at the moment. We partner up with established tour operators to provide our customers with a wide range of holiday choices that include an expert guide, a handcrafted itinerary of iconic landmarks, country highlights and off the beaten track experiences, as well as all the flights, transfers, food and accommodation youll need.
