Jordan Provides A Number of Attractions for All
The Kingdom of Jordan is the birthplace of a number of cultures and civilizations throughout history. Commonly called simply Jordan, the country borders Syria, Israel, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Unlike its war-torn neighbors that count violence as a part of daily life, visitors to Jordan find only peace and serenity. It offers visitors the exotic atmosphere of other Middle Eastern destinations, but is the safest country in the region.
No matter what your interests, the country has a wide variety of activities to meet your needs. You can eat in fine dining restaurants or from food carts. You can also ride a camel, visit a stunning art museum or learn about the birth of world religions. Locals are known for being proud of their country, culture and traditions, and are usually willing to show it off to strangers. It is not unusual for tourists to even be invited into a home in Jordan to share a meal! Culture and religion are still very important in Jordan. Starting at dawn, Muslim prayer calls from mosques can be heard five times a day across the country.
Jordan, with its natural wonders and ancient historical sites, is an enchanted land full of striking scenery. Moses led the Children of Israel through the Jordanian desert, and Alexander the Great crossed through the country on his way to Egypt. You can walk through the same desert today. You'll see the same views they did, too. Little of the desert landscape has changed in the last 2,000 years. In Petra, you can still see massive ancient buildings carved from red sandstone. Jordan also played prominently into the Roman Empire. It served as a lavish and opulent trading center. Many Roman structures still exist, and you can visit them throughout Jordan.
Jordan's most modern city is also its capital, Amman. With a population of more than two million, citizens of Amman welcome the Western influence but continue to embrace traditional culture as well. The landscape of the city is based on seven large hills, known as the Seven Hills of Amman. Each of these seven hills hosts modern stores and restaurants alongside ancient ruins of long-passed civilizations. The Citadel still rises above Amman, reminding locals and visitors that the city is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited places.
Jordan has much more to offer than just its capital, though. Jersah is a well-preserved Greco-Roman city just to the south of the capital. There are forums, columns and temples to check out. There are even reenactments of chariot races, complete with centurions and gladiators, held at the Hippodrome in Jerash. Famous from the story of the last days of Moses in the Bible, Mt. Nebo is another ancient site in the region. From the top of the mountain, you can look out over the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley just as Moses probably did 3,000 years ago.
The Dead Sea itself is famous for its healing powers, and the area has several large spa resorts. The Gulf of Aqaba gives Jordan 26 kilometers of shoreline, if you are interested in spending the day at the beach. Snorkeling in the reefs or relaxing on the beach are the most popular activities.
Lastly, there is a breathtaking city that is perhaps the most intriguing site in all of Jordan: the lost city of Petra. This city is entirely built by intricately carving buildings out of a red sandstone rock face. Even today, it would be difficult to sculpt the gigantic carved facades. This makes it hard to believe that the city could have been built as early as 309 BC.
There are many tours for hire in Jordan . They are often cultural, religious, architectural, environmental or historical in nature. Holidays in Jordan offer vacationers the chance to see World Heritage sites, beaches, the Dead Sea and modern re-creations of chariot races. Jordan was home to some of the earliest civilizations ever discovered, and played a role in the first days of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. While it may be one of the most modern countries in the Middle East, Jordan still offers visitors a look at its past. This wide variety of attractions makes it a perfect vacation spot for almost any family, no matter what they are looking for.
About the Author
Booking holidays to Jordan is one of our specialties. No matter if you are looking for an all-inclusive group trip, a private holiday that includes some guided tours or some time to explore the country on your own, we can help you create the holiday of a lifetime.
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