Small and perfectly formed, Jordan has a robust and flourishing tourism industry and remains remarkably stable, despite its position in a volatile region. The Nabatean city of Petra is undoubtedly a highlight but not the only jewel in the country’s crown. There is plenty for the history buff, culture vulture, or adventure seeker and the country is well set up for camping, walking, and exploring archaeological sites. Wadi Rum provided the backdrop for many of Lawrence of Arabia’s escapades and it’s easy to spend days walking, or horse riding through this spectacular desert scenery before beating a retreat to the Dead Sea for a salty scrub down. For the history buffs visit the Roman site of Jerash - best in Spring when the poppies are in bloom. A visit to Jordan can easily be combined with Israel for a fascinating insight into the Holy Land.
“By day the hot sun fermented us; and we were dizzied by the beating wind. At night we were stained by dew, and shamed into pettiness by the innumerable silences of stars.”
STORIES FROM JORDAN
When to go
The best times to visit Jordan are late Spring to early summer - from mid March to the end of June, and September to early November. Wadi Rum is extremely hot in summer and very cold in winter. The Dead Sea has its own microclimate and is always a few degrees warmer than the rest of the country.
Type of Journey
Couples, honeymooners, families, small groups, walkers, divers, horse riders, history, archaeology and architecture buffs. Combines well with Israel and Egypt.
Hotels
Jordan is not renowned for its hotels. Outside of the Amman and the Dead Sea resorts hotels are fairly standard and have a 3 or 4* rating. Wadi Rum camps are basic.
JORDAN EXPERIENCES
Explore some of the long distance hiking trail in Jordan walking through wadi’s and glorious desert scenery.
Madaba has one of the best little restaurants in town with the best mezze platter in the country.
Go a little off the beaten track in Petra and you’ll have the place to yourself plus some of the best views of the site.
‘I’ve always had a hankering to horse ride like Lawrence through Wadi Rum….What do you think?’ I immediately thought ‘Yes’ – on the one condition that I could come to.