For an exotic Arabian holiday, that seems like something out of a fairytale, Jordan is the ideal destination. Jordan or the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as it is officially known, lies in an area that is often referred to as the cradle of civilization. The Arab kingdom of Jordan shares boundaries with Syria to the North, Saudi Arabia to the South and East, Iraq to the north-east and Israel to the West.
If you have been fascinated by tales from the Arabian Nights, then it is time for you to plan a holiday in Jordan. From time immemorial, the lands of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan have been the cradle of civilization. Jordan’s neighbors include Israel in the West, Saudi Arabia in the East and South, Iraq in the North-East and Syria in the North.
Places to Visit
The country has a marvelous geography for you to explore and cherish. The Dead Sea, which is a saline lake in the Jordan Rift Valley, is important to both, Jordanian and Israeli territories. The list of places to visit in Jordan is long, and the Dead Sea is one of them. The kingdom has a temperate weather in the summer season and is cool and moist in the winter.
Irrespective of your interests and the kind of holiday you dream of, you will find that Jordan is just right for every visitor. With an area of almost 90000 sq kilometer, that includes mountains, valleys and a saltwater lake, Jordan is a treasure trove of activities for its guests. A trip to Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, ranks high on the list of places to see. The ancient city is carved out of rock, and is of historical and archaeological importance. You may remember seeing the Rose City, as it is also known, because of the color of the stone that it is carved out of, in several films. The walk through the entrance or the Siq, to the ancient capital of the Nabataeans is fantastic. There is a timeless beauty to the architecture and location that is nearly impossible to define, and has to be experienced.
Wadi Rum, which is Arabic for Valley of the Moon, is located in the Southern part of the country, close to Aqaba. It is spread over 700 sq kilometers and is Jordan’s largest valley. The rockscape of this UNESCO World Heritage Site is truly magnificent. On your desert safari you can expect to see beautiful sandstone and granite structures that date back to the prehistoric era. A camel ride through the desert or one in a 4X4 automobile and rock climbing are just few of the activities you can indulge in. The Valley of the Moon can also be enjoyed from a hot air balloon or a microlight aircraft. Wadi Rum was the base for T. E. Lawrence, popularly known as Lawrence of Arabia, during the Arab revolt, at the end of the First World War. Bedouins live in this part of Jordan, and are hospitable and quite traditional in their ways. Guests are time and again reminded to respect the etiquette of the people.
If it is relaxation, luxury and fun that you seek there are plenty of beachside resorts on the Dead Sea and in Aqaba that would interest you. Most tourists like to go home laden with beauty products sourced from the Dead Sea. For the nature lover, the Dana Biosphere Reserve holds many treasures, just waiting to be discovered. The four geographical divisions, Mediterranean, Saharo-Arabian, Irano-Turanian and Sudanian are well represented in Jordan’s biggest natural reserve. You can expect to observe a diverse range of vegetation and animal life here.
Amman, the capital of Jordan, is the country’s largest city. The city is the seat of political and commercial power. Amman is also a hub for entertainment in the form of discotheques and bars. Jordan receives millions of international tourists every year. Many of these are guests who return to Jordan for yet another fantastic holiday.
The Jordanian monarch appoints the government of the country. The country takes great pride in its hospitality and tourism sector, which accounts for about 12% of its Gross National Product. The Arab nation has a well planned transportation network that connects it to its neighbors and the rest of the world. It has three international airports, two at Amman, and one in Aqaba. The government lays special emphasis on the sanitation and cleanliness of the country’s cities and many tourist spots.
From archeological students, history enthusiasts, to travelers looking for a few days of fun in an exotic location, more and more people are choosing to make Jordan their favorite holiday destination. The country offers top grade medical services to its people and visitors, and medical tourism is gaining prominence in the country.
There are many reasons and sights that make Jordan the best holiday spot for every tourist. The country is enjoyed enormously by families, couples and by visitors who are travelling alone. Jordan offers guests plenty to see and experience, and one visit is usually not enough. This is perhaps why travelers like to return to the country, time and again. jordan holidays