With a history of welcoming visitors, including the camel caravans that traveled the King’s Highway, the Roman legionnaires, the various Muslim armies and zealous Crusaders, Jordan is continuing on it’s tradition with today’s common tourist. It’s also a great place to get a taste for the middle east. Surrounded by a region of conflict, Jordan remains a safe haven for those wanting to explore these incredibly historic lands. From World Heritage Sites to stunning desert landscapes, Jordan has been captivating explorers and travellers for thousands of years.
In a land that predates biblical times, there are a lot of things to do in Jordan. Separated from Palestine by the Jordan River and sharing a border with Israel, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iraq, Jordan was home to the ancient biblical kingdoms of Moab, Gilead, and Edom, as well as the Nabatean Kingdom, Roman conquests, and the Nabataean culture that created the world-famous red stone city of Petra. Needless to say, there is history everywhere you look.
We explored Jordan as part of a one-month trip that included Egypt, Israel, and Jordan. We found that a lot of the people we met were doing something similar. All three countries are so close that it might make sense if you have the time. We spent just over two weeks in Egypt with one whole week on a live-aboard scuba diving ship, four days in Israel, and one week in Jordan. One week was enough to see the most famous sites, but there’s a heck of a lot more to see in Jordan. Another couple we had met from Germany had been travelling around the country for a month and loved it. However, for those of you who do only have one week or so, this will be a great itinerary to follow.