The Best of Jordan
One of my dreams came true thanks to the Jordanian Embassy in Vienna and Jordan Tourism Board. Many photos from this travel can be found on The Best of the World Network picasa albums and the official guide on the Ministry website.
Inspirational, welcoming message by the former Minister of Tourism of Jordan:
Introduction:
Amman
The capital city of Jordan, Amman, is buzzing with life. I was very impressed by the perfect harmony of both parts of the city: the ancient and the modern. When in Amman, you need to visit the local markets, The Rainbow Street and especially the modern Amman where you will find the most amazing Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana. The Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana luxurious lifestyle hotel offers more than 390 sophisticated apartments situated in the most prestigious area of Amman. The Rainbow Street is a great tourist area, where you can find many handicraft stores, coffee shops, restaurants and lounges.
The Amman Citadel
is a national historic site at the center of downtown Amman, Jordan. Known in Arabic as Jabal al-Qal'a, (جبل القلعة), the L-shaped hill is one of the seven jabals that originally made up Amman. Evidence of occupation since the pottery Neolithic period has been found, making it among the world's oldest continuously inhabited places. The Citadel is considered an important site because it has had a long history of occupation by many great civilizations. The major buildings at the site are the Temple of Hercules, a Byzantine church, and the Umayyad Palace.
The Amman Citadel
is a national historic site at the center of downtown Amman, Jordan. Known in Arabic as Jabal al-Qal'a, (جبل القلعة), the L-shaped hill is one of the seven jabals that originally made up Amman. Evidence of occupation since the pottery Neolithic period has been found, making it among the world's oldest continuously inhabited places. The Citadel is considered an important site because it has had a long history of occupation by many great civilizations. The major buildings at the site are the Temple of Hercules, a Byzantine church, and the Umayyad Palace.
Traditional Jordan
Wherever you go in Jordan you will find plenty of opportunities for sightseeing and shopping. For visitors there is a wide range of locally made handicrafts and other goods available at all the popular sites, as well as within the boutiques of the leading hotels and at the various visitors' centres. You will find beautifully embroidered traditional clothes, crafts, silver jewellery and many traditional Jordanian items at May Khoury- Badr Adduja, an award winning fashion and craft designers Ms May Mikhail Khoury. May has been honored with four international awards for her creative designs in the category of arts and crafts. For bookings, visits and queries, please contact her website. Here is a photo of May and me in her beautiful designs.
Petra - the most incredible UNESCO Heritage site in Jordan
It is a true archaeological jewel admired by millions of visitors every year. Established as early as 312 BC as the capital city of the Nabataeans, it is a symbol of Jordan, and Jordan's most-visited tourist attraction known as the 'Red Rose city'. Petra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Petra remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was discovered by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. UNESCO has described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage". Petra was recognized as the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007 and chosen by the Smithsonian Magazine as one of the "28 Places to See Before You Die".
The Wadi Rum
The Wadi Rum is often referred to as the Valley of the Moon is a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan 60 km to the east of Aqaba. If you wish to know how it feels to walk on Mars, visit Wadi Rum deserts. Currently seen in the movies: The Martians movie with Matt Damon was filmed in Wadi Rum. Fresh water springs made Wadi Rum a meeting point for caravans heading towards Syria and Palestine from Arabia. Wadi Rum was the headquarters of Prince Feisal bin Al-Hussein and T.E. Lawrence during World War I, to fight for the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire. Lawrence became a legendary figure for his key role in the fight for the Arab cause. He made his home in this magical area.
Our guide brought us further to Jerash and the Holy Lands of Madaba, Mount Nebo and Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan. The land around the Jordan River Valley and the Dead Sea plain is revered by Muslims, Christians and Jews as blessed. The Bible calls it “the Garden of the Lord” (Genesis 13:10).
Jerash
located 48 km north of Amman and nestled in a quiet valley among the mountains of Gilead, is the grandeur of Imperial Rome being one of the largest and most well preserved sites of Roman architecture in the world outside Italy. Jerash temples, gates, theaters, public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and city walls remain in exceptional condition.
Madaba
is best known for a collection of Byzantine-era mosaics and home to the famous 6th century Mosaic Map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. The most famous of these is the mosaic map on the floor of St George’s Church. Madaba has an interesting cultural mix. One-third of the population is Christian and the other two-thirds are Muslim, making it one of the largest Christian communities in Jordan.
Mount Nebo
According to the ancient tradition, this is the mountain from which Moses saw the Promised Land before he died. Rising over 700 meters above the Jordan Valley, Mount Nebo offers spectacular views of the Promised Land as seen by Moses. On March 20, 2000, the late Pope John Paul II visited the site during his pilgrimage to the Holy Land and during his visit he planted an olive tree beside the Byzantine chapel as a symbol of peace.
The Bethany Site or The Baptism Site
on the Jordan side of the river is one of the most important recent discoveries in biblical archaeology, where Jesus was baptized. The dry desert transforms into a tropical climate with buzzing insects, tropical flowers, the sound of running water from the springs and birds singing. The path leads into a clearing marked by a pool and the ruins of the 7th-century Church of John the Baptist. More photos can be found on the picasa album.
Ajloun Casle
The Jordan Dead Sea for your body and soul
Without a doubt the world's most amazing place, the Jordan Dead Sea, is over 400 m below sea level: the lowest point on the earth consisting of dense, rich, cocktail of salts and minerals that supply industry, agriculture and medicine with some of its finest products. Almost everywhere in Jordan and abroad you can find the world-famous Dead Sea spa products. The leading attraction at the Dead Sea is the warm, super buoyant, mineral rich, extremely salty water that feels like oil and the black, stimulating and healthy mud. Even though it is impossible to swim in the water, you can float effortlessly on your backs while reading a book or a magazine and enjoy the incredible sunset.
In The Crowne Plaza Dead Sea Hotel, we enjoyed the mud masks on the beach. One of the best 5* luxury spas in the world can be found in this location: Sohum Spa.
My personal highlights
During this press travel, we had the privilege to meet more than 90 bloggers and journalists from many countries in the world and the Minister of Tourism H.E. Nayef H Al-Fayez during the gala dinner in the famous Kan Zaman restaurant. Delicious food and the mint drink were an absolute highlight for me, as well as our friendly and knowledgeable guide Mr Nasr Ebdah.
At the end of our exciting trip, we spent a day in a real paradise: Ma’en Waterfalls in Evason Resort. I fell in love with this place on the first site. Incredible, but true, Ma'en Waterfalls are located 240m below the sea level and the water coming from the waterfalls is truly hot: 40 C. The best back and neck massage can be booked at the Six Senses Spa, located a few minutes walking distance from the hotel. More photos can be found on: Picasa album.
At the end of our exciting trip, we spent a day in a real paradise: Ma’en Waterfalls in Evason Resort. I fell in love with this place on the first site. Incredible, but true, Ma'en Waterfalls are located 240m below the sea level and the water coming from the waterfalls is truly hot: 40 C. The best back and neck massage can be booked at the Six Senses Spa, located a few minutes walking distance from the hotel. More photos can be found on: Picasa album.
The Jordan pass:
All travelers visiting Jordan can purchase the Jordan Pass before their arrival. Jordan Pass is the ultimate sightseeing package that has been especially tailor-made for visitors to the beautiful Kingdom of Jordan. It gives pass holders the ability to make the most out of their trip visiting top highlights and attractions while saving time, money and reducing stress. For more information and details check their website.
One of my unfulfilled dreams still remains: to meet the most inspiring and beautiful queen in the world: Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah and dive in the divers paradise of Aqaba. I hope to return soon and complete my dream...
Thanks to all the hotels where we stayed:
Le Royal Amman Hotel, Amman
Marriott Petra Hotel, Petra
The Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana, Amman
Crown Plaza Dead Sea Hotel, Dead Sea
Evason Ma'in Hotel, Madaba
You may also wish to read other related blog articles related to Jordan travel:
Victoria Koffler from Globeastronaut: Cooking class and Petra
Piet Fischer fom wetraveltheworld and
More information in German is available on Jordanien Erleben.
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