Attractions & Photos

Jordan has a rich and extensive Arab, Hellenistic, and Roman heritage that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the country every year.  Petra , a World Wonder, is unquestionably the crown jewel of Jordan’s ancient heritage and the number one tourist destination.   Founded by the Arab Nabataeans and made as their capital, Petra was a major trading power around the time of Jesus Christ.   Although was once a hidden city, Petra exhibits the affluence and cosmopolitanism of its inhabitants.  In its zenith, the Nabataean state’s extended to Iraq in the east and to Damascus in the north.  Its architecture and artifacts bear witness to the rich influences of neighboring  Hellenistic and Roman civilizations. 

Main attractions include Ad-Deir  Monastery, the Place of High Sacrifice, funerary temples, the main theater and colonnaded street, and the spectacular and very popular Al Khazneh (Treasury) whose shimmering façade reflecting the morning sun is revealed gradually as one gets closer and closer.  Al Khazneh’s prominence in popular culture has in part been due to the fact that it was featured in several TV series as well as Hollywood films, including Indiana Jones and the Last Cursade (1989) and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009).

Aqaba is Jordan's only port. It sits on the north-eastern tip of the Red Sea. Aqaba attracts tourists from throughout the world who come to see its spectacular coral reefs and enjoy a variety of water sports as well as well as fishing.

Located about 40 miles north-east of Aqaba, Wadi Rum is renown for its spectacular sunsets and rock formation. It facinates today's tourists as it did merchants and warriors of the past. The legendary Lawrence of Arabia spent much time roaming the area and visitors are remind of him by the Lawrence Spring, Lawrence Cave, and a cluster of rock peaks known as the Seven Pillars of Wisdom.

Attractions include Nabataean Temple, the Siq, Sunset Site, and the Seven Pillars of Wisdom. We normally stay at Jabal Rum campsite.

MADABA, BAPTISM SITE, DEAD SEA

In some respects like Jerusalem, Madaba exhibits side by side the influences of the three Abrahamic religions--Judaism, Chrisitanity, and Islam. There is also archaeological evidence that some churches were built on top of Roman temples. Of high interest to visitors are the well preserved mosaics of the churches. Of those, St. George Church, which was built in the late 19th century, contains a Byzantine era mosiac map of the Holy Land. Another point of interes it Mount Nebo, about 6 miles west of Madaba. Mount Nebo is said to be the burial place of Moses. It is believed that here Moses was given a glimpse of the lands of the Canaanites. Looking westward, visitors can get a good view of the Dead Sea, West Bank towns, and the distant hills of Jerusalem. In 2000, the site was visited by Pope John Paul II who planted an olive tree there.

Points of interest include Church of the Virgin, Martyrs Church, St. George Church, Church of the Apostles, and Mount Nebo.

Bethany Beyond the Jordan (or Bethany), as this area is called, is thought to be the place "where John the Baptist dwelled, preached and baptized Jesus." The Biblical reference is found in John 1: 28. Pope John Paul II held a mass at the site when he visited Joran in 2000. The site is just east of River Jordan. It is a site of pligrimage for Christians from throughout the world. In the past several years, a number of Christian churches have been built around the site to cater to visitors.

The main attraction is the Baptism site. Most visitors also stop at the small but beautiful Greek Orthodox Church along the way.

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth (nearly 1400 ft. below sea level). Its very high salinity (33%) makes it inhospitable for marine life but it also gives it buoyancy that allow swimmer to float with very little effort. In addition, its waters are rich with high mineral content that is used for cosmetics and therapeutic purposes. Visitors rub mud all over themselves hoping to get the medicinal benefits of these minerals. There is also a specialized medical center that caters to patients with all sorts of skin conditions.