Welcome to Jordan

The Middle East has long been a canvas painted with broad strokes of conflict and chaos. Headlines scream of unrest, shadows of ancient grudges stretch across sun-scorched deserts, and the haunting echoes of war reverberate through timeworn ruins. For many, this vast and varied region conjures images of peril, a place where the past and present collide with explosive intensity. It's a land that fascinates yet frightens, its stories etched in blood and stone.

Yet, amid the turmoil, there's a melody of survival and resilience. Cities rise from the dust with an indomitable spirit, their markets bustling with life, their mosques whispering tales of bygone eras. The people, with their deep-rooted hospitality, stand as pillars of warmth and tradition. They live in the shadow of strife, yet their hearts remain open, their smiles unyielding against the tide of adversity. This is the Middle East - complex, compelling, and misunderstood.

And then, there's Jordan.

Nestled in midst of this intimidating neighborhood, it stands as an oasis of peace and stability, a safe haven in a region of conflict. It’s a sanctuary where the echoes of chaos fade into the serene silence of the Wadi Rum desert, and the ancient whispers of Petra invite you to explore its hidden wonders. Jordan defies expectations, a testament to tranquility amidst turmoil. Here, the traveler discovers not just a destination, but an oasis, a place where the soul can find solace and the spirit can soar.

Welcome to Jordan:

“Ahlan Wa Sahlan” – “welcome” – is something you will hear from everyone you meet while you’re here.

Jordan's history is a mosaic of diverse cultures and pivotal figures that have shaped its identity. The ancient Nabateans, known for their impressive rock-cut city of Petra, established a thriving trade empire around the 6th century BCE. Today Petra is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The region later came under Roman rule, becoming part of the Decapolis - a group of ten cities that were centers of Greek and Roman culture. Some of the most impressive Roman ruins are found throughout the country today. Following the Romans, the Byzantine Empire held sway until the 7th century when Islamic caliphates took control.

In the modern era, the Arab Revolt during World War I was a turning point. Led by Sharif Hussein bin Ali of Mecca and his sons, including Emir Abdullah I, it aimed to free Arab lands from Ottoman rule. T.E. Lawrence, famously known as Lawrence of Arabia, collaborated closely with the Arab forces.

Following the war, the British Mandate established the Emirate of Transjordan in 1921, with Emir Abdullah I as its ruler.

Jordan gained full independence on May 25, 1946, officially becoming the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Abdullah I became its first king. His assassination in 1951 led to his grandson, King Hussein, ascending the throne in 1952 at the age of just 17. King Hussein’s reign, lasting nearly five decades, was marked by significant modernization and skilled efforts to maintain stability amidst regional conflicts. Upon his death in 1999, he was mourned as a man of peace by the more than 80 world leaders who came to Jordan for his funeral.

His son, King Abdullah II, has continued his legacy, steering Jordan through the challenges of the 21st century.

These figures and eras collectively contribute to Jordan’s rich and diverse historical narrative, making it a unique tapestry of ancient civilizations and modern resilience.

6 World Heritage Sites:

UNESCO seeks to promote the identification, protection, and preservation of cultural and natural heritage throughout the world that are of great value to humanity. And Jordan is home to six of these!

1) Petra: As you step into Petra for the first time, a sense of awe engulfs you, akin to entering a sacred, long-lost world whispered about in ancient texts. The narrow Siq, a serpentine gorge flanked by towering cliffs, gradually reveals the city’s secrets.

Sunlight filters through, casting a golden glow on the rose-hued sandstone, as if illuminating the pathway to an ancient dream. Each footstep echoes with the ghosts of merchants and travelers who once traversed these paths. Suddenly, the Siq opens up, and there it stands - the Treasury, Al-Khazneh - carved with an artistry that defies time.

Its majestic facade, sculpted with intricate details, tells tales of a civilization long gone, weaving a symphony of silence and stone. The air is thick with history and mystery, and in that moment, you are not merely a visitor; you are a part of Petra’s eternal story.

Also called the “Rose City” (for the rock’s pinkish hue) or “Lost City” (though local Bedouin groups always knew where it was), Petra is among Jordan’s top attractions. Most people know about Petra thanks to the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The Treasury is the site for the film’s final act. But no movie or television program can do this place justice. Unknown to the western world until it was “discovered” in 1812, Petra takes your breath away. And three nights a week “Petra by Night” is a light show that allows a limited number of visitors to walk the fabled Siq passageway, all the way to the Treasury, with only candles lit along the pathway to guide them.

Once arriving at the Treasury, the entire area in front of the entrance is also lit with candles – more than one thousand of them.

Truly a magical experience.

2) Qasr Amra: Built in the early 8th century beside the Wadi Butum, a seasonal watercourse, this desert establishment was both a fortress with a garrison and a residence/pleasure palace of the Umayyad caliphate.

The exceptionally well-preserved, small pleasure palace comprises a reception hall and hammam (a bath complex with changing room, warm and hot rooms), all richly decorated with figurative murals. The extensive fresco paintings of the bath building and reception hall are unique for Islamic architecture of this period.

The wall paintings show influences from classical pagan themes, Byzantine style portraits and hunting scenes, depictions of animals and birds, and are accompanied by inscriptions in Greek and Arabic. The representation of the zodiac on the domed ceiling of the caldarium (hot room) is one of the earliest known, surviving portrayals of a map of the heavens on a dome.

3) Um er-Rasas: Located south-east of Madaba on the edge of the semi-arid steppe, this archaeological site, which started as a Roman military camp and grew to become a town from the 5th century, is largely unexcavated.

It comprises remains from the Roman, Byzantine and Early Muslim periods (end of 3rd to 9th centuries AD) including a fortified Roman military camp and sixteen churches, some with well-preserved mosaic floors. Particularly noteworthy is the mosaic floor of the Church of St Stephen with its representation of towns in the region. 

4) Wadi Rum: As you enter Wadi Rum for the first time, the desert unfolds before you like a boundless tapestry of ochre and gold, an elemental symphony of sand and stone.

The towering sandstone cliffs rise majestically, their ancient faces etched with the whispers of millennia. The vast expanse, punctuated by weathered rock formations, evokes a sense of both desolation and grandeur, as if you’ve stepped into a primordial landscape untouched by time. The sun casts long shadows, creating a dance of light and dark that plays upon the dunes.

The silence is profound, a deep and resonant stillness that amplifies the subtle sounds of the desert - the whisper of the wind, the distant call of a bird. Here, in this vast wilderness, you feel the presence of those who came before - conquerors and adventurers, seekers and dreamers - each leaving a trace in the timeless sands of Wadi Rum.

Located in southern Jordan, near the border with Saudi Arabia, it features a varied desert landscape. Petroglyphs, inscriptions and archaeological remains in the site testify to 12,000 years of human occupation and interaction with the natural environment. The combination of 25,000 rock carvings with 20,000 inscriptions trace the evolution of human thought and the early development of the alphabet.

5) Baptism Site (Al-Maghtas): Situated on the eastern bank of the River Jordan, nine km (5.5 miles) north of the Dead Sea, this archaeological site consists of two distinct areas: Tell Al-Kharrar, also known as Jabal Mar-Elias (Elijah’s Hill) and the area of the churches of Saint John the Baptist near the river.

Situated in a pristine natural environment the site is believed to be the location where Jesus of Nazareth was baptized by John the Baptist. It features Roman and Byzantine remains including churches and chapels, a monastery, caves that have been used by hermits and pools in which baptisms were celebrated, testifying to the religious character of the place.

The site is a Christian place of pilgrimage.

6) As-Salt – The Place of Tolerance and Urban Hospitality: Built on three closely-spaced hills in the Balqa highland of west-central Jordan, just 35 km (20 miles) outside of Amman, the city of As-Salt, was an important trading link between the eastern desert and the west.

During the last 60 years of the Ottoman period, the region prospered from the arrival and settlement of merchants from Nablus, Syria, and Lebanon who made their fortunes in trade, banking, and farming. This prosperity attracted skilled craftsmen from different parts of the region who worked on transforming the modest rural settlement into a thriving town with a distinctive layout and an architecture characterized by large public buildings and family residences constructed of local yellow limestone. As-Salt, is a living testament to the rich tapestry of coexistence and hospitality that defines the region. This ancient city, with its golden limestone buildings cascading down verdant hills, has been a crossroads of civilizations for centuries.

Walking through its narrow, winding streets, you are enveloped by the stories of merchants, pilgrims, and settlers from diverse backgrounds—Christians and Muslims, Circassians and Arabs—each thread woven into the city's fabric. The aroma of freshly baked bread mingles with the sound of church bells and the call to prayer, epitomizing a harmonious blend of cultures and faiths. As-Salt's heritage homes and communal spaces stand as monuments to its legacy of tolerance, where hospitality isn't just tradition but a way of life.

In As-Salt, the past and present converge, inviting you to experience the warmth of its people and the enduring spirit of unity that makes it a beacon of peaceful coexistence.

Amman:

The Jordanian capital is the gateway to the rest of the country. An eclectic city where the old merges with the new, and historical sights sit seamlessly along modern streets. There is much to explore in Amman, starting with one of its oldest and most impressive sights, the Amman Citadel.

Located in the heart of the city and spread over the seven hills that make up the ancient downtown of Amman, the Citadel dates from Roman times. However, this site is actually considered to be one of the oldest continually inhabited places on earth, with evidence dating back to the Neolithic period (12,000 years ago). The Citadel is home to the Temple of Hercules, the famous Greco-Roman god revered by many in the ancient era.

The Jordan Museum has exhibits such as the Dead Sea Scrolls and the “Ain Ghazal Statues”, which are thought to be the world’s oldest human statues.

The Roman Theatre is one of the most iconic places to visit in Amman.

Built around the year 100 AD, and designed to hold 6,000 people, it’s still in use today hosting music concerts and cultural performances. The Odeon also dates from the Roman era.

Built to accommodate just 500 people, it’s much more intimate than the Roman Theatre but no less astounding. If you’re more interested in the modern rather than the ancient, then a visit to the Royal Automobile Museum is a must. The museum is home to an eccentric collection of cars that have been owned by the Hashemite Royal Family over the years. 

You don’t need to be a car connoisseur to appreciate the Royal Automobile Museum, because the cars also help to show a unique side of the country’s royal family and their intertwined histories. To learn more about religious life in the capital, visit the famed King Abdullah Mosque.

The mosque is named for King Abdullah, who helped to overthrow the Ottoman Empire in World War I before establishing the Hashemite family as rulers of Jordan. As with nearly everywhere in Jordan, tourists are most welcome to visit.

Jerash: Jordan’s largest and most compelling Roman site, the ancient city of Jerash is just a 45-minute drive from Amman.

Human habitation here dates back to 6,500 years ago. Alexander the Great transformed Jerash from a tiny village into a regional center. Today it’s considered one of the best-preserved sites of Roman architecture outside Italy and visitors can take in its public baths, squares, and temples. Colonnaded Street is the city’s impressive main road lined with columns on both sides and paved with the original stones still rutted by the wheels of chariots.

The Temple of Artemis is one of Jerash’s most striking sights with its stately Corinthian columns that would once have dominated the city from its hilltop setting. It was built between 150 and 170 AD and dedicated to Artemis, the revered goddess of hunting and fertility.

The Dead Sea:

This enormous Salt Lake separates Jordan from Israel and Palestine. At over 430 meters (1400 ft) below sea level, it’s also the lowest land-based elevation on the planet. The salts and minerals present in the lake have been used in spa treatments for thousands of years. The salinity in the lake is over 34% - 9.6 times as salty as the ocean. People come from all over the world to float in the Dead Sea. And there’s no need for flotation devices, just hop in, lie on your back and relax.

The Bedouin: One of the main cultures in Jordan, the Bedouin people are a nomadic tribal group that stretches across the Middle East and North Africa. People today still practice traditional Bedouin lifestyles, and you can meet them while visiting Jordan.

There are a variety of ways to learn about Bedouin culture, from joining a group that offers multi-day touristic experiences to hiking with a Bedouin guide, to staying overnight in a Bedouin camp. Bedouins are known for their friendly and hospitable nature, so don’t be surprised if strangers offer to share their meal or invite you to stay in their home.

Aqaba & The Red Sea: Aqaba is Jordan’s busy and vibrant port city on the Red Sea.

In addition to being Jordan’s only port, its clear waters and balmy temperatures make it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Along with ancient ruins, museums, bustling souks, and more, Aqaba is perhaps best known for its spectacular, biodiverse, kaleidoscopic coral garden diving sites. The Aqaba Marine Park is a protected area which runs south of the city, towards the Saudi Arabian border. It stretches for 9 kilometers (6.5 miles), and, if you’re more of a snorkeler, much of the best coral reef in the park is waiting close to the shore. You can find turtles, moray eels, and even sharks just off the beaches. 

Food: One of the best things about traveling in Jordan is the food. The local cuisine is delicious, and representative of the much-wider Middle Eastern region, with influences from Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and more. Lamb, rice, olives, bread, olive oil, tahini, garlic, za’atar, onions, pickles, mint, and sage, are just a handful of the flavors you’ll experience as you taste your way through Jordan.

• Mansaf: 

Widely considered to be the “national dish” of Jordan, traditionally designed to be shared, and one of the most beloved dishes in the kingdom consisting of spiced rice, tender slow-cooked lamb, vegetables, and jameeb (a fermented goat’s milk yogurt).

• Rashouf: 

In the winter months, Rashouf is one of the ultimate Jordanian comfort foods made with lentils, jameeb, wheat, and sour pickles.

• Hummus: One of the most well-known Middle Eastern foods that’s enjoyed around the world.

Garbanzo beans, lemon, tahini, and olive oil combine to make it to the menu of virtually every restaurant in Jordan.

• Zarb: 

This traditional Bedouin dish is made with a mix of meat - generally lamb or chicken - rice, onion, and carrots which are placed in the ground to cook. It’s most commonly enjoyed in the desert.

• Falafel:

Jordan has some of the best falafel in the Middle East. This common street food is a mix of garbanzo beans and spices that are deep fried to crispy perfection.

• Maqluba: 

This dish is served upside down. At the bottom is meat or chicken, then the rice is cooked on top with a variety of spices. The pot is flipped over onto a communal plate when served.

• Shawarma: 

Layers of thinly sliced meat are wrapped in a warm slice of bread with garlic sauce or tahini and pickled vegetables.

• Mezze: 

Meaning “to taste” this is a variety of small dishes served as an appetizer before the main dish. Dolmas, hummus, falafel, pickled vegetables, and olives are popular options in mezze.

• Kanafeh: Dessert doesn’t get much better than this. Prepared with a thin spun pastry called kataifi, soaked in a sweet rosewater syrup (attar) and layered with a tangy cheese then sprinkled with pistachio or nuts. It is DELICIOUS!

• For a country where over 95% of people practice Islam, you might be surprised that there is any wine production at all. Jordan has been making wine as a country for about 4,000 years and today the small minority of Christians in Jordan consume wine (as part of church services) and some have created vineyards for this production.

There are a handful of labels you can purchase in the few liquor stores across the country, including Mount Nebo and Saint George.

Weather:

The country’s location in the Middle East means that you can expect warm weather all year round. Jordan has two high seasons, in spring and fall, when the weather isn’t quite so hot as summer but is perfect for exploring. March, April and May are busy times. In April, Amman holds an annual film festival. September, October and November have excellent weather too, and things can be a little quieter. Summer is hot, while winter can be surprisingly chilly, with temperatures in the desert dropping dramatically at night. Amman sometimes experiences an occasional snowfall in winter.

If you’re diving at Aqaba, then March, April, and May are when the water is warm, and visibility is at its best.

As we conclude this journey, it's clear that Jordan is more than just a destination; it's a feeling. Through millennia of change, from the ancient Nabateans to the modern Hashemite Kingdom, the country's true strength lies not just in its breathtaking landscapes and historical landmarks, but in the warmth and generosity of its people. As travelers, we are continually greeted with open arms and a heartfelt "Ahlan wa sahlan," a reminder that hospitality is woven into the very fabric of Jordanian culture.

The deep connection between the past and present is palpable in every corner of Jordan. From the echoing silence of the Wadi Rum desert to the vibrant streets of Amman, each encounter with the locals offers a glimpse into a culture rich in tradition and boundless in kindness. Whether it's sharing a meal under a star-lit sky in a Bedouin camp or being guided through the ancient streets of Petra, the genuine warmth of the Jordanian people leaves an indelible mark on the soul.

In the heart of the Middle East, Jordan stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of its people. The landscapes, history, and culture are undeniably captivating, but it is the people who breathe life into this ancient land. Their stories, smiles, and unwavering hospitality transform a visit into a profound and moving experience. In Jordan, you'll find an oasis of peace and a community that embraces you as one of their own, leaving you with memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

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