Jordan – A Biblical Journey
Jordan is not short on natural splendor either – much of it imbued with myth, legend and historical import. Biblical resonance is in abundance. You can explore the offbeat archaeological site of Umm Qais (known as Gadara in ancient scripture) and gaze across to the Sea of Galilee. You can stand where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist at Bethany Beyond-the-Jordan. And you can float in the Dead Sea, which is mentioned in the Bible multiple times. Know more about Jordan, through the following article: JORDAN’s Highlights Dead Sea. The Dead Sea has a salinity of over 30%, so you can float with ease atop its gentle waves. Saltily serene. Dana Biosphere Reserve. Spot a multitude of rare animals and birds–from the desert-dwelling Nubian ibex to the Syrian serin – amid 320sq.km of rugged, ridged landscape. Wadi Rum. Experience Bedouin life by camping overnight in the Arabian Desert. By day, explore the wadi’s troglodyte caves, confounding stone formations and dramatic wilderness. Petra. Built by the Nabataeans some 2,000 years ago, this ancient rock-cut city will amaze, no matter how many photos you’ve seen. The most atmospheric way to experience it to is to walk through the Siqto come face-to-face with the famed Al Khazneh (Treasury). Amman. Jordan’s capital mixes ancient history with a modern feel. Head downtown to find a hodgepodge of pavement cafés and souks selling everything from vegetables to hand-woven rugs. Getting there Royal Jordanian flies daily from Heathrow to Jordan’s Queen Alia International Airport (AMM. Aegean flies Gatwick-AMM several times a week. Flights take about five hours. Both airlines also offer cheaper indirect fares. The airport is about 16km south of Amman. Taxi prices are fixed: expect to pay around JD22 to reach downtown Amman. Express buses depart every 30-60 minutes, 6am-midnight (JD3 [£2.70]; journey time takes 45 minutes). Getting around Driving between Jordan’s major sites is straight-forward. Main roads are well maintained, with little traffic. You can rent a car at the airport; you’ll need an International Driving Permit. Speak to your hotel reception/concierge for advice when organizing long-distance taxis (and avoiding scams).There are good bus services, including an early morning option from Amman to Petra.
Cost of travel Jordan is relatively inexpensive. Eating out is good value; alcohol is similar to UK prices. Expect to pay £1530 for a restaurant meal. Tipping is expected for all services. Standard hotels offer singles from around £10; eco-lodges and higher-end properties star from around £70. Accommodation You can find top-end, mid-range and basic hotels; some desert resorts offer camping options. At the budget end, there are plenty of hostels and Bedouin camps. Conveniently located, the Petra Moon Hotel is a good mid-range option. Food and Drink Jordanian staples include mansaf (a rich blend of rice, lamb and rehydrated yoghurt) and fragrant zarb– Bedouin barbecue. Street food is popular; pick up a falafel sandwich or bowl of steaming medames (beans) when on the go; wash it down with an Arabic coffee or qamar eddine (apricot juice). Visit Vacation-now.com for more travel journeys and destinations.