Destination of the Week: Why your next adventure is Jordan

Whether it's the warm hospitality that welcomes even the most disconcerted tourist or it's the promise of adventure that awaits at every turn, exploring the ancient mysteries of Jordan should certainly be on the bucket list for all thrill seekers.

Wake up to Wadi Rum

If your weekends in the UAE take you off the beaten track and into the vast emptiness of the Rub Al Khali, then Jordan’s Wadi Rum is akin to the proverbial song of the siren that will lure you into its dramatic wilderness.

From imposing mountains to narrow canyons, the protected area of Wadi Rum covers 720 square kilometres of a desert vista that has laid open a pathway for legends of yore, including the brave heart, Lawrence of Arabia.

Today, this desert landscape is the perfect stopover for adventure seekers looking to uncover the humble beginnings of the Bedouin tribes that still reside across this barren land.

A jeep safari and a visit to the ancient rock drawings dating back to the Nabatean age sets the perfect backdrop to the burning red sunset, before the cover of the night blankets the emptiness as you make your way to a traditional Bedouin camp for a delicious meal and musical revelry under the stars.

The Petra perfection

Nestled deep in the heart of Jordan, the ancient Nabatean capital and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is best explored on horseback.

Petra’s exploration is a sight to behold, as you trot through the narrow Siq – the fissure between two overhanging cliffs – before the majesty of Petra’s ancient treasury unravels its mystique.

The ancient Red Rose City of was first inhabited during prehistoric times, serving as the ideal caravan stop, situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea.

Petra is half-built, half-carved into the rock edifice, now serving as a top tourist draw and a mystery for archeologists that continue to unravel the secrets of this ancient desert city.

Float away in the Dead Sea

Soak away your stresses in the medicinal waters of the Dead Sea and pack on some mud for that additional skin exfoliation.

The Dead Sea, which is the lowest point on Earth, is a salt-water haven where tourists flock to year round for a treat and a tuck.

Most seaside resorts there give residents access to the Dead Sea mud, with comfortable benches erected at a few places to soak up the sun before taking a dip in the saltiest sea on the planet.

Do the fun, touristy thing if you dare and pop yourself in for an easy float while reading the newspaper.

Everyone, loves to snap that for memories back home.

City of Mosaics

As you depart from your Dead Sea adventure, heading south down the will plant you in town of Madaba or the ‘City of Mosaics’ as it is popularly known.

It is here that you will stumble across ‘The King’s Way’, the world’s largest mosaic portrait, which displays ancient route that once started in the seaside resort city of Aqaba through the cities located on the route and ends with Bosra Sham.

While in Madaba, make time to visit the thermal mineral springs of Hammamat Ma’in or Zarqa Ma’in that have attracted people for centuries to soak in its therapeutic waters.

If time permits, do take a detour to Mount Nebo, the site of an ancient monastery for explorers.

Diving in Aqaba

If the on-land adventures prove to be cumbersome after a point, take a dip into the Red Sea diving vista off the coast of Aqaba.

The port city may serve up a relatively miniscule coastline compared to neighbouring Sharm El Sheikh for example, but the Aqaba Marine Park does open up a plethora of wonder across its 25 dive sites, including a wreck dive for enthusiasts.

Novice divers would find the warm waters of Aqaba particularly welcoming, especially since the strip is so narrow that there are no off-shore reefs to explore aside from the coastline.

Those of you who choose to play it safe can also opt for snorkelling instead, with the Tank, the First Bay accessible from the coast, while the Japanese Gardens are a must if heading out by boat.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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