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Petra is without question an area that one should explore when visiting Jordan, as this landscape appears on practically every Jordan postcard and has been featured in a number of Hollywood films. It's almost as if there's a portal to the past, the unknown, or the old. The reality is that a journey to Jordan would be incomplete without a visit to this breathtaking spot, which in 1985, has been recognized a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Thousands of years ago, this city was the capital of the Nabataean monarchy, a state included into the Roman Empire that oversaw the city's construction until it became an important trade centre. However, it had fallen into the hands of nature (or the desert) and oblivion by the end of 1100.
Nowadays, Petra is one of Jordan's most important treasures and a World Heritage Site; it is also one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Depending on where you start, there are several ways for tourists to get to this world heritage site. Many buses depart Amman, Jordan's capital, about 6:30 a.m. and arrive to the ruins at 10:30 a.m. JET Bus is the company that provides these buses. The return journey starts at 5:10 a.m. and costs JD 200 per leg. The fleet consists of modern and convenient buses, but public minibuses can also be used to tour the area.
There are many reasons for families to visit Jordan, including exploring its natural parks, visiting its desert castles, getting lost in Amman's alleys, floating in the Dead Sea, being captivated by the wonderful Petra, and engaging in adventure tourism. There are also some exciting plans underway to attract more tourists to this Middle Eastern country, and for those who are ready to explore Jordan, the peculiar aura that surrounds Jordan will raise your expectations.
Amman, one of the most cosmopolitan and fascinating cities in the Middle East, is built on hills (similar to Lisbon and Rome), between the desert and the fertile Jordan Valley. This is the country's main entry point as well as a major financial and business centre.
Although it may not appear as such, Aman is home to almost three million people. It is a city with a strong contrast between the modern and the historical, with broad areas and large roads, but also irregular and labyrinthine ancient city, and exploring it with your family promises to be an exciting experience.
The Roman ruins, Citadel, the Jordan Archaeological Museum, the Grand Mosque of Hussein, and the Byzantine cathedral are among its primary tourist attractions. Jerash, located near the capital, is the only Roman monument that can compete with the spectacular Petra. Gerasa, a magnificent XNUMXth-century Roman city, is located on a plain surrounded by fertile basins and steep forested regions. If you want to see some of the greatest preserved Roman remains in the Middle East, it is recommended that pay Jordan a visit.
Outdoor adventure tourism is one of Jordan's most vibrant and innovative tourism sectors. If you are looking for a different kind of adventure, Jordan is the place to be. In this country, you can take an aeroplane ride over the Wadi Rum desert, a canyon-descent through the Mujib River, a 4x4 excursion through the Valley of the Moon, and a safari through the Shamwari Nature Reserve (a breeding centre for endangered species).
Consider taking the family to one of the desert castles, such as Qusayr Amra. These castles are outstanding examples of early Islamic art and architecture, as well as the residue of a fascinating period in the country's history. The magnificent murals, mosaics, and plaster illustrations of these desert castles depict life in the XNUMXth century.
Then there's the Dead Sea, which is unquestionably worth a visit for families. It's one of the most fascinating sites on the planet. It is a lake that does not expel water and is located in an area of around 800 square kilometres between Jordan, Israel, and Palestine. The high virtue and fame of this world-renowned lake are the outcome of hypersalinity, which causes individuals who bathe in the waters, to float effortlessly.
After diving, or rather floating, in the Dead Sea waters, you can round up your Jordan trip with a visit to the Mujib Nature Reserve, the Amon Valley of the Bible, or a spa at one of the area's finest hotels, to enjoy a unique experience with its waters and mud on the skin.
We are a family of 4 - mother, father and two children. Our aim is to travel the world and review all travel opportunities to help other families.
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