Far from the tumultuous events that are weighing on the region, Jordan, as miraculous, remains a holy land in its own right. The hidden treasures of the Hashemite kingdom will be revealed to travellers who will take the trouble to explore it. Sometimes rocky, sometimes desert, and then becoming much greener, Jordan's landscapes are exceptional
A pleasant climate and a guaranteed change of scenery
Jordan is a very sunny country with a very dry climate. It can be visited all year round to visit the main sites, as winters are mild and summers are bearable. High altitude regions (Amman, Dana, Petra) can sometimes experience snow in winter, and hot summers, but the shoulder seasons are ideal. The Jordan Valley and the shores of the Dead Sea offer a mild and warm climate, while Aqaba enjoys a microclimate that allows you to swim and dive in the middle of winter under the sun
In Amman, in the morning, the call of prayer at a time when the sun appears on the city is an unforgettable moment. In Wadi Rum, the Bedouins will guide you through their mysterious desert, introduce you to the tea ritual, camel breeding and their ancestral traditions around the fire. And in the north, Palestinians, Armenians and Chechens who have been living in the country for several decades will invite you to their homes to discover their culture
Here, lovers of old stones will have to make tough choices as there are so many ancient sites to visit. Petra will of course be the highlight of the stay, but also Gadara, Gerasa and Pella. Religious enthusiasts will visit the biblical sites of the Jordan Valley, from Bethany to Pella via Jericho, while lovers of idleness, diving and balneotherapy will test the resorts of Aqaba and the Dead Sea. Hikers will not be disappointed by the landscapes offered by the nature reserves of Ajloun, Dana, Mujib, and by the unforgettable experience of walking in the mountains of the Wadi Rum desert and bivouacing under the stars.
Historical wealth
Jordan is a small country in the heart of the cradle of humanity. Recent excavations in Gadara have uncovered a prehistoric village more than 10,000 years old, the north has some exceptional ancient cities of the Greco-Roman Decapolis. Petra, the lost city built by mysterious Nabatheans, offers a unique spectacle to the visitor, who will feel like an explorer in the middle of these gigantic temples, sculpted to perfection in the rock. The region, conquered by the Byzantines, has a multitude of churches with exceptional mosaics, then the Umayyad caliphs built palaces in the desert and medieval fortresses such as Ajlun, Kerak and Shobak. For centuries, Jews, Christians and Muslims have passed through this land and left their mark on it
Magnificent and varied landscapes
Immerse yourself first in the heart of the 7 hills of Amman, "Philadelphia" of Roman times, where Downtown's spice merchants cohabit with the modern bars of Rainbow Street. Amman, capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is the first place that the traveller should visit, as it is the starting point for excursions to neighbouring cities in the north, east and sometimes west of the country. While Amman has a very rich and ancient history, it does not have the historical appeal of Jerusalem, Cairo or Damascus because its remains have not been well preserved. Only the citadel and the Roman theatre have not been swallowed up by the constructions of the different peoples who have settled here over the centuries. Today, Amman is a modern, multicultural, almost western city.
Then, explore the Jordan River, Bethany, Mount Nebo, places of religious pilgrimage for some, grandiose landscapes for others. From the King's Route, let yourself be rocked by the waters of the Dead Sea and stop over in the Dana Valley. In the early morning, the golden sunlight illuminates the yellow and red rocks of the reserve.
Then explore extraordinary wadis, panoramas of the Wadi Mujib, "Grand Canyon of Jordan", to the extraordinary desert of Wadi Rum, true kingdom of the Bedouins. Accept to share a mint tea, under a starry vault, surrounded by canyons, cliffs, and natural arches.
You will then travel to the heart of Petra. Nestled in the hollow of the arid gorges of southern Jordan, it is now one of the most popular places to visit in the Middle East and is undoubtedly the highlight of a discovery of the country. Its history is ancient, since it was in its time the capital of a very influential trading people, the Nabataeans, who ruled the region from the 6th century BC and were dislodged by the Roman Empire. From this ancient civilization have come to us breathtaking facades carved in sandstone, sheltering temples and royal tombs, and it is precisely points of orientation through this maze of orange pink rocks, whose colours undulate with the movements of the sun, that the Petra tourist guide proposes to establish. If the lost city hides a "treasure" buried in the rocks of the Siq, words cannot describe the mystical beauty of this place classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Three full days are not too long to enjoy the intense and captivating atmosphere that emanates from Petra, a tourist destination, but absolutely unmissable and spectacular.
Finally, in the north, you will find Ajlun, one of the most important nature reserves in the country or Jerash. Jordanian Pompeii is one of the secret refuges of Bedouin caravans, as in Umm Qais and Pella, Greek-Roman cities of rare prosperity. Here, we can happily visit the fascinating castles built by the Crusaders. Their European, Byzantine and Arab influences can nourish your imagination and revive the splendour of successive eras.
A legendary hospitality
And then, how could I not mention the legendary hospitality of the population? Let yourself be tempted by Jordanian cuisine: mensaf, kefta and other chawarma. Accept to smoke the hookah and discuss everything and anything, a few minutes or a few hours with its inhabitants. Take these moments in brackets, and challenge yourself, just once, not to be moved. Because this is undoubtedly Jordan's strong point. When you come back from a trip to this country and show your holiday photos to friends, you are very frustrated that you can't "show" them what is often the best memory of your stay: the incredible hospitality of the Jordanians. This is not a tourist argument but a reality: you will often be invited to tea just for the pleasure of exchanging a few words and we will never hesitate to help you in case of problems. Jordan is also an extremely safe country for tourists. The rules of Arab hospitality apply here: guests do not pay for the first few days (insisting would be rude) and especially not women! Moreover, if they can feel observed in the street, they will always be helped with chivalry and kindness
Smart info
When? When? Spring and autumn are the best times to go there, first because there is no summer crowd, then because it is cool and pleasant and the sun is already shining very brightly. Late spring and early autumn are the very high season. Summer is also considered as a high season, it is not the ideal time to go there but, due to school holidays, many families and couples visit the country in summer. Petra and Wadi Rum are a furnace, from 9am impossible to walk under the blazing sun. Leave very, very early to enjoy it.
Getting there. Several companies allow you to travel to Jordan. Flights to Amman are direct and many are direct. We will then count about 4h30 of travel. Royal Jordanian Airlines provides a connection to Aqaba. Average price of a Paris-Amman flight: between €500 and €1,000 per round trip.
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