Travelling to Jordan with friends – Beyond Petra
Although Jordan is not a big country, it’s a big tourism centre. Petra is definitely the main attraction for most people. However, Jordan is much more than Petra. So, if not all of your group are fascinated by the idea of Petra then you have some other options.
1. Weekend at the Dead Sea – be 410 m below sea, float on water (and read newspapers at the same time), and enjoy very beautiful natural landscapes. The Dead Sea is a very good choice for small groups because there are plenty of interesting activities to make it a memorable trip, from sunbathing at the beaches, attending cooking workshops, or enjoying camel, jeep, or bike tours in desert!
2. Short visit to Wadi Rum – This place if perfect for nature lovers, because the landscapes of Wadi Rum are breathtaking. Wadi Rum offers many adventures that make for a unique weekend trip. You can do a hot-air balloon or helicopter tour above Wadi Rum, and enjoy breath taking scenes from another perspective. Additionally, you can see what it’s like to live like a Bedouin by joining camel tours in desert. Or, if the idea of camels doesn’t appeal, do 4-wheel-drive vehicles tours in desert, as well as historical tours visiting Biblical places.
3. Weekend trip to Aqaba. Aqaba is a mixture of modern town, history and nature, and it is a perfect choice for people who enjoy sea activities, diving, snorkeling, etc. It’s in the very south part of Jordan on Red Sea, but not too far from Petra and Wadi Rum. If you go in Aqaba, expect to spend the whole day enjoying the seaside, good nightlife, and many other interesting activities, including big game fishing, diving, driving in glass bottom boats, night diving, and snorkeling in crystal clear water.
4. Enjoy the food! Food preparation methods in Jordan date back to ancient times. The cuisine is known to be tasty. Some of the most famous meals from Jordan are: hummus, tahini, mansaf, Saniyat Dajaj, and many others. Their cuisine is combination of herbs, lemon, onion, tomato sauce, and spices with meat, poultry and vegetables. The taste of it varies from very spicy to mild. Since drinking coffee and tea in Jordan is considered to be a ritual, try not to miss it.
If you’re planning a holiday in Jordan, keep in mind that you’ll need to prepare for the heat during the summer months and take sun precautions at all times of the year. Since distances are short, you can visit several places even on a very short trip.
Jordan has tended to be one of the safer countries in the Middle East for travel, provided you stay well clear of the Syrian border. Check the official word here.
photo credit: archer10 (Dennis) CC
