 Even though the nation of Jordan has only been around about 60 years, the land where it is located is one of the most historically important regions on earth. If you are a fan of Bible stories, or a history buff, you’ll be shocked at how many major events in Humanity’s timeline happened right here in Jordan’s desert. You can trace the path of Moses, see the spot where Jesus was baptised by John and visit Herod’s fortress where Salome danced the dance that got John the Baptist beheaded. There is the lost city of Petra, considered the eighth wonder of the world, the fortress where Lawrence of Arabia lived and the natural beauty of the Red Sea. The only dilemma facing visitors to Jordan is where to begin.
 Amman
The capital of Jordan will never win a prize for the most beautiful city in the world, but this is where most visits begin, so it’s best to see what it has to offer. Amman is at least 5,000 years old and is dotted with Roman ruins such as the Citadel and the Forum. Just to the east of downtown is the restored Roman theatre, an impressive remnant of the city of Philadelphia. The Citadel, used by Roman garrisons for centuries, is also an interesting site.
 Citadel Hill (Amman)
A steep walk up the hill from the Roman Theatre is the site of an acropolis and fortress of the ancient Rabbath-Ammon. The views from the hilltop, which span the entire city of Amman, are worth the climb alone. There are Byzantine and early Islamic ruins to explore, as well as the impressive Archaeological Museum, which houses finds from all over Jordan. The museum also has a selection of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
 Crusader Castle
The Christian Crusaders were all over this region during their Crusades and created a number of castles and forts. Although this castle has seen better days, it still emanates a sense of timeless Arabian mystery and knights in armour. Informative displays help visitors understand the history of the castle and the Crusaders who fought here.
 Jerash
The Roman ruins at Jerash are one of Jordan’s main attractions and are both easily accessible and nicely compact. This remarkably well-preserved city is an amazing blend of Roman and Middle-Eastern culture. The entrance of the city is marked by the Triumphal Arch and once inside you can explore the impressive Forum, the Temple of Zeus, the South Theatre and walk along the colonnaded street to the Temple of Artemis. The city’s Hippodrome has been recently restored, offering a chance the see daily staged chariot races, just as they were completed in Roman times.
Maisons Satie (Amman)
If you tire of Roman ruins and desert landscapes, you can check out this tribute to the ‘complete artist’ Erik Satie. Although Satie was most famous for his music, he was also a painter who inspired the likes of Picasso and Debussy. This untraditional museum in Amman is a fascinating multimedia experience, where the exhibitions incorporate light, sound and Satie’s compositions to match his art. Visitors wear a high-tech helmet which allows an interactive experience with the artworks.
Museum of Folklore, Costume and Jewelry (Amman)
This interesting museum in Amman is filled with amazing examples of Jordanian embroidery and traditional regional costumes. As part of the restored theatre complex, visitors can learn more about the culture of Jordan before it became a nation and then enjoy a theatre performance.
 Petra
If there’s a single highlight to Jordan, it is this surreal city hewn from the towering rock that surrounds it. Places like this are usually reserved for the storybooks of children and the reality is no less surreal. Once the capital of the powerful Nabateans, an ancient Arabic dynasty of traders, Petra was completely lost to the world until it was rediscovered by a European explorer in 1812. Made famous by the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Petra is no longer a secret Bedouin hideout. Up to 3,000 visitors come every day to marvel at what is considered the eight wonder of the world. To fully experience Petra, you’ll need more than one day and plenty of storage on your camera. From the moment you enter the narrow winding cleft in the rock, you’ll feel transported to another time and place. The most famous ruin is the Khazneh (Treasury), but the monastery is equally stunning and offers the best views. Other highlights include the 8,000 seat amphitheatre and the Temple of the Winged Lions.
Petra Archaeological Museum
This modern museum makes an excellent complement to the ancient site of Petra. Its three exhibition halls present the history of Petra and the Nabateans, archaeological discoveries in the area and artifacts such as jewellery, lamps, bronze statues and coins.
The Roman Theatre
Near the centre of downtown Amman is this ancient theatre built by the Romans in the 2nd century. This is the capital’s most famous and easily accessible archaeological site. Since its restoration in the 1950s, the theatre has been able to accommodate 6,000 spectators for special events and performances.
Top Things to Do
 Drive a 4x4
One way to get back into the Jordanian desert to is hire a 4x4 jeep. A much faster but bumpier way to go than a camel ride, these tours will take you into a number of places which most tourists will never see. Popular destinations include the isolated Burrah and Um Tawaqi canyons, Anfashieh and other secret oasis spots which only your Bedouin guide will show you. Wadi Rum is the best place to organise a 4x4 tour, as the local Bedouin have established a very good network of vehicles and trails.
Experience Azraq Wetland Wildlife Preserve
Jordan has 10 specially designated wildlife reserves where visitors can watch the birds and animals who call this region home. Some of the unique animals that can be seen include hyenas, red wolves, gazelles, jerboas, ostriches and Arabian onyxes. The Azraq Wetland Wildlife Reserve and the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve are two of the best parks in the country if you want to see how the animal world gets along in the desert.
 Float in the Dead Sea
One of the world’s superlative highlights is the Dead Sea, which not only has its roots deep in historical matters, but is also the lowest point on the planet at 392 metres below sea level. Visitors can float effortlessly in the Dead Sea thanks to the incredibly dense levels of salt. Since it can support no life, and has no outlet, it’s a natural wonder that will eventually dissolve into the history books, so see it while you still can.
Retrace Lawrence of Arabia’s footsteps
Wadi Rum encompasses some of the most magnificent desert scenery on earth and should not be missed. Lawrence of Arabia spent time here during the Arab Revolt, but today the land is inhabited by Bedouins and a few villagers who sustain the local tourism trade. Wadi Rum is not a land of sweeping sand dunes. This is a desert landscape characterised by bizarre, alien rock formations called jebels. Around the village of Rum there are a few ruins to check out, but the real attraction is the desert itself. Hire a guide and do some trekking into the surrounding area, where you will quickly leave civilisation behind and enter a timeless and mysterious world.
 Ride a camel
There aren’t many places on earth where you can ride a camel into the desert, but Jordan is one of them. An essential component to any Middle-East desert trip is a trek involving a camel, which allows you to experience the stunning terrain in the most authentic way possible. This popular excursion can be arranged through a number of local safari companies. Trips can take from one hour to seven days, depending on how far you want to go. Wadi Rum is the most popular area to take a camel trek, but Aqaba and Petra also have good services.
Take a trip on the Hejaz Railway
This slow-moving relic of the Ottoman Empire is one of the world’s greatest train journeys. If you have any interest in trains or classic railway lines, then this is one trip you should not miss. Amman’s Railway Station is the place to get aboard one of the steam locomotives of the Hejaz Railway, where some of the rolling stock dates from before the time of Lawrence of Arabia. Be sure to stop by the small railway museum before you set off.
 Visit Aqaba
Much quieter than neighbouring Eliat, Aqaba is the premier Red Sea destination in Jordan if you need to rinse that dusty desert feeling off of your body. The waters are warm and clear all year round and the beaches are white and soft. The town has developed itself into a seaside resort area complete with all the fun watery excursions you can think of. Many visitors come just to lounge on the sand, but the scuba diving in this area is the real highlight. This is one of the best undiscovered dive sites in the world, with ancient coral reefs and waters teeming with sea life. Visibility can be as much as 150 metres and the warm water makes diving a real pleasure. If you don’t want to bother with scuba gear, the snorkeling is almost as good.
Visit Dana Nature Preserve
This is one of Jordan’s best nature parks, where visitors can enjoy guided tours through the lovely desert landscape. Besides admiring the unique local flora and fauna, there is also a fair amount of geology and history to take in. At Wadi Feynan, organised tours lead visitors to the ancient copper mines which were worked by the Romans. Local people still live in a medieval village and Bedouin nomads run an eco-lodge in the area, so you can experience a bit of culture as you admire the desert environment.
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