Jordan, located in the Middle East, is one of the area’s most modern countries. The country is ruled by King Hussein and has very good relations with the West. The country is almost completely surrounded by land with a small coastline along the Dead Sea and in the Red Sea at the Gulf of Aqaba.
The capital and largest city in Jordan is Amman. The city is a perfect base from which to tour the country. In Amman you will want to visit the Roman Amphitheater and the Balad which is an area downtown with souqs and vendors. The most fashionable hotel for tourists is the Marriott, an opulent oasis.
Tours can be booked before or upon arrival in Amman and they are the best way to see everything. Petra is the most popular tourist site in Jordan. Petra is a very old city carved of stone. The saying, “rose red city, half as old as time” is accurate. The sandstone has a reddish hue unique to the area. Petra originated as a Nabataean city in the 6th century. Many years later it became “lost” and was not seen again until a Swiss adventurer discovered the city in the early 1800’s. Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Two other sites you must see are Jerash and the Dana Nature Reserve. Jerash is an ancient roman city, now in ruins but very distinctive. The Dana Nature Reserve is perfect for backpacking. You will feel like you have stepped back in time as the villages here are much like they were in the 15th century.
Navigating Jordan is quite easy. JETT bus service connects all major cities and many smaller villages. Service taxis, serves, follow the same itinerary as the buses and are much faster. You will recognize the serves by their color as they are all cream or white. Regular taxis are yellow and are efficient in Jordan’s cities.
The local foods of Jordan are scrumptious. The national dish is mansaf, a combination of flat bread, lamb, and rice with a spicy sauce. This dish is usually served at special events. The typical Jordanian breakfast is eggs with cheese, hummus, and falafel. The local staple for the entire country is khobez which is similar to Italian flatbread.
The people of Jordan are very welcoming and happy to have you as a guest. Please be respectful toward their religion, Islam, and their king. You will also want to wear modest clothing while in the cities and villages, especially at religious sites.
The main airport in Jordan is located 35 km outside the city. The Queen Alia International Airport is serviced by Royal Jordanian Air, British Airways, and most major carriers. You may take the Royal Jordanian bus or a taxi into Amman. Make sure to bring your camera as you will see many once in a lifetime locations.