The travel blogger Nikolas Rachiotis shares his impressions from his trip to Jordan.
Traveling to Jordan had always been a lifelong dream for me. From Amman, its historic capital, to Petra and the Valley of the Moon, this Middle Eastern gem had managed to captivate me many years before I visited. Surely, I can say that theroad trip in Jordanis one of the most beautiful trips of my life.
In this travel guide to Jordan,I tried to gather all the places I visited in the country, and I split them into two categories, depending on whether they managed to meet my expectations or not. Obviously, what follows is based on my own personal experience and someone else may have a different opinion. For my part, I tried to be as honest as possible, leaving out many views that are dominant on the internet.
What I loved
1) Amman
Despite hosting the countrys largest airport, Jordans capital often doesnt receive much attention from travelers. Two days in the enchanting city of Amman were enough to convince me otherwise.
From the historic Roman Theater to the traditional neighborhood of Al Balad and the «Rainbow Street», Ammans sights help it stand proudly alongside the other major cities of the Middle East. Overlooking the city, theres also the Citadel, home to ruins from the Roman period. There youll also find the famed «Hands of Hercules», the only remnants of a massive statue that once stood proudly there.
2) Jerash
Jerash (yes, we all thought of the pun) is an ancient city with beautiful and exceptionally well-preserved Greco-Roman ruins. It was founded more than 2,300 years ago, and reached its peak during the Roman Empire. The ruins include impressive structures such as Hadrians Arch, the Hippodrome, and the Oval Plaza.
Although the city was abandoned more than a thousand years ago, it was rediscovered in the 19th century. Today it is a very popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world who come to learn about its incredible history and admire its beautiful architecture.
It may sound far-fetched coming from someone from Greece, but I can say that Jerash is perhaps the most impressive archaeological site Ive ever visited. The emotions it evoked in me were truly unique. Its astonishing how such an ancient place has withstood the centuries and still stands proudly in such good condition.
3) Petra
Lets talk about the countrys most famous attraction! Petra is an ancient city known for its striking architecture. Its hallmark is the mesmerizing buildings carved into the rock.
Petra was built by an Arab tribe that settled in the area around the 6th century BC. People visited it as it was a very important trade hub located between Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean. In fact, it is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World!
You surely know, or have at least seen photos of, the «Treasury», the citys most famous structure. Impressive as it is, the crowds and the numerous vendors there perhaps made the experience a little less comfortable.
What you should definitely visit in the city of Petra is the «Monastery». Its 4 kilometers from the «Treasury», a route that, due to the terrain and weather, can take around 1.5 to 2 hours. Nevertheless, for me it was the days highlight. The structure was just as impressive as the «Treasury», and you could sit at a café right next to it to enjoy a cool drink.
Despite Petra being an extremely touristy place, the excursion was clearly positive overall. In fact, in the evenings theres a show at the «Treasury» where candles are set out and locals play traditional music.
4) The Valley of the Moon
I truly feel there are no words to describe this place. The best experiences and memories from the trip to Jordan were undoubtedly made there. Wadi Rum, known in Greek as the «Valley of the Moon», lies in the southern part of the country. It encompasses a protected zone with beautiful rock formations and rich fauna. The protected area is open to visitors, giving travelers the chance to stay in camps that range from very traditional to ultra-luxurious.
The truth is I didnt have high expectations before we arrived. It didnt take long, however, for me to change my mind for good. Truly, the feeling of sipping hot tea while gazing at the deserts star-filled night sky is unique.
4x4 jeep safaris, sand boarding and camel rides are just a few of the many things you can do there. Of course, trying a traditional meal cooked beneath the desert sand (yes, buried!) makes it even better.
Personally, I stayed at theMiral night campand arranged everything there. They were excellent professionals, their services relatively affordable, and they made sure we had an amazing experience. I recommend them wholeheartedly!
Among other things, we also had the chance to drive the car in the desert and, of course, I was the one to get a flat tire. Without a doubt, the eight-hour desert tour is must!
What I wouldnt visit again
1) The Dead Sea
This is certainly an... unpopular opinion. Amazing things have been said about the Dead Sea. You have surely seen photos of people floating in its waters (due to the high salinity) and playfully posing while holding a newspaper or something like that. Thats what I expected to find when I went, but my experience was very different.
When you reach the Dead Sea shoreline, youll be faced with two options. The first is to pay a significant amount of money to one of the huge hotel chains in the area in order to be allowed to swim at their private beaches. The truth is this really bothered me and I tried to avoid it. I found it very unfair that there are only a few areas truly open to the public.
The second option is to swim at one of the very few public beaches. This turned out to be even worse. To begin with, camels swim in the same area, which doesnt inspire much confidence in the waters cleanliness. Beyond that, locals have built (probably not so legally) small bars and demand a sum of money in order to «protect» your personal belongings and let you swim at the public beach.
Disappointed and perhaps a little annoyed, we decided to continue our journey without trying the famed waters of the Dead Sea. To be fair, it may come down to my own character, but the options there really upset me.
What you should definitely do in the area, however, is try the fast food at Chilli House. Its the oldest fast-food chain in the country. Although Jordan is an expensive country, the food there was affordable, distinctive, and absolutely delicious. A pleasant note on a strange day.
2) The Baptism Site of Jesus Christ
Right on the Israel–Jordan border, this place is considered to be where Jesus Christ was baptized. Although the historical significance of this spot is great and unquestionable, the tour was rushed, commercialized, and overpriced. Again, this is my personal experience and it may simply have been an unlucky moment.
Still, the most striking aspect of the site was the border itself. Despite the fact that Jordan has officially recognized Israel as a state, the attitude and tone Jordanian soldiers had whenever they referred to their counterparts on the opposite bank was very interesting. Their love for the Palestinians is certainly deeply rooted in their hearts.
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