Visit Jordan Amman “City of Contrast.” The capital of Jordan, Amman, is a modern, safe and possibly the cleanest in medal east. Its gleaming white and rocky stylish buildings and states of the art and villas mix peacefully with the richly colorful bazaars. Hotels, restaurants, bars and coffee shops are innumerable and diverse; from first class chain hotels to budget rest houses and from international to traditional cuisine. However, Amman has unique past. Know as Rabbath-Ammon in the Old Testament, and Philadelphia in the Graeco-Roman times, Ammon was settled or crossed by a restless cast of characters. Ammonites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Umayyads and Crusaders are among more familiar. Two of the legacy is the citadel and the roman amphitheater. Jerash “The legendary Decapolis city”. Still populated today, remains from Neolithic, Greek, byzantine and Umayyad times are found in Jerash. However, the golden age of Jerash arrived with roman rule; today it is acknowledged as one of the best preserved roman outposts in the world. As one of the several Decapolis cities in the area, perhaps the most complete one, the grand ruins of Jerash include: the temple of Artemis, the temple of Zeus, the roman forum, the Triumphal arch of Hadrian, the hippodrome, the Oval plaza, the paved 600-meter colonnaded street (street of columns), the cathedral and several churches, theaters and gates. Dead Sea “The lowest spot on earth”. The Dead Sea has a historical legacy of its own. It is available to be the site of five biblical cities: Sadom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zebouin and Zoar. With much of its landscape virtually unchanged since the biblical times, the Dead Sea is a favorite relaxation spot. There are few resorts where guests can experience swimming in the intensely saline and rich-in-menials lapping water. Swimming in the Dead Sea could be truly unique experience for it is impossible to sink and surprisingly charming when having a drink on the waterbed. Petra “Out of this world”. The red rose city Petra is the legacy of the Nabataea’s, an industrious Arab people who settled in south Jordan some 2,000 years ago. The Nabataea’s Kingdom endured for centuries and Petra became widely admired for its refined culture, by the sixteenth century. Petra’s most famous monument, the Treasury, appears dramatically at the end of narrow, the siq, with leads to the city. Used in the final sequence of the film, Indiana Jones and the last Crusade, the Treasury is only first of Petra’s attractions. There are literally hundreds of rock-carved buildings, facades, tombs and baths. Also there is the 7,000-seat theater from time of Jesus, a palace tomb in the roman style and the gigantic third-century monastery, Al-Deri. Wadi Rum “Journey to the moon”. Wadi Rum is the most splendid of jordan’s desert landscapes. This moonscape terrain of ancient riverbeds, towering cliffs and smooth pastel-colored sands, once was the passageway of the infamous Lawrence of Arabia. A Nabataean temple and a variety of Thamudic inscriptions and Nabataean works are still existing in Wadi Rum. This immense desert is the best explored on camel or four-wheel-drive tours. Sharing a meal or coffee under the family’s tent of local Bedouins. Could be the most memorable experience. However, the best times to enjoy Wadi Rum are at sunrise and sunset. The dazzling desert crystal-like sky at nights is an extra bonus for those who decide to spend the night in a Bedouin tent. Aqaba “Wonder of the red sea”. Aqaba, Jordan’s only window to the sea, has the cleanest sandy beaches and coral reefs on the Red sea. Its crystal-clear water hosts a thriving marine life with exceptional variety of coral and fish. Although a variety of entertainment and recreational activities is available including diving, snorkeling and sailing, Aqaba remains a destination for the tranquil tourist who like to enjoy its pleasures by day then by night. On the other hand, Aqaba, like elsewhere in Jordan, has its share of history. In biblical times, it was a prosperous town where King Solomon’s ships set sail with their store of copper. Also, recent excavations have revealed what is believed to be the oldest church in the world. Jerusalem “The shrine of all”. This is one of the most sacred cities, if not the most, in the entire world. Jews’ Christians and Muslims seek Jerusalem for pilgrimage and visit where Judaism, Christianity and Islam’s primary sanctuaries lie. Bethlehem “Birth place of Jesus”. Thought to be inhabited since the Stone Age, Bethlehem is the city that marked the birth of Jesus Christ. The third-century basilica, Church of Nativity, is built over the intact grotto in which he has born. Nazareth “Home town of Jesus”. This is the city that was chosen by God for Jesus to live and grow to manhood and had been the scene of his life for thirty years. Nazareth’s Church of Annunciation is one of the principal churches in the world. Bethany beyond the Jordan “Baptism place of Jesus”. This site is one on the east bank of the river Jordan. It is where John the Baptist lived, Jesus was baptized, Elijah ascended to heaven and Joshua crossed. Madaba “City of Mosaics”. The chief attraction is the sixth-century map that is made with tow million pieces of mosaic tile. It shows Jerusalem and other sites as far as Nile Delta. This is possibly the oldest map of Palestine in existence. Mount Nebo “Burial site of Moses”. On its summit, where Moses surveyed the Promised Land, are the principal ruins of a basilica-church and the breathtaking view across the Jordan Valley to the rooftops of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Um-Qais “The new testament’s Gadara”. In addition to be the place of Jesus’ Miracle, Um-Qais was renowned as the cultural center. It boasts as impressive colonnaded terrace, the ruins of three theatres and on unforgettable view. Bella “Haven of Archaeologists” As once was Decapolis city; Pella is exceptionally rich in antiquities, some 9,000- year old: iron and bronze tools, ceramic vessels, cooling pans, figurines and jewelry. Um-Jimal Black Gem of the Desert. “Rural and well-to-do, this town was a fitting contrast to the surrounding busy cities. It’s a wonderful black basalt mansions and towers, some still three stories high, have long inspired poets. Ajloun “The Maze Castle.” In Ajloun and a dramatic spur overlooking the Jordan valley stands the castle built Saladin during the Crusades time. This fortified complex is one of the finest and most complete. Kerak The Maze Castle.” On the rim of a plateau overlooking the 1,000-meter deep canyon of Wadi Mujib stands the massive Crusaders castle of Kerak. The fort itself is a dark maze of stone- vaulted halls and endless passageways. Shobak "Montreal” The Crusaders castle of Sobak is perched on the side of a mountain. Its exterior is impressive, with a forbidding gate and encircling walls three layers thick. However, it fell to Saladin only 75 years after it was raised. Desert Castels “Lawrence of Arabia Fort.” This was the black basalt fort at Azraq. In addition to this, the desert is dotted with ancient castles, forts and hunting lodges like Qasr Amra, Qasr Hallabat, Qasr Kharanah and Qasr Mushattah. Spas SPAS: “Fun and Cure.” Ma’in, one of several spas, is 180 meters below Sea Level. It is surrounded by a range of high mountains with sixty natural hot mineral springs and waterfalls. Famous for their healing and relaxation powers. Parks “GO Wildlife.” Many sites Wadi Moujeb and Dana are home for various species of animals and birds like gazelle, hyena, fox, oryx, desert larks, redstarts and sapphire-blue kingfishers. Also, Aqaba enjoys unmatched marine life.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 11:11:10 +0000
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