Area

A land of Biblical stories, lost cities and Lawrence of Arabia, Jordan is a magical and untapped country simply oozing romance and mystery. If it was located in any other part of the world, Jordan would be awash with tourists. But the source of its wealth of amazing sites is also the cause of its isolation. The dangerous and unstable reputation of the Middle East keeps out all but the most intrepid travellers. But here's the great surprise: Jordan is, on the whole, a very safe, peaceful and friendly country.

Geography

Jordan – is a country in Western Asia spanning the southern part of the Syrian Desert down to the Gulf of Aqaba. Jordan shares borders with Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, the Gulf of Aqaba to the southwest, and the Palestinian territory of the West Bank and Israel to the west. It shares control of the Dead Sea with Israel.

Visa

For our citizens visa is upon arrival.

Custom

Visitors can import up to 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars, as well as one litre of alcohol. Visitors under the age of 18 are not qualified for a duty-free allowance. Edible products from animals, flowers, fruits and vegetables are only permitted with a certificate issued by the Department of Agriculture from the country of origin. Import of foreign currency (except israeli) is unlimited, but under declaration! Export – is unlimited, but national is no more than 300 dinars.

Sightseeing

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.

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.

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.

Resorts

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.

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.