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 Land of Bibles stories, lost cities and Lawrence of Arabia, Jordan is an ancient land with walled canaanite cities, Greek and Roman places, theaters and temples, Byzantine churches and monasteries, Crusader castles, Muslim shrines and monumental mosques. If that weren't enough, take excursion to the lost city of Petra one of the world's most formidable ruins.
Drivers and snorkellers rejoice at the crystal-clear waters of the red sea, and the Dead Sea at the lowest point on the earth is so buoyant that you can merely lie back with your book and float away. Shoppers can enjoy bargain hunting in the bazaars where Bedouin rugs and tapestries, handmade glass, brass and copper, ceramics or embroidery are vended.
Cartographers bewonder the odd shape of Jordan which, according to an apocryphal tale, was created by sir Winston Churchill after particularly liquid lunch. With the fertile Jordan valley running down the western side of the kingdom, the east-bank plateau where most of the main towns are and the east bank itself with a vast desert, the country is composed of varying topographical zones.
The verdant areas of pine forest to the north end up in the south as landscapes dominated by the mud and salt flats, a region towards the dead sea where vegetation dosen't survive desert fauna are to be found, from camels, desert fox and sand rats to hardes jerboas, boar, badgers and goats.
But the country's aquamarine life, especially at the Gulf of Aqaba, is notable for an outstanding variety of tropical fish and coral. In the eastern part of the kingdom, the Shumari Wildlife reserve is Jordan's largest where gazelle and oryz once commonly found have been reintroduced.
Spring or autumn are ideal times to visit Jordan while winter can be bitterly cold. But even in the cooler months, the Red sea and Aqaba can still quite pleasant. You'll certainly agree that Jordan is a friendly cup of tea with the locals.
Tow of the most spectacular sights in Middle East is found in the Hashimite Kingdom: Petra, the ancient city of the Nabateans and Wadi Rum. Though you may visit Petra when its particularly densely populated with day trippers. But stand back and admire one of the world's most atmospheric ruins. Lawrence of Arabia was captivated by Wadi Rum, the spectacular vastness of a great desert which may enrapture you just as visitors from many years ago.
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