If there's one place you need to add to your travel bucketlist, it's Jordan. The country has suffered over the years with tourism as it's surrounded by troubled countries like Syria, Palestine and Iraq. However, it's one of the Middle-East's safe havens and well worth a visit. With civilisations dating back to the bronze age, Jordan boast sites that go back to the Greek, Roman and Persian Empires, as well as being a stronghold for the Crusades and ample religious monuments. And I haven't even mentioned the majestic Petra.
1. Amman
Often overlooked as the box city of Jordan. It's functional architecture leaves a lot to be desired, however with a plethora of Roman ruins dotted around the city and great links to other must-see sites, Amman shouldn't be missed.
You'll love its buzzing, vibrant souks and chaotic thoroughfares. Check out the Byzantine church in the citadel, the fragment of a stone hand laying in the ruins of the Temple of Hercules and the amphitheatre. And the call to prayer bouncing from one of the many mosques to one of seven mountains Amman is built around is truly spiritual.
2. Medaba
This little town loves mosaics. It's built around a Byzantine mosaic map of the holy sites in the Middle-East, which is the oldest document we have.
Not far from Medaba is Mount Nabo, where Moses is said to have seen the promiseland. Well, I don't know about that but you see miles and miles of barren terrain. Millions has also been ploughed in building a brand new church on the ruins of a Byzantine one.
And there's Jesus' baptism site. It's on no-mans-land between the Jordan/Israel border, so visitors are restricted and must go through the dedicated visitors centre to get a special bus. The whole trip costs around 12 JDs. Although the site is surrounded by churches from many nations, none of them are in service due it being in the bufferzone, apart from the Greek Orthodox church which guards the baptist site and the path to the Jordan River.
3. Jerash
This unassuming modern town hides a patchwork of fantastically intricate and awe-inspiring Roman ruins. An ancient trade route houses a well preserved colonnades, hippodromes, temples and mosaics. As well as being home to a plethora of churches. As Palmyra is out of bounds and a shadow of its former self - Jerash is more than a substitute. It's a must for any classicist.
4. King's Highway
There are two main roads in Jordan that lead from Amman to Petra. The shorter route is the Desert Highway (does exactly what it says) and the beautiful King's Highway, which offers a lot more to see, so factor in a couple of days just to travel the ancient sites and beautiful landscapes Jordan has to offer.
From the site of Salome's dance to crusader castle's with a sketchy past to nature reserves and waterfalls, it stretches from the dolmen's valley to Laurence of Arabia's Wadi Rum.
6. The Dead Sea
Most of beaches around the Dead Sea are not looked after. If you pay 20 JDs, you get access to a clean beach with all the facilities. It's worth it just for the experience and it's the closest you'll get to a beach holiday here.
7. Petra
You can't have a list about Jordan without mentioning the jewel in its crown. Petra is unlike any other ancient site, it's intricately cut into the red stone of what can only be described as a canyon. It throws up little delights the further you get into it, much more than the well publicised Treasury.
To see the whole compound would take about four days. It can be done in one day to see the key sites, however an overnight night stay in nearby Wadi Musa is recommended so you can discover its hidden secrets, hang out with Jack Sparrow-esque Bedouins and see The Treasury by candlelight during a night walk.
8. The people
It being strict Muslim country seems to put a lot of people off, especially liberal Europeans. However, the people of Jordan have to be among the most honest, non-judgemental, welcoming, helpful, warm and friendly people I've ever met. You'll definitely get a taste of that Mediterranean hospitality, just a hop, skip and jump from it. Also, women travellers need not fear - you may get a few stares, but it's safe and as long as you don't walk around in hotpants and crop tops, it's fine.
