Journey to Jordan

Talek Nantes joined Audley for her second trip, this time to Jordan

By Audley Travel

February 4^th, 2019

Jordan's attractions certainly include Petra, one of the wonders of the archaeological world, but there is so much more to see and experience.

I traveled to Jordan with Audley Travel because I wanted to maximize my time there and see as much as possible within a shorter stay. I have traveled with Audley in the past to New Zealand and knew my visit to Jordan would be hassle-free and cost effective.

A great place to base yourself while you explore Jordan is Amman, the capital city. The more you walk Amman’s back alleys, taste the sweet and gooey desserts or watch a sunset from one of its many rooftop bars, the more you grow to appreciate this ancient city.

What really distinguishes Amman is its streets. The walk from the Museum of Jordan to the Roman Theater takes you through a series of streets and alleys where Amman truly lives. Here is where you find the gold souks, restaurants, mosques, shops and wholesale markets frequented by the locals. You won’t see many tourists here.

Amman has two impressive archaeological sites; the Citadel, home of The Archaeological Museum overlooking the city from one of Amman’s seven hills, and the Roman Theater nearby. Another Amman gem is the newly refurbished Museum of Jordan.

For classic Jordanian cuisine try Hashem to sample the traditional mezze served with freshly baked bread, and Habibah’s for Amman’s classic dessert, knafeh.

Great day trips from Amman include the Greco-Roman settlement of Jerash with ruins as impressive as those of Ephesus in Turkey and the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth.

A typical feast featuring various types of hummus

About three hours south of Amman on the Kings Highway is the archaeological wonder of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage site believed to be inhabited since 9,000 BCE. My itinerary with Audley Travel included Petra and I was very glad to be picked up early and promptly from my hotel by my professional and very funny driver, Hassan.

Petra was as impressive as I imagined it would be. It is one of those travel moments that just overwhelms. Walk through the Siq, a one-kilometer hike in order to catch that first, unforgettable view of the Treasury peeking out from the massive mountains.

If you must choose between visiting the Monastery or the Place of Sacrifice, choose the Monastery, hands down. It's about an hour walk up a pretty strenuous path, but it is so worth it!

If you stay the night at Petra, you must try Petra Kitchen for authentic Jordanian cooking classes and a great dinner. Here's another advantage of traveling with Audley, their local knowledge. I would not have known about Petra Kitchen if Audley Travel hadn't recommended it. It would have been a shame to miss this unique experience.

Beyond Petra, and worth a visit, are the attractions of Little Petra, Wadi Rum, where you can sleep in the desert under the stars and the Gulf of Aqaba where Lawrence of Arabia was filmed.