Essential Jordan

At 400m below sea level, The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth, and one of the most spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes in the world. Spend the remainder of the day recovering from your flight floating in the therapeutic waters of The Dead Sea, the high content of salt and minerals being world renowned for its health benefits.

The church at Mount Nebo has a typical basilica design and features a beautiful mosaic-covered floor. The rock underneath, it has been discovered, is hollowed into six tombs. Mount Nebo also features a Cross Serpentine sculpture, symbolising a serpent and Christ’s crucifixion, as well as offering views of Jordan’s surrounding landscape.

The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George at Madaba, which you will visit next, is home to the 6th century map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, made entirely from mosaic – 2 million pieces of local stone, displaying towns, villages, hills and valleys. Only rediscovered in 1894, it has since been brilliantly restored.

Given the popularity among foreign visitors today, it is hard to believe Petra remained forgotten by the outside world until 1812, when it was re-discovered by the Swiss explorer, Johann Burckhardt. Imagine his emotions when, after being led down the twisting, narrow defile deep in the desert, he first set eyes on the finely sculpted tombs and temples of the Nabataean kings who ruled here in the 3rd century BC.

Your tour takes you next to the natural landscapes of Wadi Rum, home to monolithic rocks, some of which reach 1,750 metres high, water holes, and canyons. The vast expanse of land is tranquil, unspoilt by modern development, and is inhabited by the Bedouins who maintain a nomadic lifestyle.

The multicultural city of Amman has been inhabited by many civilisations through its long history and is ideal for exploring traditions of the Middle East. To dig deeper into the history of the region, we recommend visiting some of the many galleries and museums, as well as the Neolithic settlements and Bronze Age tombs.

For those looking to buy local produce and traditional handicrafts, head to the souks, dazzling with an array of handmade jewellery, whilst the modern-day boutiques juxtapose them.