From Petra to the Stars : Head to Jordan !
Join us, Elisabeth Toufexis and myself, as we discovered the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, one of the most spectacular countries in the Middle East. A once in a lifetime experience ! Why ? Because we discovered a fascinating culture that was less than an hour’s flight from Cyprus, held incredible treasures, testimonies of ancient civilizations, as well as varied and beautiful natural landscapes.
The Regional Director of Global Women Club in Cyprus, Elisabeth Toufexis, and I organized a group trip for all our members and friends. Travel made us richer in experiences and turned us into better people.
By the end of the trip, we made some insanely strong bonds ! We shared lovely experiences and created amazing memories.
I hope you all could join the trip, happy reading ! 😊
1st Day : Arrival Amman Airport – Amman city tour, dinner, hotel overnight.
Met at Larnaca airport for the flight to Amman, the capital and largest city in Jordan. Upon arrival, we were met by our guide, and off we went to get to know this beautiful, charming city in the Middle East. It was a city of two faces : in the urbane western Amman, you could find cafes, bars, modern malls, and art galleries; while in the earthy eastern Amman, you could appreciate the traditional and conservative vibe of the capital.
We saw the Old Part of the City, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Amman Citadel, the Temple of Hercules, and, if time allowed, we had a free walk in the Downtown of the city before we were transferred to the hotel.
We had free time to rest, and then we all went to a nice traditional restaurant to taste Jordanian cuisine at its best.
2nd Day : Visit of the ancient city Jerash and transfer to Petra, hotel , dinner, overnight.
This morning, we visited one of my favorite destinations in Jordan, the ancient city of Jerash, which boasted an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years.
The city’s golden age came under Roman rule, during which time it was known as Gerasa, and the site is now generally acknowledged to be one of the best-preserved Roman provincial towns in the world. Hidden for centuries in the sand before being excavated and restored over the past 70 years, Jerash revealed a fine example of the grand, formal provincial Roman urbanism that was found throughout the Middle East, comprising paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theaters, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains, and city walls pierced by towers and gates.
We had lunch on the way and then continued on a long road trip to the ancient city of Petra.
3rd Day : Petra Visit – Wadi Rum Campsite, dinner , overnight
After a great breakfast at your hotel, it was time to discover the amazing site of Petra.
This was one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Dating back to around 300 B.C, it had been the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom. You could access it via a narrow canyon called Al Siq, and it contained tombs and temples carved into pink sandstone cliffs, earning its nickname, the “Rose City.” This was undoubtedly Jordan’s most valuable treasure, and you enjoyed it very much.
Then it was time to explore deeper into the desert on the way to the Wadi Rum Campsite, where you lived a unique experience under the stars, in this valley known also as the Valley of the Moon, far away from civilization, in a very comfortable campsite.
You had dinner under the tent with an Oriental Night, and you spent the night at the campsite.
4th Day : Wadi Rum Jeep Tour – Transfer to the Dead Sea – hotel /overnight.
This morning, you enjoyed your breakfast in an unusual environment before embarking on an exciting 2-hour Jeep Safari Tour in Wadi Rum. There was no better way to truly appreciate all the wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage site. You saw a varied desert landscape consisting of a range of narrow gorges, natural arches, towering cliffs, ramps, massive landslides, and caverns.
After the desert tour, we headed to the Dead Sea. Also known as the Salt Sea, it is a salt lake bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west. Its surface and shores are 429 meters (1,407 ft) below sea level, making it Earth’s lowest elevation on land. The Dead Sea is 304 meters (997 ft) deep, the deepest hypersaline lake in the world. With 34.2% salinity (in 2011), it is 9.6 times saltier than the ocean, rich in minerals, and one of the world’s saltiest bodies of water.
This evening, we enjoyed our final night and dinner overlooking the Dead Sea with views along the coast, a perfect place to reflect on the incredible experiences of the past few days. But our trip was not finished yet…
5th Day : April / Monday: Breakfast – Mount Nebo- Madaba – Amman
If you hadn’t already, it was time for you to float on the water. A perfect place for a ‘healthy’ swim. What an experience that was, to swim in the saline waters of this unique ecosystem and cover your body with the ‘magical’ mud.
We still had time to visit Mount Nebo and Madaba on our way. Mount Nebo is a part of the Abarim mountain range and the place where, according to the Bible, Moses lived out his final days and saw the Promised Land. The summit of this lonely, wind-swept mountain commanded spectacular views over the Dead Sea to the West Bank and Jerusalem, and we could see the springs where Moses supposedly smote the ground to bring forth water.
We continued to Madaba, a town once known as one of the most important Christian centers east of the River Jordan and home to some of the most extraordinary mosaics in the Middle East.
We had lunch at a local restaurant (optional), and we drove to the airport for our departure. This was how we said goodbye to this ancient land, with a sweet taste on our lips and sweet memories. A journey that will stay close to your heart, forever.”
Jordan is a blend of history, culture, and nature that creates a magnificent travel experience. Together, we share precious, unique, and unforgettable moments, as every historical site, natural landscape, and encounter have left imprints in our hearts and minds. ⭐
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