Jordan is a Middle Eastern country situated in the center of what was known as the Fertile Crescent. Its land cradled some of the earliest human civilizations. Its human history dates back further than almost any other region on the planet. Some of the world’s most important religious figures like Jesus and Moses made cameos in Jordan (although at the time they didn’t call it that). I guess it goes without saying that there are hundreds of places in this country that are significant in one way or another.... so here’s five.

5. Aqaba

This is a very unique Jordanian city. Not only does it have beaches, but it also lies on the border of both Israel and Saudi Arabia. It’s everything that you could hope for in a Middle Eastern beach town. The port is full of boats taking people out to go swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Some of the commercial boats have glass floors so that you can see the reef below. Although Jordan is a very arid and hot country, Aqaba is a nice break from the usual national climate.

4. Jerash

Jerash is a perfect example of Jordan’s ancient history. It’s only a forty-five minute drive north of the capital of Amman, so it’s very accessible by taxi. The city of Jerash, also known as the “Pompeii of Asia,” is almost 2000 years old and is a perfect place for people that love learning about history. Since it was constructed by the Romans, the architecture resembles something that looks like it was taken out of the movie Hercules. It has an amphitheater as well as temples built in honor of Zeus and Archimedes and elaborate mosaics that were reconstructed to resemble the originals.
It’s certainly an unforgettable place for those in who love learning about ancient civilizations.

3. Wadi Rum

Have you ever seen those movies where the character somehow gets trapped in a desert where all they can see for miles is mountains of sand and rock? Well that pretty much sums up Wadi Rum. That being said, this was easily one of the most amazing places I have been. The options for what to do are almost endless ,whether you want to ride a camel, camp, or go hiking. The environment of the desert is both peaceful and energizing, making it the perfect place for a leisurely trip. Lawrence of Arabia was famous for his travels through Wadi Rum, and today there is a rock formation known as the Seven Pillars which was named after his autobiography, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom.

7 Pillars, Wadi Rum

There are also many Bedouin camps that around Wadi Rum that are open for people to stay in. At these camps there is food, dancing, hookah, and more stars than you have ever seen in your entire life!  

Bedouin camp

2. The Dead Sea

Growing up, I heard a lot of rumors involving this infamous body of water. One was the salinity of a single cup of water from the Dead Sea can kill a person. I also heard that if you get the water in your eyes, you would immediately be blinded. I still haven’t confirmed the validity of the first one, but the second one is definitely false (although the sensation of Dead Sea water in your eyes is quite unpleasant). I guess that’s Gods way of punishing people for continuing to visit the location of the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorra after he turned them into a salty, fly-infested wasteland.

The Dead Sea, despite being the center of many ominous rumors due to its religious infamy, is one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. If you can’t swim, don’t worry about it because the high water density due to the salt makes you 100% buoyant without having to do anything. The mud, which is used as an unlikely cosmetic, can be rubbed on your skin to make it softer. Some people even say that the water is therapeutic for people suffering from arthritis in their joints. Furthermore, the Dead Sea has its name for a reason. If you’re afraid of jellyfish and sharks, there’s really nothing to worry about since no animal life can be sustained in the Dead Sea’s waters. 

1. Petra

I was big on National Geographic as a child. Whenever I travel, I always have expectations of what I’ll see based on the pictures I’ve looked at. Petra is one of the few places that has exceeded those expectations.

Monastery

Petra is a city carved out of stone by the Nabataeans over 1500 years ago. Its two most famous structures are the Treasury and the Monastery. The Treasury is located at the end of a sandy path called the Siq that is chiseled between two massive rock walls. The Monastery, however, is separated from the rest of the city, and can only be reached by climbing hundreds of stairs (Physical fitness and penitence must have gone hand in hand in Nabataean society). No matter how many times you watch Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade or Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, you cannot understand the feeling of awe that you get when you see this amazing city. If you were going to have just five places in the world to put on your bucket list, this should definitely be one of them.

Petra steps

More steps!

Treasury

John Goodrick is the Middle Eastern Culture and Politics Editor for Wandering Educators

All photos courtesy and copyright John Goodrick