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Saturday, 18 August 2007 |
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Amman, the capital of Jordan, is a fascinating city of contrasts – a unique blend of old and new, ideally situated on a hilly area between the desert and the fertile Jordan Valley.  | | The Temple of Hercules. | In the commercial heart of the city, ultra-modern buildings, hotels, restaurants, art galleries and boutiques rub shoulders comfortably with traditional coffee shops and tiny artisans' workshops. Everywhere there is evidence of the city’s much older past.
Due to the city’s modern-day prosperity and temperate climate, almost half of Jordan’s population is concentrated in the Amman area. The residential suburbs consist of mainly tree-lined street and avenues flanked by elegant, white houses, in accordance with a municipal law, which states that all buildings must be faced with local stone.  | | Downtown Amman from the Citadel. | The downtown area is much older and more traditional with smaller businesses producing and selling everything from fabulous jewellery to everyday household items.
The people of Amman are multi-cultural, multi-denominational, well educated and extremely hospitable. They welcome visitors and take pride in showing them around their fascinating and vibrant city. |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 18 August 2007 )
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Thursday, 02 August 2007 |
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SALT
An ancient town, Salt was once the most important settlement in the area between the Jordan Valley and the eastern desert. Because of its history as an important trading link between the eastern desert and the west, it was a significant place for the region’s many rulers.
The Romans, Byzantines and Mameluks all contributed to the growth of the town but it was at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, during Ottoman rule, when Salt enjoyed its most prosperous period. It was at that time that the Ottomans established a regional administrative base in Salt and encouraged settlement from other parts of their empire. As the town’s status increased, many merchants arrived and, with their newly acquired wealth, built the fine houses that can still be admired in Salt today.  |  | Take a walk around the old town and explore the narrow streets. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, as the town is quite hilly and there are many steps. During summer be sure to wait until the end of the day to explore. | |  |
These splendid yellow sandstone buildings incorporate a variety of local and European styles. Typically, they have domed roofs, interior courtyards and characteristic tall, arched windows. Perhaps the most beautiful is the Abu Jaber mansion, built between 1892 and 1906, which has frescoed ceilings, painted by Italian artists, and is reputed to be the finest example of a 19th century merchant house in the region. Tightly built on a cluster of three hills, Salt has several other places of interest, including Roman tombs on the outskirts of town and the Citadel and site of the town’s early 13th century Ayyubid fortress which was built by al- Ma’azzam Isa, the nephew of Saladine soon after 1198 AD. There is also a small museum and a handicraft school where you can admire the traditional skills of ceramics, weaving, silk-screen printing and dyeing. Salt’s Archaeological & Folklore Museum displays artifacts dating back to the Chalcolithic period to the Islamic era as well as other items relating to the history of the area. In the folklore museum there is a good presentation of Bedouin and traditional costumes and everyday folkloric items. Salt is just a half hour drive from the city of Amman. FUHEIS
The quaint town of Fuheis, about half an hour from Amman, features charming restaurants, galleries and a small complex of craft shops presenting ceramics, weaving, jewellery, antiques and other items. In the summer, theatre and musical performances can be enjoyed outdoors - a small detour, but well worth an afternoon or evening trip. |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 18 August 2007 )
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Tuesday, 10 July 2007 |
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  This is a stupendous, timeless place, virtually untouched by humanity and its destructive forces. Here, it is the weather and winds that have carved the imposing, towering skyscrapers, so elegantly described by T.E. Lawrence as “vast, echoing and god-like”..
 | Touring Wadi Rum in a hot air balloon is an unforgettable experience. 
A maze of monolithic rockscapes rise up from the desert floor to heights of 1,750 metres creating a natural challenge for serious mountaineers. Hikers can enjoy the tranquility of the boundless empty spaces, explore the canyons and water holes to discover 4000 year old rock drawings and the many other spectacular treasures this vast wilderness holds in store. | | When visiting Wadi Rum remember to bring something warm to wear at night as temperatures can vary from a daytime average of 32°C down to 4°C at night. See the table below for average seasonal temperatures:
| Month | | Lowest | | Highest | | | | January | | 4°C | | 15°C | | April | | 12°C | | 25°C | | July | | 19°C | | 36°C | | October | | 13°C | | 29°C |
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Also known as ‘The Valley of the Moon’, this is the place where Prince Faisal Bin Hussein and T.E. Lawrence based their headquarters during the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans in World War 1, and their exploits are intrinsically woven into the history of this amazing area. | | Always remember to ask permission before taking photographs of the local Bedouin people. |
 | A campsite in Wadi Rum. |
There are several options for exploring Wadi Rum. Visitors should head for the Visitors Centre where, apart from visitors’ facilities, they can hire a 4x4 vehicle, together with driver/guide, and then drive for two or three hours into the Wadi system to explore some of the best known sites. Alternatively they can hire a camel and guide. The duration of the trip can be arranged beforehand through the Visitors Centre, as can a stay under the stars in a Bedouin tent, where they can enjoy a traditional campfire meal accompanied by Arabic music. | | Always dress modestly when visiting an area inhabited by the Bedouin. Their culture is very different to those of more liberal western cultures and skimpy shorts and tops will be considered disrespectful. | | |
 | Burdah Rock Bridge stands 35m high and is considered one of the highest natural arches in the world. |
Once transport has been arranged, there are various excursions available - for example, a trip to Burdah Rock Bridge, the highest in Wadi Rum, via the Seven Pillars of Wisdom and many other interesting sights, is a full day by car or an overnight trip by camel. There are many alternative routes and information on these is available from your tour operator or from the Visitors Centre on-site.
The Bedouin people that inhabit the area still maintain their semi-nomadic lifestyle. They are hospitable and offer a friendly welcome to visitors, often inviting them to sit and enjoy a coffee or even a meal. |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 18 August 2007 )
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