Jordan is an oriental tale that lies in the very heart of the Holy Land. Biblical stories, lost cities - there are many romantic stories associated with Jordan. This is one of the most hospitable countries in the world. Jordan is not only a friendly cup of tea in the company of locals. This region is a kaleidoscope of impressions of the Middle East.
Jordan: a fairy tale of the Middle East
Since ancient times, the countries of the Middle East have aroused burning interest among the inhabitants of the planet, who love to explore unfamiliar worlds, unlike other parts of the Earth, neither in history, nor in the way of life, nor in culture, nor in the behavior of the aborigines.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a dualistic monarchy. The power of the monarch is able to restrain and establish the framework of its influence by the constitution of the state, which, however, does little to prevent the king from keeping his citizens in check. To help the monarch manage affairs in the country, the Council of Ministers is authorized, headed by the Prime Minister endowed with special privileges.
Language
The official language of communication and office work in Jordan is Arabic.
Religion
More than 95% of Jordanians profess the Islamic religion with a Sunni shafiite bias. About 6% of Christians constantly come to services in Orthodox churches; it is customary to conduct all religious rituals here in Greek, although you can often hear Arabic, French, Italian and Spanish speech in an Orthodox cathedral.
Currency
Until the middle of the 20th century, the monetary unit of Jordan was the Palestinian pound, now the country is ruled by the Jordanian dinar, which is equal in face value to the smaller currency - 100 piastres. Information about the nominal value of each dinar is presented on coins and banknotes in 2 languages: Arabic and English, and they adorn the banknotes of the person of the royal dynasty. The Russians will have to pay about 93 rubles for 1 JOD, cheaper than Jordanian bills and American currency, 1 JOD can be exchanged for 1, 4 USD.
Sea in Jordan
The Dead Sea in Jordan is home to a host of health spas and clinics. Relaxing with a healing mud massage is a good option. One sea air saturated with salt gives strength.
In the Red Sea in Jordan, swim with caution: you can cut yourself on sharp corals, touch a jellyfish or poisonous fish. In summer, at noon, the sand of the beach is so hot that sunbathing becomes harmful and uncomfortable. But here it is very interesting for both beginners and professional divers: the bright underwater world gladly demonstrates itself in all its glory. Off the coast, the water is very clean and transparent, so you can dive with a mask and snorkel - of course, with the utmost care.
Diving in Jordan
Diving in Jordan is one of the most unique and accessible types of recreation for tourists. The main part of the bases where you can make an unforgettable dive is located in Aqaba - the only port-resort in the country
Scuba diving sites in Aqaba
The water in the Red Sea is so clean and transparent that you can even see the bottom. And the air is so fresh that it will improve your health. Here is a small list of the places that most of the diving centers in Aqaba offer for snorkeling:
Sunken ship
It was flooded at the suggestion of the King of Jordan - divers. It is located at a depth of 25 meters between two reefs. You can even swim under it.
Oliver's Canyon
A very beautiful reef where octopuses, squids and crabs live. A special feature is a tank flooded especially for tourists.
Kiwi reef
It is a dive in this place that will allow you to get acquainted with the many species of marine life that live in the Red Sea. Here you can moderately enjoy the beauty of the animal and plant world.
Japanese gardens
Here you can find sea turtles and hedgehogs. And the reef itself resembles a huge thicket of trees. You can even dive here with a camera to capture the beauty of the underwater world.
Adrenaline diving in Jordan will delight beginners and professionals alike. But remember that this type of rest should be taken very seriously and should be abandoned in case of illness. It is dangerous to dive in muddy weather when visibility is limited.
Activities in Jordan
This country is rightfully proud of its ancient history. Objects from the times of the Roman Empire, the early periods of Christianity are perfectly preserved here. Among the attractions there are monuments included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Holidays in Jordan will allow you to see with your own eyes cities, holy places, objects about which you can read in historical, biblical publications.
There are several popular resorts in Jordan. Many tourists come to the shores of the Dead and Red Sea every year. The country will pay a lot of attention to the tourist infrastructure, providing guests with decent service. In addition to a wonderful beach holiday, here you can make many interesting trips, get to know the life of the desert, go diving, rock climbing, etc.
Beach Holidays in Jordan
Beach lovers should plan a trip to the Jordanian resort of Aqaba. This cozy town, located on the Red Sea coast, will allow you to enjoy all the delights of resort life. Vacationers are provided with luxurious sandy beaches, equipped with all the necessary accessories. A variety of entertainments will keep neither children nor adults bored.
Excursion rest
Jordan has many unique places that travelers leave a lot of reviews about. The most interesting object is the ancient city of Petra. The Nabataean tribes, who controlled the caravan trade routes, carved out their homes in the rocks. The Elkhanza Temple, carved into a huge rock, is visited by tourists from all over the world.
About 70 years ago, archaeologists discovered the ancient city of Jerash in the desert sands. It was built by Roman soldiers in ancient times. Streets, amphitheaters, seventeen churches built during the period of Byzantine rule are perfectly preserved. Not far from this ancient city there is an ancient castle, built to protect the trade route from the attacks of the Crusaders.
There is a memorial to the great saint here. A popular pilgrimage site is the site of the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the sacred Jordan River.
Many tourists take an unforgettable journey to the Wadi Rum Desert. Its landscapes are called Martian because of the similarity with the reliefs of this planet. In the desert, you can not only admire the unique panoramas, but also enjoy the unique atmosphere of silence.
Popular resorts of Jordan
Capital: Amman
Jordan is the Middle East in all its glory, with its original flavor: sheikhs, Bedouins and amazing mysteries of history. Despite the fact that almost 90% of the country's territory is occupied by deserts, here the inquisitive traveler will find something to see and admire. This is a wonder of the world - the cave city of Petra (the capital of the ancient Nabataean state), and amazing beaches, and stunning beauty of the coral reefs of the Gulf of Aqaba, and the cosmic landscapes of the Wadi Rum valley, and the legendary Dead Sea.
Aqaba
Quite a small town - being the only seaside resort and port in Jordan. Aqaba is more popular with Jordanians and Saudis, although in the later years refugees from neighboring Syria can be found in the city. It is worth noting that European tourists mainly use the city as a starting point to the famous Petra and to get acquainted with the lunar landscapes of the Wadi Rum Desert, located 60 kilometers away.
Petra city
Petra is an ancient city, one of the priceless treasures of Jordan. Petra is an inheritance that came to us from the Nabateans, hardworking masons and brave warriors who lived in these places more than 2 thousand years ago. This ancient city is located in the heart of the desert.
In Petra, you can stay in one of the hotels, where you can book a room in advance. The choice is large enough - from luxury hotels to budget hotels. You can also stay in the neighboring village of Wadi Moussa, where there are also hotels.
In Petra, you can buy a variety of souvenirs: bottles with colorful sand, ceramics and copper dishes, olive wood products and jewelry.
In search of entertainment, you will most likely have to travel outside Petra. An excellent place for this will be the neighboring village of Wadi Moussa, where there is a well-developed tourist infrastructure.
Climate and seasons
Jordan can be visited at any time of the year. Tourists come to the resorts of the Dead Sea all year round. Throughout the year, the Aqaba resort also welcomes guests.
High season
In summer, the price of tours to Jordan is quite high. However, in June-August, the air temperature is kept at around + 34–35 ° C. For people who do not tolerate heat, the best time to travel to this country is spring and autumn. At this time, the weather is sunny, the temperature of the air and sea water is comfortable. Excursions during the New Year and Christmas holidays are very popular.
Low season
The low season is from December to March. During these months it often rains, which does not allow you to fully enjoy your vacation. Since the cost of tours to this country is high, pilgrims, lovers of cultural, historical sights come here in the low season. This makes it possible to save costs, make interesting excursions, see unique objects. The low season is also the summer months, when the resorts are unbearably hot.
Winter time
In the state, shrouded in the secrets of ancient history, there are many interesting sights, it is better to get acquainted with the delights of which in the cold seasons. The air temperature for this is the most, that neither is suitable - + 10 … + 15C, for evening promenades it is better to grab warm uniforms, sometimes in regions close to the desert the thermometer unexpectedly drops to zero.
Safety
In terms of crime in Jordan, the safety of the tourism industry is high; in general, crimes against the person, including theft, are quite rare here. This is due to both long-term traditions and tough laws against criminals. The most insecure situation in Jordan is on the borders with Syria; it is better to refrain from traveling there. Tourists who, for some reason, nevertheless decided to visit the border areas, should definitely have documents with them, since their checks are carried out there regularly.
Holidays in Jordan: reviews of tourists
Holidays in Jordan are popular with tourists. Judging by numerous reviews, a vacation on the coast of Red and Dead has many advantages, including:
- Welcoming atmosphere
- Beautiful views
- Red and Dead Sea beaches
- Good service
- Delicious cuisine
- All-season rest
- Clean sea
- Hot climate
- sights
- Local hospitality
- All inclusive system
- No visa required
There are also disadvantages:
- high cost of individual goods
- lack of fruit variety
- communication only in English
- some fun
- High prices for excursions
