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shayanmotamedi · 5 months

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Top Attractions for Travelers Visiting Jordan

Jordan is a land sacred to many faiths. Located east of Jerusalem, it provides religiously significant places for Christians, Muslims, and Jews. According to the Bible, Moses glimpsed the Promised Land from one of Jordan's mountains before his death. Today, pilgrims visit this same peak to honor Moses and follow in his footsteps.

Amman, Jordan's vibrant capital, showcases a fusion of antiquity and modernity. The cityscape features striking skyscrapers that contrast beautifully with traditional gold-domed mosques. Must-see attractions include the massive Roman amphitheater where grand events were once held, surviving pillars from the Temple of Hercules, and ruins from the 4th century Umayyad palace. Venturing to the so-called Rainbow Street in downtown Amman immerses visitors in the bustling cafes, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife.

Over an hour from Amman lies Jerash, home to some of the most impressive Roman ruins in the Eastern world. Once called Gerasa, this city features paved roads and treasures such as the decorative columns of the Roman Forum and Temple of Zeus, best viewed from the summit. Ongoing excavations have uncovered much of this white-stone city, giving a rare glimpse into the Roman times. Other sites include the Grand Hadrian's Arch entranceway, the Hippodrome arena for chariot races, and the Jerash Museum.

The ancient city of Petra, once the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom over 2,000 years ago, is Jordan's top attraction. Also called the Red City due to its sandstone surroundings, Petra earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status for its immense historical and archaeological value. This entire city was carved out of rose-colored cliffs, revealing stunning architecture.

Visitors pass through a narrow kilometer-long gorge with towering rust-colored walls called the Siq, which leads to the iconic treasure-inspired facade of ad-Deir, also known as The Monastery. Beyond The Monastery lies a sprawling expanse of temples, tombs, theaters, and other structures sculpted from rose-red rock.

In southern Jordan, Wadi Rum is a stunning desert valley that captivates visitors with its vast sandstone and granite cliffs, striking landscapes, and towering rock formations spanning the horizon. This unique setting offers adventurous travelers and hikers one of the top rock-climbing spots in the region. Visitors can also explore the desert expanse on camelback tours and sleep under the starry skies while camping overnight. A full day spent amidst the scenery lets guests witness the changing hues of the rust-toned rocks as the sun travels across the sky.

Nestled high in northern Jordan's hills overlooking the Sea of Galilee is the lush town of Umm Qais, also called Gadara. Its green landscape stands distinct from the surrounding desert environs. Within it lies well-preserved ruins spanning many eras, including Roman-era streets and two impressive theaters.

The town's main attractions are the hilltop vistas showcasing sweeping views of the Jordan Valley, Galilee Lake, Syria, and Israel. Biblically, Umm Qais is known as the location where Jesus once cast out demons from two men into a herd of pigs, as recounted in the passage of the "Miracle of the Gadarene Swine."

No trip to Jordan is complete without visiting the Dead Sea. As the lowest point on land globally, over 1200 feet below sea level, this geographical marvel derives its name from the lack of marine life. Its high-saline waters permit bathing visitors to float effortlessly while enjoying the scenery. Visitors can also indulge in rejuvenating experiences such as soaking in mineral-dense waters or applying its therapeutic mud, renowned for detoxifying and exfoliating properties. Leisurely boat rides across the sea's calming surface while absorbing expansive views offer visitors an even more indulgent encounter.

#Shayan Motamedi

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jordanmwblog · 10 months

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Explore Jordan's Majestic Castles on a Private Tour

Nestled in the heart of the Middle East, Jordan is a country rich in history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Beyond its famous UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Petra and the Dead Sea, Jordan hides a treasure trove of majestic castles waiting to be explored. A private tour of these ancient fortifications promises an unforgettable journey through time, where visitors can immerse themselves in the stories of kings, conquerors, and civilizations that once thrived within their walls. In this article, we will take you on a virtual tour of some of Jordan’s most spectacular castles, offering insights into their historical significance and highlighting the benefits of embarking on a private tour.

1. The Desert Castles of Jordan

Jordan’s desert castles, scattered across the eastern desert regions, stand as a testament to the brilliance of early Islamic architecture and the sophisticated lifestyle of the Umayyad caliphs who ruled during the 7th and 8th centuries. These castles were not only defensive fortresses but also served as hunting lodges, caravan stations, and palatial retreats.

The Qasr Amra, also known as the “Desert Palace,” is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most famous desert castles. Adorned with stunning frescoes depicting scenes from daily life, mythology, and astrology, it offers a captivating glimpse into the past.

A private tour of the desert castles allows visitors to explore these ancient marvels at their own pace. Expert guides provide in-depth knowledge of the architecture and historical context, transporting travelers to a bygone era.

2. The Citadel of Amman

Perched atop one of the city’s many hills, the Citadel of Amman is an archaeological site with a history dating back to the Bronze Age. The site boasts Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad ruins, making it a layered testament to Jordan’s rich and diverse past.

A private tour of the Citadel allows for a personalized experience. Visitors can admire the Temple of Hercules, the Umayyad Palace, and the Roman Theater, all while listening to the stories of the rise and fall of empires that once shaped the region.

3. Kerak Castle

A journey southwards leads to the imposing Kerak Castle, a fortified stronghold perched on a hilltop. Built during the Crusader period in the 12th century, Kerak Castle played a pivotal role in the conflicts between the Crusaders and the Muslim armies.

Exploring the vast complex of Kerak Castle on a private tour offers the chance to delve into the medieval history of the region. From the maze-like underground passages to the strategic battlements, visitors can gain insights into the challenges faced by the defenders and the military architecture of the time.

4. Ajloun Castle

Nestled in the lush hills of northern Jordan, Ajloun Castle stands as a symbol of resistance against the Crusaders’ expansion. This Islamic fortress was strategically positioned to guard against potential invasions from the west.

A private tour of Ajloun Castle allows visitors to admire the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, while expert guides recount the historical significance of the castle’s role in defending the region from Crusader attacks.

5. Shobak Castle

Also known as “Montreal,” Shobak Castle is a lesser-known gem, yet no less impressive than its counterparts. Built by the Crusader king Baldwin I in the 12th century, the castle was a vital link in the defensive chain against Muslim forces.

A private tour of Shobak Castle offers a chance to step back in time and immerse oneself in the intriguing tales of battles and sieges that occurred within its walls. With fewer crowds, visitors can soak in the historical atmosphere and take stunning photographs of this remarkable fortress.

6. Umm Qais

Umm Qais, once known as Gadara, is an ancient Greco-Roman city located in the northwestern corner of Jordan. While not strictly a castle, the site houses the remains of a Roman theater, mausoleum, and basilica.

A private tour of Umm Qais provides an opportunity to explore the ancient ruins in-depth, without feeling rushed. Guides can narrate the city’s transformation from Roman to Byzantine, and eventually to Islamic rule, making it a captivating historical journey.

Conclusion

A private tour of Jordan’s majestic castles promises an extraordinary adventure, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the rich history and architectural brilliance of the region. From the desert castles with their exquisite frescoes to the imposing fortresses that stood the test of time, each castle offers a unique glimpse into Jordan’s past. With expert guides to provide historical context and personalized experiences, travelers can uncover the secrets of these ancient sites, fostering a deeper appreciation for the country’s captivating heritage. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an architecture lover, or simply a curious traveler, exploring Jordan’s castles on a private tour is an experience that will leave an indelible mark on your soul. Visit us

https://jordanmw.com/explore-jordans-majestic-castles-on-a-private-tour/

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travelsoftheworld01 · 1 year

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The Best Places to Visit in Jordan: A Journey of Timeless Beauty

Introduction:

Jordan, a captivating country in the heart of the Middle East, is a treasure trove of historical sites, natural wonders, and warm hospitality. Steeped in rich culture and boasting breathtaking landscapes, Jordan is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking an extraordinary experience. In this blog post, we will explore the best places to visit in Jordan , from the iconic ancient city of Petra to the stunning desert landscapes of Wadi Rum. Get ready to embark on a journey of timeless beauty!

Petra: The Rose City:

No visit to Jordan is complete without exploring the mesmerizing city of Petra. Carved into the rose-colored sandstone cliffs, this UNESCO World Heritage site is an architectural masterpiece and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Begin your adventure by walking through the narrow Siq, a dramatic canyon that leads to the Treasury, Petra's most famous monument. As you wander through this ancient city, discover intricately carved tombs, temples, and a Roman theater, all testaments to the once-flourishing Nabatean civilization.

Wadi Rum: The Martian Landscape:

Prepare to be transported to another world as you venture into the otherworldly landscapes of Wadi Rum. This vast desert, with its towering sandstone mountains and rust-colored dunes, has served as a backdrop for numerous movies. Explore the rugged terrain on a thrilling 4x4 tour or embark on a camel trek to witness the magical sunset over the horizon. For an unforgettable experience, spend a night under the starry desert sky at a Bedouin camp and immerse yourself in the traditional Bedouin culture.

Dead Sea: The Lowest Point on Earth:

A visit to the Dead Sea is a unique and rejuvenating experience. Known for its high salt content, this remarkable body of water allows you to effortlessly float on its surface, providing a therapeutic and relaxing sensation. Smother yourself in the mineral-rich mud found along the shores, renowned for its healing properties. Besides indulging in the sea's extraordinary benefits, the surrounding area offers luxury resorts, spa facilities, and panoramic views of the beautiful Jordanian landscape.

Amman: The Vibrant Capital:

Amman, the capital city of Jordan, seamlessly blends ancient traditions with modern flair. Explore the bustling downtown area, where you can wander through traditional markets, known as souks, and savor delicious local cuisine. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Roman Theater, a remarkably preserved amphitheater that dates back to the 2nd century. For a panoramic view of the city, head to the Citadel, home to ancient ruins, including the Temple of Hercules.

Jerash: The Pompeii of the East:

Step back in time and discover the ancient Roman city of Jerash, often referred to as the Pompeii of the East. Wander through its well-preserved ruins, which include an oval-shaped forum, grand temples, and an impressive amphitheater. Jerash's colonnaded streets and ancient arches provide a fascinating insight into the region's Roman past. To enhance your experience, plan your visit during the annual Jerash Festival, where you can witness lively performances of traditional music, dance, and theater.

Conclusion:

Jordan's remarkable beauty and rich history make it a truly unforgettable destination. From the awe-inspiring rock-cut architecture of Petra to the dramatic desert landscapes of Wadi Rum, Jordan offers a diverse range of experiences for every traveler. Immerse yourself in the country's captivating culture, explore ancient ruins, float in the buoyant waters of the Dead Sea, and indulge in delicious cuisine. A journey through Jordan is an adventure that will leave you with memories to treasure for a lifetime.

#best places to visit jordan

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suetravelblog · 1 year

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Amman Citadel and Temple of Hercules Ruins Amman Jordan

Umayyad Palace Mosque Amman Citadel is an impressive open-air archaeological complex and a must-see for anyone visiting Amman. I didn’t realize that there were several significant landmarks at the site. It’s located on the highest hilltop in Amman – Jabal Al Qala’a – one of the seven hills (jabals) that originally made-up Amman. Umayyad Palace Mosque Dome Evidence suggests that the area has been…

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flyingcarpettours · 2 years

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Egypt Tours and Jordan Holidays

Get a unique vacation in Cairo via Egypt Tours and Jordan Holidays and visit the main attractions in the city, get the chance to visit the most famous archaeological site in the world, known as the great Pyramids of Giza which considered a defining symbol that have represented Egypt along the year, scout around the three pyramids which considered the magnificent man-made structures in history, built from roughly 2550 to 2490 B.C as massive tombs to the kings Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinus, beguile your eyes with Jordan where is a stunning Rose City of Petra, don’t miss the chance to discover Mountain of Nebo, Madaba and Dead Sea. Amuse yourself while taking our Egypt Tours and Jordan Holidays and enjoy visiting the great three Pyramids of Giza Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinus, Sphinx a huge half-human half-lion statue, also you can scout the valley temple, Sakkara pyramid which is considered the oldest step pyramids in the world, it was built by the architect Imhotep, contains six layers that is gradually decreasing in size. Visit the Egyptian Museum, scout the treasures of Tut Ankh Amun, then your guide will reveal the legends of Salah El-Din Citadel where history and culture pave the way to breathtaking, watch the architectural splendor of the Alabaster Mosque. Catch your flight to Amman, where the capital of Jordan, is a modern city with numerous ancient ruins. Atop Jabal al-Qala’a hill, the historic Citadel includes the pillars of the Roman Temple of Hercules and the 8th-century Umayyad Palace complex, known for its grand dome, The Mountain of Nebo, where you can find the tomb of Moses the profit, scout the Old Monastery overlooking the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, as well as Jericho, your next visit to Madaba, visit St. George’s Church, watch the mosaic map of Palestine which belong to the 06th Century, be ready for swimming at the crystal water and the largest natural spa in the world, a lot of benefits from the mineral rich waters and the mud flows, visit Rose Red City of Petra, experience a mélange of history in Petra, it contains the largest attractions of Jordan. Book Egypt Tours and Jordan Holidays Day 01: Arrive Cairo At the time your flight touching Cairo Land, one delegate from Flying Carpet Tours will be holding a sign with your name, transfer to hotel, relax from the inconvenience of your travel, be ready for your Cairo and Nile Cruise Package tomorrow, overnight in Cairo.

Day 02: Pyramids, Memphis, Sakkara Taste the flavor of your breakfast at hotel, then Flying Carpet Tours guide will escort you to a flourishing day tour to Memphis City at Mit Rahina, beguile your eyes with the huge Statue of Ramses II at the Open Air Museum in Memphis City, Next tour to the step Pyramid of King Zoser, Sakkara Pyramid, relax by having Lunch at local restaurant, Next Excursion to Pyramids of Giza, Explore Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinus, then your tour guide will take you to panoramic view of the pyramids, memorable photos available to the three pyramids together, next move to the Sphinx, scout the valley temple, your guide will give you some time for shopping to buy whatever you prefer, finally Flying Carpet Tours Guide will transfer you back to your hotel in Cairo, at night try optional tour to the sound and light show at the pyramids, overnight in Cairo.

Day 03: Egyptian Museum, Citadel of Salah El-Din, Old Cairo Taste the flavor of your breakfast at hotel, then Flying Carpet Tours guide will escort you to an awesome day tour to explore the Egyptian Museum, which contains the world's most extensive and rare collection of 5000 years of Pharaonic antiquities, beguile your eyes with King Tut Ankh Amun amazing treasures, extra fees to enter the Mummy room, then move towards Citadel of Salah El-Dein, which was built to defend Cairo from the armies of the Crusaders, scout the glory of the Alabaster Mosque, Called Mohamed Ali Mosque, relax by having lunch at local restaurant, next tour to Old Cairo, visit the Hanging Church, Abu Serga Church, and Ben Ezra Synagogue, at night optional Dinner Cruise with Belly Dancer, overnight in cairo.

Day 04: Cairo / Amman Taste the flavor of your breakfast at hotel, then Flying Carpet Tours delegate will transfer you to Cairo Airport, move to Amman, at the time you arrive Amman, transfer to hotel, relax from the inconvenience of Travel, overnight in Amman.

Day 5: Mountain of Nebo, Madaba - Dead Sea Tour Taste the flavor of your breakfast at hotel, then drive by air-conditioned vehicle to The Mountain of Nebo, and visit the tomb of Moses the prophet, then explore the old Monastery overlooking the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, as well as Jericho, then move to visit Madaba, also visit St. George’s Church, then visit the mosaic map of Palestine, then drive to the famous dead sea, which is a salt lake bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west, It was one of the world's first health resorts, it is your chance to enjoy natural health and the beauty at the same time, the dead sea considered the saltiest and most mineral-laden body of water in the world. Get relax, and enjoy, at the end of the day transfer back to the Hotel in Amman, Overnight in Amman.

Day 06: Petra Tour Taste the flavor of your breakfast at hotel, then drive by air-conditioned vehicle to The Rose Red City of Petra, know the legends of Petra, carved directly into vibrant red, white, pink, and sandstone cliff faces, the prehistoric Jordanian city of Petra was "lost" to the Western world for hundreds of years, Petra is without a doubt Jordan's most valuable treasure and greatest tourist attraction, enter this hidden city through a long narrow Siq, Explore the amazing carved buildings made by Human hands, get the chance to try horseback riding to the entrance of the canyon, Camels are available to hire inside Petra, finally at the end of your tour drive back to Amman, overnight in Amman.

Day 07: Final Departure Today is the valediction day, taste the flavor of your breakfast at hotel, then one of Flying Carpet Tours delegates will lead you to Amman International airport, for the final departure.

More info about: Egypt Tours and Jordan Holidays Tel.: +201099906242 Email: [email protected] Website: www.flyingcarpettours.com

#egypt tours #jordan holidays #jordan tours #cairo to jordan tours #petra tours #cairo tours #amman tours #mount nebo #madaba #dead sea tour #jordan tour packages #amman to petra

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lisashena · 4 years

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Temple of Hercules, Amman, Jordan

#temple of hercules #amman #jordan #travel #2019 #roman ruins #roman empire #history

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nunoxaviermoreira · 3 years

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Citadel, Amman, Jordan, 009 by tango- The Amman Citadel is a historical site at the center of downtown Amman, Jordan. Known in Arabic as Jabal al-Qal'a, (جبل القلعة), the L-shaped hill is one of the seven jabals(mountains) that originally made up Amman. Evidence of occupation since the pottery Neolithic period[1] has been found. It was inhabited by different peoples and cultures until the time of the Umayyads, after which came a period of decline and for much of the time until 1878 the former city became an abandoned pile of ruins only sporadically used by Bedouin and seasonal farmers. Despite this gap, the Citadel of Amman is considered to be among the world's oldest continuously inhabited places. The Citadel is considered an important site because it has had a long history of occupation by many great civilizations. Most of the buildings still visible at the site are from the Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad periods. The major buildings at the site are the Temple of Hercules, a Byzantine church, and the Umayyad Palace. Though the fortification walls enclose the heart of the site, the ancient periods of occupation covered large areas. Historic structures, tombs, arches, walls and stairs have no modern borders, and therefore there is considerable archaeological potential at this site, as well as in surrounding lands, and throughout Amman. Archaeologists have been working at the site since the 1920s, including Italian, British, French, Spanish, and Jordanian projects, but a great part of the Citadel remains unexcavated. https://flic.kr/p/2ktLXes

#IFTTT #Flickr #giordania #jordan #middleeast #mediooriente #الأردن #jordanien #約旦 #ヨルダン #citadel #am

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travelling-around-this-world · 5 years

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JORDAN 🇯🇴

Strange, haunting beauty and a sense of timelessness. Dotted with the ruins of empires once great, it is the last resort of yesterday in the world of tomorrow.

— The late King Hussein

One of the most beautiful countries I've ever seen. Why? Because of people. Jordan people really made my trip here.

Now I'm gonna give you some tips for visiting Jordan in 9 days.

- do not use public transports (they don't work properly); better to go around with a driver or rent a car (as we did: we payed 200JD for 8 days)

- atm can be found easily everywhere

- remember always to have water with you (first of all in the hot season) and something to cover your shulders/head.

- people are super kind and I've always trusted them. Don't be shy and get to know locals! ☺️

Day 1 - Amman

We arrived in Amman and we went immediately sleeping, as it was 4AM. The day after, we woke up and went directly visiting the city.

What to see:

1) CITADEL

The area known as the Citadel sits on the highest hill in Amman, Jebel Al Qala’a (about 850m above sea level), and is the site of ancient Rabbath-Ammon. Occupied since the Bronze Age, it's surrounded by a 1700m-long wall, which was rebuilt many times during the Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as the Roman, Byzantine and Umayyad periods. There's plenty to see, but the Citadel's most striking sights are the Temple of Hercules and the Ummayad Palace.

2) ROMAN THEATRE

This magnificently restored theatre is the most obvious and impressive remnant of Roman Philadelphia, and is the highlight of Amman for most foreign visitors. The theatre itself is cut into the northern side of a hill, and has a seating capacity of 6000. The best time for photographs is the morning, when the light is soft – although the views from the top tiers just before sunset are also superb.

3) SUQ

Bustling markets and souqs brimming with treasured lamps and magic carpets have long been a rather stereotypical, largely orientalist image associated with the ‘Eastern World’. In reality, that Middle East mall culture is where its at, but in recent years a number of very innovative and groundbreaking markets have also cropped up in and around Amman. Just walk inside them, feel the atmosphere and all the smells around.

4) KING ABDULLAH MOSQUE

Completed in 1989 as a memorial by the late King Hussein to his grandfather, this blue-domed landmark can house up to 7000 worshippers, with a further 3000 in the courtyard. There is also a small women’s section for 500 worshippers and a much smaller royal enclosure. The cavernous, octagonal prayer hall is capped by a magnificent blue dome 35m in diameter, decorated with Quranic inscriptions. This is the only mosque in Amman that openly welcomes non-Muslim visitors.

Where to eat

- Al Quds

We'll happily vote for this tiny, spotlessly clean place on Rainbow St as one of the best falafel spots in Amman. Tasty sandwiches (with tomato and pickles) have been served up fast for more than 50 years, but watch out for lunchtime queues when the office workers descend.

And for have some drinks go to La Calle, one of the few proper drinking holes on Rainbow St, La Calle has a couple of decent-sized bar areas, and a small but breezy terrace on the 3rd floor that's great for cooling off with a glass of wine or a chilled bottle of local Carakale ale.

We slept at Olive Hotel, very cheap and located in the city center.

Day 2 - Jerash & Mount Nebo

From Amman you can easily get a car and drive to Jerash. It should take 1 hour but it depends a lot on the traffic.

The ruined city of Jerash is Jordan's largest and most interesting Roman site, and a major tourist drawcard. Its imposing ceremonial gates, colonnaded avenues, temples and theatres all speak to the time when this was an important imperial centre. Even the most casual fan of archaeology will enjoy a half-day at the site – but take a hat and sunscreen in the warmer months, as the exposed ruins can be very hot to explore.

From there we drove South to Mount Nebo.

MOUNT NEBO is where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land, a land he was himself forbidden to enter. It's believed that he died aged 120 and was later buried in the area, although the exact location of the burial site is the subject of conjecture.

After hiking on Mount Nebo, we drove to Madaba where we slept for two nights.

MADABA, 33 km (20 miles) south of Amman, is known as The City of Mosaics where underneath almost every house lies a fine Byzantine mosaic, with its long history dating back further than 1300 BC. Here we visited the biggest mosaic center of the world.

Best restaurant: Adonis

Best hotel: Grand Hotel Madaba - staff is super friendly and helped us a lot!

Day 3- Azraq and the East Desert

Stretching east of Amman, the parched desert plain rolls on to Iraq and Saudi Arabia. This is a place where endless sand and barren basalt landscapes give proof to man’s ability to thrive under harsh conditions. The discovery of flint hand-axes in this desert indicates that Paleolithic settlers inhabited the region around half a million years ago. But the most remarkable remains of human habitation are the palaces built by the Damascus-based Umayyad caliphs during the early days of Islam (seventh-eighth centuries CE). During the height of the Umayyad dynasty, architecture flourished with the cultural exchange that accompanied growing trade routes. By 750 CE, when the Umayyad dynasty was overthrown by the Abbasids of Baghdad, a richly characteristic Muslim architecture was evolving, owing considerably to the cosmopolitan influence of builders and craftsmen drawn from Egypt, Mesopotamia and elsewhere throughout the region.

Today it is possible to see many relics of the early and medieval Islamic periods in Jordan. Dotted throughout the steppe-like terrain of eastern Jordan and the central hills are numerous historic ruins, including castles, forts, towers, baths, caravan inns and fortified palaces. Known collectively as the desert castles or desert palaces, they were originally part of a chain stretching from north of Damascus down to Khirbet al-Mafjar, near Ariha (or Jericho).

There are various theories about the purpose of the desert palaces, yet the lack of a defensive architectural design suggests that most were built as recreational retreats. The early Arab rulers' love of the desert led them to build or take over these castles, which appear to have been surrounded by artificial oases with fruit, vegetables and animals for hunting. Other theories suggest that they came to the desert to avoid epidemics which plagued the big cities, or to maintain links with their fellow Bedouin, the bedrock of their power.

Most of the desert castles can be visited over the course of a day in a loop from Amman via Azraq. The following description details a road trip taking the northern route from Amman to Azraq and the southern highway on the return trip.

What to see:

- Qsar Al-Azraq

- Azraq natural reserve

- Qusayr Amra

- Qasr Kharana

Day 4- Wadi Mujib and the Dead Sea

From Madaba we started driving south, direction Dead Sea.

A spectacular natural wonder the Dead Sea is perfect for religious tourism and fun in the sun with the family. With its mix of beach living and religious history you can soak up the sun while Biblical scholars can get their daily dose of religious history. The leading attraction at the Dead Sea is the warm, soothing, super salty water itself – some ten times saltier than sea water, and rich in chloride salts of magnesium, sodium, potassium, bromine and several others. The unusually warm, incredibly buoyant and mineral-rich waters have attracted visitors since ancient times, including King Herod the Great and the beautiful Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra. All of whom have luxuriated in the Dead Sea's rich, black, stimulating mud and floated effortlessly on their backs while soaking up the water's healthy minerals along with the gently diffused rays of the Jordanian sun.

First stop was the Dead Sea Panoramic Complex, for an amazing view on the Dead Sea. Them we drove to the Wadi Mujib Adventure Center. This is a must-do in your trip! A beautiful adventure in the Canyon 😍

After this 2-hours adventure we started driving south on the Kings Highway, stopping by a couple of castles:

- Karak castle

- Shobak castle

Day 5- Petra

Undoubtedly the most famous attraction in Jordan is the Nabatean city of Petra, nestled away in the mountains south of the Dead Sea. Petra, which means "stone" in Greek, is perhaps the most spectacular ancient city remaining in the modern world, and certainly a must-see for visitors to Jordan and the Middle East. The city was the capital of the Nabateans -Arabs who dominated the lands of Jordan during pre-Roman times- and they carved this wonderland of temples, tombs and elaborate buildings out of solid rock. Every year thousands of people flock to one of the main places to visit in Petra, the monasteries excavated in rock. In two days you can enjoy the 15 kilometer long route. To begin, it would be nice for you to see the main Petra attractions: the Visitor Center, the Via Sacra or Al-Khaznez. The architectural beauty is priceless, for it has been featured in many films, as might be Indiana Jones. Ad-Deir Monastery offers a spectacular view and is one of the most famous monuments and attractions in Petra. An area and 800 steps separate you from this natural treasure. The Theatre of the Nabataeans acts as a chameleon in the desert, carved directly into the rock. Other stuff to do in Petra includes visiting the Altar of Sacrifice, one of the best viewpoints that can be enjoyed throughout the country. Between monument and monument, you'll be transported through the Avenue of the columns, a very busy road with a series of Doric columns that look like decorated stone. It's one of the most charming things to see in Petra. Finally, here at Minube we encourage you to complement these Petra activities by visiting the Royal Tombs. They're visible from anywhere in the area. Certainly, Petra could be part of the seven wonders of the world, since many people request information about the many places to see in Petra. Go and find out for yourself!

Tickets for one day cost 50JD; for 2 days is 55JD. As it's huge, better to get the 2-days-tickets!

Restaurants: Red Cave (beduin meals) and Beit Al Barakah

We stayed at Al Rashid hotel that is located in the very city center.

Day 6- Petra

As Petra is huge, we visited the city for 2 days. In the afternoon we took the car and drove to Aqaba.

Day 7/8 - Aqaba

In summer here the weather is really, really hot! Too hot 😥 it's difficult to walk around and do things. You absolutely need to stay at the beach for cooling down.

We stayed at Aqaba Adventure Center. It's a sort of hostel with a pool, and it's a diving center too. It's 10km from Aqaba, but with the car was perfect to go and back.

Aqaba is Jordan's only Red Sea resort and port city which is warm, sunny, inviting, and has a dazzling undersea world of some of the most spectacular coral reefs to be found anywhere else, located 332 km (206 miles) south of Amman. For relaxation, water sports, and winter warmth, Aqaba is warm, sunny and inviting, fringed with palm trees, lapped by the crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Aqaba, cooled by a steady northerly breeze, and ringed by mountains that change in color with the change of the hours. Snorkeling, water skiing, wind surfing, para-sailing, fishing and a variety of other water sports, including unsurpassed scuba diving are just some of the popular activities to partake in. It's very turistico and not like the other places we visited in Jordan, but it worths for relax and snorkeling 🌊🦐🦀🐠🐙🐡

Best restaurants: Ali Baba Restaurant and Captain's restaurant (for fish)

You can find also places that serve alcool here (we really love the staff at Buffalo Wings!)

Day 9 - Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum is everything you’d expect of a quintessential desert: it is extreme in summer heat and winter cold; it is violent and moody as the sun slices through chiselled siqs (canyons) at dawn or melts the division between rock and sand at dusk; it is exacting on the Bedouin who live in it and vengeful on those who ignore its dangers. For most visitors, on half- or full-day trips from Aqaba or Petra, Wadi Rum offers one of the easiest and safest glimpses of the desert in the region. For the lucky few who can afford a day or two in their itinerary to sleep over at one of the desert camps, it can be an unforgettable way of stripping the soul back to basics.

We stayed at Beduin Lifestyle Camp and we are really satisfied of this beautiful experience. We had a 4 hours tour on the Jeep during the afternoon, where we could see all the most beautiful places in the Wadi Rum. We watched the sunset drinking tea with our Beduin friend and then we slept in a Beduin camp. In the evening we had dinner with them and played music together, dancing. We slept in a very small tent, but it was clean and comfi. The day after we took the camel for going back to the village.

Day 10 - back to Amman

400km back to Amman, a long drive before flying back home.

Special memories to those people we met during this wild adventure:

- Mohammad (met in a shop in Amman)

- the small child and his dad offering us tea in Azraq

- Abdullah (the beduin near Azraq)

- Marta and Niccoló, who did Canyoning with us

- Maria and Bernart, the two Spanish guys who hiked with us in Petra

- Saker, the Jordan guy met in sport bar in Petra who gave us camel milk

- Steffi and JoJo, the two German girls from Munich

- Harm, the musician Beduin who cooked tea for us in the Wadi Rum

Thanks to my travelmates who came with me during this amazing adventure...

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106days · 2 years

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Friday, my first real day in Amman. Woke up at 4.45am, body still on Colombo time. Tried to snooze to no avail. Got up, repacked, got dressed, set off. Despite my hostel being centrally located to downtown, because Amman is a city on seven hills, it took me almost half an hour to walk 1.5km to a cafe that was only 500m from my accommodation, as the crow flies.

The coffee was so worth the walk, which took me up and down staircases and through back streets. Had a flat white and some carrot cake. After weeks of Nescafé it was pure joy.

I’d originally planned to head straight up to the citadel but rain really set in, and it was only around 11 or 12 degrees. Retreated to the hostel where I sat in an enclosed patio for a while before I had to get back into bed to warm back up. My lips and skin are not coping with the sudden change to Jordan’s dryness.

Bummed around before forcing myself to get up and out. Wandered up to the citadel, which was actually really close by, and started off around the site. The rain stopped pretty soon after I got there and the sun came back out, which made for some dramatic scenery. Walked around the old temple of Hercules, the old market area and mosque, and through the old living quarters of what was first a Greek, then Roman, then Ummayid fortification.

Walked down to a lookout then down to the forum and amphitheatre. Wandered there before meandering down to the Nymphaeum, then the souqs off Hashemi Street. Went by piles of watermelons and rockmelons; stalls selling nuts, candies, and sweets; buckets full of olives and pickles; and loads of fresh vegetables (tomatoes, eggplants, cauliflowers, greens) and herbs (mint, parsley, and other more scraggly and less immediately identified bunches). Stopped by a man selling fruit, and asked for an apricot. Held up one finger, he asked one kilo, I said one fruit. As I was scrummaging in my bag for my wallet, he handed me two and declined payment. I ate them as I walked by the mosque, where another gentleman kindly suggested where to stand to get a good photo. They were delicious.

Wove my way around the streets and found myself on the main drag. As it was Friday (prayer day) it was quiet in the back streets, with a lot of shops shuttered, but the high street was busy. Stumbled upon the famous kunafeh place but didn’t want to ruin my appetite for… Hashem. An institution in falafel and hummus.

Upon arrival I had no idea you were meant to try to sit at a table. I asked a girl where she got her chit from to pay, presuming you had to order before you could take a seat. Through the confusion she somehow ended up paying for and ordering me a bag of takeaway falafels (0.50 dinars… or a dollar). I tried to give her money and she said no and left with her family, definitely unclear on why I wanted plain falafels, without hummus or bread.

I then had to ask some random men what to do with my receipt, then a worker pointed me to the man by the deep fryer; and I was handed a bag (a huge bag) of fresh falafels. After having hung around for a few minutes I realised my next mission was trying to get a table, to actually order what I wanted to eat. The man directing customers sat me down at a table alone, and a waiter effectively assumed my order by my tourist status. Then another lady, also alone, was sat opposite me. We chatted a bit - relying exclusively on her English - and ate together. The hummus and falafel were great, pickles delicious. She had fatteh and chips, and whenever I tried to offer her falafel she tried to tell me she was on a diet. This was bemusing to me as fatteh is like… shredded bread *in* hummus, with fried bread as topping, and chips are… well, chips.

After lunch I set off up another hill to an English language bookshop, but it didn’t have anything good. Snacked on a couple of my take away falafels before having to throw the rest of the bag out… tasty though they were. Walked back to my hostel, relaxed a bit longer, then took an Uber to the hotel where I was meeting my tour group.

Dumped my things and went off on another walk, this time to Abdali mall. It’s a swanky shopping centre in what seems to me to be the ritzy, new money part of town. There was a street (“the boulevard”) that you physically can not access without paying an entrance fee. The mall itself was huge and dull but I was on the hunt for books and slides (to replace the ones I’d thrown out in Sri Lanka). Found both but only bought the books. Unfortunately the Jordanian dinar is a very strong currency and plastic sandals that would’ve cost me $40AUD were going to be over $70 if I got them here.

Uber’d back (they’re very, very cheap here - $3 or $4 for a 10 min journey - Amman is not a pedestrian or public transport friendly city) and showered. In a weird twist of fate the girl I’m sharing my room with this week is my old boss from STA Travel, Caz. It’s a very small world..!

Met the group then went to dinner. The restaurant was nice but the food was average. No matter, as there’s been no shortage of otherwise excellent food since I’ve been in Jordan.

#travel #jordan #Amman #hashem

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jordanprivatetoursjordan · 2 years

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Explore the Ancient and the Most Stunning Amman Jordan Tours

Are you planning for Amman Jordan Tours? We ensure that you can make treasured with proper planning by a professional tour operator.

Explore the Amman Jordan Tours-

Amman is the capital of Jordan. In addition, it is the cultural, commercial and political hub of Jordan and one of the world's ancient continually inhabited cities, but the economic growth rate surpasses many cities in North Africa. Amman is now considered as one of the major tourist destinations that witness thousands of tourists every year,

Amman is widely popular for its historic and heritage sites. The visitors can explore exotic places and various Jordan's ancient landmarks, including the glorious 'rose red' city of Petra. Amman is a cosmopolitan and safe city for global tourists. There are various luxurious and restaurants offering international cuisine and fast foods as well as traditional Arab dishes along with additional amazing tourist facilities.

You will experience a sophisticated and relaxed lifestyle that incorporates nightclubs, bars and a range of malls, markets and shopping centres as well as several cultural events.

Undoubtedly, Amman is now dwarfed by the city's extensive and still-expanding urban areas. However, the visitors can discover a Byzantine church decay in a busy shopping district and the ruins of an Ammonite fortress tower from the windows of a hotel. It is the hub of monuments, museums and ancient heritage.

In the eastern side of Amman, you can witness the Neolithic culture with robust artistic development and the Old Testament references to the then Annomite city.

When we talk about the major tourist attractions, it includes the King Hussein Mosque and the colorful Souk. There are a lot of small shops where you can find everything from jewellery, leather goods, fashion items, gold, and spices to antiques, carpets and local crafts. You can have a great shopping experience with your family or friends. Apart from that, there are shopping malls complete with food courts, fast food joints and cineplexes.

What’s more, you can witness delight history admirers with the Roman Forum and amphitheatre, the biggest in Jordan and explore the rocky hillside overlooking the city. The visitors will get to see the Antoninus Pius which is an ancient complex is utilized for cultural and sporting events. Also, there are many other ancient sites out there around the small country.

Another glorious and the most attractive spot is Amman's Citadel hill of Jabal al-Qal'a. Here visitors will know about the ruins of the Temple of Hercules and as per history, it was made some 25 years after the Forum by order of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

You should also know that the Great Amman is a famous place for musicians, artists, and writers so that expatriates can make the most out of it. There are many mosques and churches dotted across the cityscape that implies this city welcomes diverse religions.

There is no doubt that Amman is the most fascinating tourist destination. All you just need to find a reliable tour operator that can accommodate you with tailored packages for your Amman Jordan Tours. For the best service, you can visit www.jordanprivatetours.net

#Amman Jordan Tours

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trpsluminous · 4 years

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I was standing outside of Jabal Al-Qalaa – the highest vantage point to the rolling hilled city of Amman. Open your eyes here and in the heart of the city below, you’d see the large buff-colored stones of the roman theatre, look to your right and standing tall are the formidable pillars of the temple of Hercules, close your eyes and you’d hear the muezzin’s calls to prayer reverberating through the countless minarets of the city.

Inhabited by humans since the Paleolethic period, the country of Jordan was occupied by the Babylonian and Mesopotamian empires, the Nabateans, the Romans, the Greeks, the Persians, the Ottoman; at various points in its history. All that have ruled here have left their distinctive mark on the country’s culture, design and architecture and this has culminated in one the most harmonious juxtapositions of the modern era.

Out trip to Jordan commenced with Amman as our port of entry. While being the capital of Jordan, it is the political, cultural and commercial centre and of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

Prior to our trip, we had purchased a Jordan pass which is essentially a super pass for your stay in Jordan – it not only provides entry to many tourist sites but also includes a visitor visa for the adults. As for the children’s visas, it was a visa on arrival, the fees can be paid through a credit card at the airport immigration counter; rented a car at the airport and drove to our hotel.

A view from the window of our room

Day 1 – After breakfast we visited the old town. The narrow streets of the old town were clogged with selfie-snapping tourists and there was not a corner spared. We made our way through the most populous city in Jordan and reached King Faisal street in the heart of the downtown; here tucked away in a very unassuming by lane is perhaps the most famous name in Amman – the Hashem Restaurant. One of the oldest restaurants and an indisputable icon of Amman; it is a very humble street side joint but the best meal of Falafel, Hummus and Mint tea you’d ever treat yourself to.

After the meal we started walking towards the Roman Theatre. On the way we stopped at an Arabic sweet shop called the Habbineh – the kunafa and the baklava here are a must.

The Roman Theatre

Built into a hillside, the 6000 seat theatre was constructed during the time of the Roman emperor Antonius Pius (138-161 CE) and was oriented north to keep sun off the spectators.

The columns outside the Roman Theatre

Center stage

It is steep

The roman theatre with its steep seating has an excellent acoustics design (You can stand at the center of the stage and your voice will echo. The person sitting on top of the last row would be able to hear you clearly). It has an unbeatable vantage from the higher seats (the steps leading to the top are steep and the climb is tiresome but worth the effort). It is not happenstance that the theatre is hugely popular for hosting host various events even today.

A view from the top

The top seats of the amphitheatre were the revered ones. As against being closest to the performances, the royalty and other important dignitaries would sit in the top rows to get an unobstructed view of the performances, not to mention the incredible acoustics.

After visiting the roman theatre, we visited one of the popular malls in the city – the Abdali Mall. We then returned to our hotel and called it a day – a special mention for our hotel, the Amman Marriott, an exceptional property with superlative dining options.

The wonderful Amman Mariott

Day 2:

Following breakfast we strolled through the old town again. Over the years, it has managed to retain its character reminiscent of an old Arabic Bazaar; many shops, however, have now been replaced by currency exchanges. The city also has its fair share of museums and art galleries. Another exquisite offering are the cafes here; the city is adorned with exquisite cafes. After a quick coffee at the Jafra Cafe we made a mandatory pit stop at the ice cream place outside the cafe and were on our way to the Amman Citadel.

The Amman Citadel

Atop the highest of the seven hills of the city is the Amman Citadel. It houses the ruins of the Temple of Hercules – the formidable towers of which are visible from almost any corner of Amman. Here, at the Citadel, you can get a bird’s eye view of the dramatic contrast in the architecture of the city below. It is absolutely mesmerising.

The Temple of Hercules

The Roman Theatre

Serious talk! with a view

The entire area is surrounded by a 1,700 feet long wall which has been here since the bronze and iron ages. There’s plenty to see here, but the most striking are the temple of Hercules and the Ummayad palace.

A view of the stone towers at sunset

After out visit to the Citadel , we went to one of the roof top restaurants. Amman has its surplus of quality roof top restaurants with breathtaking views of the the city that looks insistently graceful during the day time and surreal when illuminated under the night skies.

After dinner, we returned to our hotel and called it a day.

Stay with us to the dead sea

Private: Across Jordan – Amman (Days 1-3) I was standing outside of Jabal Al-Qalaa - the highest vantage point to the rolling hilled city of Amman.

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nmkerr · 4 years

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day 2: 1) important hotel christmas tree update; 2) view of the roman theater from the amman citadel; 3) temple of hercules at the amman citadel; 4-6) roman and ummayid ruins at the amman citadel; 7) in which i stand in a doorway; 8) corvid landing on the temple of hercules; 9) gosh the temple of hercules is photogenic; 10) a door #nks15thadventure (at Amman, Jordan عمّان، الأردن) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5XzbRJh_DYdspXvuWMWqiVzzr7T1WxK6caHpc0/?igshid=1gq8yklmyqg48

#nks15thadventure

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jordandaytour · 5 years

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Amman Citadel :

The Amman Citadel is a historical site at the center of downtown Amman, Jordan Jordan Tour

, It’s one of the seven mountains that originally made up Amman.

Evidence of occupation since the pottery Neolithic period has been found. Jordan Tour

The Citadel of Amman is considered to be among the world’s oldest continuously inhabited places .

Citadel is considered an important site because it has had a long history of occupation by many great civilizations.

Most of the buildings still visible at the site are from the Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad periods.

The major buildings at the site are the Temple of Hercules, a Byzantine church, and the Umayyad Palace.

Archaeologists have been working at the site since the 1920s, including Italian, British, French, Spanish,

and Jordanian projects, but a great part of the Citadel remains un excavated.

The ruins of the Citadel

The citadel includes many ancient and beautiful monuments including:

1. Temple of Hercules

The temple is also called the Sacred Square, but most of its features have been processed with the succession of years,

leaving only two tall columns, two important witnesses to the commemoration of ancient history,

and the Emperor “Aurelius” built this temple in addition to building a statue of Heracles at the entrance to the temple,

Only six columns.

2. Umayyad Palace

The Umayyad palace is located in the northern part of the Castle Mountain, dating back to the 6th or 7th century AD (730 AD).

the citadel consists of three different parts. Historical books recall that the palace built on ancient Roman foundations.

3. Byzantine church

The church founded in the sixth century AD in AD 550 AD, a Byzantine archaeological church.

it contains traces of civilizations that have followed the region for thousands of years.

4. Jordan Archaeological Museum

was built on the top of the Citadel in 1951, showing many artifacts discovered during excavations in all areas of Jordan.

The building designed by British architect Austin Harrison, who designed the building of the Palestinian Museum in

Jerusalem. The museum covers about 550 square meters.

There are a number of rare archeological artifacts in the Jordanian Archeological Museum, including:

The statues of Ain Ghazal dating back to the Neolithic period discovered in 1985 coincidentally during the construction of a road in the region of Ain Ghazal.

The copper file, one of the Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered by a boy grazing sheep during his search for his sheep in Khirbet Qamaran Cave

– The statue of the Tiki Amman discovered in 1956 during the processing of the museum garden at the Citadel.

Pottery coffins similar to Pharaonic coffins were discovered at Jabal Al Qusoor in Amman, and date back to the Iron Age and have a human head cover, in addition to many rare artifacts.

#jordandaytour

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wegocab · 5 years

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Amman, Jordan 🇯🇴 ❤️ Swipe right to see the Before/After edit I did on this picture! Which do you like better?? 👉🏻👉🏻👉🏻 I just wanted to play with a fun colorful sky! 💜💖🧡💛 🇯🇴 Ruins of the 2,000 year old Roman Temple of Hercules in Amman, Jordan stands on the site of one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world... Evidence of a civilization from over 6,500 years ago has been found here! 🇯🇴 ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ 📸 @kevinandamanda ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ - - - #visitjordan #wegocab #iamtb #travelmore #exploremore #globelletravels #travelawsome #travelholic #travelphoto #travelers #Traveler #sheisnotlost #ladiesgoneglobal #postcardplaces #travelgirlsgo #darlingescapes #citizenfemme #thetravelwomen #letsgoeverywhere #mytravelgram #instatravel #jordania #Jordanie #Giordania #tours #trip #bestplacestogo #travelblogger ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ Wegocab.com Tours In Jordan 🇯🇴❤️ WhatsApp: +962780107995 (at Amman, Jordan) https://www.instagram.com/p/By9zoh0BCzL/?igshid=fe7d9sb7vesk

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gaitsinwind · 7 years

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藍的像海一樣-安曼的天空The Sky in Amman is as blue as a sea.

趁著冬天氣溫比較低的時候跑一趟中東，目標雖然是佩特拉古城，但既然專程來了，就想說多花一點時間到處玩玩，而且選在淡季(2月)的時候去，安曼3-5、6月是旺季，中東這裡一般冬季寒冷，夏季炎熱，2月已經接近淡季尾了，還好飯店這時候還可以撿到便宜的價錢，而約旦旁邊的鄰居是以色列，以色列一般收入是台灣的3倍，約旦雖然收入較低，但首都安曼市區也沒有真的便宜到地底去，因此要有心理準備，何況約旦這裡並非物價就等於品質。 As I took a tour around Jordan,though Castle Petra was the main target,I still had spent some time here on purpose to add up the fun for my trip.Winter here is extremely cold,but summer is sultry and scorchingly hot.Thus,I chose to visit Jordan in the end of Febuary due to the timing of the year was kinda slack for tourism.Every March - June was considered as peak seasons. This time of year,I could get some sweet price in time for hotels here. Though Jordan’s average income is not as high as its neighbor ,Israel(3 folds of Taiwan’s avg.income),Amman was not really cheap as dirt.So,be prepared that quality is not as high as its pricing here.

阿勒婭王后國際機場行李提領區The bags claim at Queen Alia International Airport.

如果不是南下去埃及開羅，而是從南邊其他景點要回安曼坐飛機離開約旦，那從摩西尼波山的城鎮直接到機場，會比先回安曼市區再轉車到機場離開約旦近和快。 It will be faster and shorter going to airport from southern tourist site,Mt.Nebo,than you go back to Amman city ,and then from there transferring again to airport by taxi.

安曼主要公共交通工具是巴士，市區有3個主要巴士總站，我住近北站，出機場大門就有售票亭，45分鐘到一小時可到達(視交通狀況)，到總站再換乘計程車到飯店。 The main public transporting vehicle is buses in Amman.There are 3 major bus terminals.I went to northern bus terminal for my hotel was close to it,from where I transferred by a taxi that drove me to my hotel.I saw the bus ticket booth right away after stepping out the arrival hall.It generally takes 45 mins to 1 hour from airport to Amman city(depends on traffic).

往市區飯店途中的街景Traffic on the way to my hotel.

另外安曼的主要交通工具是公共巴士，班次很多，但你要先知道去哪裡，不知道就要問，但是這裡的人英文不是很好，另外共乘計程車有固定路線，沒停的地方也沒辦法用，只剩非共乘計程車，但是要先講價錢。 Main public transportation is buses.However,if you don’t know the bus routes,then it’s all useless to you.Most people’s English was not good either.So you might not get the information you’d need.Shared cabs ran the same routes as buses,which would be the same uselessness, if they don’t stop at your destination.Thus,general taxi was my only hope,but the price must be settled first.

安曼市區的人對觀光客算是很和善，對亞洲來客也好奇，郊區就要小心不要落單，我在其他市鎮有被當地社區小混混包圍，還好有計程車經過，被我當場叫住跳上逃走了。 People in Amman were friendly to tourists,they might be curious about other Asians though.However,get alerted when in suburban area.I was surrounded once by local young pranks.Luckily there was a cab happened to pass by me,and I halted it and got on it right away to leave the spot of troubleness.

我下塌飯店(Hotel Toledo)的餐廳，馬賽克磁磚和裝潢充滿了中東風味，工作人員對我都很好，接待大廳從前門是在3樓，但是從後門屬起來，卻是在7樓，很怪吧?主要是因為安曼市建城在7丘上，經過都是發展雖然已經破碎化，但市區仍是山坡地形，四處走動還是很費力氣，所以走不遠，一定得搭車才行，對自由行觀光客是體能的挑戰。The restaurant of my hotel was decorated with mosaic tiles,which was full of Middle East’s ambience.The staff was also very nice to me.What made it weird was that its reception hall was at 3rd floor from the front of the building,but it’s at 7th floor if counted from the back of the hotel.Funny,it’s because Amman city was built on old 7 hills.Even the land had been cut into pieces for years due to urban development.It was still an arduous job for peopole to walk around.Thus,you couldn’t go far without taking a cab,and also a physical challenge to tourists.

市區地形 Streets in City .

其實去前我對安曼一點概念都沒有，由於安曼市區裡有2個主要古蹟，一個是山上堡壘公園的海克力士神廟，一個是山下的羅馬劇場。我特別留個2天玩，這2個景點一天就綽綽有餘，地圖上我的飯店離景點不遠，本來想用走的去，真是天大的錯誤，安曼市的地形是山坡地，散個步等於是健行爬山一樣，所以除非剛好住景點附近，不然就要搭車，馬上半路攔個計程車直接殺到山上公園。 Before going,I had no any clue at all about Amman,for which,I particularly spent 2 days in Amman. There were two major sights in Amman,one was Temple of Hercules at the Park of Citadel(at the top of hill),the other was Roman Theatre(downhill).One day would be enough for both sites. From my map,I thought my hotel was quite close to the park,which turned out to be wrong.Amman was built on hills,which making you hike even you just took a casual walk outside. Quickly I stopped a cab that drove me directly to the entrance of the Park of Citadel. Thus,going somewhere?remember to take a taxi.

堡壘公園入口The Entrance of Citadel Park.

海克力士神廟遺址 The ruins of Temple of Hercules.

到山上公園門口後，外面就有排班的計程車，羅馬劇院在山下，可以直接走下山去，約旦人是我遇過最會黏人的，所以不要就要堅決，不然會被纏到死，安曼市區的人倒還好。 There were taxis lining up outside of the park’s entrance.So,don’t you worry about no any taxi to hail.After the tour at the Temple of Hercules,you could just go down hill to the Roman theatre on foot. If you don’t want taxi service,you must act like real to turn down drivers’ offers,or you’d be harassed to die.From my experience,salesmen or businessmen of shops or vendors were quite sticky here,but people in Amman were all right on the other hand.

由公園往下看的景光。City views from hilltop.

中東這一代的房屋建材都是這種土黃色，據說都被財團壟斷了。The materials of houses are all yellowish, earthy plates,as I had heard,monopolized by big cartels.

地下儲水池和輸水管道The underground cisterns and waterways.

羅馬帝國將古希臘和羅馬文化，隨著勢力擴張帶到各處，這裡城堡公園的海克力士神廟，雖然頹廢，但廟柱等建築遺跡巨大，依稀可看到當時的恢弘壯盛，而且這地點還可登高望遠，蔚藍天空可一望無際，心情非常美妙。 We can see many relics left from the times of Roman and Greece empires everywhere now in west.Temple of Hercules at Citadel Park was not exceptional,like I could still imagine its imposing and grandness.It was also the tallest spot in Amman ,where I was gladly to enjoy the panoramic view very much.The sky was absolutely blue,the color of Mediterranean Sea.My mind was content.

石柱實際是很巨大的，我看需要6、7個人才可還抱起來。The columns were actually gigantic,I thought It might need 6 or 7 persons hand-in-hand to make a circle of it.

公園裡的博物館 Museum.

館藏並不多Not many on display.

拜占庭教堂遺址 Relics of Byzantine Church.

紀念通道門外觀 The exterior views of Monumental Gateway.

紀念通道門內部 The interior views of Monumental Gateway.

紀念通道門的屋頂The roof top of Monumental Gateway.

紀念通道門前面廣場觀眾席對面是博物館。The museum is opposite to the square of Monumental Gateway.

山下羅馬劇場 The Roman Theater downhill.

山下羅馬劇院雖然世界各處很多，但是這一座保存很好，市府單位也實際使用中，只是石階很陡，我有點懼高，看到別人爬上爬下，我都替他們心驚膽跳。 The Roman Theatre in downhill can be seen its kind everywhere in the world ,but its condition was kept well.Municipal activities still were held at this site as well.However,its stony stairs were very high and steep,I was so worried about other people’s safety,as they climbing up and down….