Amman and the ancient cities of the North In its lofty position on the hills between the desert and fertile Jordan valley, Jordan’s capital city is a fascinating blend of old and new. In close proximity to the north lie some stunning ancient cities as well as the crusader castle of Ajloun. Conquered by General Pompey in 63 BC, Jerash became one of the 10 great cities of the mighty Roman Empire. Today it’s one of the best-preserved Roman sites in the world, in no small part thanks to being buried in the sands until rediscovered 70 years ago. Bethany Around the turn of the 21st Century there was much excitement at an archaeological dig just north of where the River Jordan meets the Dead Sea, as the excavators were able to confirm that they were working on the site of Biblical Bethany, where John the Baptist lived and conducted his baptisms, and therefore by extension the place where Jesus was baptised. The remains of several churches and impressive mosaics have been excavated, as have large basins where it is believed the baptisms took place. Bethany has since become a major pilgrimage site and was visited by Pope Benedict XVI on his trip to the Middle East in 2009. 26 More highlights of Jordan Undoubtedly, and quite rightly, Petra is the star bill for any visit to Jordan, but it really is the icing on a very good cake! Combining Petra with the wealth of other remarkable attractions will imbue the world traveller with a deep pool of great memories. The hospitality of the people will stick in your mind, as will the sheer breadth of history encompassed in this small country. The visitor will see the location of famous Bible scenes, stunning Roman and Greek cities, remarkable Islamic monuments and the legacy of dashing figures like Lawrence of Arabia. As you travel around, the backdrop to your journey will be the amazing landscape of Jordan, from jagged gorges cut through sandstone hills, to the endless red sands of Wadi Rum, and from the saltcrusted shores of the Dead Sea to the unexpected lush forests of the northern hills. It’s easy to see why Jordan remains such a draw. Best time to travel: Spring & Autumn. Best to avoid the searing temperatures from July through September. December and January can be very wet in the north. Safety: A quick glance at a map of the Middle East will show that Jordan has a rather unenviable position, surrounded by countries that are regularly in the news for all the wrong reasons. However, Jordan itself is by contrast a stable and safe destination, though the usual advice offered to travellers anywhere in the world should be heeded, so it’s worth being diligent and exercising a common sense approach when travelling through the country.
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