Jordan

For a small country, Jordan packs an impressive punch in terms of history, culture and scenery, and the proximity of its key sights makes a holiday to Jordan ideal for the time-pressed traveller. Several of the Original Travel team have explored Jordan, and foremost among those sights on a holiday to Jordan are Petra, the fabled ‘rose-red city half as old as time’ and the inspiring desert landscapes of Wadi Rum.

The two thousand-year-old Nabataean city of Petra, which grew rich at the crossroads of ancient trade routes, must rank as one of the world’s most impressive archaeological sites. Entering via a narrow, high-walled ravine, the city whose name simply means ‘rock’ is revealed, hewn into the sandstone hills. Not far to the south, the wind-sculpted mountains and canyons of Wadi Rum rise from the desert floor. Explore this extraordinary environment and its bizarre rock formations, and then spend the night in the atmospheric surroundings of a private Bedouin camp exclusively run by Original Travel.

Heading back north along the King’s Highway takes you via Madaba - home to the remarkable two-million-piece, 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land, and Mount Nebo. Before flying home, holiday at the Dead Sea and experience the peculiar sensation of floating on the surface of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, and enjoy a spa treatment using the sea’s mineral-rich mud. The Dead Sea hotels are excellent and we can recommend the best for your requirements.