Representing many people Jordan begins and ends with the magical ancient Nabataean diocese of Petra. And it's true, Petra is without doubt one of the Midway East's most spectacular, unmissable sights, battling it out with Machu Picchu or Angkor Wat for the appellation of the world's most dramatic 'lost city'. yet there's so much more to see in Jordan - ruined Roman cities, Crusader castles, desert citadels and vigorous biblical sites: the brook where Jesus was baptised, the fortress where Herod beheaded John the Baptist, and the mountain top where Moses cast eyes on the Promised Land. Biblical scenes are not just consigned to the past in Jordan; you'll see plenty of men wearing full-flowing robes and chief herds of livestock across the timeless desert. But it's not all crusty ruins. Jordan's capital Amman is a modern, culturally diverse Arab diocese which is lightyears away from the typical cliches of Middle Eastern exoticism. The country also offers some of the wildest adventures in the region, as well as an incredibly varied backdrop ranging from the red desert sands of Wadi Rum to the brilliant blues of the coral-filled Gulf of Aqaba; from rich palm-filled wadis to the lifeless Dead Sea. Ultimately it's the sensual delights of daily entity in the Midway East that you'll hanker for longest after you return home; the bittersweet taste of cardamom coffee or the smell of a richly scented nargileh (water pipe); the intoxicating swirl of Arabic pop sliding out of an Amman doorway and the deafening silence of the desert. jordanians are a passionate and proud people and the country truly welcomes visitors with open arms. Despite being squeezed between the hotspots of Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Israel & the Palestinian Territories, Jordan is doubtlessly the safest and most stable country in the region. Nevertheless of your nationality, you'll be greeted with nothing but courtesy and hospitality in this gem of a country. travel Alert: travellers in Jordan should exercise caution; check Safe Expeditions after contemporaneous government warnings. make it happen ready to go? These recommended partners construct it easy: * seize a journey completely Jordan * explore Egypt and Jordan * or mark Jordan and Syria taking in the oasis of Palmyra, Wadi Rum, crusader castles and the rose borough of Petra * search for cheap flights to Jordan