Jordan As A Travel Destination

Ajloun: The Islamic castle Ajloun stands on top of the 1123 meter high Jabel Auf and is embedded in a nice environment. It was built in the 12th century by a general of the famous sultan Salah ad-Din to protect the country against the Crusader attacks and to secure the pilgrim routes.  

Amman:Situated on several hills the capital of Jordan houses almost half of the country's population. Worth seeing in the so-called white city is the Citadel hill, once an important military and religious site. Here you see for example the remains of the Temple of Hercules. Interesting place are the Roman Theater, the King Abdullah Mosque and the Abu Darweesh Mosque. 

Aqaba at the Red Sea: The small Red Sea port of Aqaba is famous for its unique coral reefs and so a paradise for diving and snorkeling in clear waters. Many other aquatic activities are possible like sailing, wind surfing or water skiing. The tourist city is also attractive due to its status as Special Economic Zone offering duty free shopping.  

Azraq Oasis: Azraq is located about 110 kilometers east of Amman. Once a large wetland area, nowadays only 12 square km of parklands and pools are left as a result of the growing water demand of cities like Amman. But still Azraq is the oasis in the eastern desert, home to some water buffalos and important for birds migrating between Africa and Europe.  

Bethany – Baptism Site: On the east bank of the Jordan River not far away from Amman you find Bethany beyond the Jordan, the place where John the Baptist lived and baptized Jesus. Many Christians pilgrimage to this holy place, which is located in a nice surrounding. Besides the Baptism Site of Jesus you see a new golden-roofed church, the remains of Byzantine churches and baptism pools.  

Dana: The Dana Nature Reserve, composed of mountains and wadis, reaches a total height of more than 1600 meter ranging from the tops of the Rift Valley to desert lowlands. Here you find diversified landscape like green areas with trees, desert and rocks as well as various plants and animal species.  

Dead Sea: The salt lake between Israel and Jordan is the lowest point on earth with about 400 m below sea level. The Dead Sea is mainly supplied by water from the Jordan River. It is an experience to bath without being able to sink. But the mineral-rich Dead Sea offers more; it was one of the first spas in the world. Herod the Great, king of Judaea already used it in the 1st century BC as health treatment. The water and the special conditions of the area have positive effects on dermatological and rheumatic diseases.  

Desert Castles: The most remarkable buildings in the eastern Jordanian desert are the palaces built by the Umayyad caliphs in the 7th and 8th century. Most of the castles can be visited within one day in a loop from Amman via Azraq: the originally Roman Qasr al-Hallabat and Qasr al-Kharanah with its high walls and four corner towers. Besides are the large black fortress Qasr al-Azraq and Qasr Amra, the most charming of the desert castles due to its fresco paintings.  

Jerash: The best example of a Roman provincial city in the Middle East is Jerash, 50 km north of Amman. It was initially built by Alexander the Great in 332 BC and started to prosper after the Roman conquest in 63 BC. The Artemis Temple, the theatres, the Colonnaded Street and many other ancient buildings give you the feeling of the great civilization and the history of the region.  

Kerak: Situated on the King's Highway the city was the ancient capital of the Moabites, but the most visitors come to see the Crusader castle on the hilltop. The castle was built in the 12th century and ruled by Payen le Bouteiller, the Lord of Transjordan (Oultrejordain).  

Madaba: The town Madaba is well known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics. Popular is especially the 6th century mosaic map of Palestine in the floor of the orthodox St. George's Church. Other magnificent mosaic masterpieces from the Madaba area, mostly found in old churches, can be seen in the Archaeological Park.  

Mount Nebo: Not far from Madaba Mt. Nebo is located, from where Prophet Moses overlooked the Promised Land and died. In 1933 remains of a church from the 4th century and a monastery with magnificent mosaics had been discovered here. From the mountain you have a panorama of the Holy Land; usually Jericho is visible and on clear days also Jerusalem.  

Pella: Pella is located in the Jordan Valley and in nice surroundings visitors see ancient ruins from Roman and Byzantine period. Pella was like the city of Gadara a member of the Decapolis, a union of cities in Palestine, Jordan and southern Syria which were centers of Greco-Roman culture.  

Petra: In the south of Jordan, in the mountains of Edom, the famous rock city Petra is located. 2000 years ago the Nabataeans, Arab nomads, carved magnificent temples, tombs and houses in the red-rose sandstone. Since 1985 Petra belongs to the World Heritage Sites and since 2007 it is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.  

Salt: In the ex-capital of Jordan you get a feeling for the architecture of the Ottoman period, if you walk through picturesque narrow streets and watch the houses with long-arched windows. In the town exists a Handicraft School where you can see traditional skills of ceramics? Within Jordan Salt is known for its quality of vegetable and fruit harvest.  

Shaumari Wildlife Reserve: Close to Azraq the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, founded 1975, covers 22 square km and offers home for gazelles, wild donkeys and Arabian oryx. The oryx is also Shaumari's great success story. This antelope species was almost extinct and by means of breeding programs it recovered again. 

Shobak (Montreal): The Crusader castle is perched on top of a small hill northeast of the town of Shobak in southern Jordan. Like Kerak it was built by Baldwin I. of Jerusalem. Inside the fortress are two churches, ruins of baths, cisterns, archways, old Islamic inscriptions and brave people can follow over 300 steps down in a well.  

Umm Quais (Gadara): From the ruined Graeco-Roman city Gadara, today named Umm Quais, visitors have an amazing view over the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. Still to see are the remains of theatres, temples, a colonnaded street, a basilica and a museum.  

Wadi al-Mujib: The lowest nature reserve in the world is Wadi al-Mujib near the Dead Sea. The area about 220 square km reaches the highest level in 900 meter, the lowest in 400 meter below sea level and offers a variety in nature and wildlife. The so-called Grand Canyon of Jordan is a good place for adventures. Visitors can hike, swim in pools and rivers and abseil from rocks.  

Wadi Rum: In Jordan's south you find this dramatic desert landscape with its beautiful rock formations. Visitors can enjoy a Jeep tour to visit astonishing rock bridges or enjoy silence and pure nature during a hike or on back of a camel. A wonderful experience is to spend a night under the starry sky in the wadi.

Sights in Lebanon

Lebanon is located in the area of Mediterranean. This region is an incredibly diverse a single. The good thing about the area is incredibly unforgettable particularly for those who would stop by it for the first time. The people in Lebanon are very friendly and hospitable. It's guaranteed that they will make the tourists think that they are house. The languages spoken in this region are Arabic, French, and English so the tourists will not have a difficult time communicating with local people and vice versa.

The traveler attractions in Lebanon are the urban centers of Beirut, Anjar, and Beiteddine. Beirut is oftentimes termed the "Paris of the East". Anjar is recognized for its "Umayyad" collection although Beiteddine attracts holidaymakers for its Arabic architectural style and historical monuments.

Some of the favourite locations of tourists would be the Byblos or Jbeil, which is an old city in Lebanon, the Qadisha Valley or the Holy Valley. The Holy Valley is considered by UNESCO to be a Planet Heritage Web site along with the ruins of Aanjar, Byblos, Baalbek, and Tyre. This valley is looked upon being a peaceful sanctuary by persons of diverse religions.

An additional traveller location in Lebanon is Tripoli. Viewing this place will remind the holidaymakers in the famous Arabian Nights. The spot provides a few mosques and the most popular 1 would be the "Saint Gilles Citadel". The spot of Zahle is famous for its monasteries and religious spots constructed during the 18th century. Zahle can impart to its guest the rich background with the state, which dates back for the Bronze Age.

You'll find a lot of restaurants that is able to give the tourists a taste of Lebanese cooking. The cuisine of Lebanon is largely influenced by the Arabic style of cooking. Their dishes, which include salads, stews and vegetarian recipes, are flavoured with various spices and herbs.

When it comes to transportation, there is not a single problem. You'll find taxis and private cars that might be hired to tour the land. Getting a tourist location, you might know some hotels the tourists can choose from. You will find luxury and budgeted hotels that cater to the various needs and preferences of the holidaymakers.

Middle Eastern Cuisine

The Middle East produces some of the world's most delicate snacks and delicious flavours. These are countries ripe with traditional cooking methods where eating a meal is as much about the friends you share it with as the food you eat. In Syria you can explore the local Souqs (undercover markets) where every nook and cranny is filled with fragrant herbs and rich spices. Turkish meals often include a helping of warm fresh bread alongside soups cooked in pots that need to be cracked open after cooking. In Jordan share meze with friends. Popular meze dishes include Baba Ghanoush – mashed eggplant (aubergine) and minced lamb mixed with mint and spices. In Israel the budget-conscious backpacker can indulge in chicken kebabs, bagels, and falafels with hummus in warm pitas. If this has wet your appetite then read on for a pick of the tastiest Middle Eastern dishes and beverages.

If you like it strong and dark then Turkish coffee is for you. It is bitter, taken without milk and served in an espresso sized cup.

Chick pea lovers unite! The Middle East is full of creamy hummus, chick pea stews and deep fried falafels.
Order a kebab like no other kebab you've ordered before. Choose from tender cuts of lamb, chicken or beef with salad, hummus and olives, topped with chilli and garlic sauce.

Munch on olives of every colour, size and flavour.

Buy Turkish Delight in bulk in, you guessed it, Turkey. These come in flavours ranging from yellow rose to pistachio. Once sampled never forgotten.

Packing For The Middle East

Traveling to the Middle East can be a great adventure. One way to help ensure that you have a pleasant trip is to take care when packing for Middle Eastern travel, including Dubai travel, so that you will have the essentials that you need without extraneous items you will not use.

One overall rule to try to follow is to pack light. It is easiest to rely on carry-on luggage rather than checking your bags, so you don't have to wait around to retrieve it. You'll need to be selective in determining what you will need for your trip, because your room is limited. It pays to start making a list of what you'll need to take several weeks before your trip, so you have time to shop for needed items if necessary.

In terms of clothing, depending on what time of year you are planning your Dubai travel, you can lighten your luggage load by packing lightweight clothing, rather than heavier weight clothing. You might be able to pack lighter by bringing only a few essentials from home, and then plan on purchasing some clothing when you arrive at your destination. Another Dubai travel tip to consider is to bring older clothing with you, and then dispose of it when it gets dirty or before you leave your travel spot, and in this way you can free up luggage space for mementos from your journey that you wish to take home with you. You can pack lighter by doing laundry on your trip as well. Packing a comfortable pair of shoes is always good advice for when you are waiting in long lines or spending the day on foot walking.

Some personal items that people traveling to Dubai hotels east often find handy that will not take up much space are useful. A waterless hand sanitizer will be used and appreciated many times in your travels. Minimal makeup is probably all that you will need, and you can save room by transporting makeup in re-closeable plastic bags. You can sort items into these clear bags, and then you can find your supplies at a glance quickly. A small first aid kit with bandages and first-aid ointment comes in handy for small cuts and blisters. Toilet paper can be non-existent in some places, and you'll be glad that you included a roll in your luggage. Keep some in the pocket of your clothing as well, so you'll be prepared whatever the circumstance. A miniature flashlight can come in very handy and does not take up much room. A small compass and maps from home in a language you can read can make or break an enjoyable outing in an unfamiliar city, while you are away from your Dubai Hotels.

Interesting Sights In The Middle East

Middle East travel offers a wonderful travel experience for the history, archeology and culture buff. Come with us as we share some of the interesting things to see as you experience UAE travel, UAE hotels, Dubai travel, Dubai hotels, and other Middle East travel destinations.

The federation of the United Arab Emirates was founded in 1971. The population is quite young, with a little over 51 percent of the nationals under the age of 20. There are special cultural tours available where you can engage in UAE travel and live in the desert as early nomadic tribes did. You could also spend time on the coast at the harbors where fish are plentiful, and are often sold at the souqs, or markets. You will find a plethora of items native to the region for purchase at the souqs, including various foods such as dates for which the United Arab Emirates are famous, as well as many spices, seafood, and colorful fabrics. For these reasons UAE travel is unique

Egypt travel is excellent during the fair times of year. The best weather occurs in spring and fall for a visit. There are many excellent sites of antiquity to visit during Egypt travel, including Aswan. Here is located the mighty Aswan High Dam, as well as the Tombs of the Nobles. The city of Cairo offers the majestic Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum. To get a sense of the local culture, consider a visit to Islamic Cairo, which offers a taste of what Cairo was like in the Middle Ages, and is a wonderful place to explore mosques. A sailboat, known as a felucca, ride at sunset on the Nile River is the experience of a lifetime, and is a “must-do” during Middle East travel.

Saudi Arabia resides on the Arabian Peninsula. You will fall in love with the zesty Saudi cuisine, featuring spices such as cardamom, saffron, and musk. Algebra mathematics is an Arabic invention, and Saudi Arabia is where Islam originated in the sixth century. The late King Abdul Aziz renovated and expanded the Holy Mosque in Makkah beginning in 1988. Every year the Jenadriyah Heritage and Cultural Festival is held, which features traditional camel races, music and dance.

Qatar travel offers many natural features that make for an interesting visit. The Oryx Farm and the Al Shaqab Stud Farm are two that merit attention. The Oryx is the national animal of Qatar. It is a large member of the antelope species that has beautiful upright horns. The Arabian Oryx has also been reintroduced in Saudi Arabia, Israel and Bahrain. The Stud Farm is home to purebred Arabian show and race horses. You can also take a Desert Safari tour, where you will spend time traversing sand dunes, as well as sea swimming. During your Middle East travel, Shopping at souqs, and visiting the Corniche coastline are a great way to see Qatar.

Hotels In Dubai

Property firms are increasingly looking at constructing more three and four star hotels in Dubai these days. Dubai has made a surge in the recent years in trying to become the recreational center of the Middle East. A large number of tourists, apart from its expatriate community, are crowding Dubai's lanes each year. This has given a great push to Dubai hotels, especially to those in the luxury segment. One may see many five star hotels popping up across Dubai's horizon as a result, and many being announced regularly. The realty market hasn't taken care of catering to the needs of the low-end clientele, on the other hand. Realtors are increasingly looking at developing more affordable hotels therefore, and trying to gain a foothold in this emerging scenario.

There are several reasons why we are witnessing a sudden spurt in three and four star hotels in Dubai. First of all, tourism is getting diversified and looking out at wining the favor of low-end clientele in the whole world. Airlines are offering discounted flights to keep up being alive in an overcrowded zone. Tour operators are selling last minute holidays and cheaper hotel rooms to win more buyers. Travel industry is fast acquiring a global and competitive outlook. Dubai hotels couldn't ignore these emerging trends. There are several other major cities in the Middle East that could soon start giving Dubai a run for its money. Dubai has got no other alternative but to begin re-looking at its policies; hence the rising demand for less expensive hotels now.

There are a total of 90 three and four star hotels in Dubai in the present day scenario. However, it stands highly insufficient in the backdrop of a rising demand for budget accommodation. The trend might transform very quickly though, since more and more the UAE based construction houses were proposing budget hotel plans. Dubai's investment firm Istithmar plans to partner with London based Easy Group, and build 50 more budget hotels in the near future. These Dubai hotels would be launched and promoted under the brand name of Istithmar Hotels. Dutch hotel chain, Golden Tulip Hospitality, is also planning to partner in 10 new budget hotels soon. The firm is already managing twelve hotels across this region and six more are scheduled to open up by the end of 2009.

Hotels in Dubai have always reported strong occupancy, especially during the peak summer seasons. However, the new emerging trend is that of an increased number of travelers from within the Gulf region. Until recently, Gulf travelers constituted up to 25 % of the clientele in Dubai hotels, most of these having their annual summer breaks. However, this has gone up to 50% in the recent months. Most hotels and hotel apartments report of occupancies that may lie in excess of 80 to 90 percent. One might say therefore how exhausted Dubai hotels could be finding it to continue as a business today, and how urgently they need to be given more three and four star hotels by the real estate firms.

Opportunities In Dubai

Dubai, the wealthiest state in the United Arab Emirates, is one of the top destinations for tourists world wide and now has potential for residential occupation as a variety of jobs have opened up for many classes of professionals and workers. With a booming US$ 37 billion economy, the country can easily provide countless opportunities for those in countries with less promising job prospects.

One of the booming occupations presently available are for skilled pilots, in high demand by the local hub of national airline Emirates Airline, based at Dubai International Airport. A large number of pilots from around the world have taken up the numerous, lucrative positions provided those are largely unavailable in their home countries.

Also made available are jobs for financial workers, such as accountants, particularly since the recent trend of financial institutions moving their operations into the Middle East. The high demand created by this and other factors, leads to exorbitant compensation packages for those who take up one of the many openings. One particular case is that of a Chicago accountant who earns more than twice his previous salary now doing, more or less, the same work. He pulls in $250 K yearly, and also drives a Mercedes Benz his company provides.

Yet another opportunity, more general in prospects, is that for well qualified persons to fill high paying management positions in some of the new companies growing in the state, as well as in well known companies who have set up hubs to take advantage of the bright financial position such as Kraft Foods. These businesses have a huge need for many trained professionals and, These businesses have a huge need for many trained professionals and, as these are in great shortage in the region at this time, they turn to the more qualified foreigners who are all too eager to get a share of the seemingly impossible benefits associated with working in one of the few countries in the world that can honestly boast of a consistently growing economy.

There are also jobs for those less skilled workers, such as those in the country s numerous oil companies, who have an ever increasing need for manpower in order to turn a profit to one of the highest contributing individual industries to its mega economy. Also available for the working class are jobs in tourism, ranging from hotel receptionists, to bagboys, room service attendants etc. Even these jobs can easily turn a six figure salary in the right places.

To top it all off, Dubai holds a special attraction for fun loving people with its numerous nightclubs and parties, yet another job opportunity for bartenders and other club staff, that provide good, more or less wholesome, relaxation after a hard day s work. It also offers some of the world s best restaurants that rival those at the top end in places like New York, but are easily affordable in such a wealthy country. All in all, a wonderful quality of life is standard in this little known economic paradise. When a country this perfect opens its doors to foreigners, who would not want take advantage?