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Fast-paced tour: The desert is best explored on a jeep.
Jordan’s desert is characterized by soft red and brown tones that flow into an unreal blue on the horizon. Here you encounter an endless expanse, which is interrupted by absurd rock formations – sometimes conical, then pointed and elsewhere round – a lot of sand, camels and this soothing silence. Because in Wadi Rum all is quiet. The noise of everyday life seems far away. No one thinks about problems here anymore. In the middle of the desert the world stands still. It seems like someone hit the pause button.
Suddenly the wind lashes furiously around my ears, twirls my hair and rudely pulls me out of my thoughts. Someone pressed play again. We sit on the back of a jeep that takes us to our camp. Loud laughter, wild howling. It’s one of the adventures that awaits visitors to Wadi Rum: a sunset jeep ride.
We stop and climb a sand dune to get the best view. The setting fireball paints the surreal landscape that served as the filming location for the film «The Martian» (2015) in cotton candy colors. The hamstrings throb because walking in the sand can be exhausting, but the climb is worth it: the view is priceless and takes my breath away.
1. Wadi Rum
You can travel in the Jordanian desert either by 4×4 vehicle or by camel. While the former take us to remote places and to our sleeping quarters – the Hasan Zawaideh Camp -, with the latter we go horseback riding at sunrise.
The big prize of this seclusion: Away from all the light pollution, we look into a picture-perfect night sky. It is a gift, this calm and originality. If you leave the curtains open in your bubble at night, you can even catch a glimpse of the starry sky from your bed.
And the desert is full of these buildings. The bubbles shoot out of the ground like mushrooms. Why? The reason for this was the Hollywood film “The Martian”. Like a camp on another planet. The extraterrestrial formations blend in with the arid environment in a strange way.
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2. Petra
When traveling to Jordan, the tourist magnet Petra should not be missing from the program. The wonder of the world has always fascinated me. It has always been a big dream for me to walk through the weather-beaten rocky gorges of the Jordanian desert while slowly approaching the world-famous Treasury, which has served as a photo subject for so many visitors before.
And it really is just as enchanting as I had imagined: After walking for a while through the barren landscape and longing for this moment after every bend, this ancient site of the former Nabatean kingdom finally shimmers between the rocks. Just like in the photos. Just like I imagined it. Wonderful, extraordinary, ancient. Despite the enormous crowds and the wild confusion of tourists, camels and locals who want to help you get the perfect photo, the air is magically charged.
“Petra is Jordan’s biggest attraction, but there is so much more to discover in this wonderful country,” says our guide Mohammed Awwad with conviction. Why Visit the Arabian Kingdom? The Jordanian says: “The people are very hospitable, it’s a safe and diverse place, not too expensive to travel to, and the food is very, very good.”
More info here
3. Madaba
We can taste it again and again on our trip. Hummus, baba ghanoush, stuffed vine leaves, and a refreshing lemon mint soda to drink that I can’t get enough of. Those who like oriental spices and fresh ingredients will get their money’s worth in Jordan. Everything tastes intense here and there is a lot to try. The locals’ favorite is their mansaf – a dish consisting mainly of lamb and rice and served on a large tray.
In Madaba, also known as the “City of Mosaics”, we can enjoy these delicacies in the Haret Jdoudna restaurant. In the garden you sit under tall trees that provide shade on hot days, inside there is a lot of activity and small plates of different mezze are served diligently.
Back in the streets of Madaba you can feel how far back the history of Jordan goes. The place, which is around 30 kilometers from the capital Amman, is mentioned several times in the Bible and houses the oldest cartographic representation of the Holy Land in St. George’s Church. The work, made of mosaic, is said to date from the mid-6th century AD.
In addition to the religious sights, there are also a variety of shops in Madaba. There is one souvenir shop after the other on the main street. Dates, spices, magnets or carpets are offered. But if you look closely, you will find unusual boutiques in between. Just like shopkeeper Qais’ Earth Shop. «We only sell local products. I wanted to create something different that would stand out, not just another run-of-the-mill souvenir shop,” he says affably. The scent of incense sticks fills the air and a bust-shaped candle burns in the background.
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4. Red Sea
The city of Aqaba with around 200,000 inhabitants is located on the Red Sea. The locals go there mainly for shopping, as Mohammed tells us. “Because there are no taxes on the products, a lot of supplies are bought here.”
For foreign tourists, the Red Sea and its biodiversity is the highlight of the region. On a snorkeling trip with Yazan Alsaed, I also realize why: I see coral reefs that are more colorful than I have seen in a long time. Encounters with lionfish or turtles are part of everyday life for Yazan. Capturing this richness of the sea with a camera fills the Jordanian.
Not only Yazan is touched by the underwater world, the Swiss Martina Schneiter-Lüchinger from Affoltern am Albis ZH is also inspired by it. The bead artist met the dive guide in 2018 while touring Jordan with her family. «She was so fascinated by my photographs and inspired by them created a collection of glass beads. My photos were also shown at the exhibition,” says Yazan proudly. The collaboration has grown into a close friendship. The Jordanian visits the family twice a year and has also grown fond of Switzerland. «The Swiss have a close connection to nature, I love that!»
More info here
5. Dead Sea
Another body of water in Jordan is said to have a healing effect: countless people visit the Dead Sea every year as a health resort. The border between Israel and Jordan runs right through it, we float on the Jordanian side.
Part of the experience is a mud mask that is spread all over the body. Important: First you should dare to step into the water, then apply the mass, then let it take effect and then wash everything off. The skin feels super soft afterwards. I keep touching my arms because I can’t believe it.
A little tip: It is more comfortable to wear bathing shoes when entering the Dead Sea. Depending on the location, the stones can be sharp because of the salt deposits. If you choose a seaside resort that belongs to a hotel – we stayed at the Marriott – shoes are also provided.
More info here
This post was created as part of a press trip.
Good to know
Getting there: Edelweiss, the leading Swiss leisure airline, will fly direct to Amman and Aqaba every Thursday and Sunday from February 2023. Flights back to Zurich are offered every Monday and Friday. Current prices can be found on flyedelweiss.com.
getting around: In terms of area, Jordan is about twice the size of Switzerland and can therefore easily be visited in a short time. A recommended route starts in Aqaba on the Red Sea and goes via Wadi Rum and Petra to Madaba and Amman. The bustling and colorful capital, in which more than a third of the country’s inhabitants live, can also be chosen as a starting point. There you can get used to it for a few days before you continue exploring.
Accommodation: The Fairmont offers luxurious rooms and good views from the rooftop pool in Aqaba. A double room is available there from about 210 francs. Those who venture into the desert should not miss out on the bubble experience. There are now many offers here. We recommend the Hasan Zawaideh Camp, where an overnight stay in a bubble costs around 205 francs. You book a package that includes accommodation, an hour of camel riding and a four-hour jeep tour.
Pay: Jordanian Dinar (JD) is used to pay in Jordan. 1 franc currently corresponds to about 1.34 dinars.
Wrap up: Basically, there are no regulations regarding clothing in Jordan. However, if you want to respect the cultural customs of the country, it is best to cover your shoulders and knees. Tight-fitting clothing should also be avoided.
Visit visitjordan.com for more information.
Getting there: Edelweiss, the leading Swiss leisure airline, will fly direct to Amman and Aqaba every Thursday and Sunday from February 2023. Flights back to Zurich are offered every Monday and Friday. Current prices can be found on flyedelweiss.com.
getting around: In terms of area, Jordan is about twice the size of Switzerland and can therefore easily be visited in a short time. A recommended route starts in Aqaba on the Red Sea and goes via Wadi Rum and Petra to Madaba and Amman. The bustling and colorful capital, in which more than a third of the country’s inhabitants live, can also be chosen as a starting point. There you can get used to it for a few days before you continue exploring.
Accommodation: The Fairmont offers luxurious rooms and good views from the rooftop pool in Aqaba. A double room is available there from about 210 francs. Those who venture into the desert should not miss out on the bubble experience. There are now many offers here. We recommend the Hasan Zawaideh Camp, where an overnight stay in a bubble costs around 205 francs. You book a package that includes accommodation, an hour of camel riding and a four-hour jeep tour.
Pay: Jordanian Dinar (JD) is used to pay in Jordan. 1 franc currently corresponds to about 1.34 dinars.
Wrap up: Basically, there are no regulations regarding clothing in Jordan. However, if you want to respect the cultural customs of the country, it is best to cover your shoulders and knees. Tight-fitting clothing should also be avoided.
Visit visitjordan.com for more information.