Clammer Paul - Lonely Planet Jordan

Petra, the ancient Nabataean city locked in the heart of Jordans sandstone escarpments, is the jewel in the crown of the countrys many antiquities. Ever since explorer Jean Louis Burckhardt brought news of the pink-hued necropolis back to Europe in the 19th century, the walk through the Siq to the Treasury (Petras defining monument) has impressed even the most travel weary of visitors. With sites flung over a vast rocky landscape and a mood that changes with the shifting light of dawn and dusk, this is a highlight that rewards a longer visit.

Safe Haven

It takes tolerance to host endless waves of incomers, and Jordan has displayed that virtue amply, absorbing thousands of refugees from the Palestinian Territories, Iraq and most recently Syria. Despite contending with this and with large numbers of tourists who are often insensitive to conservative Jordanian values, rural life in particular has managed to keep continuity with the traditions of the past. While Jordan faces the challenges of modernisation and growing urbanisation, it remains one of the safest countries in which to gain an impression of the quintessential Middle East.

, Aqaba | SERGEI25/SHUTTERSTOCK

By Jenny Walker, Writer

From the first ahlan wa sahlan said in welcome, I knew that Jordan was to become a lifelong friend. After going in search of TE Lawrence as a student, I have returned many times to the low-slung tents of the Bedouin, sipped tea with rug-makers and walked in the wake of shepherds. Beautiful though it is, and blessed with a disproportionate number of wonders, Jordan inspires this loyalty primarily because of its spirit of generous optimism opening its arms to strangers and sharing its meagre wealth with neighbours in need.

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In a country strewn with the ruins of former civilisations, it can be difficult to remember that Jordan isnt just a relic of the past, its very much a forward-thinking nation with a vibrant contemporary culture. Theres no better place to feel the pulse of modern Jordan than in Amman with its international restaurants, trendsetting nightlife and fashionable shopping districts. For those who cant let history sleep, however, the capital boasts its own treasures, including fine Roman ruins and the excellent .