MAIN Travel Middle East Jordan

Petra, a tourist attraction of Biblical proportions. Jordan Travel Fast Facts Getting there: regular flights from major world cities to Queen Alia International Airport near Amman and to King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba. What to see: Petra, Mount Nebo, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, Amman, Jerash Currency: Jordanian dinar Official language(s): Arabic

Ruled by a royal couple seemingly out of Hollywood central casting (the dashing King Abdullah II and his equally charismatic wife, Queen Rania) - Jordan is located in the political "hot' zone bordering Saudi Arabia, Syria, Israel, Iraq and Egypt.

Unlike their sometimes contentious neighbors, Jordan has enjoyed a relatively long and fruitful peace over the past decades and offers travelers a contrast of attractions — a place where you can walk in the footsteps of Moses, explore beautiful Dead Sea coral reefs at Aqaba, marvel at stunning desert views at Wadi Rum, or take in mysterious Petra, "the Rose City of the Desert".

Most visitors' first encounter with Jordan is the capital city of Amman, comparatively lackluster but with a treasure of antiquities tucked neatly away in several Amman museums worth a visit. Amman also serves as a good jumping off point for archeology "in the wild" nearby including the Roman ruins at Jerash.

However, the must-see on any visit to Jordan is Petra, a wonderfully preserved ancient Arab city built near the Valley of Moses where the Biblical leader miraculously struck a rock and water gushed forth.

Plan to spend at least a day or two exploring the place including the spectacular treasury, and equally impressive views from atop the monastery on Mount Nebo where Moses first viewed the Promised Land.

Another not-to-be-missed tour includes an expedition to Wadi Rum where desert meets awe-inspiring jebels (mountains) providing history lessons in ancient graffiti, preserved temples, and Stone Age shelters.

DID YOU KNOW? Jordan Travel Fun Facts

Olives, olives everywhere.

• As Jordan is one of the largest producers of olives in the world, you'll see olive trees just about everywhere you travel.

• The Treasury at Petra was used in the final sequence of the film, "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade."

• From a traditional Bedouin recipe, mansaf is Jordan's national dish made of rice with chunks of stewed lamb and jameed, a yogurt sauce.

• Jordanians are warm, friendly, and very family-oriented. However, don't make too much of a fuss over their children. Praising kids excessively is considered bad luck!

• It is believed that area called Wadi Kharar along the Jordan River is where John the Baptist resided and where Jesus Christ was baptized.

More about Jordan travel & tourist attractions around the Web:

Jordan - Tourism - The government portal, and better than most, with video clips and guides to Amman and surroundings, the Jordan Valley, the Desert Castle loop, Petra, Aqaba and Islamic holy sites.

Ruth's Jordan - A virtual love letter with comprehensive info on Jordan and its geography, tourist attractions & history, plus images, discussion board, fun stuff, and lots more the guide books don't tell you.