Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea in 8 Days
Jordan is the Middle East's most accessible and rewarding destination for Western travellers. It is politically stable, internationally connected, and home to three of the region's greatest experiences: Petra (one of the seven wonders of the world), Wadi Rum (the desert that played Mars in The Martian), and the Dead Sea (the lowest point on earth). Eight days is the right amount of time to do them properly.
The Jordan Pass
Buy the Jordan Pass (JordanPass.jo) before arrival. It covers the visa fee plus entry to 40 attractions including Petra and several others. At €75–110 depending on how many days at Petra, it represents extraordinary value.
Amman: Days 1–2
Jordan's capital is underrated. The Citadel (Jabal al-Qala'a) contains a Roman temple, an Umayyad palace and a fine archaeological museum. The Roman Theatre in downtown Amman seats 6,000 and is still in occasional use. Rainbow Street and the Jabal Amman neighbourhood have excellent restaurants and a lively café culture.
Day 2: Day trip to Jerash (45min north) — the best-preserved Roman city in the Middle East, with colonnaded streets, triumphal arches and temples still largely intact.
Petra: Days 3–5
Allow at least two full days inside the city. The Siq (the 1.2km narrow gorge leading to the Treasury) is extraordinary at any time of day but particularly at dawn. The Treasury facade is just the beginning — the complete city extends across 60 square kilometres.
Petra by Night (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday) — the Siq lit by 1,500 candles to the Treasury, with Bedouin music. Different enough from the daytime visit to justify both.
High Place of Sacrifice: The most dramatic hike within Petra, offering panoramic views across the ancient city. Allow 3 hours.
Wadi Rum: Day 6
The "Valley of the Moon" is a desert of red sandstone and granite rising from orange sand. Bedouin camps, jeep tours at sunset, and sleeping in a transparent tent under a sky full of stars. Jordan's most magical night.
Dead Sea: Days 7–8
Float in the water with 33% salinity — it is physically impossible to sink. The mineral-rich mud has been used cosmetically for millennia. Watch the sunset from the Jordanian shore with the West Bank hills of Palestine behind it.
Where to Stay
Amman (Luxury): Four Seasons Hotel Amman on the Fifth Circle — the city's best hotel, with a pool terrace that overlooks the entire Amman cityscape.
Petra (Mid-range to Boutique): Mövenpick Resort Petra is the most convenient hotel to the entrance — literally 5 minutes' walk from the Siq gate. Excellent buffet and reliable room quality.
The Old Village Resort & Spa in Wadi Musa offers boutique rooms with an outdoor pool and strong regional character — better value than the Mövenpick for those less focused on convenience.
Wadi Rum: Wadi Rum Starlight Camp — transparent bubble tents with full starfield views. Genuinely remarkable under a clear desert sky.
Dead Sea (Luxury): Marriott Dead Sea Resort & Spa — private beach on the Dead Sea, extensive pool complex and a world-class spa.