JORDAN - INTRODUCTION

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is the heart of the Middle East, a melting pot of history, religion and culture. A magical experience of old and new awaits the traveller. Take a trip into history...

Evoking a simpler time, Jordan is rich in historical and cultural heritage. The Jordanian people are very friendly and outgoing, the Arabic greeting "Ahlan wa sahlan" (I welcome you) will be heard at every turn.

AQABA - RED SEA

From the mountains and down to the sea.... here you will find Aqaba, Jordan's resort on the Red Sea. The perfect place to explore southern Jordan - Petra, Wadi Rum Reserve, Humaimeh and of course the crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Aqaba , superb for both diving and snorkelling.
Aqaba offers a mixture of where old and new intermingle, with a blend of antiquity and the magic of Arabia. Life in Aqaba moves at a slower pace and here you can unwind and enjoy a tranquil holiday unspoilt by mass market tourism. You can spend your days lazing beside the pool or on the beach, wandering around the town, savour the warm friendly ambiance of the local culture and sample local cuisine and Arabic charm.

Aqaba has much to offer the watersports enthusiasts; its year-round warmth offers the perfect climate for swimming, windsurfing, waterskiing, canoeing and snorkelling. Of course the diving opportunities are world-renowned and a kaleidoscope of corals and aquatic life can be found as soon as you step into the water.

Aqaba offers close proximity to many of Jordan's historical and natural treasures. Wadi Rum Reserve is 45 mins from Aqaba and Petra only 2 hours. The Dead Sea, Kerak and Amman just 3 and a half hours. The town itself offers many excavations; the ancient city of Ayla; a 4th Century church and of course Aqaba Fort, made famous by Lawrence of Arabia.

DIVING IN AQABA

Aqaba is recognised as one of the top Ultimate Shore Dive Destinations (Sport Diver: Dive Destinations 2007); no long surface swims, or scrambling over rocks!

Take one step into the water and your dive starts immediately as the reefs start practically at the water's edge, making it an ideal environment for divers and snorkellers alike.
Easy entry into fringing reef systems teeming with life; coral pinnacles and canyons leading to the deep.... In fact at most dive sites 50m from the shore entry and you are already approaching depths of 40m and more. There are dive boats, however, because most dive centres run short sailing trip to offshore diving sites.

One of the most popular dive sites is the wreck of the Cedar Pride, a freighter sunk in 1985, now forming an interesting man-made reef. There is also an Anti Aircraft Tracked Vehicle - "The Tank", barely 10 m from the shore the treads are at 6m. Located by Oliver's Canyon, it makes a superb safety stop as well as an excellent snorkel site.

The reefs in Aqaba support many unique species, Frog Fish, Ghost Pipe Fish, Harlequin Shrimp and Seahorses! A truly unique eco-system, there is something to interest everyone, from beginners to more advanced divers.

LAND EXCURSIONS FROM AQABA

PETRA, the rose-red city half as old as time itself, is Jordan's most famous attraction. The majesty of Petra is revealed by travelling through the Siq, a winding, fissure through the intricately patterned cliffs that loom some 300 feet overhead. Then at the end, it opens up to reveal, The Treasury, or el Khazneh. Carved out of the solid, rose-hued mountain side, this awe-inspiring feat of architecture was carved over 2,000 years ago. Travelling deeper into the wonders of Petra, the visitor is surrounded on every side by hundreds of carved temples, royal tombs, a Roman amphitheatre, houses, burial chambers, sacrificial sites, reservoirs, baths, towering staircases, markets, and paved streets.

WADI RUM RESERVE - one of the world's most beautiful desert regions - ancient valleys, granite outcrops and towering sandstone formations rising out of red coloured sand. Follow in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia and ride on camels - the ships of the desert - through the stunning natural beauty for an experience you will never forget. The area has been inhabited for millennia as indicated by the many inscriptions and is now home to several Bedouin tribes. The Reserve can be explored by 4 X 4, hiking, horse or camel trek. It is also a world class area for climbing.

We also organize tour and visit to:

Amman, the capital of Jordan, is a city of contrasts, historical sites rubbing shoulders with modern architecture.

Jerash. Considered the most complete and best preserved city of the Decapolis, the ancient Greco-Roman city of Jerash lays an easy hour's drive from Amman.

Pella, in the Jordan Valley, is another city of the Decapolis. A short drive north of Amman, Pella is one of the most important and largest sites in the region.

Umm Qais commands majestic views over the Golan Heights, the Sea of Galilee, the Yarmouk River gorge and the Jordan Valley.

Abila, more rural than Jerash and Umm Qais, lies to the northeast. Roman temples, Byzantine churches and early mosques

Umm El Jamal is one of the Decapolis' most eerie and dramatic monuments to ancient civilisation, a stark contrast to Jerash and the other cities of the area.

Ajlun village, a forty-minute drive from Amman, offers the visitor a remarkable castle, dating from 12th century AD.

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth, some 400 metres below sea level. Due to an extremely high content of salts and minerals, as the name suggest, the sea is devoid of life. However, it is these very minerals that give the Dead Sea its renowned curative powers, recognised for over 2,000 years.

Castles and Fortresses: Numerous historic ruins, including castles, forts, towers, and baths, farming estates, caravan inns and fortified palaces abound throughout the arid landscape of eastern Jordan.

The Ancient Holy Land: Jordan is home to many sites of historical and religious importance. A lonely, windswept hill, Mount Nebo is believed to be the tomb of Moses and is where Moses looked out over the Promised Land.

HOTELS IN JORDAN

InterContinental Aqaba*****

Offering 255 luxurious bedrooms and suites is situated on a private beach on the shores of the Red Sea. The hotel is 15 minutes away from King Hussain International Airport and 10 minutes walk from down town Aqaba.

All rooms are equipped with High Speed internet and wireless internet connectivity is available in all the public areas of the hotel.

The following restaurants are available at the Intercontinental Aqaba:
Burj Al Hamam Restaurant is one of the leading Lebanese chain restaurants in the Middle East serving Lebanese cuisine. Cote D'or Restaurant is a fine dining specialized in grilled steaks and wines. Corniche Restaurant is an all day dining offering buffet breakfast. Lunch and dinner. For those wanting cold and hot beverages along with sweets, the Deli Café is the perfect choice while the Beachfront serves snacks & refreshing drinks throughout the day. Martini's lounge offers live music & amazing cocktails.

300 meters beaches along with a 220 meters swimming pool are available for your pleasure and comfort. A 24 hours gym, a Spa, a squash court, a dedicated Kid’s Club, and an array of water sports activities are also available.

MOVENPICK RESORT AQABA****

Adjacent to the archaeological site of the ancient Islamic city Ayla, known as Aqaba, on the shores of the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea). The main hotel building is on the King Hussein (Cornish) Street, and a large bridge inspired by Ayla incorporating a lap pool and a pedestrian market links it to the beach side.

All rooms include air-conditioning, electric door locks, hair dryer, heating, make up / shaving mirror, minibar, in-room movies, multi channel satellite TV, safes, IDD-phones with two lines, a phone in the bathroom.

Featuring: shops, health club, swimming pools, private beach, sauna, massage, Jacuzzis, children’s club. Health Club; including in- and outdoor pool, gym, cardiovascular machinery, strength training equipment, Jacuzzi / whirlpool.

AQABA GULF HOTEL***

The Aqaba Gulf Hotel is conveniently located near the city centre, 12 minutes by car from Aqaba International Airport. This charming little city on the Red Sea -shaded by palm trees, lapped by crystal clear waters, and encircled by purple mountains that change colour throughout the day- is a warm, sunny, and inviting resort all year round.

Most of the rooms & suites have a magnificent view of the Red Sea & the Aqaba city, all equipped with individually-controlled air conditioning & central heating, multi-channel satellite television, radio, direct dial telephone and mini-bar, and non-smoking rooms are also available.
Restaurants two fine restaurants - the Aqaba Cafe Shop and Petra Restaurant - Two bars, the Rum Bar and Snack Bar and Lobby Cafe, serving delicious and light snacks with your favourite choice of finest coffee and tea.

Leisure’s & Facilities Outdoor heated fresh water swimming pool surrounded by a magnificent view of landscaping and gardens. - Snack bar and pizza oven with wood fire - Children playgrounds. - Floodlit tennis - court.

ALCAZAR HOTEL**

Conveniently located in the Hotel Area, within five minutes walking distance from all the local amenities, shops and restaurants.

132 bedrooms are individually decorated and noted for their spacious size. All bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms, satellite TV, fridge, IDD telephones, and individual climate control. Their private balconies offer views south across the town and the Gulf of Aqaba or north to the surrounding mountains.

The Khayam Restaurant, which offers either a buffet style or Table d'Hote for clients choosing Half Board or a la carte menu. Mongolian BBQ in the lower courtyard. During the summer you can dine around the poolside.

Internet point and laundry service.

Club Murjan is a private club offering FREE entrance to clients of the Alcazar Hotel. It is located south of Aqaba Town, within the Marine Reserve and adjacent to the Marine Science Reserve. Club Murjan is the perfect place to relax, away from the noise and crowds.

DIVE CENTRE IN JORDAN

Seastar Watersports is Aqaba's leading dive school, for recreational diving and diver training. Established in 1988 it was Jordan's first PADI 5 * Instructor Development Centre (S2500) and has the only Jordanian PADI Course Director.

Seastar Watersports is the only centre in Jordan to offer 3 choices of diving:
1. Shore dives with a variety pinnacles, wrecks, and walls. All with easy entry points direct from the shore.
2. Boat diving on the largest and newest purpose built dive boat in Aqaba 19m long X 6m beam and twin engine. Stable and roomy...
3. House Reef diving with a choice of 3 House Reefs (First Bay, Cazar Reef, Eel Garden), all 3 reefs have excellent diving and snorkelling too.

For Diver Training, they also have more venues than any other centre in Aqaba:
1. Club Murjan pool, for confined water training
2. Cazar Reef, directly in front of Club Murjan, with a training area specifically laid out for confined water location in the sea, among the reefs.
3. Alcazar Hotel pool.

The equipment consists of well-known brand names (AP Valves "Buddy" BCD's + Spiro & Sherwood/Beuchat Regs, Beaver Wet Suits) and all is meticulously maintained. On-site lock-up cages mean you can store all your equipment with peace of mind.

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