A Mesmerizing Journey Through Jordan: From North to South — Part 1

History, nature, food, and incredible hospitality

Walid AO
8 min readAug 20

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Photo by Daniel Qura on Unsplash

Welcome, wanderers and explorers, to a land where history, culture, and nature weave a captivating tapestry — Jordan. Nestled in the heart of the Middle East, this enchanting country beckons you on a journey like no other. Join me as I embark on an unforgettable trip through Jordan, from the vibrant North to the sun-kissed South, uncovering hidden treasures and ancient wonders along the way.

If I were working for a travel agency trying to sell you the best trip to Jordan, I would write this. However, this is not who I am. I used to live in Jordan. I lived there from 1989 to 1994. At the time, the country struggled with the wave of refugees from the first Gulf War. I have fantastic childhood memories there, but I wouldn't have imagined what would happen when I revisited the country in 2021.

I revisited the country in June 2021 and fell in love with it all over again. Since then, I've been to Jordan five times — It became my go-to vacation destination.

The country has history, nature, activities, adventures, food, and culture. In the blog post, I will take you through the country from North to South on my most recent trip in July and August of 2023. My next trip to Jordan in March 2024 is already planned with new activities.

Echoes of History in the North

Top of the theater in the roman ruins of Jerash

Rare human remains have been discovered in Jerash, dating back to 7500 BC. Jerash flourished during the Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman periods until the mid-eighth century CE. Gerasa, as it used to be called, was destroyed by the 749 Galilee earthquake. Jerash is considered the best preserved Roman city in the Middle East, if not the world. The ruined city of Jerash is Jordan's largest and most interesting Roman site.

The city is called "Pompeii of the Middle East" for a reason. The Greco-Roman Archeological site is massive. It includes:

  • Two theaters (Both are still being used today for events which include the annual…

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