Western Jordan

The rock-cut, secret city of Petra

• Roman ruins at Jerash
• The rock-cut, secret city of Petra
• Wadi Rum’s desert landscapes

 Jordan’s capital, Amman,  boasts some Roman ruins of its own, but it also makes a good base for a day trip to the even more  impressive ruins at Jerash. This is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the Middle East, with an almost complete theatre that is still used during the annual Jerash Festival. South of Amman, the town of Madaba is worth visiting for its unique Byzantine-era mosaic map.However, the real reason that most people visit Jordan lies farther south still: Petra. The legendary “Rose City” is one of the most spectacular of archaeological sites, and ranks alongside the likes of India’s Taj Mahal and the Pyramids of Egypt as one of the world’s must-see sights. It is possible to see the highlights in one day but there is so much to see that Petra rewards repeated visits. Make sure to allow time for Wadi Rum, with its wide landscapes of red sands and towering mountains of wind-eroded sandstone.