7-Nights Explore Jordan - National Geographic Journeys

Madaba

The prime attractions of Madaba, Jordan—located on the King's Highway, 20 mi/30 km southwest of Amman—are its many sixth-century Byzantine mosaics.

The most famous and most impressive of these mosaics is the enormous sixth-century map of Palestine and Egypt that is located in St. George's Greek Orthodox Church.

A few blocks from the church is the Madaba Archaeological Museum, which contains the remains of several Byzantine churches, including some wonderful mosaics found there and in other parts of the region, as well as other ancient artifacts. The nearby mosaic school was established to teach the restoration of these rare artworks.

Residents of Madaba are reclaiming their once-endangered heritage thanks to efforts, aided by USAID, such as the Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art and Restoration. The area offers many shops for mosaics and other souvenirs. Cafes and restaurants also proliferate.

Madaba is a good base for exploring surrounding sights. You should definitely consider a jaunt to Mount Nebo—it offers an excellent view of the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea and (on clear days) Jerusalem. A sixth-century church marks the spot where Moses is said to have seen the Land of Canaan at the end of his life (he, too, enjoyed the view).

Other area attractions include Mukawir (20 mi/34 km southwest of Madaba) or Herod's Fortress, where Salome danced and John the Baptist was beheaded); the beautiful mosaics in the church at Siyagha; and more beautiful mosaics in Umm ar-Rasas.

Near Herod's Fortress is the Bani Hamadi Project, where Bedouin women continue an ancient tradition of making and working with simple looms.

Dead Sea, Jordan

Straddling the border between Israel and Jordan, the Dead Sea is the lowest spot on the Earth's surface. If you head there from Amman, don't nod off: The view as you descend from the hills toward the sea is quite striking. The mineral content of this 45-mi-/75-km-long and 6-mi-/10-km-wide saltwater lake tops out at 33%.

The Dead Sea should be seen (and stepped into) at least once in every person's life—it's impossible to sink—but some mild words of caution are in order: Don't shave shortly before swimming (the high salt content will leave you with an excruciatingly painful experience), and take some eyedrops along (getting even a tiny drop of the thick water in your eye is painful). Also try to make sure there are shower facilities or a freshwater stream in which to rinse off nearby—otherwise, the sea's minerals will leave an uncomfortable crust on your skin.

Near the northern end of the Dead Sea are several spa and beach resorts, including the lovely Movenpick Resort and the luxurious Kempinski Hotel Ishatar, which was inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Visitors who are not guests of the resort can generally take advantage of the health and beauty treatments at the spas if they purchase a day membership. For centuries, people have traveled to the Dead Sea to enjoy its beauty as well as its healing properties. Many people go there for relief from chronic ailments such as dermatological problems, asthma, arthritis, circulatory issues and hypertension. The composition of the Dead Sea contains contains high levels of magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium, making it rich in life-enhancing minerals.

A bit inland from the sea, in a beautiful oasis, are thermal springs (including a waterfall) at Hammamat Ma'in.

Also nearby is Bethany Beyond the Jordan, which archaeologists believe to be the site where John the Baptist lived and preached, and where he baptized Jesus. The ruins of a Byzantine church were built on what early Christians identified as the spot where Jesus left his robes. Elsewhere, you can visit the Baptist's Spring, which may have been John's cave where he sheltered, and several other churches and baptism pools. Nearby is Jebal Mar Elias, a small hill referred to in the Bible as Hermon, where the prophet Elijah ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire.

About midway along the sea's shore is the Mujib Reserve. This protected area encompassing a gorge, mountains and valleys boasts an impressive biodiversity of both plants and wildlife. It also has two marked hiking trails and a campsite. At the southern end of the sea, not far south of Wadi Mujib, is the site identified as Lot's Cave, where the biblical figure was said to have taken refuge after escaping from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. A Byzantine church built over the cave entrance has been excavated and is open to the public. A shell-shaped museum has been built 984 ft/300 m from the entrance to Lot's Cave. North of Lot's Cave are the sites of what are believed to be the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which show signs that they were indeed destroyed by fire.

Try to see the sunset at the Dead Sea at least once—it's worth it. The Dead Sea is 25 mi/40 km southwest of Amman.

Jerash

Located 33 mi/54 km north of Amman, the 2,000-year-old Greco-Roman ruin of Jerash, Jordan, is the best-preserved of the Decapolis cities.

The city is nestled in a valley carpeted with yellow mustard flowers in springtime. An urban Greek center in the third century BC, Jerash later flourished under Roman rule for about 200 years.

Today, its theaters, arches, fountains, temples, churches, houses, baths and colonnaded streets are still so magnificent that even jaded travelers who loathe to visit another ruin get excited.

Each year in July and August, the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts is held.

Jerash can be visited from Amman by taxi, car or escorted day tour.

Wadi Rum

Petra

Amman