Advantages: Wonderful country, with fantastic scenery and history
Disadvantages: Dangerous at present time (Jan '06)

...at high speeds, as if in a rally against 18 other jeeps, with loud Arabic dance music pumping out of the cassette player - it was truly awesome and an experience I can't really truly put into words. I didn't even want our driver to change the music; it just fitted so well and was part of the whole enjoyment of the experience. ~~~~~~ AQABA ~~~~~~ Our final stop was the port of Aqaba on the southern tip of Jordan ... the only outlet to the sea! The climate in Aqaba is described as tropical and the Red Sea is one of the richest for marine life in the whole world, with many people descending here to do literally just that in the depths of the Red Sea. It is a very popular world site for divers; also because of it's famed coral reefs. Aqaba is perfect for a beach holiday in this region and is abley supported by hotels of all categories... Read review

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Advantages: The spectacular Scenary
Disadvantages: The Middle East Problem!

...Surrounded by purple-hued mountains, colours appear to change through the day as the sun meanders across the clear blue sky. The Jordanian port of Aqaba provides the ideal place for travellers to this part of the Middle East to kick back and relax, whether that means lying on the beach or sipping coffee in a traditional coffee house. For divers however, Aqaba is the ideal place to avoid the crowds at the more popular Egyptian Red Sea resorts and still enjoy extravagant coral formations and a spectacular wreck. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is bursting with historical sites from a history that stretches back thousands of years, but in April 2001 I went there for the diving. Beneath the usually mirror smooth surface of the Gulf of Aqaba, lie some of the most pristine coral reefs, many measuring hundreds of meters across, to be found... Read review

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Advantages: Fascinating country
Disadvantages: Lack of food variety

...You may have noticed a lack of opinions from me recently - the reason for this is I've been on holiday to Jordan. We booked this about eight months ago through Travelbag Adventures, long before the tragic events of September 11th. Although we had some doubts about travelling (and the attacks on Afghanistan started during our hoilday), I must say that the Jordanian people made us feel extremely welcome, and at NO TIME during our holiday did we feel threatened. We took a nine day holiday, at a cost of £900, which included all the major sights. Here's our experience, and evaluation of the trip DAY ONE The trip started with a Royal Jordanian flight including a short stop at Munich. We arrived in Amman at 17.45 and met our tour guide Samir. We booked in at the hotel and then out for a good Jordanian meal in a traditional... Read review

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Advantages: A very nice dive site
Disadvantages: NONE

...On my trip to Jordan I went around all of the tourist attractions and I belive that this place was very good. They have amazing coral rocks for snorkelling and they have very good animal life down below. I enjoyed my stay and I liked the atmosphere of the place. The poeple were very friendly and I enoyed the shopping. There is a lot to do and I have a memory of buying bottle with different coloured sands with art work with words and camels and things like that. I definately recommend that you go to Jordan and if you do then definately go to Aqaba because it is so fun and it is definately in the SUN!!!... Read review

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Advantages: a wide variety of experiences on offer
Disadvantages: none

...Introduction The Gulf of Aqaba is on of two channels of water that form the top of the Red Sea, the other being the Gulf of Suez. The much disputed Sinai peninsular sits between the two channels and the Gulf of Aqaba forms its eastern coast and is also the farthest eastern point in Egypt itself, this is where the African influences of Egypt merge with what used to be called the Holy Land by scholars. Geographically the gulf is an integral part of the Great Rift Valley, a massive fault line that runs from Central-East African through the Red Sea and on northwards to form the valley containing the Dead Sea and River Jordan. Whilst being only 24 kilometres at its widest point and 160 kilometres long, the Gulf is a large shallow water coastal environment with four countries sharing ownership. Almost the entire western coast of the waters... Read review

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Advantages: Unique experience, luxury spa, real get-away-from-it-all
Disadvantages: Not cheap, long way away from anything else, could be boring?

...there will be even more choice by 2008/9. Location and how to get there This hotel is about 45km from Jordan’s capital Amman (Queen Sofia International Airport) and the journey takes 45 minutes to an hour in a taxi (fixed fare, about £25 in June 2007). There are limited options for public transport. Car hire is possible and the hotel will provide free parking. I took a cab from the airport, which was fine. The car had to negotiate several police/army checkpoints as the Jordanians take their and our security seriously. The hotel is on the north-eastern bank of the Dead Sea, near to where the Jordan River empties out. The border between Jordan and Israel/Palestinian Territories runs along the river and down the middle of the Dead Sea. The address of the hotel is Dead Sea Road, Sweimeh. My experience of the roads was that they were wide and fast... Read review

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Advantages: A very good Tourist Attraction
Disadvantages: Some horse excreta along promenade but nothing serious

...I went to Jordan for a holiday and I found that it was very friendly, nice, and interesting. I went all over Jordan and my Dad took part in the Jordan super marathon. I have to admit that the best place that we wnert to along with Aqaba has got to be Petra. Petra means ROCK and this is literaly what it is. It is a city carved out of the rock. As you walk down this sort of promenade with cliffs towering over you it is nice and cool and is a good break from the heat of the day. As you walk out of the promenade you come to the Treasury. This feature took my breath away and I am sure it has done the same thing to everyone else that has gone to Petra. The Treasury is a large building that is carved out of the cliff side. It is a sort of pink rock that has been used for carving. I loved this but it wasn't just it... Read review

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Advantages: a unique experience
Disadvantages: may be a hard journey for some

...that they were also adapted for Christian worship. Most travel companies that arrange holidays in the Gulf of Aqaba/Red Sea area offer trips to this site, whether based in Egypt, Israel or Jordan itself and most will be a one day affair to the tune of about £40 sterling. I can personally recommend Longwood as an agent for this trip, but there are many others who Im sure run equally enjoyable visits to the site. The only warning that I will give is that it is not best suited to those who have problems walking great distances. That said its not a massive exertion, is paced at a gentle stroll and if you really cant face the thought of trudging through on foot, there is a buggy ride on offer, though you probably lose out from not having a knowledgable tour guide with you.... Read review

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Advantages: Fast Paced, Easy Read, Lots of Juicy Inside Information.
Disadvantages: Expensive, Not Intellectually Stimulating In The Least.

...I love reading anything celebrity wise. Trashy magazines that churn out drivel week in week out is my prey. I read far too many much to the disappointment of my OH, he keeps telling me to put a £1 in a jar anytime I have the urge to buy a mag. This does make sense as I'm on somewhat of a money saving drive at the moment but then I see the latest headlines. Models in Size 0 shocker, Posh eats a hamburger and Jade seeing Sexy new man? Once I have spied the bait, I'm biting faster than a cod. I recycle though.. Just in case your wondering. Who Jordan Is ~~ Jordan (Real name Katie Price) has been about the Celebrity circuit for a while now. Known as one of those celebrities for no apparent reason other than her massive knockers, she has quickly become one of the most successful Female glamour models in the UK. I'm sure everyone has... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, cultural
Disadvantages: Boring, dusty, leering men, lack of pavements

.... Eating: I ate a lot of Macdonalds (awful I know) but the local restarants are great. I suggest the Wild Jordan Café, Downtown. They do organic food-very light and healthy and the terraces has nice views. Fakr el-Din for Lebanese food in a very stylish villa and Noodasia in Abdoun Circle for delicious Asian food. You will find a couple of Starbucks (yay!) but for the local coffee bar experience try Gerards at Abdoun Circle for waffles, coffee and pastries. Amman is worth a visit; you will probably enjoy a couple of days there. Personally I would use it as a base from which to explore Petra, Jerash, The Dead Sea, Aqaba and Wadi Rum. Buy yourself a couple of guidebooks such as the Lonely Planet and the Rough Guide, learn some basic Arabic and go with an open mind!... Read review

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