Where
Jordon is a small country with a strategic location in the Middle East. This ancient land is rich in culture and beauty, and is a hub for tourists who flock here to experience its many offerings, especially a dip in the Dead Sea!
When
March to May, when days are warm and nights are cool is the perfect time to visit. What’s more, Northern Jordan is literally blanketed in wildflowers in April!
Why
The country boasts of a wealth of natural resources and therapeutic sites. It hosts world-class resorts and this makes Jordon a haven for those who seek wellness. One can pursue a wealth of activities in and around the capital Amman. Ancient ruins and heritage buildings also dot the landscape, making it a treat for history junkies.
Capturing Ancient Glamour
Petra in Jordon is synonymous with ancient architecture. The Mövenpick Petra Nabatean Castle stays true to the essence of the area. It is a 10-minute drive from Petra’s entrance and is situated at an altitude of 1400 metres. The architecture facilitates views over sweeping hillsides. The hotel was designed by the recipient of the Agha Khan Award for Islamic Architecture, engineer Rasem Badran.
All the hotel’s 90 rooms and suites are spacious and most have extraordinary views over the Great Rift Valley. The design of the rooms combines the warm hues of the surrounding landscape and elements of Jordanian heritage with a contemporary language and modern amenities. The 110 sq m indoor heated pool is designed beautifully, keeping with the historic charm of the place.
The hotel’s Al Madafa main dining room and the Al Nadeem Bar, each have their own terrace. The design thus allows the guests to explore the rich views as they dine. The use of stone and especially the choice of colours reference the rose-red coloured old ruins present around the area. These public areas in the hotel reassert the balance between modern design and a certain loyalty towards the local heritage.
High On The Hill
The capital city of Amman is built around seven hills and on the highest one lies the Citadel of Amman which is historically considered to be among the oldest inhabited places. Since the Bronze Age, the site has witnessed the evolution of mankind and ongoing excavations continue to evoke more stories from the past.
The Temple of Hercules is a striking sight here. The depiction of the ‘Hand of Hercules’ points to the magnificence that the temple’s past would have held. The Umayyad Palace also bears testimony to the grandiosity of the ancient civilisation that thrived here. The palatial complex has a restored domed entrance chamber. The large cistern at the Citadel is a wonder to marvel at.
A Different Kind Of A Fig . . .
The Blue Fig Café finds a mention in several guide books of Jordon. The hip and contemporary café offers a well-curated gourmet world cuisine. This glass-and-steel restaurant near Abdoun Circle in Amman sits coolly in an elegant brown building.
It is a mix of varied seating nooks that truly make up the ambience. Cosy arrangements occupy the terrace, the upper levels, the ground floor as well as the outdoor area, jostling for space. Great world music that’s fits in well with the fusion theme wafts through the air!
Street Life
To know a place one needs to get into its markets. Downtown Amman is where the life of the city is. One finds tons of shops and restaurants, as well as a large mosque and the old Roman theatre in this area. Narrow cramped alleys are connected by colourful stairways.
One may find it quite stereotypical with traffic, noise, plenty of street shops and music blaring from the little stalls, but a mindful stroll will show you that this bustle belongs quite uniquely to Amman! And it is here that the heart of the city lies.
Text By Dhanishta Shah
