Jaw-dropping Jordan - Top Six Sights you don't want to miss

There are so many impressive sights and landmarks in Jordan, so much so it's nigh on impossible to narrow down a top ten, let alone anything shorter.

But we're giving it a good go  - here is a rundown of our top six memorable moments in the rose city and beyond, including some interesting facts that may inspire you to pay a visit yourself.

The 'Lost City' of Petra

As one of the oldest cities in the world and a status as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Petra unsurprisingly makes it to the top of the list. No doubt if you have been looking at Jordan, you will have been drawn in by images of the spectacular rose city and its Treasury tomb.

But what makes it all the more a must-see is the notion that just 15% of Petra has actually been discovered, giving it that added air of mystery and intrigue. The rest of it is believed to rest underground and remains unexcavated. Just imagine what impressive formations could lie beneath as you wander around.

To enter the city, you walk through a 1.2km passageway, surrounded by cliffs on each side. What an entrance in itself!

Did you know? Rediscovered in the 19th century, Petra was once a thriving historical trade route where the likes of Chinese silks, Indian spices and Arabic incense were traded from Greece and Asia to Africa, Western Europe and the Middle East. 

Foodie finds

While the biblical sites and cultural attractions are nothing short of spectacular, we cannot forget the food encounters either. The national dish here is mansaf, which dates back to 1200 AD - a traditional Bedouin meal usually served on special occasions. 

The meal consists of a lamb shank is cooked in a yogurt broth, which is dried and  seasoned with paprika and cumin, then served on a flatbread, with pine nuts and chopped almonds and steamed rice. Literally your own little slice of history and culture, look out for it when dining out, and you won't be disappointed. 

On your Just You tour, you'll also pay a visit to Beit Khayrat Souf, a women-owned and run café, to enjoy a delicious lunch. The project was inspired to provide women not only with employment, but a sense of empowerment too. Today the café employs 25 women, but you can read more about this wonderful Just You Cares project here.

Jerash

If you've 'done' Rome and looking for your next big historical adventure, you'll want to add Jerash to your list. Laying claim as home to the biggest range of Roman architecture outside of Rome, the ancient city was once part of Decapolis - one of the ten most important cities to the east of the Roman Empire.

With such weighty credentials, the ruins here are over 6,500 years old with grand temples, theatres and more to explore. Indeed you will feel like you are walking back through time in Rome, a surreal but equally inspired experience awaits.

Wadi Rum

Unsurprisingly it's only when you see and experience something for yourself that you can truly appreciate the sheer vastness of the landscape you find yourself discovering. 

And Wadi Rum is exactly that. At over 74,000 hectares it's almost the size of New York City. Resting in the far south of Jordan, you'll spend a night here in the desert in a stunning Bedouin camp. A real pinch-me moment on this tour, make the most of gazing at the stars that stretch for miles across the clear night skies.

It won't take you long from arriving in the desert to understand why this other-worldly landscape has been used as a filming location, including sci-fi movies to mimic the reddish orange hues of Mars on screen. 

Keep your eyes peeled for rock carvings, or petroglyphs while you're here too. There's over 25,000 of them here, and it's also thought to be the location for the early formation of the alphabet, as well as charting human evolution. 

Amman

One of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, you would be forgiven for thinking that the capital Amman, is all about the history. It's quite the city of contrasts, from discovering the Roman citadel and the amphitheatre which once welcomed 6,000 spectators, to observing modern skyscrapers dotted across the skyline - it' a destination that has to be seen to be believed.

There's also much more to appreciate beyond its architectural treasures. Get ready for a warm and welcoming atmosphere here -  locals are known for their genuine friendliness, so you'll feel right at home.

Shobak Fortress

You'll be glad to know that the adventures don't stop there in Jordan. History lovers and curious travellers alike will be thrilled to visit Shobak Fortress - one of the largest and most impregnable of its kind built by the Crusaders.

Perched on a hill in the middle of the wild, its location makes it all the more dramatic and imposing.

Shobak was built in 1115 to defend against attacks from the Saladin armies before surrendering in 1189 following an 18-month siege. The Mamluks later occupied in the 14th century. Today you will see the remains and reconstructions of some wells, churches, baptistry, school, prison, watchtower and an extensive market area.

You'll be entranced by all the areas that defined times gone by here as you wander the secret passageways and witness the many carvings that promoted important scriptures all those centuries ago.

What's more the grounds are a great place to explore some of the local fauna, including eagles and falcons and wild mountain goats that roam free around the outside of the fortress. This all-encompassing adventure serves to remind us of the rich culture, heritage and wildlife of Jordan.