Trek in the desert and float on the Dead Sea in Jordan

This year I found myself driving through snow-capped mountains in Armenia to reach remote, medieval monasteries. I’ve hiked in the middle of a rainstorm to the southernmost point of Europe in Mani, Greece.

Dramatic, raw beauty inspired by earth’s elements define both of these destinations, but nothing prepared me for the sights of Jordan.

This Middle Eastern country has been on my mind for almost a decade. Maybe I was captivated by the images of boxy tan-coloured buildings spread over Amman’s hills or Petra’s rock-cut temples. Whatever it was that inspired my desire to go there, this month I finally travelled to Jordan with my family.

It may be a small country but it packs a punch. Be prepared for an exhilarating adventure if you decide to visit. I spent hours hiking off-the-beaten track in the ancient city of Petra, zooming through the Wadi Rum Desert in a Jeep, and absorbing the inspired art scene in the country’s capital, Amman. And I barely scratched the surface on my trip.

Here are some of my top things to do in Jordan plus practical tips to make the most of your once-in-a-lifetime holiday.

What are the best places to visit in Jordan?
An hour north of Amman, Jerash is home to expansive Roman ruins. I was struck by how well-preserved the site is, reminding me only of the grandeur of Ephesus in Selcuk, Turkey.

Entering the main gate of Jerash, you’ll find the ruins of a Byzantine church with ancient Greek alphabets inscribed into the impressively in-tact mosaic flooring. To the left, the hippodrome, once the scene of sporting festivals and chariot races.

But the Oval Forum at the centre of the city is what really blew me away. The plaza, built in the 1st century AD, is surrounded by 56 columns. I spent two hours walking through these ruins and still wished I had more time.

Experience a different side of Petra
The rose-hued city of Petra is so much more than what I had initially expected. We walked into the Siq, a narrow one-kilometre-long canyon flanked by high cliffs that leads to the Treasury.

Many tourists come to take photos in front of this temple. But we wanted to explore the world beyond this main attraction.

It took us 40 minutes to hike south up to the High Place of Sacrifice Trail to an open-air altar where Nabataeans slaughtered animals. We then followed the Wadi Farasa trail back down, making our way past panoramic vistas, stunning ancient architecture and the homes of Bedouin families who still live in the city.

To close out our day, we climbed the 800 steps to the monastery. If we’d had more time, I’d have liked to visit the al-Khubtha trail but we’d already been walking for six hours that day. I let curiosity lead the way and left with a fondness for Petra that I wasn’t expecting when I first arrived.

If you’re planning a trip to Petra, wear hiking boots and comfortable clothes. Make sure to pack energy bars and water but don’t worry about weighing yourself down, there are plenty of shops to pick up extra supplies along the trails.