Um – Qais or Gadara was renowned as a cultural center. It was the
home of several classical poets and philosophers, including Theodorus
founder of the School of Rhetorics in Rome .

    Um – Qais , commands a view over the north Jordan Valley , the
Golan Heights of Syria and Lake Tiberias , Historical records refer to
Gadara after Alexander the Great ' s conquest in 333 BC.

       Gadara meaning "fortification" , was a member of the Decapolis
and because of its strategic position , its rich agricultural land and natural
water resources , the town was over-run and captured century upon century
by the various forces of the region . The ancient ruins of the city bear testimony
to the influence of its Graeco – Roman , Byzantine and Ottoman past.

One of the cities of the Decapolis , ancient Gerasa (Jerash) has been
inhabited since 1600 BC although most of the erect remains date to
Roman Byzantine and Ottoman times.

 
 Amman is fast becoming a springboard to other Middle East Countries. Whether   by air of road , and the capital is aspiring to be the hub of the region.It is originally   built on seven hills , Amman has grown considerably in the last  decade and has   spilled over to consume other hills and valleys in its wake .

    Amman is a busy commercial and administrative center with many fine hotels night   clubs and discos as well as modern facilities for sporting events conventions and   conferences . There is a wide spectrum of restaurants to meet every taste offering   choices of food ranging from Arabic through a variety of international  specialties
  and fast food.

Madaba is most famous for its mosaics ; Madaba ' s chief attraction in the contemporary Greek Orthodox church of st. George – is a wonderfully vivid, sixth – century Byzantine mosaic map showing the Jordan River Valley and the Nile Delta . Although damaged Jerusalem is clearly visible and other holy sites .With two million pieces of colored stone , and a full 25 × 25 meters in its original state , the map depicts hills and valleys , villages and towns , as far a way as the Nile Delta .

    The eastern desert beyond Amman is home to a score of Nabatean and
Roman forts and early Islamic castles , baths and agricultural estates
preserving a rare and perhaps even unique repertoire of early Islamic fresco  art.

   
     The Desert Castles are: Basalt fort at Azraq, Qasr Hallabat, Qasr Kharanah and Qasr Mushattah Qasr Amra which is the best preserved example of the Umayyad desert castles. Based on inscriptional evidence it is believed to have been built during the reign of Caliph Walid I ( 705 – 715 AD ).
The beauty of Amra lies within: the Walls and ceilings are gallery of painted frescos.

   In ancient times the hot springs of Hammamat Ma ' in were known to possess healing and therapeutic properties . Baths , sauna – like caves and warm , pummeling waterfalls , guarantee a rejuvenating experience . at the site is an exclusive resort with a swimming pool , spa and health facilities , Massage and body – care treatments are available for guests only.

    The Crusader castle at shobak was built in 1115 by Baldwin I of Jerusalem . From the top of a knoll the castle , known to the Crusaders as Montreal ( royal mount ) , commands a position overlooking severe terrain and the former caravan thoroughfare Shobak was one of a chain of castles that provided Jerusalem and its environs protection . In 1189 the castles fell to Salah al – Din and wall inscriptions testify to his victory and the later presence of the Mamluks who restored the castle in the 14 th century.

    Constructed in 1135 AD , Karak castle lies equi – distance between
Jerusalem and Shobak . The castles were built a day ' s ride apart along
the caravan route stretching from the Red Sea to Turkey .

    The most famous attraction in Jordan is the Nabatean city of Petra , It was chiseled into varying russet toned rock faces during the 6 th century BC .
It was the work of Nabataeans, a nation originating from west Arabia , Over the centuries many forces tried to conquer the rose city, but it was not until
106 AD that the Romans captured it. Petra ' s significance declined steadily
and by the 7 th century it was no more than a home to Bedouin descendents of the Nabataeans who have remained their until the present.

      In the 12 th century the Crusaders left their mark by building forts, but during  the subsequent 700 years Petra was the secret of the Bedouin . In 1812 the  western rediscovery of the ancient city was made by Swiss explorer, Johann  Ludwig Burckhardt. Petra ' s most famous monument , the Treasury , appears  dramatically at the end of the narrow passage (the Siq) which leads to the city

     Journey to Wadi Rum is a journey to another World , A vast silent place timeless and starkly , the uniquely shaped massive mountains raise out of the rose red desert sand , in this magnificent desert scenery of strange beauty
with towering cliffs of weathered stone, All around there is emptiness and silence. in these immense spaces , man is dwarfed to insignificance.

    Wadi Rum is like the moon scope of ancient valleys and towering weathered  sandstone mountains rising out of the white and pink colored sands. Should you  tire at last of history's treasures, Jordan 's desert vistas and marine life will help  you to fill the idle hours. Trek or climb in Wadi Rum, a mauve hued valley of  mesmerizing beauty where Lawrence of Arabia once rode. Try hot air  ballooning over the hills and canyons, or spend a night under the stars in  Bedouin tent.

    You need camels or four – wheel drive vehicles to penetrate into Wadi Rum and appreciate its ever – changing panoramas and vistas , as well as the remnants of thousands of years old antiquities , waterworks and rock art.
This is where the legend of Lawrence of Arabia was born , and where the film of the same name was shot.
Wadi Rum is an experience you will never forget.