Petra

Petra

When I booked my flight to Tel Aviv, I knew I had to squeeze in a side trip to Jordan–and more specifically, Petra. And boy did I not regret it. Petra and Jordan were more than I ever expected. On our second day in the country, our tour group arrived to Petra early in the morning. Because we had the entire day, we were able to spend five plus hours at the site–and believe me, you’ll want a full day dedicated to this wondrous archaeological site. Because first and foremost, Petra is HUGE.

Dana pauses while on our stroll through the Siq.

After paying your entrance fee and enter the site, you access the city after walking almost a mile through an incredibly gorgeous gorge–also known as the Siq. As you meander through this gorge, take note of the incredibly rich colors of the rock formations.

As you reach the end of the Siq you finally get a glimpse of the Al Khazneh, or the Treasury. It’s absolutely incredible . The Treasury is perhaps what most Westerners are familiar with–as it has been photographed over and over and was used as a location site for an Indiana Jones movie.

But your visit to Petra should not end here. Continue down the main road through this ancient city and you’ll discover an array of incredible tombs, temples, a theater, and other spectacular archeological sites. If you have the energy and time, you can even enter some of the tombs.

You’ll need several hours for a thorough visit of Petra. And the harsh sun and temperatures might also require a more leisurely pace. A hat, umbrella, or head scarf are definitely recommended — as well as good walking shoes and plenty of water.