Travel News June 2022
JORDANIAN NIGHTS
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experience and Saraya Rum does it right. Immersed in true traditions of the native Bedouin Tribes, the team that creates this experience takes you on a journey from sunset to sunrise. The desert sells itself; stunning views are all we need in life, in my opinion. Hotel 5: Kempinski Hotel Aqaba
Location: Sitting on the coast, this hotel is located smack bang in the middle of Aqaba. Only around 10 minutes from Aqaba international, the Kempinski Hotel faces the red sea giving panoramic views. Close by you have Petra at 125km away, Wadi Rum 76km away and The dead sea 237km away. Facilities: On offer at this hotel is everything you need, multi-level pool, beach bar, swim up bar, restaurant, rooftop terrace, Spa and wellness centre, beach access, teens club, kids club, concierge, suites and deluxe room and water sport service.
For that 5* glam, this is the hotel for you. Staying at this hotel is an out of body experience with amazing facilities to enjoy the sun and rooms that give you spectacular views while in the bath, this hotel is a serious contender.
Spice up your life… Petra and the Treasury
wonders of the world is nothing you will ever be able to imagine. It is just impossible for pictures, videos and stories of this remarkable treasure to do justice to this beauty it beholds. Thanks to the knowledge of our Tour Guide Wael, the experience was unforgettable. As we entered The Siq, the narrow gorge that
turns and winds for 1.2k, is the runway to Petra’s most elaborate ruin, Al Khazneh. Walking through the split rock, seeing sculptures made by the Nabataeans and embracing naturally formed rock, you are led to the shining star of Petra, The Treasury. Of course, a photo opportunity was taken, and the gram was blessed with the views like none other. Observing the royal tombs and the Amphitheatre, the visit to Petra was 10/10. Jordan in pictures can be seen on the NI Travel News Instagram @nitnonline in the Jordan Highlight – check them out, be prepared to be jealous.
Petra Pointers • Comfy Shoes
• Plenty of water • Go early in the morning • Bring a cracking camera • Bring a whip, have an Indiana Jones moment! • With the sun shining, it was time to continue with the best days of my life. (This statement will stand until I have a child, maybe..).
Tell me someone who would pass up a 4x4 Bedouin Jeep tour in the Wadi Rum Desert. A JEEP RIDE IN THE WADI RUM DESERT! I can’t. Hair up, sunnies on, lathered in sun cream and my head scarf blowing in the wind, I enjoyed every second on the back of that Jeep, physically experiencing something I never thought I would get to see. IT WAS INCREDIBLE, rich red sand merging into rock as far the eye could see, barrelling through the desert passing traditional Bedouin Camps, natural rock landscape and camels, I truly felt like I was experiencing Jordan.
Hopping out of the jeep to do some exploring with a few members of our group, our guide Wael took us to sample rock climbing, unintendedly, while looking for ancient inscriptions, a quick quiz on what we thought the pictures depicted, there was time for another quick photoshoot and then it was back onto the jeeps to chase the sunrise.
During the trip Nebo Tours gave us 5* treatment in every way, from planning an itinerary to maximise our stay, selecting restaurants for us to sample different food to providing gifts in relation to the day we had. The one experience that I felt made the trip truly special and personal was a Champagne Sunset Camp, taking us all by complete surprise. The Nebo Tours Team and staff from our camp for the night created an experience for us that each of us will remember, always. Dressed in traditional Bedouin Throbs, the group sipped champers, watched the sunset and took a little ride on a camel – the most surreal experience, an authentic Bedouin adventure.
Picture this, you are miles and miles and miles away from any real civilisations, you are surrounded by noises of the desert and pure darkness. You have the warm breeze that has a slight chill from the day turning to night grazing your face. The lights of the big city are none existent, you are walk in the middle of the desert with a beer in you hand having just witnessed a stunning descent of the sun. You stop, lie down on the soft sand that welcomes you like a memory foam mattress and look up. The sky’s alight with bright dancing balls of fire, trillions of lightyears away in another universe. You are stargazing in the Wadi Rum Desert, in Jordan. Wow. Aqaba, located in the very south of the country, plays a vital part to Jordan’s trade and tourism sector with the port servicing many counties in the region. In the very north of the city lies to the Red Sea which is snuggled between Asia and Africa. In this city lies a city, a man-made city. Hotels, beaches, and the only golf course in Jordan. Ayla is an integrated community resort owned by local investors that promotes extra added luxury. The one of a kind, 18-hole championship, Greg Norman Designed course sits proudly in the heart of development and offers many different experiences depending on your ability. With a lagoon running through the resort, Israel can be seen by the naked eye with only being 26km away… close enough to touch.
Chelsea’s Clothing Tips • Be considerate of the local culture.
reconsider. • Bring or buy a hat – A MUST! • Seek advice from your guide – that kept me right during the trip • Cover up when visiting places of worship
• If you are unsure if it is appropriate,
Resting the head During the trip we visited 5 different hotels, each one providing a different experience but equally bringing 5* luxury.
Hotel 1: Grand Hyatt Amman Hotel
Location: Around 30 minutes’ drive from the Queen Alia International Airport, Situated in the heart of Amman. It is a Short walk to Amman City Centre, The Roman Amphitheatre and The Citadel. Facilities: 360-degree views of the city, spa, Outdoor Swimming Pool, Hairdresser & Beauty Salon, Lobby Shop & Shopping Gallery, Foreign Currency Exchange/ATM Machines, Valet Parking and much more.
Chelsea dressed in traditonal Bedouin clothing
This hotel is beautiful with clean fresh rooms available
and an extensive food offering for guests. Staff were friendly and happy to assist with anything required.
Chelsea pictured at the Temple of Zeus iwith views of the oval plaza
Hotel 2: Kempinski Ishtar Resort and Spa Location: sitting 434 m (1,312.3 ft) below sea level at the Dead Sea, it is around 50 minutes outside of Amman. Close by sits Madaba, Wadi Mujib, Mount Nebo and the Baptism site of Jesus . Facilities: 9 pools, fitness centre, tennis court, airport transfers, concierge service, kids club, private dead sea access site, 7 restaurants/bars, luxury spa, suites, and luxury suites.
This hotel was one of my favourite places to stay during the trip, extremely reasonably priced with facilities that where mind-blowing and views to match. Hotel 3: Old Village Resort
Location: The Old Village Hotel & Resort, situated
on the outskirts of Wadi Musa, overlooking the Shahara Mountains is around 1.9km from Petra. Facilities: Furnished rooms to reflect the history and culture of the area, outdoor swimming pool, sauna, shuttle transportation to local landmarks and remarkable sun set views
This hotel oozed history, every corner was sculpted to blend into the village it lives in. With beautifully designed rooms made for maximum comfort and privacy, for an authentic experience this hotel is a great option.
Hotel 4: Saraya Rum Camp
Location: Deep in the Wadi Rum Desert Facilities: This camp provides a Luxury camping experience, traditional Bedouin dining experiences, can offer luxury transfers from the airport in Amman or Aqaba and activities such as Camel rides, Champaign Sunsets, 4x4 Jeep rides and sand surfing, along with star gazing. Camping in the Wadi Rum Desert is a fabulous
Throughout the whole trip, it was so clear that every restaurant we visited was hand selected to truly provide an authentic traditional experience for the group. Visiting many local family run businesses allowed the group to blend into the Jordanian lifestyle. From speaking with the owners, chefs, and locals, we discovered that Jordan offered a varied style of cuisine with influence from neighbouring countries that has been welcomed and embraced for centuries. Each meal was kicked off with the table enjoying Mezze; a series of appetisers including hummus, mutabbal and other deliciously created snacking dishes, followed by main dishes like Mansaf and Mosakhan. At every bite, your taste buds are assaulted with spices and flavours that have you savouring every bite. For my bread lovers out there, book a one-way ticket. There is fresh bread EVERYWHERE – we won’t talk about my shorts feelin’ a little snug by the end of this trip. For those that know me, I’m a plain eater… I could live on chicken nuggets. I really thought this was something I would struggle with but genuinely, I was stuffed after every meal. Our servers at each restaurant explained the meals and always brought a large variety of different meats and dishes.
Like I mentioned at the start of this article, I never thought I would get to experience Jordan and the treasures it holds but I did, and it was easier than I expected. Having seen Nebo Tours and Turkish Airlines produce a fully rounded trip that required very little input from me but hit every mark on what I would look for on a holiday like this, it was refreshing and soothing to see.
Travel is not quite what it used to be, people are more stressed and anxious than ever about booking holidays and the security they can get when spending a pretty large sum of money but on the other hand everyone has never needed a holiday more… This is why you book with Nebo Tours. They provide a tailor-made experience for you with an itinerary that exceeds every goal you have at different costs targeted at different budgets; take it from me I know – I experienced it. With something different for everyone, visit https://
nebotours.com or alternatively contact Tony Flynn, Business Development manager of Nebo Tours, at
tony.flynn@
nebotours.com
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