The Eternal Beauty of Petra | Travel Research Online

Image
Image

The Eternal Beauty of Petra

Out in the wide expanse of Jordan’s terrain is a city that was once lost to time. A city cut from the stone face of a deep and winding valley, Petra is a magnificent example of human ingenuity. Journeying through the rose-colored rock that surrounds and comprises the ancient city is a walk through the history of humankind. Considered to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and a UNESCO World heritage Site since 1985, Petra is for the adventurous that wish to have life-long memories of another world. Thanks to G Adventures, we’ll learn all about it in today’s 60-Second Geography.

 

60-Second Geography

Petra, Jordan

Petra with G Adventures

Click Here!

  • Abandoned but by a few nomads in the Byzantine Era following the Roman Empire, it was revealed to the rest of the world in 1812 by Johann Ludwig Burckhadt. Petra’s name comes from the Greek word “petros” for “stone” or “rock”. Though the city is spread out over 100 sq. miles, there is more than enough to see in the centrally located places. One of the most prolific structures is the Treasury, or Al-Khazneh. Al-Khazneh is the first structure the traveler will lays eyes upon after exiting the almost mile-long Siq, a winding path through a sandstone canyon. The traveler will immediately see the logic in it being named after the stone itself when they gaze upon the grand entrance. With columns and ledges carved from the flat face of a canyon, it stands at 131 ft. with a doorway made for giants at almost 20 ft.-tall. This impressive feat of architecture and ingenuity leads into the inner chambers, that are also large. A true walk into the past, the traveler will be in awe of the intricate façade and inner chambers.

 

Picture

 

  • Once the traveler is ready to move on, the Street of Facades awaits them around the next bend. These facades are the front of more than 40 tombs and houses, some with entrances and others with false faces—all cut from the sandstone as well. Further down the Street of Facades is the Roman Theater, originally carved from the stone by the Nabataeans (original occupants of Petra) and enlarged later by the Roman Empire, which is a tiered theater that can hold up to 7,000 people. Across from the Roman Theatre are the Royal Tombs. These tombs are more grandiose and larger than the other tombs, and will astound the traveler’s senses with such a unique city.

 

Picture

 

  • The largest and most legendary of the monuments is the Monastery, or Ad-Deir. The Ad-Deir can be found at the end of a stair-path comprised of 800 steps. Similar to Al-Khazneh, Ad Deir’s façade is a great display of carved architecture. 147 ft.-tall and 164 ft.-wide, The Monastery is completely worth the time and effort of the stair climb and will be a bookmark in the life of the adventurous traveler. Even with these fantastic sites, there are many more to see in the valley as it opens at the end of the Street of Facades.

 

Picture

 

Petra is a wonder to be witnessed, a gem full of cool shadows amongst the harsh desert mountains. The traveler will love the adventure that awaits them in Jordan’s ancient beauty. That’s why G Adventures is offering up multiple itineraries to the lost city of Petra. Whether through a short, week-long trip to Petra that is complete with a float in the Dead Sea or a more expansive tour of the surrounding area, G Adventures has the itinerary your traveler will want to experience in the land that exists beyond time.

Highlights of Jordan

Explore ancient sights and lost cities, overnight in a Bedouin tent and dine amidst the dramatic desert scenery of Wadi Rum. Take in Petra’s fascinating history and marvel at its thrilling beauty, and still have a chance to relax in the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea. This eight-day trip is ideal for the traveller who is short on time but wants to soak up the colours, culture, and history of a country that’s small in size but big in adventure.

Jordan Multisport

Jordan is famed for its ancient past but its present is pretty darn compelling, too. The natural and man-made wonders of Petra and Wadi Rum have been drawing travellers here for ages, but the rough-hewn grandeur of Jordan has remained a secret known only to the boldest of thrill-seekers. Trek the rocky hills to isolated villages along the trails near Ajloun, hike down canyons towards the Dead Sea, and discover the Dana Biosphere Reserve. See for yourself why Jordan is a secret we just couldn’t keep to ourselves any longer.

Explore Jordan

UNESCO has called the ancient stone city of Petra one of the most precious cultural properties in the world. Experience it for yourself on this eight-day adventure through Jordan’s past and present. Float in the Dead Sea, explore incredible archaeological ruins, take an exciting 4×4 drive into the desert, and walk through the “Lost City” itself after a lecture by a local archaeologist. Live out your Indiana Jones fantasies while discovering the true story of this eternal place.

© Copyright 2018 Travmarket. LLC.

Travel Agents: You can use the content above on your own website or newsletter, compliments of the supplier sponsor above who has paid for your use of the materials. All you need to do is to follow the directions in the TRO Licensing Agreement. Also, please take a moment to check out the travel supplier that makes your use of this material possible. To use – Follow the procedure outlined in the TRO Licensing Agreement. Then, right click on this page and choose “View Source”. Copy the HTML and paste the copied HTML into your own webpages or newsletter. You may remove advertising

Share your thoughts on “The Eternal Beauty of Petra”

You must be a registered user and be logged in to post a comment.