Sure Travel Journey Vol 4.2 Autumn 2018 | Page 6

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© ANASTASIOS/SHUTTERSTOCK
anderlust
PETRA, JORDAN
“Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome!”
This is the greeting that you will hear over and
over again when you visit the Hashemite Kingdom
of Jordan.
Known as one of the most welcoming countries
in the world, Jordan is filled with adventure and
intrigue, as well as a few quirky customs and
beliefs. For example, it is considered polite to
refuse a meal at least three times before finally
accepting. And when you have reached your quota
of coffee for the day, remember to shake your cup
from side to side, otherwise it will be filled again
and again and again…
When visiting a local’s home, try to avoid
excessive admiration of items, or you may just
end up with some excess baggage charges – it’s
customary for your host to offer the item to you
to demonstrate his or her generosity.
Another word of advice: Jordan should not be
your destination if you are in the middle of the
latest diet craze. Apart from its fine offering of
restaurants, Jordan’s café culture rivals that of
Europe, with street food ranging from Egyptian
shawarmas drenched in tahini sauce to spicy Iraqi
meat dishes and delicate piles of Turkish baklava.
Looking for art, culture and history? There’s
plenty to be excited about here. Leave your
cellphone at the hotel and enjoy the “Petra by
Night” walk in silence – an incredible way to
experience “The Rose City”, a Unesco World
Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of
the World. The walk follows the pitch-black canyon
trail, guided only by the light of candles placed
every few metres. Once you reach the iconic
Treasury you’ll hear a local musician playing the
pipe and be served sweet tea while being regaled
with traditional stories by a Bedouin guide.
Adventure, culture, cuisine… No matter what
you’re craving, Jordan will welcome you with
open arms.
HERE WITH SURE
Q GO
Sure Travel offers a number of excellent
packages to Jordan with our preferred
partners. Ask your Sure Travel consultant about
Trafalgar’s Jordan and Dead Sea Experience or
Inspirations Travel & Tours range of itineraries
for Jordan, from half-day or full-day Petra tours
to seven-day experiences. Find your nearest
Sure Travel consultant at www.suretravel.co.za/
agencies or call 0861 47 48 49.