Amman
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tours
The capital of modern day Jordan, this
metropolitan yet laid back city offers the ultra-modern a chance to
mingle with the ancient, both in terms of its monuments and its culture.
The city has alternatively been known as Rabbat Ammon and Philadelphia,
depending on who got to name it at the time.
One of Amman's often overlooked features
are its famous hills, seven in total, that, like San Francisco, the
city laps over like waves of humanity. The city is overlaid on a plateau
some 3000 ft. above sea level, which owes itself to mild summers and
cool winters.
Visitors will always be surprised by
how "un-citylike" Amman really is, especially when compared
to other major MidEast cities like Cairo. For those seeking the urban
excitement, head downtown, where all your citified dreams can come true.
Amman's historical importance is immense,
sites ranging from as far back as the Ammonites have only just been
recently discovered. Remnants of mankind's history are always just underfoot
as you stroll or zip in a taxi through these ancient streets.
Amman is shaped with valleys on all
of its sides but the North, where a hillside was built onto for shelter.
On the summit of this Northern hill is where you can find Jordan's main
museums and major tourist sites including the spectacular Roman Forum
and Theater is located (aka Seil Amman). A visit to the city will surely
entail one to this important area.
Sites:
Some sites that shouldn't be missed
include the massive and contemporary (built in the 1980's) King Abdullah
Mosque and the wonderfully decorated Abu Darwish Mosque.
The Castle of the Slave: In Arabic
Qasr Al Abed. This site entails a massive amount of caves and exploring
possibilities which can literally take you all day to figure your way
around. This is also a great place to bring a picnic lunch and eat grape
leaves amongst the wonderful ruins.
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