NEWS & SPOTLIGHT

Corinthian Spotlight: Discovery of Petra - Jordan celebrates 200 years

This year sees Jordan celebrate two hundred years since the discovery of Petra: the magnificent rock-cut capital of the Nabataean Arabs, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and ancient city widely heralded as one of the foremost archaeological wonders in the world. Yet, until 22 August 1812, the ‘Rose-red city half as old as time’ of John William Burgon's poem had been ‘lost’ to the West for more than a thousand years. The two hundred year old account account of Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt’s discovery of Petra is quite extraordinary.

Burckhardt had been travelling through what is now modern Jordan disguised as an Arab sheikh when he arrived at the village of Eldjy in Wadi Musa (modern Petra town). Here, he heard about some stunning ruins only a day’s journey from his path, and determined to pay a visit, he hired a local Bedouin guide to take him - paying him with a ‘pair of old horse-shoes’. Knowing that admitting to a desire to see the ruins out of mere curiosity would arouse the suspicion of his guide, who might think him a ‘magician in search of treasures’ and not an Arab, he told the man that he had made a vow to sacrifice at the tomb of Haroun (Aaron) which is situated at the far end of the same valley as the ruins.

The guide led Burckhardt through the towering deep rock chasm called the Siq towards Haroun’s tomb and into the ancient city, where he caught his first sight of the magnificent ‘Treasury’ tomb (El Khazneh) which he described as ‘one of the most elegant remains of antiquity’ and in a ‘state of preservation resembling a building recently finished’. Further on, he encountered many more tombs ‘which vary greatly in size, shape, and embellishments’ and also ‘a theatre cut entirely out of the rock’. Surrounded by such splendour, Burckhardt temporarily forgot himself and entered several of the tombs, and had started towards the free standing ‘palace’ structure known as Qasr el Bint, when his guide exclaimed: ‘I see now clearly that you are an infidel, who have some particular business amongst the ruins of your forefathers; but depend on it that we shall not suffer you to take a single para of all the treasure hidden therein.’ Fearing for his life should the suggestion that he was seeking treasure get back to Wadi Musa, and to allay any further suspicions, Burckhardt had to leave the beautiful ruins that instant following what must have been the briefest and most tantalizing of visits. He never returned.

Two hundred years on, the discovery of Petra’s amazing ruins can be enjoyed fully and at a more leisurely pace. At a minimum, one should allocate one full day for your tour of Petra, but for the cultural enthusiast at least two full days are recommended.

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News: Feynan Ecolodge Hailed Amongst the Top 50 Ecolodges in the World

Deep in the heart of the mountainous Dana Biosphere Reserve, isolated from paved roads and electricity supplies, Feynan Ecolodge is set against a glorious desert landscape and has been hailed as one of the fifty top ecolodges in the world by National Geographic Adventure Magazine. If you are looking to get off the beaten track in Jordan, stretch your legs, discover the beauty of the wilderness, or simply unwind on a serene candlelit terrace, Feynan Ecolodge is the place to go. Located roughly midway between Amman and Petra, Feynan Ecolodge along with the nearby Dana Guest House, is run by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) – a Jordanian NGO devoted to the protection of the kingdom’s finest natural landscapes. An ideal destination for the active and adventurous, exciting experience abound at Feynan: hike over unspoiled terrain, visit local Bedouin encampments, canyon through the magnificent Wadi Ghawyr, mountain bike past ancient ruins, and descend into 4,000 year old copper mines by day. Then head back to the lodge for soothing tea, fireplace conversations and endless starry skies. Feynan Ecolodge has experienced Bedouin guides on hand to tailor your route and chefs ready to prepare a delicious packed lunch to enjoy on your way. A stay at Feynan can be easily included either before or after your visit to Petra. Most visitors choose to combine a stay here with the nearby Dana Guest House and hike the 14 km (5 to 6 hours) through the beautiful Dana Valley between the two lodges. It is equally possible to base yourself at Feynan for a couple of days and explore the beauty of the surrounding area from a single centre. Feynan Ecolodge provides an attractive simple standard of accommodation, and is powered by solar energy. At night the atmosphere is unique when the rooms and lodge are bathed in the light of a multitude of flickering candles. The 26 simple en suite rooms all have their own private terraces with pleasant views of the surrounding countryside. Food at Feynan Ecolodge is also memorable: here you may enjoy healthy delicious vegetarian dishes inspired by traditional Arab cuisine that combine fresh local produce in a delectable way. As part of its commitment to sustainability Feynan Ecolodge strives to acquire its produce and ingredients as much as possible from nearby farms. The bread served at the lodge is supplied by a Bedouin woman from the local community that bakes the flat bread (known as shraak in Arabic) fresh each day on a traditional half moon shaped oven or saj. To start planning your private Jordan holiday Corinthian Travel’s Bedouin Trails suggested itinerary includes a stay at Feynan Ecolodge, or contact to a consultant to plan a customised private tour of Jordan. Telephone: 01372 469 300. Email: info@corinthiantravel.co.uk

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Corinthian Spotlight: Wadi Rum - a desert experience par excellence

“Vast, echoing and God-like” is how Lawrence of Arabia described Wadi Rum, site of one of the most dramatic desertscapes in the Middle East. Most visitors to Rum enjoy the exploring the red sands by 4WD jeep, or for those with more of a ‘Lawrence streak’ within them, there is always the option to cross the sands on the back of a camel. These experiences are hugely enjoyable and memorable, but for those who are seeking ultimate Wadi Rum experience the desert can offer much more. For the adventurous nothing can quite beat a night in the desert at your own rustic private campsite. It is an extraordinary experience that is a must for nature lovers, and anyone who wants to get a feel for the Bedouin way of life. On arrival at Wadi Rum in the late afternoon you will journey silently across the desert on camelback to a dramatically sited private campsite. Corinthian use a recently opened camp which features only 8 tents. After sunset a delicious meal will be cooked, and then you will be left to admire the brilliance of the desert night sky. Next morning enjoy a traditional Jordanian breakfast of cheese, yoghurt, and unleavened bread. For the ultimate dawn desert experience you might like to consider a hot-air balloon journey. The experience is thrilling, and bird’s eye view over one of Arabia’s most beautiful valleys is extraordinary. In the morning the active may be interested in taking one of a number of walking and hiking trails in the area. These will take away from humanity and into areas that have a real sense of the Arabian wilderness about them. One of the most spectacular of these is the hike up to natural beauty spot of Burdah Rock Bridge. The ascent and decent are not technical and will take approximately 4 to 5 hours in total. To make the most of your desert experience in Wadi Rum ask Corinthian Travel.

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NEWS: Private Jordan Family Holiday Introduced

March 2011: Corinthian Travel are pleased to announce their latest “Jordan en Famille” luxury, escorted holiday to Jordan. As the name implies, this private chauffeur driven and escorted holiday is aimed at families wishing to fully immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, food and ambience of Jordan. Jordan is a very child and family friendly country and the tour has been designed to whet the appetites of both adult and younger travellers alike, with activities and sights for both demographics.

The Jordan en Famille luxury holidays starts with a gentle morning drive to Jerash, one of the most well preserved Roman cities where Gladiator re-enactments are carried out at the Hippodrome as well as Chariot races and Roman Army Drill. Lebanese lunch is followed by your own personal leisure time to choose your own activities. Other child friendly activities include visiting the car collection of the late King Hussein, bound to please both children and adults.

For adults culture, history and architecture is omnipresent and the tone of the trip is designed to accommodate both young and old. Visits to Petra are enhanced, romanticised and made ever more mystical and enchanting by adding a candlenight tour of Petra, ideal to engage all members of the party. For adrenalin junkies, a trip through the stunning desert is offered in a 4 wheel drive excursion through the desert valley of Wadi Rum, culminating in a tented Bedouin meal and overnight stay under canvas. Perfect to reminisce and fantasise about the days of T.E. Lawrence – go to sleep with fantastic sunsets and wake to an amazing sunrise over the desert. Wanting more action? The Jordan en Family holiday offers the chance to take a hot air balloon ride over the desert as well the opportunity of a lifetime to see the huge Crusader and Mamluk castle of Kerak. Exhausted and needing to recharge? Every aspect has been factored in and the final day offers the opportunity to make the most of the Dead Sea. Float in this amazing oasis and feel completely weightless and relaxed in the highly salted sea, take a spa or relax in the swimming pool – the choice is yours.

For any parent that has read this summarised itinerary, they will immediately recognise why it is so aptly called the Jordan en Famille holiday. Corinthian Travel have managed to combine a multifaceted trip that will please both adults and children – in fact the whole family by making culture, travel and learning complete and utter fun. What makes this trip highly unique however, is that it has not dumbed down the concept of family travel by separating the ages into groups.

Visit Jordan En Famillie for a full itinerary and Corithian Travel’s otehr Jordan Tours. All Corinthian’s Jordan holiday’s can be fully tailor-made. Research the country you want to visit, pick out the places you want to visit and then contact us either by email: info@corinthiantravel.co.uk or telephone: + 44 (0) 1372 469 300. We look forward to being of assistance to you.

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