Petra

Petra is one of the world's most astonishing ancient sites, a whole city carved into rose-colored sandstone cliffs by the Nabataeans more than two thousand years ago. The approach builds the drama: you walk through the Siq, a long, narrow gorge between towering rock walls, until it opens onto the Treasury, its intricate facade glowing in the sun. It fully earns its status as a wonder of the world.

There is far more here than a single famous facade. The site sprawls across a rugged valley of tombs, temples, and a Roman theatre, and a steep climb of some 800 steps leads to the equally spectacular Monastery. Local Bedouin still have a presence among the ruins, and the desert wilderness of Wadi Rum lies within easy reach for those wanting to extend the adventure.

Petra sits in a desert climate, so spring and fall offer the most comfortable conditions for all that walking and climbing. Summers bring intense midday heat, while winter days are cooler and nights can get genuinely cold.