18 July

Royal Famtrip to the Kingdom of Jordan

Jordan mesmerized us back in February 2021, when we published a special issue devoted entirely to the country. Since then, we bonded through genuine friendship with Visit Jordan (the Jordan Tourism Board) and its representative Majd Abu Arqub, repeatedly discussed the possibility of a familiarization tour for Business Community members, and finally the happy moment arrived: the MICE&more group boarded Royal Jordanian Airlines and set off for Amman. 

Three days across the country from Amman to Aqaba and back

Although our program was very intense, the host country has a firm grasp of the needs of tourists, so all of the points on our itinerary were well balanced. Moreover, we were incredibly inspired by the tourist opportunities that we came to Jordan to explore.

Amman – capital of the Kingdom. Here, you’ll find much evidence of the ancient past combined with modern buildings, traditional coffee shops and colorful markets. We climbed the mountain and visited the Citadel, part of the ancient Rabbat Ammon, where excavations have uncovered numerous artifacts from three empires – the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. The Citadel offers stunning views of Amman.

Madaba, the “mosaic city” 22 km from Amman, is mentioned in the Bible. Several ancient Roman villas and early Christian churches with unique mosaics have been excavated here. The oldest map of the Holy Land (the so-called mosaic “Map from Madaba”) has been preserved on the floor of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. Once here, you should definitely visit the Archaeological Park, where artisans train in the art of creating mosaic panels. We were absolutely fascinated by this creation – or rather, by this miracle that was happening before our eyes during the workshop! – and could buy individual works as a keepsake.

Haret Jdoudna. In the heart of Madaba, next to the famous church, there’s a historic house that was built at the end of the 19th century for a noble family and carefully preserves the spirit of the time. Today, it’s a famous landmark and one of the best restaurants in Jordan. Our group had lunch here.

Mount Nebo. You have to agree – the name sounds very symbolic in Russian! It is believed that the prophet Moses is buried here. It’s the most revered shrine in Jordan. Climbing to its summit, you can soak in a grand panorama encompassing the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, Jericho and Jerusalem, that is – the Holy Land. These are precisely the vistas that Moses once beheld. 

Bethany. According to legend, this is the very place (opposite Jericho) where John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ. Today, Christian pilgrims from all over the world flock here to perform a symbolic ablution. We also joined in the sacrament (comfortably reaching it on golf carts, which means a lot in the heat).

The Dead Sea. The coast of this maximally-salty body of water marks the lowest point on land. The water level in the Dead Sea is falling at a rate of about 1 meter per year, so don’t delay in visiting this natural wonder of the world. It’s called the largest natural spa on earth, where you can experience the effects of the famous healing minerals that make up the sea mud. Of course, we took advantage of this wonderful opportunity to “rejuvenate” and, getting ready for dinner, flashed our newfound beauty.

Petra or the “Lost City.” A wonder of the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Jordan's most priceless treasure. This vast and unique city, carved into the rocks by the ancient Nabataeans, had been lost for centuries. In fact, it was only rediscovered in the 19th century. The building of Petra’s Treasury is familiar to many from the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The best photos are born in Siq Gorge. Visiting Petra in the afternoon (like we did) is simply thrilling. To come here for a night show when almost 2,000 candles are burning is indescribable. Conclusion: we definitely have to return here and arrange a gala dinner for our group.

Aqaba – deep indigo waters. And we’re already on the Red Sea, in the very south of Jordan. Here, tourists are greeted by a colorful marine kaleidoscope teaming with fish, coral and other aquatic life. Aqaba is Jordan's only seaport and sole seaside resort, boasting a 27-kilometer coastline. Aqaba is home to almost all of the international hotel chains operating in Jordan (including those using the all-inclusive system), while also featuring local brands. Three-star hotels are on par with good-quality hotels in Europe. Here, leisure is organically combined with business, as there is a large selection of conference rooms.

The AYLA cluster – the choice of “green” travelers. This coastal resort is located just a five-minute drive from the center of Aqaba. The source for eco-design is nature itself, surface solar panels are used to generate clean energy, and the coral nursery preserves one of the most unique marine ecosystems in the world. The luxury cluster boasts a gorgeous 17km-long beach and numerous recreational areas. Jordan’s best golf courses and yacht club are also found here.

Wadi Rum. Our route back to Amman ran through the “lunar” desert. It’s been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in both the natural and cultural categories. A number of sci-fi blockbusters were shot here (including The Martian and Dune). In Wadi Rum, we were captivated by the towering sandstone mountains and the canyons between them – this is where the most fascinating routes are laid out. There are several ways to explore the reserve: in an open SUV with a guided driver (as we did), on a camel with a guide, or even in a hot air balloon. After their active adventures, everyone is advised to tune in to silence and do yoga, for example. But we were offered another unforgettable option – a candlelit dinner at sunset surrounded by cosmic landscapes. The menu consists of national dishes, with mutton baked in the ground taking center stage. We can’t stress enough that glamping in comfortable domed houses under a boundless starry sky is simply fantastic. It’s a pity that we couldn’t stay here for the night. Which means we’ll have to return here too.

HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS IN JORDAN

Intercontinental Hotel Jordan 5* 

The hotel, located in Amman’s diplomatic quarter, was built by a Swiss-German company in 1962; in 1964, it passed into the management of Intercontinental Hotels Group, owned by Jordan Hotels and Tourism Co. The hotel has 391 rooms and 49 suites, as well as indoor and outdoor pools. For events, it offers a versatile large banquet hall for up to 1,300 guests and eight halls of different capacities (from a meeting room for eight participants to the Al-Riwaq banquet hall for 500 people).

Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa 5*

This resort complex is a real “salty” paradise for business travelers. It’s known as Jordan’s MICE calling card. Here, business tourists can appreciate the advanced technology of the resort’s congress center. Its multitasking infrastructure is aimed at hosting incredibly diverse events.

King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center by Hilton: royal MICE venue

Jordan’s largest convention center has become a major attraction for business, politics and culture – and not just because of its versatility and outstanding equipping. A pleasant bonus is its location on the shores of the Dead Sea as part of a five-star resort complex. The congress center building is a three-level venue integrating 27 large halls, exhibition spaces, spacious lounges, outdoor terraces, meeting rooms, press centers and VIP areas. Well-thought-out infrastructure and logistics make it possible to hold several events with differing thrusts simultaneously.

Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea 5*

If you’re thinking of throwing a big event in an outdoor area, take note of this hotel. Here, you’ll be offered several spaces at once, which will remind you of the multi-level Hanging Gardens of Semiramis in Babylon with their cascading waterfalls, lagoons and landscaped luxury. It was this miracle of the ancient world that inspired architects and designers to create the resort.

Our most vivid impression: a branded gala dinner for MICE&more with a DJ at the luxurious Ishtar Royal Villa with an infinity pool and views of the Dead Sea. This villa is a true architectural masterpiece, where we were offered not only a fantastically varied dinner, but also an entertainment program during which even the hotel’s chef played the drum.

Mövenpick Resort Petra 5*

The hotel is located right at the entrance to the ancient city of Petra. The hotel’s rooftop garden terrace offers views of the surrounding hills. Guests can take a dip in the outdoor pool. The main restaurant Al Saraya and the Mediterranean restaurant Al Iwan offer a wide range of dishes (lunch was served for us in this restaurant – we especially remember the original cheesecake made from goat’s milk).

Kempinski Hotel Aqaba 5*

This luxury Red Sea hotel in the heart of Aqaba offers guaranteed views of the Red Sea from each of its 200 rooms and suites. A private white sand beach, a variety of culinary delights and an infinity pool make you fall in love at first sight. The size of the rooms is especially impressive (74 m2 and over). Four halls spanning a total area of up to 450 m2 can accommodate up to 400 guests in theater seating.

Mama Ghaia Restaurant

Located in Aqaba’s trendy Ayla cluster. To our mind, it served up the most interesting cuisine of the trip. The menu draws inspiration from the flavors of Sardinia while lending them a delicious Jordanian flair. Each dish is prepared with special attention to detail. Fresh seafood and delicious cocktails.

Mirwas Restaurant and Cafe

Another delicious and atmospheric Aqaba eatery, located on the water at the Royal Yacht Club. Freshly-caught fish, seafood and beautiful views. We didn’t want to leave.

Fairmont Amman 5*

Just what all travelers dream of! A fabulous ending to our journey. This flagship hotel in the heart of Amman offers modern luxury combined with Jordanian hospitality. Status and prestige near the city’s business district – 316 magnificent rooms and suites. Ten event locations, including the majestic ballroom, which welcomes up to 600 guests.

This trip let us feel the country’s soul and appreciate the level of care and hospitality offered by Visit Jordan. On the one hand, we were welcome tourists who were shown all of Jordan’s most iconic and fascinating sights. On the other – we immersed ourselves in the country precisely as professionals. So, we have a great desire to return here with groups, with projects, and to realize some of our professional dreams. I would call such a trip fabulous. Magical even. It will continue to inspire us for a long time to come.

Contact details:

Majd Abu Arqub

Area Marketing Manager

Tel.: +962 7 9586 3763

majd@visitjordan.com