By Journey by Katie
I landed in Amman with high expectations and a carry-on suitcase packed for three weeks of travel — one week dedicated entirely to Jordan. I didn’t know it then, but that week would become one of the most emotional, awe-inspiring, and occasionally chaotic chapters of the entire trip.
Jordan doesn’t ease you in gently. It throws you into beauty. And traffic.
There was nothing elegant about the driving in Amman. Nothing. Horns blaring, cars weaving in patterns known only to the divine, and roundabouts that felt like group therapy with no resolution. Spoiler: I survived. I let my driver handle it while I stared out the window in jetlagged disbelief, hoping for a soft landing. I got dust, mint tea, and my first glimpse of limestone buildings stacked like honeycomb across the hills.
The chaos faded as we left the city. That’s when Jordan started whispering. Not loudly. Not all at once. But quietly — through its landscapes, its people, and its light.
We drove south toward Petra. Along the way, time felt different. There were roadside vendors selling fresh bread, flocks of goats moving like smoke over hills, and colors that shifted from bone-white to copper to deep rose. It was quiet. And then Petra appeared — not all at once, but the way legends do. Slowly. Behind a bend. Beneath your feet. Over your shoulder when you least expect it.
Petra doesn’t just impress you. It humbles you. The kind of humbling that makes your knees ache, your camera overflow, and your heart stretch wider than expected. The Treasury, carved into blush-colored stone, hits you in the chest. But it’s the silence between the cliffs, the weight of the past pressing softly around you, that stays.
I hiked. I climbed. I laughed at myself for thinking sneakers were enough. I counted every uneven step to the Monastery, unsure if I was more determined or delusional. The view at the top didn’t answer that — it just made me tear up.
There’s a reason I send clients here. It’s not just iconic. It’s transformational. And yes — I would go back in a heartbeat. The magic of Petra doesn’t leave you. It lingers.
From there, the red sands of Wadi Rum pulled us deeper into the desert. I’d seen pictures — golden light, camel silhouettes, glass-domed tents glowing under the stars. But the real thing? Somehow quieter. Wilder. More still.
We stayed in a luxury desert camp with all the creature comforts you’d want, set against landscapes that looked more like Mars than Earth. There are many options here — from high-end domes with stargazing panels to cozy Bedouin-style tents with private outdoor decks. Even if you’re not typically a desert person, trust me: Wadi Rum makes you one.
Days were filled with off-road rides, camel encounters, and sand that seemed to glow. Nights were silent in a way that wrapped around you like velvet. One evening, after dinner under the stars, I laid back on a blanket and let the desert sky do the talking. I don’t remember falling asleep — only that I felt held. By the stars. By the silence. By something ancient.
We left the desert and made our way toward the Dead Sea — that shimmering, iconic salt bath that promises buoyancy, healing, and soft skin. And yes, of course I tried it. That’s what you do. You float. You slather. You photograph.
Did I like it?
Not so much.
To be honest, it felt… dirty. Maybe it was the thick black mud that everyone around me was rubbing on themselves with great enthusiasm. I know it’s mineral-rich. I know it’s supposed to be good for the skin. But the whole experience felt messy — like a communal spa moment I wasn’t emotionally prepared for.
It was one of those things I’m glad I did — once. But not everything has to be a glow-up. Sometimes luxury is knowing when to rinse off, towel dry, and head back to the pool.
Still, the surrounding hotels do their best to elevate the experience. Many offer sweeping views, infinity pools overlooking the water, and expansive spa menus. If you’re going to try the Dead Sea, a five-star resort is the way to do it — at least then, there’s fresh mint lemonade and a clean robe waiting for you afterward.
From there, we continued south, giving the salt behind us and leaning into the soft warmth of Aqaba — Jordan’s port on the Red Sea. It’s a city that moves slower. The streets are sleepier, the sea is gentler, and the energy shifts. After Petra and Wadi Rum, Aqaba felt like the exhale I didn’t know I needed.
Here, the days blurred. A seaside lunch. A nap by the water. A walk past street vendors selling scarves and fruit. Some travelers come here to dive — the reefs are famous. I came to pause. I didn’t need adventure. I needed stillness. And Aqaba delivered, quietly.
And then, of course, there was the food.
There’s a reason Jordanian cuisine belongs in every travel journal. The flavors are honest. Earthy. Bold without being showy. From roadside falafel to elegant mezze platters, everything is made to share. It’s not just about the food — it’s about how it’s given. Graciously. Generously.
I lost track of how many times someone handed me tea. At a shop. In a hotel lobby. From the front seat of a Jeep. Always sweet. Always hot. Always offered with a smile that said, “Stay a while.”
And I did.
Because Jordan is not a place to rush.
Looking back, this was not the kind of trip where every moment sparkled with ease. There was sweat. There were sore feet. There was one very stubborn camel. But there was also something I didn’t expect: depth.
The kind of depth you don’t get from a postcard. The kind that sneaks up on you in the silence of the desert, or the gaze of a guide who really wants you to understand where you’re standing. The kind that follows you home.
And that, to me, is the mark of a place worth visiting.
Not just because it’s beautiful — but because it stays.
Petra especially stayed with me. The air, the light, the weight of it. I would go back in a heartbeat — climb those steps again, stand at the edge of the Monastery, and let it quiet me all over again.
And let’s be honest — Jordan made luxury travel feel smart. The U.S. dollar stretched beautifully here. From private guides to hotel upgrades, spa time, and stunning meals, the value was extraordinary. This was one of those rare destinations where elegance didn’t have to come with a ridiculous price tag. You felt it in the service, the hospitality, the extras — everywhere.
⸻
Luxury Curated. Stories of a Lifetime. Crafted for you by Journey by Katie | 773-469-1195 | @journeybykatie
#JourneyByKatie #LuxuryGroupTravelPlanner #RomanticGetawayTravelExpert #LuxuryTravelPlannerUSA
