My Jordan Adventure & GX Summit 2025

Jordan: The Journey That Changed How I Travel

Jordan had been on my wish list for years. When I finally joined a small-group tour, I expected ancient sites, beautiful desert scenery and a dip in the Dead Sea. What I did not expect was how deeply it would change the way I think about travel itself.

From lively Amman and the Roman ruins of Jerash, to stargazing in Wadi Rum, exploring Petra by day and by night, unwinding at the Dead Sea, attending an inspiring community tourism summit and celebrating at a private white party at the Amman Citadel, Jordan was a journey that touched my heart in more ways than one. And the food was incredible!

First Impressions of Amman

We started our adventure in Amman, a city that spreads across hills like a soft golden blanket. My first impressions were of warm smiles, the call to prayer echoing across the rooftops and the scent of spices and freshly baked bread drifting from tiny shops and cafés.

Amman has a gentle buzz: lively streets, cafés tucked into side alleys and viewpoints where you can look out over a sea of sandy-coloured buildings. It felt like the perfect base to ease into Jordanian life before we began exploring more of the country.

Jerash: Walking Through a Roman City

Our first full day took us to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. As we stepped through the ancient gateway and onto the colonnaded streets, it genuinely felt like walking onto a movie set.

We explored the Oval Plaza, admired soaring pillars and wandered along stone streets smoothed by centuries of footsteps. We climbed into the theatre and listened as our guide shared stories of chariot races, traders and emperors.

Jerash was a powerful reminder that Jordan is so much more than just Petra and the Dead Sea. It is layered with history, and this was our first real glimpse of it.

 Wadi Rum: Bedouin Nights & Desert Stars

The next chapter of our trip took us south to the spectacular Wadi Rum desert.

As the road gave way to sand, we found ourselves surrounded by dramatic rock formations glowing red and orange in the sun. This is a landscape that feels vast, wild and wonderfully peaceful all at once.

We stayed overnight in a Bedouin-style camp, which quickly became one of my favourite experiences of the trip. The tents were simple but comfortable, with proper beds and thick blankets. There is something incredibly grounding about stepping out of your tent to see nothing but sand, sky and stone in every direction.

That afternoon, we climbed into 4x4s for a desert tour. We bumped over dunes, stopped at natural rock bridges and viewpoints, and scrambled up sandy slopes to take in the views. The silence out there is almost a sound in itself, broken only by the wind and the occasional laugh from someone sliding down the dunes.

As the sun began to set, the desert changed colour again: deeper reds and purples, long shadows and a soft golden light. Back at camp, the evening unfolded into something truly special. We shared a traditional meal cooked in a zarb (an underground oven), watched local dancers perform and joined in the celebrations.

I had henna tattoos done that night, delicate patterns that felt like a beautiful, personal souvenir. Later, lying back and looking up at a sky scattered with more stars than I have seen in a long time, I felt very small and very grateful.

Petra: By Day and By Night

No matter how many times you have seen photos, nothing quite prepares you for Petra.

We arrived excited and headed straight into the site by day. The walk through the Siq, a narrow gorge with towering rock walls, is an experience in itself. The light filters down in ribbons, and every twist of the path builds the anticipation.

Then comes that iconic moment: the first glimpse of the Treasury, perfectly framed at the end of the Siq. It is one of those travel moments you never forget. Suddenly, the postcard image is right in front of you.

We spent the day exploring more of Petra: tombs, temples and facades carved directly into the rock. The scale is immense, and the colours of the stone shift with the sun, from soft pinks to burnt oranges and deep reds.

In the evening, I chose to do the optional Petra by Night tour, and it was absolutely worth it. Returning after dark, the Siq was lit by countless candles, leading us gently back to the Treasury. There, the ground was carpeted with lanterns, and we sat on rugs, sipping tea and listening to traditional music and storytelling.

Seeing Petra by candlelight gave it a completely different character: softer, more intimate and almost dreamlike. If you are heading to Jordan, I would say Petra by Night is a must if you have the opportunity.

The Dead Sea: Floating & Recharging

After the dust and intensity of Petra and Wadi Rum, our next stop was the Dead Sea: the perfect place to slow down and let the whole journey sink in.

We checked into a lovely hotel overlooking the water, with a pool, comfortable spaces to relax and easy access down to the shore. The atmosphere was calm and unhurried, a gentle contrast to the busy days we had just enjoyed.

Floating in the Dead Sea is one of those experiences that lives up to the hype. The water is so salty that you simply lean back and float, effortlessly. We took turns slathering ourselves in the famous Dead Sea mud, laughing as we covered ourselves from head to toe before rinsing off in the warm water.

It felt indulgent and fun, but also strangely meditative to bob quietly on the surface, looking across to the hazy hills on the other side.

he Summit: Community Tourism & Stories That Stay with You

As unforgettable as the landscapes and landmarks were, what truly transformed this trip for me was the summit on community tourism that we attended.

Over the course of the summit, we listened to guest speakers and learned in depth about Planeterra and the important work they do. Their focus on supporting local communities through tourism, helping to create long-term, sustainable income and opportunities, really resonated with me.

The summit was all about community tourism: making sure that when we travel, the benefits reach the people who live in the destinations we visit. Instead of travel being something that happens around communities, it becomes something that happens with them and for them.

We heard powerful stories from women involved in local projects, many of whom had come out of the foster care system and been supported to start their own small businesses. Their courage, resilience and pride were deeply moving. These were not abstract “projects”, they were real lives, changed through careful, thoughtful partnerships and responsible tourism.

We learned about the impact these initiatives have already had, and how we, as travellers and travel professionals, can continue to support them through our choices.

One of the most memorable parts of the summit was hearing from Jane Goodall. Her words about our responsibility to protect the planet, support communities and travel with purpose were incredibly inspiring. Very sadly, she passed away shortly after I returned home, which made her message feel even more poignant. Knowing I had the chance to hear her speak via recorded video link is something I will always treasuA Final Night to Remember: White Party at the Amman Citadel

Our journey ended back where it began: in Amman, but this time with a very special farewell.

On our last night, we attended a private white party at the Amman Citadel, and it was the perfect finale to an already unforgettable trip. Arriving at this ancient hilltop site dressed in white felt almost surreal. As the sun dipped behind the city, the ruins were bathed in a warm glow, and the lights of Amman began to twinkle below.

It was an evening of celebration and connection: music, dancing, great food and that wonderful feeling of having shared something special with a group of people who began as strangers and ended as friends. To be in a place with so much history, yet sharing such a modern, joyful experience, brought the whole trip full circle.

Standing there, looking out over Amman one last time, I felt incredibly grateful for everything Jordan had given me: memories, friendships and a completely new perspective on what travel can and should be.

How Jordan Changed the Way I Travel

By the end of this journey, I realised that Jordan had done more than just give me incredible photos and wonderful memories. It had fundamentally changed the way I think about travel.

I came home with a stronger belief that:

• Every choice we make on a trip matters: where we stay, who we book with, where we eat.
• Community tourism can create real, lasting change: jobs, training and empowerment, especially for women and young people.
• Travel is not only about seeing the world, but also about supporting and respecting the people and places that welcome us.
• From sharing tea in a Bedouin camp and floating in the Dead Sea, to hearing women share their journeys from foster care to business ownership, Jordan showed me how powerful travel can be when it is rooted in community and care.

Why Everyone Should Visit Jordan

Jordan is a destination I truly believe everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.

You have:

• Ancient history brought to life in Jerash
• The raw beauty and Bedouin hospitality of Wadi Rum
• The awe-inspiring wonder of Petra, by day and by night
• The soothing, surreal experience of the Dead Sea
• The inspiration of community tourism projects and the work of organisations like Planeterra
• And finally, those unforgettable moments in Amman, from first impressions to a magical final night at the Citadel

If you are dreaming of a journey that combines iconic sights, culture, adventure and a real sense of purpose, Jordan is an exceptional choice.

If you would like to plan your own Jordan adventure, tailored around the way you like to travel and with opportunities to support local communities along the way, I would be delighted to help you bring it to life. Contact me to start planning your trip.