Brief History
There is no way to discern when the history of Petra began.  An ancient ruined city located in what is now southwestern Jordan, it was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom until its defeat by the Romans in AD 106. It owed its origins to good supplies of spring water, an important position on trading routes between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea, and the presence of abundant natural caves that could be turned into dwellings and storehouses. Petra was the name given by Greek and Roman traders.

After several centuries as a flourishing trade centre, it declined with the shifting of trade routes and then around AD 663 a catastrophic earthquake destroyed buildings and crippled the vital water management systems. Muslims took the city in the 7th century and Crusaders in the 12th century. After Saladin's conquest of the Middle East in 1189 successfully drove the Franks from the Middle East, Petra was abandoned and the memory of it was lost to the West.

The ruins of the “rose-red city” were rediscovered in 1812 by the Swiss traveler Johann L. Burckhardt. Excavation since the mid-20th century has revealed many rock-cut monuments, including tombs with elaborate facades carved in the rose, crimson, and purple sandstone of the surrounding hills. Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985.

And yes, it is the “lost city of Alexandretta” featured in Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Itinerary 1 – Egypt and Jordan Two nights in Petra, three nights in Cairo, three nights at the Dead Sea, plus St. Catherine’s (base of Mt. Sinai) and the Red Sea Crossing.  Two wonders in one great vacation.  See the Great Pyramids, the Spyinx, sip tea in a Bedouin tent, experience the wonders of these two great lands for 11 nights, starting at $2,720 including air. Book it! Itinerary 2 – Signature Jordan Travel back in time to visit Jerash, a third-century city decimated by invasion and earthquake and often called the "Pompeii of the Middle East." Travel along the King's Highway with stops en route to view the sixth-century mosaics in Madaba and Mount Nebo. See Wadi Rum where T.E. Lawrence lived with Bedouin friends.  Explore the "Rose Red" city of Petra, entering on a traditional horse-and-cart.  Enjoy the shores of the Dead Sea.  6 nights, starting at $3,100. Book it! Itinerary 3 – Customize It! OK.  We’ve given you a couple of ideas.  Not quite what you are looking for?   Whether you are a solo traveler or a group of 1000, like to rough it or prefer being pampered, we’ll create your dream vacation. We can tweak one of these, or start from scratch.  Call today and we’ll get right on it. Book it!