Aqaba

> The flora and fauna of The Red Sea is among the most spectacular in the World. With its wealth of other attractions, Jordan’s splendid Red Sea resort is often overlooked by modern-day visitors. But apart from being a delightful place for discerning holidaymakers, this is actually a great base from which to explore various places of interest in southern Jordan. Aqaba is a fun place. It is a microcosm of all the good things Jordan has to offer, including a fascinating history with some outstanding sites, excellent hotels and activities, superb visitor facilities, good shopping, and welcoming, friendly people, who enjoy nothing more than making sure their visitors have a good time. Aqaba is a great place to stay if you are planning to visit Wadi Rum. Day trips can easily be organized and, because the distance is short, you will have more time to spend at the site. But perhaps Aqaba’s greatest asset is the Red Sea itself. Here you can experience some of the best snorkelling and diving in the world. The temperate climate and gentle water currents have created a perfect environment for the growth of corals and a teeming plethora of marine life. Here you can swim with friendly sea turtles and dolphins as they dart amongst the schools of multicolored fish. Night dives reveal the nocturnal sea creatures, crabs, lobsters and shrimp, as they search for a midnight snack. There are several dive centres in Aqaba. All offer well-maintained diving equipment, professional instructors, and transport by boat to a variety of dive sites. Glass-bottom boats are a great way to see the undersea wonders of the Red Sea for those who would prefer to stay dry. For those who prefer to keep their feet dry, all the deep sea wonders can be viewed through a glass-bottomed boat or by submarine, or you can just relax under the sun on the resort’s sandy beaches. Plus, of course, there are plenty of other water-sport activities available, as well as an extensive and interesting Marine Park. From as far back as five and half thousand years ago Aqaba has played an important role in the economy of the region. It was a prime junction for land and sea routes from Asia, Africa and Europe, a role it still plays today. Because of this vital function, there are many historic sites to be explored within the area, including what is believed to be the oldest purpose-built church in the world. Aqaba International Airport is situated just a 20-minute drive from the town centre and services regular flights from Amman as well as from several European cities. From the town centre, the borders of Israel, Egypt’s Sinai and Saudi Arabia are no more than a 30-minute drive.

History & Culture Aqaba's long history dates back to pre-biblical times, when it was known as Ayla. According to the Bible's Old Testament, King Solomon built a navel base at Ezion Geber, just 3 kilometres from where the modern town of Aqaba stands today. From 106 AD, the Romans, who ruled the region from their base in Syria, also used Ayla as their trading sea port, until it came under the control of the Byzantine Empire in the early 4th century. The Byzantines appointed Christian Arabs from south Arabia to rule the port city on their behalf. Saladin's Castle on Far'un island. The Middle Ages were turbulent years for Ayla. In the 12th century, the crusaders captured the city. They built a fort on Far'un island, known then as Ile de Graye, 7 kilometres offshore. Ayla was then retaken by Saladin and the fort became known as Saladin's Castle. In a counter-attack, the notorious crusader, Reynald de Chatillon, took the island, but lost it again to Muslim forces the following year. T.E. Lawrence. When the Mameluk Sultans of Egypt took control of the region, they renamed the city Aqaba and, in the 14th century, built the town's famous Mameluk fort. The Mameluks were followed by the Ottomans, who ruled Aqaba for 4 centuries. Aqaba was taken from the Ottomans, in 1917, by Arab forces together with T.E. Lawrence. At the end of the 1st World War, the British secured Aqaba for Jordan. The Aqaba Archaeological Museum The Aqaba Region Archaeological Museum is located in the Aqaba house of Sherif Hussein Bin Ali next to the Aqaba Castle. The museum was opened to the public in 1990. Presently it houses an important collection from the Islamic site of Ayla, dated to the Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid and Fatimid periods, thus representing the Islamic periods from the mid-seventh to the beginning of the twelfth century AD. Among the exhibits is a Kufic inscription of "Ayat al-Kursi" from the Holy Qu'ran, which surmounted the eastern (Egypt) gate of the city, and a hoard of gold Fatimied dinars minted at Sajilmasa in Morocco. Aqaba is presently Jordan's only seaport. Its significant position on the eastern tip of the Red Sea is important for marine and overland trade routes between Syria and the Arabian Peninsula, in addition to its being an import station on Hajj route. Finds from the Ayla excavations originating in the Hijaz, Yemen, Iraq, Egypt, Morocco and even as far a field as China testify to its vitality as a seaport. Eco Tourism & Nature Jordan's only outlet to the sea, Aqaba is backed by purple-tinted mountains that are rich in phosphates. Beyond, are the rose-coloured deserts of Wadi Rum. The magnificent Whale Shark - One of the largest visitors to Aqaba's reefs. Beneath the clean, crystal clear waters of the Red Sea, is a unique marine environment, where divers can discover Jordan’s amazing underwater wildlife. Brightly coloured corals, sponges and sea fans are home to millions of reef fish and a range of invertebrates. Even the worlds largest fish, the Whale Shark, visits these nutrient-rich waters. These harmless, gentle giants come to dine on the rich plankton harvests that flourish in the area. Other visitors include turtles, dolphins and sea cows. Bird Watching Jordan is a great destination for bird-lovers, its remarkable variety of habitats, from rugged mountains and evergreen woodlands to scrubby steppe and hot dry deserts, provide perfect environments for many species of indigenous birds. Furthermore, its location at the crossroad of Europe, Asia and Africa means that migrating birds from these three continents can sometimes be seen together in the same general area within Jordan. A total of 17 sites have been declared as Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Jordan’s national parks. RSCN’s nature reserves are also IBAs. Five of the IBA sites are fully protected by law, five are partially protected, and two further have been officially proposed for legal protection. Help protect this delicate underwater ecosystem for generations to come by following the simple rules outlined by your dive instructor. This ex-military anti-aircraft vehicle has finally found an eco-friendly Religion & Faith Some of the worlds earliest known churches have been recently discovered in Jordan. These include a 4th century church at Umm Qays, a possible 2nd or 3rd century AD "prayer hall" at Bethany beyond the Jordan, and the remains of a mud brick building at Aqaba that may be the worlds oldest known purpose-built church. The Aqaba building dates from the late 3rd or early 4th century AD. Excavations at the site of a 3rd century church in Aqaba. The American archaeologists who excavated it believe it was a church because of its unusual layout, its many decorative glass lamps, its association with an adjacent Byzantine cemetery, and its parallels with similar early mud brick churches in Egypt. The Aqaba region is also mentioned in the Exodus journey. The first site in southern Jordan mentioned is Ezion-geber (Numbers 33:35). Ezion-geber and Elath (or Eloth) were port-towns located at or near Aqaba. They are best known in the Bible for their roles during the Iron Age, a few hundred years after the time of the Exodus. They are associated with Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, and wars between the kings of Judah and Edom (Deuteronomy 2:8, 1 Kings 9:26, 2 Kings 14:22). Leisure & Wellness Aqaba's beaches are safe and clean. Greatly prized as Jordan's window to the sea, Aqaba brings a refreshing release from the rose-coloured desert to the north. Its sandy beaches and coral reefs are the most pristine on the Red Sea, and Jordanians hope to preserve them through careful planning. With several first-rate hotels, restaurants and shops, Aqaba caters to a tourist crowd that is tranquil and relaxed, seeking its pleasures more by day than by night. Indigo-coloured deep water lies just off shore in Aqaba, bringing kaleidoscopic marine life within easy reach. Exploring means a leisurely drive to a private spot and a short swim out to the reef. Unusual vertical currents and sea breezes make diving cool and pleasant, even in the heat of the summer. Although Aqaba is famous for it's water sports and adventure activites, there are a host of more leisurely activities that can be enjoyed by visitors who wish to relax, rejuvenate or just get away from the pressures of city life. For those who prefer their marine life at arm's length, glass-bottomed boats are a fun way to enjoy the marvels of the Red Sea. One of Aqaba's popular sailing yachts. Boat trips are a great way to spend a relaxing day, and there are many to choose from. Daily excursions tour Aqaba's coastline, stopping periodically to allow guests to take a dip in the warm waters or slip on a mask and snorkel and take in some of the colourful sea life. Overnight trips can also be arranged on board the larger sailing boats and include full-board accommodation and watersports activities. Aqaba basks in balmy weather nine months of the year, in winter, spring and autumn. Summer is hot, but you can pace your activities and adapt to the climate, slowing down in midday, and reviving in the cool of the evening. After a long day of relaxing on Aqaba's sandy shores, there is no better way to refresh than by visiting one of the luxurious spas found in many of Aqaba's leading hotels. The spas combine Eastern and Western techniques and offer luxurious body treatments, rejuvenating facials, cleansing scrubs and body wraps, using world renowned Dead Sea products. Fun & Adventure Overnight boat trips to nearby beaches and islands are a fun break from hotel life. Adventure seekers visiting Jordan will be in their element when they visit Aqaba. The southern part of Aqaba is situated on the coast of the Red Sea and offers a wide range of sports and activities of an aquatic nature including: Scuba Diving, Windsurfing, Waterskiing, Jet skiing, snorkelling and Sailing. . To the North of Aqaba, visitors will find the majestic landscapes of Wadi Rum which can be reached by camel, 4x4, or car. More intrepid adventurers may like to take a week long camel trek through this beautiful landscape to the visitors centre at Wadi Rum or jump in a 4x4 and drive cross-country. Camping is also a favourite activity in Aqaba especially during the cooler seasons between May - July and September - November. Anyone wishing to drive, trek or camp in the deserts north of Aqaba should be sure to take a guide with them. The desert is vast and uninhabited and very easy to become lost in. Do not attempt this without a professional who knows the area well. Aqaba's coral reefs abound with life. Diving in Aqaba is spectacular and goes on all the year round, with different species to be seen in the different seasons. In June /July there are whale sharks, in February one can often see Mantas. Learn more about diving in Aqaba and the Red Sea. Great efforts are being made to ensure the protection of the Red Sea marine life, particularly from the impact of tourism. Derelict ships and military vehicles have been sunk in some cases to create artificial reefs. These wrecks provide permanent places for corals to grow and offer marine life a safe refuge to set up residency, not to mention some exciting diving for non-aquatic visitors. The Aqaba Marine Science Station showcases the marine life of the Gulf of Aqaba and the many steps that are being taken to protect it. If you are interested in our blog, tours, and/or wish to contact us with suggestions or questions, please email us. We look forward to hearing from anyone interested in visiting the Middle East. Thanks & Best Regards, Jordan Artist Tours P.O.Box 170 Petra 71810 Jordan Tel #: 00962 (0) 3 215 7561 Fax #: 00962 (0) 3 215 4561 Cell #: 00962 (0) 7 777 64781 Skype ID: jordanartisttours info@jordanartisttours.com www.jordanartisttours.com