Jordan

One of the most stable, liberal, and all-around welcoming countries in the Middle East, the kingdom of Jordan offers some of the region’s greatest attractions, particularly in the realm of antiquities. And for the most passionate Lawrence of Arabia fans, the country’s desert gorges—which served as part of the stage for the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks that T.E. Lawrence abetted—demand a firsthand visit.

The most famous attraction in Jordan—and one of the world’s most magnificent archaeological landmarks—is the mountain-hidden, cliff-carved city of Petra. Long a stopover point for trade caravans linking the Red and Dead seas, Petra was once a prime hub for the Nabataeans and later controlled by the Romans and Byzantines. That its signal feature, the Treasury, is accessed via an otherworldly sandstone gorge only adds to its grandeur. Other superb historical attractions include the beautifully preserved Roman ruins of Jerash, the widely scattered desert castles of the Umayyad Caliphate, and the Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader relics along the old King’s Highway.

As glorious in its own way as Petra, is Wadi Rum, one of Jordan’s great natural features. Fiery dune sands, sheer sandstone walls, ribbed whaleback ridges, Nabatean ruins and Neolithic petroglyphs—it’s no surprise this desert valley has served as a filming location for so many movie productions, not least Lawrence of Arabia.

Cities such as Amman and Irbid provide the logical launchpads for excursions to Jordan’s deep-desert monuments and wild scenery; they also invite exploration unto themselves, whether you’re peeling back layers of history (as at Amman’s Roman relics), settling into some classic Jordanian dishes, or interacting with the locals over tea or coffee.

From the unbelievable reliefs of Petra to the sand-swamped monoliths of Wadi Rum, Jordan has some downright epic destinations across its storied drylands. That Jordanian culture is so relaxed and accessible makes such marvels all the easier to enjoy.