http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33055 Ahlan Aqaba Scuba Diving Centre is highly professional, friendly and fun. I love diving with the team there and am impressed with their commitment to protecting the reef, through clean up dives and surveys.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33055 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29151 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29151 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29108 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29108 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28675 Enjoying a little financial comfort from the tourism dollar, you can expect Bedouin guides to take you bombing around the desert in a well-traveled 4x4 truck, stopping off to explore beautiful scenery, jump off sand dunes, and indulge a little rock climbing if you wish.
Expect to camp and eat in simple Bedouin camps with basic amenities, in the middle of the vast desert.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28675 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28666
The desert of Wadi Rum, however, is not what you would conventionally expect. As if grandiosely carved by divine means, the region known as Wadi Rum is actually a series of valleys about 2km wide stretching north to south for about 130km, found in Jordan. The dunes are formed with a radiant red sand and are accompanied by a glorious backdrop of majestic rock formations. Besides the extraordinary desert scenes, you are also able to visit Khaz'ali Canyon, the site of petroglyphs etched into the cave walls depicting humans and antelopes dating back to the Thamudic times, or Lawrence spring, a large crevice in a canyon with ancient inscriptions as well as what is regarded as Lawrence’s house.

Days flow by so effortlessly, I recommend staying at least one night. You can organise a tour by jeep and night accommodation with a Bedouin tribe through an organisation. At the end of the day of touring, we retired back inside the tent, to be fed some of the most mouthwatering food, baked in an under-ground oven. After we were treated to the soporific rhapsodies of a tribe member, and then to confirm what was already an unforgettable day, we dragged our beds outside and slept under the opulent glimmer of the stars. It is the towering mountains that speak louder than the hubbub of a city ever could.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28666 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25385 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25385 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24500
In Aquaba stay at the Alcajar hotel.

Don't forget to drink mint tea on the beach as the sun sets over the Red Sea and snorkel over the reefs.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24500 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24378 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24378 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24376
Either way, it's well worth it, with a cave cafe opposite the Monastery to relax, take in the atmosphere and recharge your batteries]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24376 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24253 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24253 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24217 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24217 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17770
It one of the most peaceful and relaxing places you can stay in the whole country, with only 9 rooms and amazing views. You can hike in the wilderness by day and gaze at starry night skies whilst contributing to Jordan's foresighted sustainable eco-tourism.

You will also be greeted with very warm hospitality and fantastic local organic food. Simple, wild, luxury.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17770 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16870
When I visited (April 2007) they were placing lit candles for a Petra At Night Walk - adding even more romantic beauty to the carvings and the walk back up the sique.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16870 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16639
It's worth visiting Little Petra a few kilometres away with more intimate streets and cave houses. Plenty of hotels of all grades in the busy small town that has sprung up to cater for visitors, and excellant levante food.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16639