I count Israel in summer as one of the great travel experiences on the global menu. On a recent trip there alone I decided it would be a great opportunity to cross the border into neighbouring Jordan to visit nearby Petra, the “rose-red city,” one of the most awe-inspiring ancient sites in the Arab states region.
The manmade temples, tombs and structures carved into the sandstone cliffs are matched by the equally dramatic natural setting of curved red or orange cliffs. The surrounding arid desert valleys add to the magical spell of one of travel’s great archeological and historical treasures.
To get there, I traveled further south in Israel than I had been in 25 years - all the way to the southernmost tip, where year-round sunshine and the beaches of the Red Sea draw the resort crowds. Because of Israel’s compact size, it’s not only easy to explore the countryside in small trips, but visit its fascinating neighbour over a weekend too…