Amman's beauty and bounty does not end with the plethora of alluring attractions, cryptic civilizations and ancient heritage. The capital city also endows destinations aplenty around its vicinity for tourists and adventure lovers to explore and drown in their magnificence. Once you are in Amman, you simply cannot resist traversing these unfathomable lands that are beaming and bubbling with a charisma of their own.
One such breathtaking piece of interest is the Wadi Al Seer, located approximately at a distance of 24 kilometers towards the city's southwest direction. Luscious green trees line up the panoramic valley of this "Valley of the Orchard, while the Iraq-al-Amir and Qasr-al-Abd bring forth the obscure and the occult myths of the ancient.
As the legend goes, Qasr- al-Abd was raised by a lovelorn slave who adored his master's beautiful daughter. The name, however, which in English means "The Castle of the Slave" reveals the story of Hyrcanus, a historical personality and the governor of the city of Amman, who considered himself the "slave of the people" for serving mankind to the core .
The fortress constructed by Hyrcanus, engraved with monstrous animals of towering powers, subtly suggests the exceptional exploits that the governor indulged in during his reign. The caves of Iraq- Al-Amir were dens for cavalry stables and at present home to countless goats and storage staffs of the villagers. Amman's most prominent fashion and cultural district, Swefieh is a mélange of clubs, night bars, shopping plazas and not to forget the "red light" areas.
Take a day off to dig into the Roman history as preserved and venerated by the city of Jerash, 48 kilometers north of the city of Amman. As you drive past the city, you will be entranced by the outstanding manner in which the Roman traditions in the form of baths, colonnaded streets, arches and plazas have been conserved.
The city, which echoes its Greco-Roman connection, had been the settlement area for Arab and Semitic tribes in the first millennium. The festive spirit of Jerash comes alive during the months of July and August when artists, dancers, athletes and musicians entertain people by extolling the rich culture of the city with the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts.
On your return trip from Jerash, go a little off the track to reach the mesmerizing landscapes of Ajloun, with its lush green valley overlooking the Dead Sea, the West Bank and Lake Tiberius. Explore the Qala'at al-Rabadh, the enrapturing castle, an outstanding archetypal Islamic architecture. Ajloun dons on bewitching regalia in the winter months when the snow-capped peaks are a remarkable sight.
