They could be on completely different continents, however these two center japanese nations promise the vacation of a lifetime – if solely you may resolve which one to go to.
You’ve chosen the overall neighborhood of your vacation however now it’s time to choose between Egypt and Jordan, besides, how does one really try this? You’ve obtained Egypt, filled with pyramids and Sphinxes. And Jordan with its breathtaking metropolis of Petra and magical Wadi Rum desert. Then Egypt has the Nile River and the Sahara Desert. However Jordan has the mineral-rich Lifeless Sea and its beneficiant Bedouin hospitality.
I get it; it’s very overwhelming. Each nations have extra world-heritage listed websites (learn: must-see locations) than they’ve any proper to and each characteristic in your bucket checklist someplace (most likely close to the highest). So, this determination might be a troublesome one. One of the best half? You received’t should make it alone.
I’ve put collectively this weblog evaluating each nations’ cities, delicacies, landscapes and climate within the hopes that you simply’ll know precisely the place to go as soon as the final syllables have left your mouth (does anybody learn aloud anymore?) or as soon as your eyes have scanned the final phrase. Fingers crossed anyway.
Uncover our Egypt & Jordan journeys
Delicacies
A visit to Egypt isn’t full and not using a go to to the pyramids…or devouring a bowl of kushari, a mix of rice, spaghetti, macaroni and lentils in a tomato-y, vinegar-y sauce. In actual fact, there’s loads of scrumptious delicacies you have to attempt in your travels to Egypt if you wish to say you’ve totally skilled this historic monument-filled nation.
With a deal with beans, legumes, lentils and greens (provided by Egypt’s wealthy river areas), Egyptian delicacies attracts on flavours from neigbouring center japanese nations whereas additionally retaining its vibrant historical past – some dishes have roots that date way back to 2500BC. Some menu objects to look out for embrace ful medames (fava beans), ta’meya (felafel sort chickpea ball) and mulukhiya (a cooked vegetable dish).
Jordanian delicacies won’t be as effectively referred to as Italian or Chinese language, however it’s nonetheless no much less mouthwatering with Levantine flavours bursting out of meals akin to falafel and shish kebabs (Jordan’s model of meatballs). Influenced by their center japanese neighbours (Palestine, Lebanon and Syria), conventional meals normally encompass elements like olive oil (which is sensible as one of many world’s largest producers), lemon, garlic, onion and an array of herbs.
If you happen to’re travelling to the Wadi Rum Desert (which needs to be everybody), you’ll additionally get a glimpse into what a typical Jordanian barbeque appears to be like like – suppose meat and greens being slow-cooked over sizzling coals below the sand. It’s actually a once-in-a-lifetime eating expertise, particularly because you get to take a seat again and watch your hosts uncover the feast as stars refill the night time sky.
RELATED: WHAT TO EAT IN JORDAN
Landscapes
With regards to magnificent landscapes, Egypt has lots. There’s Abu Simbel with its spectacular hand-carved constructions and noteworthy interiors. There’s Luxor, or because it’s extra affectionately identified, “Egypt’s open-air museum”. After which there’s the Nile River the place a standard felucca boat awaits to take you on an unforgettable crusing journey. Oh, and the pyramids of Giza.
Consisting of the Nice Pyramid, the Pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure and the Nice Sphinx, this mind-blowing advanced was constructed within the fourth dynasty of the Previous Kingdom of historic Egypt someplace between 2600 and 2500BC. My mind actually can’t comprehend how way back that was. Make your manner across the advanced with an knowledgeable native information and hearken to your very personal on-site historical past lesson whereas discovering the secrets and techniques of this fascinating civilisation.
Floating within the salt-ridden Lifeless Sea and watching the celebs twinkle over the Wadi Rum desert could be cool and the whole lot however normally in the event you’re travelling to Jordan, you wish to see Petra in all of its spectacular glory. As soon as the ancestral capital of the thriving Arabian Nabataean civilisation, this sandstone-carved metropolis is now a surprise of the world because of its well-known archeological monuments. Discover the advanced by yourself and with an area information to take advantage of out of this bucket checklist expertise.
However Jordan presents lots extra the place that got here from. If you happen to’re after a change of surroundings, head to Jordan’s backcountry in quest of Mujib Nature Reserve and its winding river valleys and dusty gorges. Or, if that nature reserve didn’t tickle your adventure-loving fancy, take a look at Dana Nature Reserve for its chiseled peaks and a uncommon perception into the existence of the folks who stay there.
Cities
When you would possibly come to Egypt for the pyramids, most travellers keep for the difficult to navigate however oh-so-worth-it streets of Cairo, the luxurious and trendy but history-laden metropolis of Luxor, the palm tree packed Aswan sitting on the banks of the Nile and the as soon as wonderful however nonetheless lovely coastal metropolis of Alexandria.
On an Egypt tour with Intrepid, go to the Khan al-Khalili bazaar because the solar units and get accustomed to each day life by talking to native retailers and winding via the souk’s walkways in Cairo. Marvel on the unfinished obelisk and the Excessive Dam earlier than becoming a member of a Nubian household for dinner in Aswan. Attempt to absorb the majesty of Luxor’s Valley of the Kings and spot the reminders of the as soon as mighty Pharaohs in every single place you look. When it comes to metropolis drawcards, this nation has lots to supply.
It’d seem like Egypt’s obtained this class within the bag, however Jordan additionally has its personal fair proportion of concrete jungles to discover. From Jerash with its historic temples, plazas and theatres to Al-Karak with its fascinating museums and the Citadel of Kerak, there’s tons to maintain you busy in the event you’re travelling across the nation, both on a small group tour or by yourself.
However this nation’s glowing jewel is Amman, Jordan’s capital metropolis. Crammed with archaeological websites and calm neighbourhoods the place you may cease for a second and absorb the great thing about this contemporary metropolis, Amman is a must-visit vacation spot for each history-lover and avid traveller. Take a look at the town’s crumbling citadel and the fashionable promenade of Rainbow Road with its fashionable rooftop bars and streetside cafes.
RELATED: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT VISITING AMMAN
Climate
Egypt enjoys an arid desert local weather which means that temperatures are unlikely to fall under freezing throughout the day (however will attain lows of -10°C as soon as the solar units) and rainfall is minimal all year long. This makes Egypt the most effective locations for year-round journey – so long as you deliver layers for these chilly winter nights.
The most well-liked time to go to Egypt is between November and February when the temperatures are at their coolest however Cairo and numerous areas alongside the Nile would possibly expertise some rainfall throughout this time.
The summer time months of June, July and August see temperatures soar to sweat-inducing highs of 51°C so if you wish to journey comfortably, attempt doing so within the shoulder seasons of spring (March – Could) or autumn (September – November) when temperatures are decrease however there’s nonetheless loads of sunshine.
Jordan’s local weather is just like that of Egypt’s with the center japanese nation experiencing largely subtropical arid climate patterns. Nevertheless, there are distinct local weather zones inside the nation, starting from Mediterranean within the west to abandon within the east and south. This results in wildly completely different temperatures all through the seasons with eye-watering highs skilled alongside the Lifeless Beach in June, July and August and freezing lows in desert areas throughout winter.
One of the best time to go to Jordan is throughout spring and autumn when temperatures are at their most comfy and rainfall is minimal, however with optimum climate situations comes massive crowds and elevated lodging costs so take that into consideration when planning out your journey. Attempt travelling in both March or November if you need the perfect of each worlds (good climate with out all the vacationers).
The decision
This would possibly simply be the hardest comparability weblog I’ve needed to write (and declare a winner for). Egypt and Jordan are extraordinary in their very own methods however they each exude magic of the historic form with historic archeological websites prone to characteristic in your favorite recollections and in your Instagram profiles.
Fortunately, they’re situated extraordinarily shut to one another so in the event you didn’t wish to select, you may go for certainly one of Intrepid’s combo journeys. Feels like a win/win to me however in the event you’re forcing me to resolve, I’d go along with Egypt. It’s the pyramids. They get me each time.
