13. PETRA
Where: Jordan
Jordan’s most popular tourist attraction, Petra means “rock” in Greek. Built in the first century B.C., the city appears to spring from the very cliffs that surround it, a marvel of rock-cut architecture and mystery. The ancient city did not even appear on Western maps until it was re-discovered in 1812 by a Swiss traveler. Today, tourists are free to stroll Petra’s boulevards and explore its mesmerizing tombs and archeological sites.
Insider Tip: The Jordanian Department of Antiquities restored an ancient flight of stairs cut into the rock that leads to the top of Jabal Madhbah, the “mount of the altar.” Besides the interesting remains at the summit (a Roman dining room and sacrificial altar), the site affords incredible views of Petra below.
