Aqaba,Jordan. Sun, Sand and Sea
The Middle East's child-friendly destination that’s big on sunshine,
The Red Sea resort of Aqaba looks set to become next summer's boom destination, offering a unique mix of experiences from the cultural to the culinary.
The Red Sea resort of Aqaba looks set to become next summers boom destination, offering a unique mix of experiences from the cultural to the culinary, and from relaxing to downright rugged.
According to Jordan Tourism Board’s UK Sales and Marketing Director, David Symes, " The growing trend towards ‘specialist’ holidays means that, all too often, somebody’s going to be disappointed." However he believes that Aqaba " really can please all of the people all of the time."
As any parent knows, keeping the kids happy is the key to any successful holiday, and Jordan has a well-documented track record when it comes to child-friendly experiences.
According the latest edition of the Rough Guide to Jordan published in January 2006 " Children are universally loved in Jordan, and traveling with your family is likely to provoke spontaneous acts of kindness and hospitality from the locals"
Throw in guaranteed sunshine, spectacular beaches, camel rides, centuries-old forts – with suitably bloodthirsty histories – and scenery straight out of the Indiana Jones movies and you have a guarantee that youngsters of all ages have a truly great time.
For mum and dad, there’s a choice of top-class hotels and loads of bang for your buck – 1 Jordanian dinar is worth around 75p and a meal in a mid-priced restaurant will cost less than JD10, US$14 There’s lots to do, from watersports and 4x4 drives into the desert – the eerily spectacular scenery of Wadi Rum is just an hour’s drive away – to historic sites dating back to pre-Biblical times.
The shopping’s great, too! Aqaba’s status as a duty-free zone means that prices are 30 per cent to 40 per cent lower even than in other parts of Jordan. Check out the age-old downtown shops for purchases such as silver jewelery and exotic Bedouiin rugs, or take in one of the many air-conditioned malls for designer goods at discount prices.
As David Symes says " As a family holiday destination, Aqaba’s Red Sea resort, is probably unsurpassed anywhere in the world".
Further information can be found at the Jordan Tourism Board website.
