People know Jordan for the ancient city of Petra, but for a country nearly landlocked and surrounded by centuries of religious, archaeological and cultural history, it truly is so much more. Due to its geographical position, Jordan has seen decades of wars and crises take place in neighboring countries, but it has also served as a home to refugees. Because it doesn’t contain the rich oil reserves that other Middle Eastern countries have, the country struggles economically, but it still remains a viable tourist destination.

Jordan is a great getaway for those who relish outdoor adventure. Take a desert tour with a guide and a 4-wheel drive vehicle for a true sense of the vast desert—and the incredible castles that you’ll see in what seems to be the middle of nowhere. Check out the country from above in a hot air balloon or enjoy Jordan by train on the Hejaz Railway from Amman to Damascus. Float in the Dead Sea or dive in the Red Sea, but on land take the time to go hiking in the Dana Nature Reserve, home of the elusive ibex. Jordan is actually home to a handful of wildlife reserves (Azraq Wetlands is particularly popular) where visitors can spot a variety of animals, including hyena, gazelle, wolves, ostriches and oryx.

Take time to visit Azraq, a fortress used by Lawrence of Arabia during the Great Arab Revolt of 1917. The castles of Karak and Ash Shawbak and the stunning mosaic floors at St. Stephen in Um er Rasas (an UNESCO World Heritage site) are definitely worth checking out. For a more thorough understanding of the country’s history, stop by The Citadel and Archaeological Museums in Amman (Jordan’s capital city), which has a selection of the Dead Seas Scrolls and remnants of ancient cities. The Dead Sea Panorama museum helps to put the lowest point on earth in perspective.

You should also bask in the beauty of Wadi Rum, a series of desert valleys made up of sand and rocks that have eroded over time. The area boasts ever-changing extraordinary desert scenery that has to be experienced to be believed. A handful of villages are set throughout Wadi Rum and are an ideal location to learn more about the Bedouin culture.

All of that said, no visit to Jordan is complete without visiting Petra, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. It is a huge city of temples and tombs carved out of rose-colored rock by the Nabataeans, which is most stunning at dusk when the setting sun turns the city a rosy pink color.

It is best to visit Jordan in either March to May or September to November, when daytime temperatures are bearable and not too extreme. Winter months can be quite chilly and snow is no stranger to Jordan. During the heat of the summer, humidity and extreme temperatures can be oppressive. Many who have traveled to the country would recommend you visit in April or May when an overabundance of spring flowers begin to bloom.

By JoAnna Haugen