The new Science Channel series An Idiot Abroad, which stars Ricky Gervais' sidekick Karl Pilkington, may get mixed reviews for Karl's antics, but the locations he visits are some of the most beautiful in the world.

The premise of the show is that Ricky and his pal Stephen Merchant send Karl to the Seven Wonders of the World where he reluctantly immerses himself in local culture, complaining all the way. He may get annoying, but the scenery is ideal for armchair travelers watching on the other end of the TV set... ]]> cmb 2011-02-08T13:31:21-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/1/28/35835/3470

Think you deserve a bit of pampering? The Evason Ma’In Hot Springs have just opened an hour out of Amman in Jordan and look like a pretty decadent place to hang out next time you're passing through the Middle East.

These hot springs are pretty special--for one, they're found nearly 900 feet below sea level in a dramatic-looking ravine. The set-up includes natural hot waterfalls that Herod the Great bathed in, or so they say.

While the whole therapeutic spring water stuff should be the focus here, we’ve been distracted by a few of the side benefits. For example, they’ve got a fine dining Arabic restaurant looking over the waterfalls, a herbal tea bar, and (our favorite part) a snack bar serving 40 different kinds of homemade ice cream. Spa treatment or ice cream? We might just take the latter.

Related Stories:
· Evason Ma’In Hot Springs & Six Senses Spa [Official Site]
· Jordan Travel Guide [Jaunted] ]]> amandak 2009-01-28T09:15:56-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/28/12241/128

Researchers in Jordan think they've uncovered the location of King Solomon's Mines, a copper-rich region that's inspired multiple films, including one starring Patrick Swayze and another featuring Sharon Stone and John Rhys-Davies.

The area, south of the Dead Sea in Jordan's Faynan district, is known in Arabic as Khirbat en-Nahas and includes roughly 100 ancient buildings. Artifacts recovered from the area as well as carbon dating helped researchers determine that the mines were used in the 10th century BC--and could prove the historical existence of King Solomon.

Lead researcher Thomas Levy says:

We can't believe everything ancient writings tell us. But this research represents a confluence between the archaeological and scientific data and the Bible.

Levy is now working with the government of Jordan to have the area declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a status the nearby ancient village of Petra already enjoys.

Related Stories:
· Copper Ruins in Jordan Bolster Biblical Record [LAT]
· King Solomon's (Copper) Mines? [UCSD]
· High-Precision Radiocarbon Dating and Biblical Archaeology [PNAS, warning science content!]
· World Heritage Sites in Jordan [Official Site]]]> pbb 2008-10-28T12:03:51-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/5/7/202120/9299
The Jordan Tourist Board's brand-new website, is not only punny, but attractive and easily navigated as well. Its top banner sets an understated aesthetic tone that the site's sometimes bright visuals occasionally test, though never jarringly.

Several destinations grab some content on the site. Petra, an old-hat destination for archaeology and history buffs, is given its due here. The site also pushes the otherworldly landscapes of Wadi Rum, modern Amman, ancient Jerash, and Red Sea port town of Aqaba, among other places. Underwater photos taken off Aqaba are particularly breathtaking.

Some Visitor Toolbar features require pretty painless registration. The Itinerary Generator is the most useful registree-only feature on the site, with four itinerary options (General, Eco & Nature, History & Culture, and Religion & Faith) broken down into sample itineraries lasting between one and eleven days. Also interesting is the "did you know?" feature running next to articles on the right side of the site.

Jordan is quite safe for visitors, and this site certainly makes a good case for making a visit.  
]]> artextor 2006-05-11T10:30:02-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/