Travel News
EGYPT AND MIDDLE EAST TOURS
Travel to Jordan to appreciate ancient artwork in the desert
Travelers on Middle East tours can retrace the steps of ancient caliphs by venturing from Jordan's capital of Amman to the ruins of the Quseir Amra pleasure palace in the desert.
Constructed in the 8th century, Quseir Amra was one of the desert palaces built to house military troops and provide escapes for the area's ruling Ummayad caliphs. Though little remains of the main building, a reception hall and bath building are still largely intact.
The design of the bath, or hammam, is very similar to Roman baths, with a changing room and chambers for hot and cold water, but Quseir Amra stands out for the artwork decorating the walls of the entrance hall and baths. Wall paintings in the Byzantine style depict hunting scenes with people, animals and birds, and also include writing in Greek and Arabic. The domed ceiling of the hot bath chamber is painted with the zodiac, and is one of the earliest known examples of a ceiling being painted to resemble the starry sky.
To ensure this remarkable ancient art is preserved, the governments of Jordan and Italy recently launched a project to restore and protect the frescoes.
Built on a seasonal watercourse known as Wadi Butum that forms a desert oasis for gazelles and other wildlife, Quseir Amra remains a relaxing and memorable escape for those traveling to the Middle East with family or small groups of friends.
Posted: September 26, 2011
| OTHER EGYPT AND MIDDLE EAST TOURS ARTICLES |
| > |
No rock 'n' roll legends in Memphis, Egypt
Posted: May 23, 2012
|
| > |
Egypt through the ages in Dendarah
Posted: May 18, 2012
|
| > |
A white wonderland in an Egyptian desert
Posted: May 15, 2012
|
| > |
Pay your respects to history at the Western Wall
Posted: May 3, 2012
|
| > |
Exotic fauna on Kitchener Island
Posted: April 20, 2012
|
| > |
Walk along the shores of Egypt's ancient lifeline, Lake Qarun
Posted: April 13, 2012
|
| > |
Dive into the reefs of the Red Sea in Eilat
Posted: April 12, 2012
|
| > |
Nature in luxury in Sharm el Sheikh
Posted: March 29, 2012
|
| > |
Uncover an Egyptian treasure at the Khan el-Khalili bazaar
Posted: March 19, 2012
|
| > |
Hike the path of Jesus from Cana
Posted: March 16, 2012
|
| > |
From the ashes, Ajloun Castle
Posted: February 27, 2012
|
| > |
Dive into relics in Safaga
Posted: February 15, 2012
|
| > |
Sacred spots in the Garden of Gethsemane
Posted: February 2, 2012
|
| > |
Monuments and mosaics in Madaba
Posted: January 25, 2012
|
| > |
Qatzrin, in the land of oil and wine
Posted: January 17, 2012
|
| > |
Simmer down in Tel Aviv
Posted: January 9, 2012
|
| > |
Safeguarded Egypt in Edfu Horus Temple
Posted: January 6, 2012
|
| > |
Duality in Kom Ombo Temple
Posted: December 30, 2011
|
| > |
Tutankhamun’s legacy in Saqqara
Posted: December 23, 2011
|
| > |
Essential Egypt in Luxor
Posted: December 13, 2011
|
| > |
Wash onto the shores of ancient Caesarea
Posted: December 9, 2011
|
| > |
Find your own oasis in Bahariya
Posted: November 23, 2011
|
| > |
Visit Jesus' childhood home on a Holy Land tour
Posted: November 4, 2011
|
| > |
Embark on a museum crawl in Amman
Posted: October 31, 2011
|
| > |
Dive into an Egypt tour in Sinai
Posted: October 31, 2011
|
| > |
Admire the 'Pearl of the Mediterranean' on a tour of Egypt
Posted: October 28, 2011
|
| > |
Spice up a tour of Israel by visiting the Negev Desert
Posted: October 12, 2011
|
| > |
Ancient Rome meets modern Jordan at Jerash
Posted: September 29, 2011
|
| > |
A tour of Turkey might include a pilgrimage to St. Nick's birthplace
Posted: September 22, 2011
|
| > |
Explore Haifa during a tour of the Holy Land
Posted: September 21, 2011
|
| > |
Take in the views from the top of Cairo Tower
Posted: June 22, 2011
|
| > |
Explore Jordan's scenic Wadi Rum
Posted: June 14, 2011
|
| > |
Elephantine Island: A meeting point of two ancient cultures
Posted: June 7, 2011
|
| > |
See the ancient Khufu ship on a visit to Egypt
Posted: May 31, 2011
|
| > |
See artifacts from ancient history at the Egyptian Museum
Posted: May 18, 2011
|
| > |
Get in touch with the ancient past at Jabal al-Qal'a in Amman
Posted: May 9, 2011
|
| > |
Go diving at Egypt's Ras Muhammad National Park
Posted: May 4, 2011
|
| > |
Walk the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem
Posted: April 28, 2011
|
| > |
Visit the Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel
Posted: April 13, 2011
|
| > |
Go for a dip in the Dead Sea
Posted: April 8, 2011
|
| > |
Visit the stunning ruins of Petra in Jordan
Posted: March 30, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
