Veena and Ajit – Jordan
They traversed through Wadi Rum, floated in the Dead Sea and gorged on the delicious Kunafa and Baklava in their one-week romantic escape to Jordan.
After their busy wedding in December last year, the amorous couple decided to head to the progressive middle-eastern country of Jordan for a dreamy honeymoon amidst the picturesque locales.
How We Met
I run The Happy High a wine and spirits consultancy in Mumbai and she works as an IT Consultant in Pune. It was a typical arranged marriage setting. We were introduced through our parents and after five months of a formal courtship, we decided to tie the knot.
Honeymoon planning
We had previously decided to go to places such as South Africa, Australia and New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere given the season. However considering we had only 8 days, we chose to go to Jordan for our ultimate honeymoon. The destination offers different topographies and temperatures ranging from 3-25 degrees – unlike most other places in the northern hemisphere in January.
Honeymoon Highlights
We loved Petra and the beaches of Aqaba. Floating in the Dead Sea was a phenomenal experience! The desert safari at Wadi Rum was good too. Our bespoke honeymoon itinerary was designed by JM Mehta travels and they provided us with some great quality accommodation facilities. We stayed at Amman Cham Palace a letdown but liked it for the traditional lobby interiors. The Petra House in Crowne Plaza offered luxurious accommodation. We even had a corner room with a balcony with views of the horses getting ready for the day at the entrance of Petra – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Marine Plaza in Aqaba offered some breathtaking views of the barren Aqaba Mountains, and our favorite – Movenpick Resort and Spa in the Dead Sea was nestled amidst a traditional village setting and has a very calming environment – perfect for spending some quality time with your loved one, especially if you get an upgrade with a private pool.
Places to avoid
We thought that the jeep ride through the desert of Wadi Rum was good however can be completely skipped as it did not exhilarate us. We suggest you would rather save some extra hours exploring Aqaba or the Dead Sea.
Best Meals
I am vegetarian so I didn’t know what to expect. But I was pleasantly surprised by the number of European restaurants set up there. I wanted to avoid those and in fact, went to the streets and smaller markets to relish the local food of Shawarmas (Falafels for me), smoky Baba Ghanoush, and exquisite Baklavas which were the best I had ever eaten! Don’t forget to try the cheesy Kunafa – a sugar soaked dessert in Amman.
Most romantic moments
Trekking to the highest point in Petra! We walked a lot but when we finally reached there, we could see the entire city carved out of rocks. It looked like a golden paradise! It was truly a very romantic moment for us!
Advice for couples
The suggested itinerary included 2 nights each in Amman, Petra, Aqaba and the Dead Sea. Go shopping in tax-free Aqaba as there are no avenues in the Dead Sea. Alcohol is expensive; make sure you carry some from the duty-free on landing in Jordan as hotels don’t mind it. January was cold in the night and pleasant in the day, which we absolutely we loved it! For those who love to spend some time by the sea, March-April is a good time to go as the tourists season picks up later and hotels get expensive.
Where They Stayed
Amman Cham Palace, Amman
The Petra House, Crowne Plaza
Marine Plaza, Aqaba
Movenpick Resort and Spa, Dead Sea
To book a bespoke romantic trip for two, click here
