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worldfootprints · 6 years

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Lying on stacked cushions on the roof of a lodge in Jordan’s Dana Biosphere Reserve, I watch a beam of green light shoot into the sky as our guide circles a constellation with the most powerful laser pointer I’ve ever seen. “That orange star, that’s the womanizer,” Ali says. “He’s always chasing the seven sisters.”

This is the Arab legend of the triangle in the east, Ali tells us: the seven sisters, the womanizer, and the bodyguard, forever chasing each other across the night sky.

Ali is one of the 17 local Bedouin people who work full-time at Feynan Ecolodge, where tonight he’s got an audience of about 30 guests on the rooftop, captivated by his stories about the sky.

The sky here is impossibly full of stars, so many that the constellations are hard to spot in the sea of pinprick lights. But Ali’s laser pointer – like a lightsaber on steroids – reaches straight into the heavens to draw them out, and we are mesmerized, our attention broken only by a shooting star.

A Long Journey Into the Desert

Getting to Feynan Ecolodge was an adventure of its own. We arrived at the lodge’s reception center near Quayqura in the west of Jordan after a three-hour drive from Madaba, the city of murals. We drove along the coast of the Dead Sea and down switchback roads into the desert, slowing to a crawl to pass shepherds on donkeys and in pick-up trucks, moving their large herds of sheep along the roads. We pulled into the small parking lot as the sun set, the sky turning first pink and then fiery red.

The off-the-grid lodge is not accessible by road, so we left our bus at the reception center as utter blackness descended – the kind of darkness you can only get in the middle of nowhere. We were deep in more than 7,000 acres of desert managed by Jordan’s Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. It’s a natural setting for experiments in responsible tourism, where jobs and economic opportunities for local communities are balanced with protecting the country’s most biodiverse nature reserve.

That economic partnership supports 80 families in the area and more than 400 individuals. Six of them, all local Bedouin men, drove us the final eight kilometers over rocky sand in their beat-up pick-ups, rumbling into the desert night toward Ali and his tales of the stars at the candlelit lodge.

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Tea with a Bedouin Family

In the morning, as other guests head off for a sunrise hike along Bedouin shepherd trails, I climb back up to the roof. Two donkeys linger under a tree below as the sun comes up from behind the hills, and when I hear a rumbling sound, I turn to see a herd of goats running down the path. As they approach the lodge, they scatter into smaller groups under the trees, nibbling on anything green.

After a vegetarian buffet breakfast at the lodge, Ali leads us on a short walk to the nearest Bedouin tent. We approach from the side, and he clears his throat to alert the family of our presence. It’s a required courtesy so the family knows to quiet their tongues if they’re talking about secret things.

Inside, we sit cross-legged around the fire sipping Bedouin tea, made by Hmoud and his young nephew. The matriarch of the family appears with water, but then retreats to the women’s side of the tent, out of view. “If men and women sit together,” Ali says, “men don’t get a chance to talk – only listen.”

The local name for this tea is shay – but it is also known as Bedouin whiskey – or Bedouin Red Bull, Ali says with a laugh. It is strong and bitter and very sweet. “Bob Marley says, ‘no woman, no cry.’ For us, it’s no sugar, no shay.”

Learning about Local Life

As we drink, Ali tells us more about local life. All the goats we’ve seen belong to the Bedouin, who take them out grazing after breakfast. Local families still live mostly traditional lives here – but they now choose the locations for their seasonal camps based on the strength of the cell-phone signal. Ali says it’s not uncommon to see a row of phones hanging along the wall of a goat-hair tent for better reception, and that social media and texting have become important networking tools for these communities spread out across the desert. We all pull out our phones to follow Hmoud and Ali on Instagram.

When our legs begin to fall asleep, we untangle ourselves and walk back past the goats to the lodge to pick up our bags. It’s been a short visit, so we don’t have time to visit the nearby ancient copper mines, learn to bake Arabic bread, or tour the local villages by mountain bike. Instead, we pile into the pick-ups and jostle our way back to the main road, where we get into our bus and head south toward Petra. Our clothes still smell of smoke from the fire.

Back at home, I pause over Ali’s latest desert snap in my Instagram feed. I always think of him when I look up at the night sky, my hands warmed by a cup of sweet tea. His stars are lost in the brightness of the city lights, but I know they’re up there, forever seeking.

Photo: Christina Newberry

Herd of goats. Photo: Christina Newberry

Note: This experience was part of a press trip paid for by the Jordan Tourism Board.

Shooting Stars and Shay in Jordan’s Dana Biosphere Reserve Lying on stacked cushions on the roof of a lodge in Jordan’s Dana Biosphere Reserve, I watch a beam of green light shoot into the sky as our guide circles a constellation with the most powerful laser pointer I’ve ever seen.

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cafehopping · 6 years

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#sunset #travel #jordan (at Feynan Ecolodge) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpxUE9Rn7F-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ejf20iv5joor

#sunset #travel #jordan

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lindyhunt · 6 years

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To Reach This Vacation Spot, You Need to Hike Through the Desert for 5 Days

I glance back at my boot tracks in the windswept red sand and squint to spot where they disappear into the endless horizon. The vast desert is punctuated only by the sandstone canyons in the distance, and, right before me, Sun City Camp’s cluster of bubble domes is backlit by the fiery setting sun. For a moment, I forget I’m on planet earth.

Jordan’s Wadi Rum is where they filmed The Martian, the desert moon of Jedha in Rogue One and The Last Days on Mars, after all. The desert has become a cinematic touchstone for the outer limits of our collective imagination. The feeling of being somewhere this unusual is exhilarating, and it’s exactly why I’ve come to Jordan.

Photography courtesy of

Moments after I climb into a small Jeep with my guide, a young Bedouin man named Ateya, we speed away from the camp, soaring up over colossal sand dunes before plummeting down the opposite side, like a ship careening over the waves. Instinctively, I shoot one hand up to brace myself against the window frame. We coast to a stop high on one of the rolling hills and watch the sun dip below the smoky pink horizon.

Too often, even when we arrive on the other side of the world, things quickly start to resemble life back home: Wi-Fi at our fingertips, a comfortable bed, the same uninspired buffet-style meals. That night, back in my yurt-size bubble dome at Sun City Camp, I sip mint tea and watch in wonder as the most brilliant stars I’ve ever seen prick the indigo dusk sky. Fakhem is a word used by Jordanians to describe something “epic” or “incredible,” and as those glittering celestial bodies wash the night sky with their light, I whisper it to myself. Lyrical Bedouin prayers echo through the camp, the day’s last Muslim call to prayer, or Adhan, and I catch glimpses of the stars blinking through the top of the dome as my eyelids grow heavy. I feel worlds away.

Too often, even when we arrive on the other side of the world, things quickly start to resemble life back home: Wi-Fi at our fingertips, a comfortable bed, the same uninspired buffet-style meals.

Several days after my stay in Wadi Rum, I embark on a five-day trek on the newly opened Jordan Trail. “Yalla, yalla!” exclaims Mahmoud, our Experience Jordan hiking guide. In Arabic, this means “Let’s go,” and, much to our chagrin, it’s a phrase we hear often. Our first day leads us deep into the Dana Biosphere Reserve. Sun-baked crimson and mauve sandstone mountains kiss a bright azure blue sky, and spring’s flamingo-pink oleander blooms flank our path. The steep descent and high white-hot sun are unforgiving, and I’m grateful to arrive at Feynan Ecolodge, a secluded oasis in the desert. I stargaze on the rooftop before retreating to my room, where I fall into a deep sleep, serenaded by a lone howling Arabian wolf.

Over the next four days on the trail, our mornings begin early as we march into the desert’s remote, sprawling beauty. I kick up dust on barren stretches of sun-bleached plains, my sights set on the infinite blue horizon. Our trail through this otherworldly landscape takes us up over rugged limestone mountains and in between craggy canyons. “This is something only Jordan Trail hikers get to see,” says Abdullah, a young Bedouin who has been hired, along with his donkey, Farhan, to keep us supplied with water.

Photography via Istock

Indeed, we’re miles away from even a whiff of civilization. As I look down at my khaki-coloured pants, now caked in dirt, and my sweat-stained long-sleeved white shirt, I silently admonish myself for bringing only one set of hiking clothes. We steal shade under a lonely juniper tree during the hottest part of the day, and Mahmoud miraculously produces a tarnished kettle and brews black tea with mint and heaps of sugar. If I rub the kettle and make a wish, I wonder, might I be teleported to the finish line? When the monastery at the ancient city of Petra emerges through the mountains like a mirage on the last day, I blink to make sure I’m not imagining it.

Days later, I find myself bobbing on my back in the milky blue water of the Dead Sea. The high salt content allows me to float effortlessly, defying gravity as if I’m suspended in space. “Can you believe we did that?” asks one of my fellow hikers, reminiscing about our adventure. I can’t. From the cosmic landscape of Wadi Rum to the yawning desert plains of the trail, I feel like I’ve travelled across the universe and back again. And isn’t that the point?

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rawandaas · 7 years

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Escaping the heavy rain in #Amman to this warm view of southern #Jordan ✨💛 #ShareYourJordan #VisitJordan #wanderlust #iphone7plus #iphoneonly #travel #traveler #travelblogger #traveling #picoftheday #like4like #naturelovers #natgeotravel #natgeoyourshot #hiking #hikingadventures #Jordan #sunset #instagood #instadaily #instadaily (at Feynan Ecolodge)

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jessicakehoe · 6 years

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To Reach This Vacation Spot, You Need to Hike Through the Desert for 5 Days

Photography courtesy of

Too often, even when we arrive on the other side of the world, things quickly start to resemble life back home: Wi-Fi at our fingertips, a comfortable bed, the same uninspired buffet-style meals.

Photography via Istock

The post To Reach This Vacation Spot, You Need to Hike Through the Desert for 5 Days appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

To Reach This Vacation Spot, You Need to Hike Through the Desert for 5 Days published first on https://borboletabags.tumblr.com/

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connorrenwick · 6 years

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Design Milk Travels to… Amman

The seven main hills of Amman stand sentinel to one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, one buzzing with the telltale signs of modernity at its core accompanied with the haunting hum of antiquity interspersed along its periphery. Tourists arrive in droves for short stays here within the capital of Jordan before heading out with plans for days to be spent floating weightlessly upon the saline buoyancy of the Dead Sea or navigating the achingly beautiful narrow passage into the heart of the ancient Nabataean city of Petra by foot. But in doing so, visitors forgo the opportunity to explore a city beginning to embroider the tapestry of its ancient past with a emerging art and design scene.

WHERE TO STAY

Motivated by hunger, my first morning in Amman was spent huffing and puffing up and down a series of serpentine streets, each interconnected to a see-saw of stairs. Imagine someone throwing a plateful of noodles onto paper and tracing the outlines to map a city, and you’ve got an approximation of Amman’s dizzying streets. I endured the Sisyphean butt-kicker in hopes of finding Salaheddin Bakery (مخبز صلاح الدين), an Abdali neighborhood staple specializing in kaek, a fingertip-scorching loaf of freshly baked sesame seed encrusted bread impregnated with a holy trinity of baked eggs, cheese, and za’atar. Perhaps it was a case of positive reinforcement by way of taste buds after devouring that unforgettably delicious sandwich, but afterward I felt confident and committed to exploring Amman by foot. Obviously a level of fitness is required to walk such demanding geography, but the reward is the ability to scratch the itch of curiosity tickled by Amman’s countless alleys, courtyards, and hidden gardens.

Staying at a hotel central to downtown is advisable for this purpose, allowing easier access to Amman’s historical sites, the souk, galleries, shops, and restaurants. Even so, be ready to jump into one of the 11,000 yellow taxis servicing Amman.

Photos: La Locanda Hotel

La Locanda Boutique Hotel, Jordan’s first themed boutique hotel, is nestled in the precipitous and picturesque neighborhood of Jabel Al Weibdeh, the artistic heart of Amman. The hotel is close to many of the city’s most vibrant galleries, most notably the center for contemporary Arab art, Darat Al Funun. The tree-lined avenues dotted with shops and cafes allow for leisurely walks with the opportunity to frequently stop.

Photos: Wild Jordan Center

Don’t let the name throw you off, the Wild Jordan Center is a hidden gem and our favorite accommodations for longer stays in Amman. Comprised of five “lodges” (really just apartments, complete with kitchenettes), the center offers guests an Instagram-worthy view overlooking Old Amman, with the iconic Citadel clearly visible from every window and balcony. The lodges are named after nature reserves protected by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. With the evocation of a lodge, one might expect rustic decor, but each room is actually decorated in contemporary furnishings. The adjoining restaurant serves visitors and guests alike local seasonal fare served with a health conscious bent; nearly every table presents a densely populated and picturesque view of city life below. I also remember the adjoining gift shop as particularly well stocked with small wares, clothing, handmade items, and foodstuffs.

Photo: W Amman

Those seeking the refuge of a recognizably global style of accommodations may find the contemporary 280 guest rooms and 44 suites of the W Amman in the Abdali neighborhood to their liking. If you’ve stayed at a W Hotel before, the financial district hotel won’t throw any surprises, sharing the identifiably sleek W-style décor that has made the brand a dependable beacon for vacationers and business travelers alike.

Notable mentions: Four Seasons Hotel Amman \\\ The House Boutique Suites \\\ Grand Hyatt Amman \\\ The Art Hotel

WHERE TO PLAY

Photo: Gregory Han

The Jordanian National Gallery of Fine Arts’ collection of contemporary art isn’t comprehensive, but it offers an excellent starting off point with a curated selection showcasing the diversity of styles, techniques, and subject matter specific to Jordan and the surrounding regions. The museum is actually comprised of two buildings separated by a sculpture garden in between, with temporary exhibitions housed in the smaller north side Building 1, with the majority of its permanent collection housed across inside Building 2. The neighborhood and museum are both surprisingly quiet, delivering unhurried contemplation and appreciation of the artwork on display.

“A Chair Tale” exhibition during Amman Design Week at the Jordan National Gallery. Photo: Gregory Han

The Darat al Funun could be considered the Jordanian equivalent of The Getty in Los Angeles – a hillside cultural center dedicated to the intersection of contemporary and ancient art, academia, and cultural outreach overlooking its host city. But how many museums can claim its own excavated ruins of a 6th-century Byzantine church sitting on its grounds? Just be ready to climb an endless ascension of stairs while exploring Darat al Funun’s intimate gardens, library, temporary exhibitions, and hopefully a stop at the hillside cafe. Each spot rewards curious minds with strengthened calves.

Photo: Gregory Han

Tiraz sits on the outskirts of a residential section of Amman, and inside its unassuming walls resides the magnificent Widad Kamel Kawar dress collection, the most complete assemblage of both Palestinian and Jordanian dress, alongside the largest collection of Syrian dresses outside of the country. A deeper appreciation of the region and its people is revealed in inspection of the dizzying intricacy decorating the collection’s dresses, each fashioned to communicate the extended history of its wearer and their community through the craft of detailed embroidery. The museum also hosts temporary exhibits; during our visit the intricate pixel-like geometry of Jordanian designers Nisreen and Nermeen Abu Dail of Naqsh Collective greeted visitors from the courtyard, with a more extensive display within.

Photo: Gregory Han

Photo: Arini Zain Cultural Plaza

Arini is the physical outpost of the Arabic online architecture and design site, Herskhazeen, and one of the more important institutions focused upon the promotion, dialogue, and investigation of contemporary design and architecture in the Middle East. Visitors are bound to discover an ever-changing landscape of immersive installations like Dalieh – the Kinetic Canopy [shown above], alongside operating as a nexus of the city’s creative class.

Notable mentions: Mujib Chalets \\\ Wild Jordan Center \\\ Feynan Ecolodge

WHERE TO SHOP

Photo: Gregory Han

When we slipped into Turbo for a breather during Amman Design Week, we weren’t quite sure what to make of the former abandoned car repair shop outfitted by graphic designers Saeed Abu-Jaber and Mothanna Hussein. Was it a graphic design studio? A coffee bar? A gallery? A pop-up shop? The answer is simply, “yes” (and also the answer to whether you should drop in). Their multidisciplinary studio is most easily spotted by their bright yellow espresso machine and an iconic tiger sculpture.

Photo: Kama

After spending an afternoon sampling Kama’s selection of gourmet local olives, oils, spices, nuts, chocolates, and snacks – each packaged in elegant contemporary Arabic geometric motifs – our evening was spent valiantly attempting to find extra room in our luggage to bring back home an assortment of gifts. Kama’s delicious design is a choice opportunity to bring back a taste of Jordan (or enjoy some in your hotel room, as I might be guilty of).

Photo: Shams Amman

Home décor, flowers and plants, food, and even a weekly yoga class all intersect at Shams Amman and their adjoining Al Balad Café. I discovered the shop after looking for the intricate and colorful art of Mo Rusan, whose arabesque prints would not look one bit out of place in a William Morris catalog.

Photo: Mo Rusan

Jordan River Foundation has two outposts – one inside the city and another within the Queen Alia International Airport, conveniently located just before the security gates at the departure lounge. Both represent the non-profit efforts of Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan, each designed to spotlight a vibrant catalog of modern home décor and accessories handmade using traditional embroidery and woodworking techniques. Proceeds go to funding training programs to empower local women and children, making it destination for conscious consumerism.

Photo: Jordan River Foundation

Notable mentions: Tumayr – Garden Shop \\\ Jordan Craft Center \\\ Jacaranda

FINAL WORDS

Upon arrival, Amman can seem like an overwhelming tangle of sights, sounds, smells, and textures. But by carefully pre-populating a Google Map with sights to visit, that seemingly impenetrable mass reveals a very walkable city. Download the rideshare app, Careem, and connecting those dots on your to-do list becomes even easier.

Photos: Gregory Han

Amman Design Week is only in its second year of existence, but what it lacks in history it makes up for in its immersive breadth, exploring design beyond the esthetic and deep into the realm of relevant social, cultural, and environmental issues. Examples include ‘Kutleh’ by Rula Yaghmour (left) a “carved” seat made with scraps from the stone industry and construction projects, and ‘Left of Passage, Right of Passage’ (right), an installation by Anmahian Winton Architects, inspired by Wadi Rum, the geological Jordanian wilderness immortalized by T E Lawrence as “vast, echoing and godlike”. A visit scheduled during this celebratory span presents Amman at its most festive and finest from an arts and design perspective.

via http://design-milk.com/

from WordPress https://connorrenwickblog.wordpress.com/2018/07/27/design-milk-travels-to-amman/

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tourguideexpert-blog-blog · 5 years

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Great desert adventures: readers travel tips

New Post has been published on https://travelqia.com/must-see/great-desert-adventures-readers-travel-tips-2/

Great desert adventures: readers travel tips

Spectacular night skies, vast red dunes, one of the worlds longest trains and Navajo porridge are among our readers highlights in these beautiful sandscapes

Winning tip: The Canning stock route, Australia

Crossing four deserts, the Canning stock route in Western Australia extends 1,850km from Halls Creek (east of Broome) to Wiluna in the mid-west. The route was established in 1910 to break a monopoly in the beef trade. Much of it is bush track and can be undertaken with a 4WD. However, it is more usual to travel in a small escorted tour either for the whole or a section of the trail. (Last year my father-in-law undertook a section with a group of volunteers maintaining the waterholes and wells.) The trail crosses a vast and stunning wilderness: from the red dirt of the Kimberley, the Pilbara regions Lake Disappointment (a huge salt lake surrounded by sand dunes) to the wildflowers that appear in early spring. You may even see a camel or two. The best part of the day is when you set up camp, night falls and the heat subsides, and you sit beneath an endless canopy of bright stars thinking you could be the only people on the planet. john redston

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Every week we ask our readers for recommendations from their travels. A selection of tips will be featured online and in print, and the best entry each week (as chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet) wins a 200 voucher from hotels.com. To enter the latest competition visit the readers’ tips homepage

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The Sahara, Mauritania

Photograph: Alamy

Chinguetti in Mauritania, almost swallowed by sand, is the Sahara at its prettiest. The town is one of Islams holiest cities and an architectural delight. The surrounding sand dunes are mesmerisingly beautiful and impressive in size. Its possible to visit nearby oases on a camel and stay overnight in the desert under the open sky, an unforgettable experience on both full moon and moonless nights. The very adventurous can get to Chinguetti by riding the first class carriage (free of charge) on Mauritanias iron ore train, one of the longest trains in the world (at about 3km). It departs Nouadhibou and Chinguetti can then be reached via Choum and Atar (which has an airport and can be reached by air from the capital, Nouakchott). GoranLondon

Navajo territory, Arizona, US

Photograph: Alamy

On the last night of our four-day trip in Arizona, my brother and I stayed at Shash Dine Eco-Retreat (cabin sleeping four from 112 a night, shashdine.com). We were able to spend the night on Navajo land in a traditional hogan (a small house made from poles and branches). We spent time taking in the reds, oranges, and purples of Antelope Canyon, exploring the bizarre landscape of toadstools, splashing around Lake Powell, and marvelling at the majesty of the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. That night around the fire we watched the stars while lightning storms rolled through in the distance. The fire kept us warm for hours. Soon enough the sun rose and we were greeted with freshly brewed Navajo tea, porridge, and fresh fruit. Our last stop before we left town was a lookout over the Grand Canyon. Our hosts took us because it is not accessible to the public, being on Navajo land. It was explained that, according to the Navajo, the gods lived in the Grand Canyon. Once more I stood in awe of its greatness; the gods chose the most wonderful place to call home. Kara Cunningham

Petra, Jordan

Photograph: Alamy

Even without the incredible rock-hewn monuments, Petra would be one of the most captivating of desert landscapes. The Siq canyon is mindblowing enough, cleaving through the rosy sandstone for more than a kilometre, but the puckered eruptions of rock that contain the ancient city are a masterpiece of natural beauty. Blistered red cliffs soar skywards, painted with streaks of purple, rose, ochre and orange. Follow rock-cut steps up to the High Place of Sacrifice, looking out for the colourful strata on the way up, and enjoying a birds eye view of the mountains from the top. To round off the desert experience, spend the night in one of the Bedouin camps near Little Petra, reached along a road through more mind-bending rock formations. marthah

Stargazing in the Atacama, Chile

Photograph: Getty Images

While visiting the Atacama desert, our standout experience was a tour with a retired astronomer. A minibus picked us up at our hotel in San Pedro and we drove out to a collection of fixed telescopes, where for the next two hours we were shown the wonders of the night sky free from light pollution. Wrap up warm. The tour doesnt run for three nights either side of a full moon. Tours from 30, spaceobs.com Danny Jones

Oatman town, Mojave, US

Photograph: Liz Marr

In stunning scenery along a mountain road between Lake Havasu City and Kingman lies the forgotten town of Oatman. Take away the cars and you have the old wild west tumbledown wooden buildings and saloon bars. Wander the raised wooden sidewalks with the oh-so-friendly donkeys that roam free in the streets and sometimes the gift shops. Eat and drink at the old west cafes when you need to get out of the sun. Dont forget the Oatman Sidewalk Egg Fry in July when temperatures can reach 50C. Sun block and hats a must! Liz Marr

Rajasthan, India

Photograph: David Ross

As you approach the city of Jaisalmer through the vast Thar desert, the vegetation becomes ever more sparse. Peering through the windows of your train carriage, you can see the cattle slowly give way to camels. At the end of the line a 17-hour rail journey from Delhi is a real desert treat: a city of imposing sandstone forts, intricately carved temples and jaw-dropping Rajasthani havelis (mansions). In a country as populous and frenetic as India, this isolated region on the border with Pakistan feels special. Within an hour of the city walls you feel as if you are days from anywhere. An overnight camel safari is the perfect way to appreciate the beautiful wilderness: cooking and camping under the stars in the Thar gives you an experience of solitude you will never forget. The wonderfully relaxing Hotel Mystic in Jaisalmer (doubles from 28 B&B, mysticjaisalmer.com) makes a great base and also organises trips into the desert. David Ross

Cycling the Sonoran, Tucson, US

Photograph: Alamy

You can cycle (my favourite) hike or drive through Saguaro national park, part of the Sonoran desert bordering Tucson. Youll be blown away by this landscape. Some features are familiar, such as the iconic giant cacti: silhouetted against a desert sunset, they are breathtaking. This desert abounds in birdlife. Ive been lucky enough to glimpse hummingbirds and vermilion flycatchers. For a fuller understanding of the ecology and more, the Arizona-Sonora museum (desertmuseum.org) is worth a visit. Moiraash

An enchanting ecolodge, Jordan

Photograph: Alamy

Its a bumpy old ride to get there, through unmade roads in Wadi Feynan in Jordan, but you are definitely rewarded as you approach Feynan Ecolodge in the rugged Dana Biosphere Reserve. My wife and I threw caution to the (sandy) winds, and hired a car in Jordan to drive deep into the desert for a night at this incredibly peaceful ecolodge, where your only neighbours are wild camels and the very occasional Bedouin goat farmer. While the candlelit dinner was something special, it was lying on the roof terrace watching the stars unfold on a cloudless night that made this an experience to remember. Doubles from 124 full board and activities, ecohotels.me Joe Sunderland

Sandboarding in Perus Northern Desert

Photograph: Getty Images

Most people travel to north Peru to surf the coastal waves, but inland at the Northern Desert theres surfing of a different kind sandboarding. Take a 30-minute taxi ride from Trujillo to the oasis of La Laguna de Conache. At this small farming settlement, you can rent boards for a few pounds and surf the huge sand dunes. Climbing up is a work-out in itself and coming down is heart-stoppingly fast, so remember to pause at the top for a photo of the endless desert as you perch gingerly on your board. Cool off in the neighbouring reservoir, and even hire a boat to fish for tilapia. bowbank

The Negev, Israel

Photograph: Northlondonhousewife

Consider a trip to the Negev if youre visiting Israel. Its such a small country that nothing is really very far away, but the Negev feels as if its a million miles away from everywhere, including the troubles of this region. Hostel Succah in the Desert, near Mitzpe Ramon, has fairly basic cabins (no electricity, no running water, no wifi, no mobile signal) that take you back to a much simpler time and place. Theres a pool at the reception, which is also where breakfast is served. Activities include horse and camel rides, and desert safaris. Desert cabins from 105 B&B, succah.co.il Northlondonhousewife

Wahiba Sands and Hajar Mountains, Oman

Photograph: Joe Trevorrow

With three friends I hired a guide and a 4×4 through Nomad Tours in Muscat (250pp, nomadtours.com) and set out on a very basic camping expedition into the Hajar Mountains in the north of Oman, witnessing stunning sunrises of which I have pictures of, climbing through dangerous desert canyons and seeing a space rocket burn up in the night sky. We then headed south for a night in the Wahiba Sands a 200 sq km desert with long rolling dunes, herds of bedouin and camels roaming. The desert much is reddish in colour, and comes alive at night with various insects, lizards and jerboas hunting. Dunes rise to around 200 metres in height and climbing them is certainly a workout. The further you head into the desert you find yourself cut off from the dune bashers and civilisation. Temperatures during September when we went hit 49C during midday so we had to make sure all our skin was fully covered. We finally headed out of the sand dunes to Wadi bin Khaled, one of many oasis-like features found in Oman to wash the sand of and refresh. Joe Trevorrow

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/us

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