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Crowne Plaza Resort PETRA
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Set against a breathtaking view of Petra one of the worlds seven wonders, Crowne Plaza Resort...
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Jordan: Search for areas
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Petra
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Petra (from "petra", rock in Greek; Arabic: البتراء, al-Bitrā) is an archaeological site in Jordan, lying in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Wadi Araba, the great valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. It is famous for having many stone structures carved into the rock.
Petra was the impressive capital of the Nabataean kingdom from around the 6th century BC. The kingdom was absorbed into the Roman Empire in AD 106 and the Romans continued to expand the city. It was the center for trade caravans to meet, after the Romans took over it lost its importance to trade and was abandoned, the mighty ruins have been sporadically occupied by Christians, Arabs, Crusaders and visited by the occasional tourist ever since.
By far Jordan's largest tourist attraction, the site was made famous by the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, copies of which play on repeat in all the hotels and guesthouses in the neighboring boomtown of Wadi Musa.
Petra is an archaeological park, so the entrance fees are considered fairly steep compared to other Jordanian attractions. Visitors can purchase tickets at the Visitor's Center for 21 JD for a single entry and 25 and 30 JD for a 2 or 3 day pass respectively. A 3 day pass will get you a 4th day for free. A valid student ID card will grant entrance for 11.5 JD. Do not attempt to purchase tickets from dubious scalpers around town! Time permitting, the two-day pass is recommended, as there is much to see and do in Petra.
Guides can be hired from about 10 JD and up (depending on what you want to see) at the Visitors Center. You may want to take advantage of the knowledge of the Bedouins who work in Petra. Many of them were born and raised in Petra, and will gladly share their knowledge with you for the price of a camel or donkey ride.
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