Aqaba

Think you can't have a beach holiday in the Middle East because it's so hot and dry? Reconsider your position. Aqaba, a seaside resort on Jordan's southern edge, offers visitors vacations along the Red Sea's magnificent shoreline.

You may float, swim, snorkel, or dive right from Aqaba. You may also take a daily cruise on the turquoise sea, which is offered by local hotels. A dip in one of the gorgeous hammams surrounding the resort town will enhance your beach trip in Jordan. When you're hungry, try sayadieh, a meal of fish over tasty rice with onion, tomato, and chili pepper, which is a local delicacy of Aqaba.

Let's head to the Aqaba Archaeological Museum. The Archaeological Museum is the best site to learn about the city's long and illustrious history. It was erected as a palace for Hussein bin Ali, the Hashemite dynasty's founder, and today houses a Bronze Age relic collection dating back to 4000 BCE. Among the most well-known items are medieval Fatimid coins and an inscription of a Quranic chapter that formerly hung over Aqaba's eastern entrance.

• Location: Jordan's southernmost point
• Timing: N/A
• Famous for: Mamluk Castle and Archaeological Museum
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time To Visit: September to November