Petra

3. Petra

Petra was the ancient capital of the Nabataean people, who decided one day back in 312 BC, that the desert was the perfect place to call home. So, why would our nomadic Arab friends settle on one of the most hostile places on earth? Well, the hostility of the desert itself, along with the rolling rock formations, would have provided a great form of natural defence.

Snaking through "The Siq" - a massive mountain gorge, you would be forgiven for feeling a little like Indiana Jones, searching for his long lost treasure. That's because it actually doubled as a filming location for The Last Crusade! The canyon is long at 0.75 miles/1.2km, but boy is it worth it when the iconic Treasury comes into view.

If you haven't yet seen the classic image, featuring a fanciful facade carved into the red sandstone rockface, then you must have been living in a cave! Speaking of which, that is what lies behind the facade - a man-made cave, which acts as the structure itself.

The Treasury is almost the true starting point of the entire archaeological complex at Petra. Indeed that implies there is much more to see, and the site is sizable, with a further 6 main musings - including The Monastery, which is a further 1.6 miles/2.5km hike! Note to self. Wear sensible shoes. I wore cheap sandals, and by the end of the roundtrip, my feet were bleeding! For those not up for the workout, I believe buggies and horses were also available.

Petra places firmly 3rd on my list. Firstly, the red desert landscape is other-worldly - perhaps reminiscent of Mars (not that I have been just yet!). Then there is the fact they would have sweated swimming pools. A++ for effort. And for me, I like the fact that (if you so choose to) you can work for your reward, with the initial hike. However, it is the feat of forming the intricate facias that takes it. What incredible skill and dedication this would have taken. And I can't imagine what would have happened, if a piece of rock larger than initially intended was chiselled off. Right! Start again!

As a little bonus for the romantics of us, there is also "Petra by Night", in which they light The Siq and Treasury with over 2,000 candles.