Classic cars are queens of the Jordanian desert

The Jordanian Royal Family’s love of classic cars and racing has been well documented, so it comes as no surprise that this October sees the return of the Jewel that is Jordan: a spectacular classic car rally set against the stunning desert scenery of Jordan.

There are many ways to explore this Middle Eastern gem, but few can be as indulgent and enjoyable as cruising to the Dead Sea - the lowest point on earth - in the comfort of a 1961 Mercedes Benz 300SL or even a 1933 Lagonda M45 BMW once owned by HM King Abdullah II.

From 14 to 27 October, 2008, this year’s invitation only event, organised by entrepreneur Jonathon Lyons and supported by the Classic Car Committee of the Royal Automobile Club of Jordan, and the Jordan Tourism Board, will see 25 classic and vintage cars and participants from as far a field as Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Holland, South Africa, India, USA and Canada, as well as from Jordan, assembled and ready for departure in the Red Sea port-city of Aqaba.

The rally will then pass through the copper-banded hills that border Aqaba to Wadi Rum, 'The Valley of the Moon', to retrace part of the route taken by Emir Feisal and Lawrence of Arabia during the Great Arab Revolt of 1916. Rugged and majestic, the near vertical walls of these sandstone canyons rise for many hundreds of metres. They were carved by glaciers many millennia ago and seem totally out of place in this hauntingly beautiful desert landscape.

The following morning the party set off through Wadi Araba to drive some 200 kilometres north along the line of border with Israel towards the Dead Sea, four hundred metres below sea level, and past the cave which sheltered Lot after the destruction of the biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

After the barren desert terrain, the Dead Sea hotels provided an oasis of luxury in the dry terrain. From here, the Jewel guests drive to places whose names fill the Old Testament and history books; to Mount Nebo, where Moses first viewed the ‘Promised Land’, to Bethany where John baptised Jesus Christ, the Palace at Machaerus where Salome danced for Herod the Great and John was later beheaded, as well as the Mosaic Churches at Madaba, the Hot Springs of Ma’in and the Roman City of Jerash.

The tour will continue on to the capital Amman before heading south to the ‘Rose Red City’ of Petra, where guests will be treated to an unforgettable Gala Dinner night to end a memorable fortnight.

For car enthusiasts, there can surely be no sight more impressive than twenty five classic Bentleys, Mercedes, Jaguars, Lagondas and more, cruising through some of the most beautiful and dramatic landscapes in the World. For holiday makers, Jordan offers no end of exciting tours, luxury hotels and historical sites to visits and the Jewel in Jordan can surely only add to what will be a truly unforgettable holiday.

And if the rally does not satiate your love of classic motoring, visitors to Jordan should not miss the fascinating Royal Automobile Museum in King Hussein Park, Amman, filled with over 100 automobiles and motorcycles that show over seven decades of Jordanian history and tell the story of King Hussein’s love of Jordan, his desire for peace and is fascination with exotic cars.

For more information on the Jewel that is Jordan, log on to Thejewelevents.com.

For further information about Jordan, see Visitjordan.com.