Experience Bedouin culture in Petra with host Nawwaf
Many of our hosts can say that they live near a great beach, swimming pool or shopping district, but not many can say that they live in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not so our host Nawwaf who is from the historic city of Petra in Jordan. Petra has been a protected UNESCO site since 1985 and is known for its ornate carvings and buildings that are hewn directly into the rock. Also known as the Rose City due the pink hues of the rock, Petra is situated in a large valley surrounded by desert and dates back to the pre-Christian era.
Nawwaf and his family have been hosting guests in their unique city since he was a child so his signing up to Homestay.com was the natural continuation of a family tradition. Living in the nearby Bedouin village of Little Petra, Nawwaf’s homestay gives you a real look into everyday life in Petra and combines the history for which the region is famous with the friendly, welcoming atmosphere that makes a homestay unlike any other form of accommodation.
Nawwaf was born in the caves of this incredible city and knows all the local walkways and traditions and can advise you on the best ways to explore. He is happy to give his guided tours of the caves and surrounding areas and can also arrange for longer trips on horseback, 4x4 or (if you’re up to it) on foot into the Wadi Rum desert. From there he can teach you how to live like a Bedouin, from cooking on an open fire to rock climbing in this majestic open space. Depending on the length of trek you choose, you can stay one or two nights or for a longer trip you can travel from Petra to the port of Aqaba in the south of the country.
If this history and culture appeal more to you than trekking and desert walks then there is still plenty to do in Petra. Nawwaf can arrange for you to taste the local cuisine as well of course as visit the many museums that commemorate and explore Jordan’s past. A homestay is the best way to see how modern life continues and exists alongside this ancient city and with Nawwaf as our first host in Jordan to sign up to Homestay.com, you know he has a real enthusiasm for telling others about his homeland.
Interested in visiting Jordan? Take a look at our listings page now.
Written by Mary Plunkett
Mary’s curious personality means that she is forever looking to explore new places and cultures. Like many Irish kids, Mary first got a taste for travel on family camping holidays to France.
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