Where better to relax: Israel or Jordan. Jordan or Israel which is better
Israel and Jordan are quite similar destinations, so tourists often ask where is better: in Jordan or in Israel. The choice is further complicated by the fact that the main resorts of Jordan and Israel (Aqaba and Eilat, respectively) are located several kilometers from each other and are very similar cities.
Despite the fact that our site is dedicated to Jordan, we still decided to make an adequate comparison of the two countries and try to answer the question of which is better: Jordan or Israel.
The weather in Jordan and Israel is almost the same. In terms of geographical location, these countries are also very similar to each other, since they have access to the Red Sea and are two countries that have a coast on the Dead Sea. Beautiful coral reefs in the north of the Gulf of Aqaba went to both Jordan and Israel. However, there are noticeably more dive sites on the Jordanian coastline than on the Israeli coastline.
What is the difference between Jordan and Israel
Despite the fact that these countries have much in common, they still have some notable differences. To answer the question "Jordan or Israel: which is better?", you just need to understand what differences there are between these countries. The main difference is in religion. In Jordan the predominant religion is Islam, while in Israel it is Judaism. This makes such close countries completely different from each other in terms of lifestyle, culture and traditions. Since Jordan is a Muslim country, it has prohibitions related to alcohol, while in Israel there are no special prohibitions in this regard, and alcohol can be bought even in stores.
It is also worth noting that Israel has access not only to the Red Sea, but also to the Mediterranean, which gives some flexibility in terms of a beach holiday.
As for excursions, both countries offer many interesting places, but still, I personally think that excursions in Jordan are more interesting and varied. The main attractions of Israel are the city of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, while in Jordan, in addition to the same Dead Sea, there are also such iconic sights as Petra, Wadi Rum, Mount Nebo, Jerash, Karak. But it is worth remembering that you can go to many interesting places in Jordan on an excursion from Israel, or vice versa, go from Jordan on an excursion to Israel. The only question is whether it will be convenient for you to go on such excursions.
Now a few words about hotels. Personally, I prefer hotels in Jordan, especially those located on the shores of the Dead Sea. There are also some pretty good hotels on the Red Sea coast, which by their nature are more like hotels in Egypt.
Jordan or Israel: where is cheaper
Since tourists often consider Jordan and Israel as an alternative to Egypt, the financial side of the issue is also of great importance. After all, Egypt was a budget holiday destination with many inexpensive all-inclusive hotels. Where is it cheaper to relax: in Jordan or Israel? Of course, the cheaper destination is Jordan. For example, an inexpensive all-inclusive hotel in Aqaba will cost almost 2 times cheaper than a similar hotel in the neighboring Israeli resort of Eilat. True, the prices for excursions, meals and other goods and services in Israel are not much higher than in Jordan.
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More recently, people went to the Dead Sea to be treated mainly in Israel. And finally, modern hotel complexes began to appear on the opposite bank - the Jordanians realized what a treasure belongs to them. After all, their sea is no worse than Israel's, or even better ...
Jordan or Israel: where is it better to go to the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is familiar to each of us from school: it is the only body of water located 400 meters below sea level, where the salt concentration is so high that the existence of living beings is excluded. However, not so long ago, scientists managed to find echoes of life somewhere in the depths - some microbes that have adapted to such conditions.
There are 300 grams of salt per liter of water here, which is about 10 times more than in Cherny. But the main thing is that the Dead Sea is a real natural treasure. It contains almost all the salts that are on the planet, and 55 mineral springs spring from its bottom. This water is almost impossible to reproduce in the laboratory, which is why cosmetics with local salts are so famous - the main Jordanian and Israeli souvenir.
Two states have built resorts on the Dead Sea: Israel and Jordan. In fact, we are talking about different seas with a different composition of water that has different properties. Aerial photography clearly shows that a single body of water, drying up, has long been divided into northern and southern basins. The peninsula with a narrow isthmus, once only conditionally separating them, has now become a serious barrier to water. And therefore, in the south, in Israel, people rest where the depth is only 5 meters, and in the north, in Jordan, where it is more than 300. In Jordan, they say that their sea is better in composition, and the salt concentration there is optimal, since it is diluted with water Jordan river.
Therapeutic salts and mud of the Dead Sea
Perhaps the scientists are wrong. In the Dead Sea, not only the only microbe they found is able to survive, but also many other organisms - tourist ones. And not only survive, but also stock up on health and get rid of many diseases: skin, allergies, here you can treat the nervous system and upper respiratory tract.
You enter the sea not like water - like oil - the water is so thick, viscous, immediately covering the body with a dense greasy film. It is elastic, and therefore it is very difficult to change the position of the body: lie down, sit down, stand up. But in the water you can walk without diving deeper than your chest and without thinking how many meters of this strange liquid is under your feet. It seems that you can walk to the opposite shore all the way to Israel - it is only five kilometers away.
Many who come to the Dead Sea for the first time cannot resist licking the water. And then they spit for a long time, trying to get rid of the sharp unpleasant taste. Because the water in the Dead Sea is not salty - it is bitter. And as a warning to those who do not believe in such salinity, there are huge boulders on the shore covered with crystal salt crystals.
And therefore the most popular shots from these places are how people lying on the water peacefully read magazines and newspapers. In truth, no one reads literature at sea. All this waste paper lies on coastal stones and is used only as props. While you make your way over the stones, you swim a little along this rubbery water from the shore, the magazine will bathe several times and completely get wet. Yes, and doctors do not recommend staying in the water for more than 15-20 minutes. But you do not burn out immediately: the skin is protected by the bromine contained in the water and the ozone layer, which is denser than in other places on the planet.
The local dirt is also famous. They bring it to the hotel beaches and dump it into huge clay pots. However, if you walk along the edge of the sea, you can see for yourself its deposits in shallow water - large black spots under water. It is better not to take from above, but to dig deeper. But you need to do this carefully: with any movement, the mud sucks the legs like a swamp.
Before smearing yourself with the obtained wealth, you should plunge into the sea, and, without washing off the salty film, apply a mask on the body, then on the hair, and then on the face. Yes, so that on each of these "territories" the dirt was 20, 10 and 5 minutes, respectively. Salt water will keep the healing substance from drying out.
But what about at home with the vacuum-packed dirt bought in the store? Locals recommend adding a little olive oil to it. By the way, it is almost useless to bring home the dirt dug up with your own hands - in the air it quickly oxidizes and loses its properties.
Where to live in the Dead Sea
For a long time, there were no hotels on the shores of the Jordanian Dead Sea. And only now the locals realized what they were losing and began to actively build. They are still far from Israeli scale, but such luxurious hotels as the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar have already appeared.
Holidays in Israel are better than in Jordan
Firstly, beautiful beaches in israel. As I have seen, even from the side of the Red Sea, sea entry is much better than in Jordan, where there are rocky and coral shores, and rest with children will be problematic. Secondly, Israel's excursion potential is far ahead of Jordan's. I have been on many excursions here and there, on some excursions several times. Third, in Israel there are practically no restrictions on appearance, with the exception of Jerusalem and the religious quarters. Girls can easily walk in shorts almost everywhere. Fourth, in Israel is home to many of our former compatriots, so you can easily ask in Russian where and how to get there, so we got lost in the evening in Ashdod, and they helped us without any problems. Fifth, You don't need a visa to visit Israel, while Need a visa for Jordan(with the exception of Aqaba). By the way, you can rest in Israel, it is easy to visit Jordan by purchasing a tour. We did just that once. Personally, I like to be in Petre. A nice place. Ancient Nabatean city carved into the rocks. Now Bedouins live and work there, mainly working in the tourism sector. I even visited the house of one of them .. well, like in a house - a niche in the rock, with carpets and a couple of chairs.
What about prices
From my own experience, I understand that everything is relative. Some are more expensive, some are cheaper. In Israel, the standard of living is higher than in Jordan; accordingly, some goods and services are much more expensive and of better quality.
Israel has more entertainment. Still, in terms of mentality and openness, the country is closer to Europe. I managed to visit nightclubs and do diving in Eilat.
I visited various shopping, entertainment and entertainment centers, visited a huge number of museums. In Israel, there are also various music festivals constantly taking place, etc. In Eilat, I recommend visiting "City of Kings"- a cool entertainment center for adults and children, where you are not only entertained, but also taught, though in English and Hebrew.
I hope to visit again in a couple of three years, as well Palestinian Authority and Jordan.
Dead Sea- drainless lake in Jordan and Israel, the saltiest body of water in the world.
Description of the Dead Sea
Dead Sea- a salt lake located between Jordan and Israel.
It is the saltiest lake in the world, its salinity is 300-310 ‰, and in some years up to 350 ‰. The coast of the Dead Sea is the lowest piece of land on Earth: it is 430 meters below sea level and falls at a rate of about 1 meter per year.
The length of this lake is 67 km, the width is 18 km at its widest point, the depth is up to 306 meters.
In 1977, due to a drop in the water level, the lake was divided into 2 parts - northern and southern, connected by a channel. The northern part of the Dead Sea is used for recreational purposes, and in the southern part there are several enterprises engaged in the extraction of bromine, potassium chloride and other minerals through evaporation.
Several dry streams and the Jordan River flow into the Dead Sea.
The sea is called dead because, due to the high salt content, no living organism can live in it. And according to the Bible, it was on the shores of the Dead Sea that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were located.
Holidays at the Dead Sea
Currently, the Dead Sea is a famous world resort.
From time immemorial, the Dead Sea has been a hospital for those who suffer from diseases of the respiratory, musculoskeletal, skin, endocrine and nervous systems. And the effect of healing is achieved due to the composition. The Dead Sea is not just salty - it is very salty - 33% (for comparison: in the Mediterranean Sea, salts are 3%). It contains all the minerals vital for humans, including: chlorine, magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium, bromine.
Dead Sea climate
You can relax on the Dead Sea all year round. The average air temperature near the reservoir is 24 degrees Celsius in December and 36.6 degrees in August. Air humidity - in December - 45%, in August 32.2%. The annual rainfall is 100 mm. The average sea water temperature is between 26.7 degrees Celsius in December and 37.7 degrees in August.
Dead Sea Mud
Minerals and therapeutic mud of the Dead Sea are able to restore youth and health to a person and have the highest rejuvenating effect. Therapeutic mud is a product of the vital activity of the only and unique representative of living beings that lives in a concentrated saline solution - archeobacteria. The shores of a strange reservoir can also be considered dead: for a considerable distance they are covered only with a crust of dried salt, which does not allow grass and trees to grow.
Particular attention to the Dead Sea should be paid to those who want to become even more beautiful and slimmer: all kinds of SPA procedures will come to the aid of ladies. First, a body peeling with Dead Sea salts, then a whirlpool with milk, and finally a full body massage with oils.
Dead Sea Salt
Since the body of water is below sea level, the atmospheric pressure here is higher than at any other point on the Earth, which creates the effect of a natural pressure chamber. In addition, air enriched with mineral salts and all kinds of trace elements (especially bromine) has a calming and calming effect on a person. The absence of harmful ultraviolet radiation eliminates the possibility of sunburn, while the tan literally sticks to the body: it is enough to lie in the sun for a couple of hours to become the owner of a luxurious even chocolate tan tomorrow.
But, the main highlight of this resort, of course, is the sea itself. Entering it, you understand what weightlessness is - the body is pushed to the surface, forcing it to take a horizontal position. And begins ... mysticism. No wonder the Israelis joke that the Dead Sea is a place where God is with people on a direct telephone connection.
Dead Sea beaches
The beaches on the Dead Sea are rocky or rocky-sandy, covered with salt or salt stones. To prevent injury, it is recommended to go into the water in special slippers.
Dead Sea Resorts
There are several resorts and cities on the sea both in Israel and in Jordan.
Dead Sea Resorts in Israel
The main resorts of the Israeli part of the Dead Sea:
- Potassium
- Mitzpe
- Shalem
- Ein Gedi
- Ein Bokek
- Neve Zohar
The main and largest Israeli resort of the Dead Sea is Ein Bokek. The rest of the resorts are small villages or oases in the desert with a few buildings.
Dead Sea Resorts in Jordan
As such, there are no Jordanian resorts on the Dead Sea, there are only a few hotels on the coast and beaches near them.
How to get to the Dead Sea?
The Dead Sea resorts can be reached from Israel or Jordan by car or by bus.
Distance to the Dead Sea from the cities of Jordan:
- Amman - 65 km,
- Madaba - 58 km,
- Jerash - 113 km,
- Petra - 280 km,
- Aqaba - 385 km.
Distance from cities in Israel:
- Jerusalem - 40 km,
- Tel Aviv - 110 km,
- Haifa - 190 km,
- Beersheba - 140 km,
- Eilat - 300 km.
Israel is the holy land of world religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). Resting here, you should definitely visit religious shrines, in particular, the capital of King David - sacred Jerusalem. Thanks to excursion programs, you can see the desert landscape, ancient mountains, magnificent hills and gorges, clear water of rivers, as well as touch ancient culture and history.
Most tourists choose Tel Aviv and Eilat for holidays. they are suitable for those who love the bustle of the city, shopping centers, nightclubs, bazaars, as well as music concerts and art galleries. For a family holiday, Netanya is an ideal option, where there is a lot of entertainment for both children and adults.
Israel is also famous for its beach resorts and seas. The Dead Sea is a unique body of water in which the water is heavier than the human body. The water and mud of this sea have amazing healing properties, which doctors use in the treatment of various ailments. The hotels have a very high level of service, and the rooms are equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable and cozy stay.
The only drawback is the security control at the airport, which includes the inspection of things and documents.
rest in
Jordan is an Arab state with a high standard of living, which is famous for its rich and excursion program, and is also suitable for lovers of an active lifestyle. As a rule, tourists whose income level is much higher than the average choose Jordan, since the prices for food and accommodation are very high here. Most often, couples fly to Jordan. Pilgrims and people who like world monuments, history and religion should be included in a separate category of tourists.Why is Jordan so famous? Perhaps, the fact that vacationing in this country, the tourist will get a lot of pleasure without finding a single minus. For example, access to recreation at the Dead Sea is not limited, which cannot be said about the beaches in Israel, and there are no annoying sellers in the oriental bazaars. In addition, there is no summer heat in Jordan, which is exhausting. Jordan is a bridge between East and West, which combines seas and deserts, as well as great opportunities and numerous cultural layers of antiquity.
Everyone will like the exquisite variety of natural landscapes of the state. In addition to natural beauty, you can see outstanding examples of historical and modern architecture - incredible castles, small hunting lodges in pristine charm and brand new high-rise buildings. A tour to Jordan is suitable for those who want to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Beach resorts on the Red and Dead Seas, along with small but comfortable hotels, pursue just such a goal.
Those who prefer active recreation will find something to their liking. Extreme tourists can rent a car and explore the country on their own, visiting holy places and fortresses. You can also explore the Wadi Rum desert by paragliding or hot air ballooning, play golf or paintball, go diving or snorkeling.
Jordan is also famous for its unique souvenirs and gifts. It is here that they sell unusual handmade Madaba rugs, high-quality ceramic and wooden products, as well as black silver jewelry. While in Jordan, be sure to try Arabic sweets - the most delicious delicacies in the world. Recreation fully combines educational and sightseeing tourism, which is remembered forever, but the costs are much higher in comparison with Israel. Which resort to choose depends only on the preferences and financial capabilities of the tourist!