The working citrus and pineapple plantation of Croydon is nestled in the foothills of Catadupa Mountains, which makes for a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. Journey into the majestic, mountainous country, where lush vegetation, wild flowers, and bubbling waterfalls await.

As opposed to the omnipresent in Jordan remains of Roman and Umayyad structures, Qasr al-Abd is a rare example of architecture pre-dating the Roman era. Its exact origins remain unknown, which only adds to the fascination. Qasr al-Abd is usually described as a large Hellenistic palace from the first quarter of the second century BCE. Not too far from here are the ancient caves dating back to roughly the same time period.

Jerash (Ancient Gerasa) looks like Rome in the Middle East. It's a sprawling Greco-Roman city where chariot ruts still groove the 800-metre Colonnaded Street. Start at Hadrian’s Arch (AD 129), then explore the Oval Plaza, ringed by 56 Ionic columns, and the Temple of Artemis looming above. Don’t miss the South Theatre: climb to the top tiers to test acoustics so sharp you’ll hear coins drop on stage. Unlike Petra, Jerash feels blissfully crowd-free. Expert guides help decode the ruins, telling you stories of chariot races, temple intrigues and bubbling marble fountains.