Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum is a vast valley of red sand, rock arches and sheer sandstone massifs in the far south of Jordan, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. T. E. Lawrence passed through during the Arab Revolt, and its Mars-like landscapes have since starred in films such as The Martian.

Local Bedouin guides drive open jeeps between rock bridges, ancient inscriptions and high dunes, with camel rides and tea stops along the way. As the sun sets the cliffs glow orange, and the stars at night are extraordinary.

Stay at least one night: camps range from traditional goat-hair tents to domes with a view of the sky from bed. Wadi Rum is about two hours from Petra and one from Aqaba, so it slots neatly between the two.