After a magical, surreal day and night, we continue to yet another surreal location, and our second of the Seven Wonders of the World of this trip: Petra, the mythical stone city where structures are carved directly into the rocks. Petra isn’t just a place you visit, it’s a place you feel. You walk through the narrow Siq canyon, walls towering above you, anticipation building with every step… and then suddenly, the Treasury appears, carved straight into rose-red rock like something out of a dream. But that’s just the beginning. We’ll go beyond the postcard shot, hiking up to epic viewpoints, climbing the 800+ steps to the Monastery, wandering through ancient tombs and temples, and finding quiet corners where you can almost hear the echoes of the Nabataeans who built this masterpiece over 2,000 years ago.

We should arrive in Petra mid to late-morning, and explore Petra until mid-afternoon, when we head out to Little Petra. Little Petra is a smaller version of the main Petra Archaeological Park, often described as its ancient “suburb.” While Petra served as the Nabataean capital, Little Petra is believed to have been a commercial hub designed to house visiting traders on the Silk Road. We’ll spend about two hours exploring Little Petra, and then go check in to our hotel, Little Petra Bedouin Camp.

Early in the evening, we’ll head back to Petra for another special experience: Petra by Night, a tour of Petra where the city is lit entirely by candlelight. Remember, I picked our dates so the nights will be dark, so yes, we will have another magical experience where Petra is lit by candlelight alone. Because, again, that’s what we do…

Accommodations: Little Petra Bedouin Camp or similar

Meals: Breakfast