Despite its lack of energy resources, a rarity in this part of the world, Jordan’s capital is booming. New malls and five-star hotels are now par for the course in Amman but the city still preserves its long history; and budget accommodation and eating options remain readily available throughout. Many of the city’s historic sites date back to the Roman era, meaning there is plenty to see for those here for a few days, and a great deal more in the vicinity. Roma era architecture includes the impressive amphitheatre, which still comes into use to this day despite being 2,000 years old. Few other stadiums on the planet can have been used for such a long period of time. Like any Muslim city worth its salt, Amman boasts an impressive array of mosques from the odd looking Abu Darweesh Mosque with its striking chequered design to the much newer King Abdullah Mosque, a huge Islamic structure with a distinct tiled blue dome that punctuates the Amman skyline and lights up after dark. Amman plays host to an International Theatre Festival in March and then in August the newly organised Short Film Festival is held over one week, featuring pictures from a growing number of independent filmmakers, young and old. Amman is also considerably more diverse culturally and religiously than surrounding Arab states with a fairly large and prominent Christian contingent of more than five per cent of the total Jordanian population. The colder months between September and November, when it is still dry, are certainly the best times to visit; so too is April, when the rainy season has ended and the heat hasn’t yet reached the sometimes unbearable temperatures that are common from the end of May until the end of August. Before this, Amman can be prone to strong gusts of winds and sandstorms which parch the throat and get right into the eyes. In such cases head to one of the city’s increasing collection of five-star hotels for a drink or a relaxing sauna until it’s clear to explore the city again. | 
