Telegraph Travel's team of experts has hand-picked the 29 experiences that should be top of your holiday hotlist.

"Jordan has only been painted on to the global atlas since 1921, but every empire that has risen in the Middle East has, at some point, coveted and conquered the land east of the River Jordan and the Dead Sea which makes up the modern Jordanian state. Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, Ottoman Turkey – they all left their imprint," says Telegraph Travel's Chris Leadbeater.

"Petra is its A-list attraction, a 'lost' citadel that has illuminated countless documentaries and films. The Nabateans’ finest achievement lies 150 miles south of Amman, within day-trip range, although Aqaba, 80 miles farther south, is also a solid base for a visit.

"Aqaba has a place in British folklore thanks to the guerrilla heroics of Thomas Lawrence – Lawrence of Arabia – who famously befuddled his enemies by sweeping into the city from the north, through Wadi Rum. This arid landscape, easily explored en route to Petra, is a chorus line of dramatic sandstone formations, where Jordan’s tallest peak, Jabal Umm ad Dami, rears to 6,083ft (1,854m).

"Further geographic splendour awaits on the country’s west edge, where the Dead Sea spreads its arms as part of the border with Israel. The lowest point on Earth, skulking at 1,401ft (427m) below sea level, this lake of around 34.2 per cent salinity offers reputed health benefits for everything from psoriasis to arthritis."