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Think about strolling into Petra, Jordan with out the hustle and bustle of vacationers clamoring over one another for pictures and mule handlers and memento stall sellers harassing you for enterprise?
You’ll get it quickly sufficient whenever you get into the center of the town. A spot like Petra deserves silent house to soak up its magnificence and ponder its magnificence.
The backdoor hike into the Historic Metropolis of Petra provides you that. It was probably the greatest issues I did in Jordan on my one-week journey with Globus.
I had by no means heard of it till I arrived within the close by city of Wadi Musa and was instructed to lace up my boots!
Most individuals arrive down the 1.2 km Siq – the curving pink and orange canyon path into Petra that leads straight to the entrance façade of the long-lasting Treasury – probably the most well-known website in all of Jordan.
The again door takes you alongside a 9-mile hike by means of the rugged, mountainous terrain to the traditional Rock Metropolis. (It was a number of miles earlier than we even reached the again door!)
It’s positively probably the greatest issues to do in Jordan and probably the most distinctive method to expertise Petra.
In case you don’t need to do that hike, this put up will nonetheless provide you with fascinating details about Petra, journey logistics, and the numerous issues to see and do in Petra.
What’s Petra?
Petra is a spectacular sandstone metropolis constructed within the third century BCE by the Nabataeans within the coronary heart of the mountains between the Crimson Sea and Useless Sea. This location allowed it to turn out to be an essential metropolis on the foremost buying and selling route connecting Mesopotamia and Egypt.
Caravans would cease right here to commerce and refresh earlier than persevering with their journey transporting uncommon gadgets comparable to pepper, sugar, ginger, cotton, frankincense, and myrrh.
With the tolls and providers Petra offered it was a really rich society and, at one stage, it accounted for 35% of Roman earnings.
At its peak within the first century BCE, Petra was dwelling to virtually 35,000 residents. As Romans are need to do, they invaded Petra in 106 CE, forcing the Nabateans to give up. They dominated the town for greater than 250 years. The Byzantines took over management governing the town for round 300 years.
What makes this capital metropolis of the Arab Nabataeans so distinctive and spectacular are its monumental constructions, tombs, theaters, and sophisticated irrigation system carved straight into the tender pink stone.
It wasn’t simply buildings carved into cliff faces although, the Valleys of Petra additionally housed a variety of freestanding buildings as effectively.
In 1985, Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage website and it was voted as one of many New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
Petra is named the Rose Metropolis” due to the colour of the stones utilized in its buildings.
Petra isn’t just the Treasury. It’s truly 263 sq. kilometers – the dimensions of fifty,000 soccer fields. And amazingly, archaeologists have solely uncovered about 18% of it to this point.
Why is Petra referred to as a Misplaced Metropolis?
Are you able to consider this unbelievable and expansive metropolis truly pale into obscurity over a thousand years in the past?
An earthquake in 363CE destroyed lots of the freestanding buildings and the town began its decline. One other tremor within the seventh Century just about wiped it off the map.
It’s exhausting to fathom that, what’s now one of the visited sights in Jordan and world wide, was left to the desert mud. It wasn’t fully misplaced although, for hundreds of years it was recognized solely to native Bedouin tribes dwelling within the space.
In 1812, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, a Swiss explorer, rediscovered Petra and introduced it again into the world’s highlight.
Our Guided Hike into Petra
This hike into Petra takes you thru Jordan’s gorgeous desert panorama with breathtaking views of the mountains and throughout the vast basin of Wadi Araba. At occasions, the hazy view stretches throughout the Useless Sea into Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
As there was nobody else round, it actually gave a way of what it should have felt like using out and in of Petra hundreds of years in the past in your buying and selling caravan.
The path begins close to Little Petra, which I didn’t know on the time. The great thing about a information means you’ll be able to simply change off your orientation antennas and simply comply with and revel in.
Our non-public information, Abdullah met us at our resort and took us to the beginning level by the aspect of the freeway in the course of nowhere.
We started by strolling throughout the plain till we veered to the left up a small hill to the place we noticed the one signal for the whole path. That is the precise begin to the Again Door Path, and you may rent a 4×4 to drop you there.
The path goes up and down by means of small valleys, up staircases minimize into the rock face, and round stunning mountains with gorgeous ledges for viewpoints and pictures and resting factors.
We handed only a few individuals and got here throughout a few locations the place you might have a Bedouin tea or espresso. (They have been closed because it was off-season.) We even had a enjoyable picture alternative with a random deserted automobile.
I extremely suggest you are taking an area information on this 9-mile hike into Petra. You can simply get misplaced on the path that has little signage.
Plus, having a information will provide you with a deeper perception into Petra’s historical past, and the desert mountain world. (And it’s a unbelievable method to assist native financial system)
Abdullah identified particulars we in any other case wouldn’t discover just like the wine vats, water tanks, tombs, and areas of the Holy Land stretched out throughout the views in entrance of us.
He identified the precious juniper tree, a wooden nice for constructing with very lengthy fibers like human muscle. Due to its excessive alcohol it’s toxic to bugs and so gained’t ever rot.
He shared a lot in regards to the historical past of Petra from the Nabateans, to the Roman invasion, to its eventual demise.
I liked studying how the pagan Nabadeans created a rich society that revered girls, forbade prostitution and slavery, paid individuals what they have been value, and engineered a world that existed in concord with Mom Nature.
How did we go unsuitable and stray so removed from this excellent path?
I’m grateful we skilled Petra on this hike with Abdullah. With out him, I could by no means have seen past its spectacular bodily realm.
Petra Again Door Path Ideas:
You’ll climb a number of stairs all through the hike, however aside from that, it’s not too strenuous. I’m an skilled hiker and really match. In case you aren’t both of these chances are you’ll discover it difficult. I might, nevertheless, take my kids on this hike with me.
Make sure you have good sturdy, strolling sneakers, loads of water, snacks, and solar safety.
If you’re doing this in the summertime months, it would be best to begin at dawn. We had a 70-degree winter day and it felt a lot hotter and extra intense within the direct line of the desert solar.
Make sure you arrange your tickets into Petra earlier than beginning this hike. You can’t purchase tickets as you enter into the Monastery aspect, however your tickets will probably be checked. If in case you have the Jordan Go, get it stamped on the customer middle earlier than you do the hike as effectively.
You may rent guides on the Petra Customer Heart in Wadi Musa. You can too bok this non-public information for the again door path through Viator.
Issues to do and see in Petra, Jordan
Now let’s take a look at what you see when you arrive in Petra. Keep in mind if you’re not doing this backdoor hike in, you’ll arrive through the Siq from the Customer Heart in Wadi Musa. The Treasury will probably be the very first thing you see.
Leap right down to that part within the put up and work backward if it will get too complicated. I’m going to comply with the path as I skilled it from the Monastery into the Treasury.
NOTE: The Globus Escape Tour of Jordan organizes a tour information on your day journey to Petra coming in through the Customer Heart and the Siq. i.e. Not doing the again door path!
You are able to do it your self because the customer middle have self-guided maps. I personally suppose as it is a as soon as in a lifetime expertise, you rent a information as you’ll study a lot extra from the skilled, native perspective.
This tour information comes extremely beneficial on Viator if you need a information to take you although Petra.
The Monastery, al-Deir
You’ll not overlook turning the nook in your hike and instantly seeing the Monastery rising out of the cliff face.
Because the Treasury is so well-known to the world, and the Monastery isn’t, I believe this would be the reminiscence that may most stay with me from my Petra tour.
It was a much-needed Oasis after two hours of strolling by means of the desert. It’s much like the Treasury in fashion and grandiose, however larger and extra surprising (and quieter).
The Monastery is the biggest construction in Petra courting again to the first Century B.C. (50m excessive and 45m vast)
Archaeologists suppose it was constructed as a tomb, though the colossal chambers and a number of other different constructions round it that recommend that it was used for spiritual gatherings. It was most likely used as a church within the Byzantine occasions.
The façade is much less elaborately adorned than the Treasury with no statues in its niches.
Stroll round to get completely different viewpoints. Don’t miss the view staring out from inside a small cave reverse it.
I loved ingesting a freshly squeezed lemon mint juice from the small cave café beneath the shade of a Eucalyptus tree!!
It was the proper refreshing break and alternative to stare in awe on the Monastery, benefit from the groundedness that comes with feeling so small, and surprise simply how they carved all of that into the rock.
Are people even able to such dedication, endurance, and elaborate artistry anymore?
NOTE: There are bogs which is able to value you 1JD to cowl the price of the water (and labor) as they’ve to hold water in on that lengthy trek the place we simply got here.
Because the stroll from the Treasury to the Monastery is kind of far and strenuous for many guests, will probably be a a lot quieter Petra attraction.
Even should you don’t hike in through the backdoor, I like to recommend permitting time in your day to stroll as much as the Monastery from The Treasury (about three hours spherical journey from the Customer Heart in Wadi Musa).
The 1,000 steps
If you’re exploring Petra past the Treasury, chances are you’ll hear of the 1,000 steps up from the decrease street within the metropolis middle. It’s value it – simply take it sluggish.
Excellent news! If you’re taking the again door hike, you’ll principally be taking place them!
It’s a lovely stroll with loads of locations to relaxation and soak within the views.
The pathway lined with stalls promoting jewellery, scarves, trinkets, and choices to sit down and take tea collectively. Simply supply a well mannered no.
Our Globus information, Osama instructed us should you place your proper hand over your coronary heart whereas saying no, they’ll perceive you’re really not .
It appeared to work, and I didn’t discover them as insistent or aggressive as I’ve in different international locations.
Be looking out for passing donkeys. In case you don’t need to hike all the best way to the Monastery from the Treasury, you’ll be able to trip a donkey. Though studies are combined about how the animals are handled so consider carefully.
A slight detour alongside the steps is a little bit temple hidden within the mountains known as the Lion Triclinium. It’s named after the carved lions on either side of the doorway. If it weren’t for our information, we might have missed this.
You’ll be happy to know on the backside of the steps is the beautiful Basin Restaurant with a lovely overhanging willow tree providing loads of shade for a well-deserved relaxation.
That is whenever you’ll first begin to discover Petra crowds. As we have been touring within the off season (the Jordan Globus Escape tour is designed particularly for them) the crowds weren’t dangerous in any respect.
I couldn’t think about being right here with the extraordinary warmth and crowds of the height season months.
Citadel of the Pharaoh’s Daughter – Qasr Al Bint
Some of the essential Temples in Petra stands on the finish of the Colonnaded Avenue. Named Qasr Al Bin by the native Bedouin, which implies Citadel of the Pharaoh’s Daughter.
It was constructed as a dedication to the Nabataean gods, stood at 23 m excessive, and was elaborately adorned with marble, columns, raised locations for worship, and a big sacrificial altar within the entrance courtyard.
It’s additionally one of many few (albeit crumbling) free-standing constructions in Petra.
We stood on the small hill reverse, taking within the vast perspective of the temple, Colonnaded Avenue, and the Nice Temple. Subsequent go to I’ll discover them up shut.
The Nice Temple
The biggest free-standing constructing in Petra is the Nice Temple. Nevertheless, it’s mentioned to serve the aim of a Royal Reception Corridor and the Romans most likely used it as a civic middle.
The Nice Temple included a 600-seat theater, vaulted rooms beneath, an enormous, paved courtyard and a triple colonnade.
From our all-encompassing perspective you might see how grandiose the advanced should have been. It stood on the bottom and lined an space greater than twice the dimensions of a soccer subject.
The Colonnaded Avenue
Whether or not you might be coming in from the Treasury, or from the 1,000 steps, you’ll quickly arrive on the Colonnaded Avenue, the place you’ll begin to see the Roman affect on the town.
On one finish is the Citadel of the Pharaoh’s Daughter and the opposite is the Royal Tombs carved into the massif.
Abdullah instructed us of the unique space up behind the Nice Temple which as three villas with thirty rooms, every with their very own steam room.
There are just a few eating places and resting locations alongside right here. Seize a pomegranate and orange juice from the distributors and spend time watching the camels and donkeys go up and down this road.
You may virtually think about the hustle and bustle of what would have been one of many historical metropolis’s busiest areas. It was as soon as lined with retailers and columns of marble clad sandstone. It’s estimated 1,000 individuals lived on this metropolis middle.
The Royal Tombs
As you proceed strolling alongside the Colonnaded Avenue in the direction of the Treasury, you’ll discover a set of tomb facades minimize into the cliffs above.
These large mausoleums carved into the ‘Jebel Al Khubtha’ are the Royal tombs and illustrate a number of the finest carvings in Petra.
We have been content material to take a look at them from beneath and study extra from Abdullah about these spectacular burial locations in Petra.
You may climb as much as the highest and discover one other mystic excessive place of Petra.
Close to the Royal Tombs can also be the The ‘Al Khubtha’ path that leads you to what’s mentioned to be the perfect view of the Treasury. It’s 3.5 km / 1.3 mil a technique.
As you’ll be able to inform Petra has a number of different hikes you are able to do throughout the metropolis..
The Avenue of Facades
After the Colonnaded Avenue, earlier than you attain the Treasury (or simply after you allow) is the Avenue of Facades within the Outer Siq. Alongside this road is a group of greater than forty tombs in addition to authorities workplaces at road stage for buying and selling paperwork, taxes and so on.
I liked the colours and textures of the partitions alongside right here.
We have been ready to enter one of many caves. There wasn’t a lot to see nevertheless it gave an perception into the way it may have been. Large black smoke stains from the fires made inside are nonetheless seen on the ceilings and partitions.
Carved Roman Theater
Right here is the place you’ll discover the 7,000-seat Theater worn by the passage of time and broken by the earthquake. I want we had time to climb up right here and get the angle of the Nabateans coming collectively for leisure with their exterior view of the unbelievable metropolis carved out of the rocky pink panorama.
The one comedic leisure you’ll be able to see now’s that of the vacationers with all their ill-mannered and quirky habits wandering up and down the new and dusty road beneath.
There are a set of steps to the left of the theater, which result in the Excessive Place of Sacrifice, a well-preserved sit on prime of Jebel Madhbah.
A preferred hike in Petra is the 45-minute steep climb as much as this hilltop altar. It’s meant to be probably the greatest issues to do in Petra for the intrepid explorer! From there you’ll be able to go down the opposite aspect of the mountain to see the Backyard Tomb, Roman Troopers, Tomb, and Backyard Triclinium.
The Irrigation System
As Petra acquired little rainfall, the Nabateans developed a sophisticated water administration system, which helped them create a lush backyard in the course of the barren desert, in addition to a sequence of fountains and swimming pools.
From this irrigation system they have been in a position to additionally produce wine and olive oil in addition to fruits and different crops.
No surprise Petra was paradise to passing merchants.
With no information, it might be troublesome to note the advanced irrigation system. Abdullah shared insights with us about this alongside our total hike stopping alongside the best way to point out us storage cisterns, tanks, aqueducts, and water channels and pipes carved into facades and rock faces.
As we walked down the Avenue of Facades you might see clay pipes operating throughout the cliff faces. They have been rigorously constructed to type a part of the tomb’s decorations, permitting them to respect the lifeless whereas operating water by means of the town.
You must simply be capable of discover the water channels and pipes carved into the rock faces as you stroll down the Siq. On the entrance to the Siq on the appropriate as you are available in, you’ll be able to see a Dam with a tunnel minimize by means of the mountain, constructed within the first century BC, to stop the waters of Wadi Mousa from coming into by means of the Siq.
The Treasury, Al-Khazneh
As quickly as we walked into the Treasury space, the environment turned extra frenetic and chaotic with individuals buzzing round in every single place attempting to get their pictures or barter with the native Bedouin for the touristy issues.
Ladies dressed as Arabian princess on camels have been rotated out and in to pose in entrance of the Treasury; youngsters have been stepping into arguments with elders over the hiring of animals; golf carts whizzed by with drained vacationers; and camels have been lazing round with their Bedouin masters standing guard and able to persuade the following vacationer to leap aboard.
It was enjoyable to observe, but in addition a little bit intense. I missed the quiet serenity of the Monastery.
The Treasury in Petra is without doubt one of the most historic websites on this planet. It was made well-known partly by Indiana Jones on his quest for the Holy Grail in Petra’s caves. The ultimate scenes of 1989’s Indiana Jones and the Final Campaign have been truly filmed right here.
The Treasury was constructed to function a tomb for the Nabataean King Aretas III (c 100 BCE–CE 200), Nevertheless, its title comes from the story of the Egyptian Pharaoh who hid his treasure within the façade urn whereas pursuing the Israelites.
Look carefully and also you’ll see pockmarks within the sandstone urn from these attempting to shoot it down!!
The breathtaking Hellenistic façade of the Treasury stands practically forty meters excessive and twenty 5 meters vast. It’s richly ornamented with Corinthian pillars, friezes, sculptures, and different particulars.
Chances are you’ll get misplaced for some time finding out and considering the magnificent artisanship of the constructing and the way earth they might have the enduring endurance to chip away on the rock so meticulously. And all only for somebody’s tomb!!
You may’t go contained in the Treasury, however there’s nothing to see anyway: it’s an empty chamber. Its creators have been way more targeted on crafting the surface.
The Treasury is at its most photogenic in full daylight between about 9am and 11am or late within the afternoon, round 5 or 6pm, when the façade is bathed in a mirrored reddish-pink glow from the partitions throughout. We timed it completely for that.
The Siq
If you’re not mountaineering into Petra through the backdoor, your arrival into the Treasury will probably be magical. Don’t race by means of the Siq to hasten your arrival to The Treasury.
That view on the finish of the 1.2km canyon is one thing to savor, however so is the stroll between the slender, curving, vertical partitions of the tunnels because it snakes its approach there.
The curving partitions slender as you stroll down the Siq including that additional aspect of drama for the ultimate arrival. You may see that on this reel.
It’s straightforward to suppose that the canyon was carved by the pure movement of water, nevertheless it’s truly a crack within the rock, torn aside by tectonic forces. As we discovered already an earthquake was what induced Petra’s eventual demise.
This was a sacred place for the Nabatean pilgrims as they started their non secular journey into what they regarded as their Holy Metropolis. Alongside the canyon you’ll be able to see many wall niches that after held figures of their Gods, giving the pilgrims a glimpse of what was to come back.
There’s a lot to see alongside the Siq so take your time.
Some components of the pathway would be the worn patches of the Roman/Nabatean street which initially paved the Siq alongside its total size.
You may see the unique water channels minimize into the partitions in some locations they cross behind what you’ll be able to inform would have been an elaborate carving of a camel and a caravan man on the wall.
Between the Petra Customer Centre and the doorway to the Siq, there’s the Obelisk Tomb, a tomb with 4 pyramidal obelisks, constructed as funerary symbols by the Nabataeans within the 1st century BC.
There are additionally three huge, squat monuments, referred to as Djinn Blocks or God Blocks. Nobody actually is aware of their objective however it’s thought to both characterize the beginning of tombs, be related to funerary dedications, or used for the worship of water and fertility.
And should you do arrive at Petra through the backdoor hike, I like to recommend you stroll out by means of the Siq a good distance after which flip round and stroll again so you’ll be able to expertise that chic introduction to this historical metropolis.
It takes about 20-Half-hour simply to stroll down the 1.2km Siq to achieve the Treasury.
Petra By Evening
In case your daytime adventures in Petra aren’t sufficient, you’ll be able to stroll again in to expertise Petra by Evening (an additional price of 17 JOD).
Despite the fact that our legs protested, it was enjoyable strolling down a dimly lit Siq beneath the starry sky to reach on the Treasury.
Candles have been evenly spaced on the desert floor in entrance of the shadowy define of the Treasury.
A desert dweller stood amongst the candles taking part in a Jordanian tune on a flute, bringing concord to the quiet, darkish stillness. After a little bit of storytelling about Petra and the Nabateans, coloured lights illuminated the Treasury.
I took this second to fully overlook all my pictures expertise and never flip up my ISO to seize the attractive Petra by evening. At the very least I acquired the hundreds of candles in entrance okay!
Whereas it was a little bit kitsch, it was nonetheless value it for this extra eerie Treasury expertise and to get pleasure from strolling alongside the canyon at evening.
How Lengthy will you want in Petra?
Petra is a lot greater than the Treasury. Throw in your T-Shirt, shorts, and mountaineering sneakers and discover it in depth.
You’ll positively want a minimum of a full day to discover Petra.
We spent 9 hours and it wasn’t wherever close to sufficient time!
If you’ll do the backdoor hike into Petra, plan on spending two days in Petra. There may be a lot to see and do, and we missed a whole lot of the factors of curiosity alongside the best way.
I might spend at some point mountaineering into Petra and discover the decrease ranges. The hike could be tiring – particularly if it’s sizzling. You’ll additionally need to spend time absorbing the fantastic thing about the Monastery and the Treasury.
For the second day, I might come again in to discover the higher ranges and the extra hikes and sights talked about above which we didn’t get time to do.
You might also need to discover Little Petra, which I consider warrants just a few hours. After which why not spend time resting within the city of Wadi Musa?
Three days in Petra can be a tremendous size of time. I do beseech that you simply spend longer than a fast “I used to be right here picture” in entrance of the Treasury in Petra. An abundance of riches lies a little bit additional down the trail.
Wadi Musa
Wadi Musa is the city on the doorsteps of the Historic Metropolis of Petra. It’s also referred to as Petra so it may possibly get complicated. Right here you’ll discover accommodations to go well with all forms of vacationers and budgets. You’ll additionally discover loads of eating places and memento retailers within the city.
We had a tremendous dinner with a Jordanian household of their dwelling in Petra. Click on right here to learn extra of that.
The place to remain in Petra?
We stayed on the Movenpick Resort Petra, a five-star resort throughout the street from the Petra Customer Heart. You couldn’t get any nearer!
It was a lovely resort with snug rooms, and nice facilities which included bars and eating places. Their buffet breakfasts and dinner have been nice.
I liked the inside design of this Petra resort full of Center Japanese materials, marble flooring, handcrafted wooden, embroidered chairs and water fountains.
Sadly, given the time of yr we visited the rooftop terrace was not open. The rooftop has superb views and stay music at sundown. It was beneficial to me by a trusted good friend.
E-book your keep on the Movenpick Resort Petra right here.
Easy methods to get to Petra
Petra is only a brief stroll away from the middle of Wadi Musa. Some accommodations could supply shuttles, else you’ve taxis.
Petra is about 236km/ 3 hours from Amman, the capital of Jordan through the Desert Freeway. Many prefer to arrive by means of the extra scenic and traditionally important, Kings Freeway – 255km / 4 hours. (Verify rental vehicles from Amman right here)
In case you like comfort and have much less time, becoming a member of a tour could also be one of the best ways. Our Jordan Escape Globus tour of Jordan took care of every little thing, together with resort keep, transport, most meals, superb experiences, and informative information. All I needed to do was arrive on the scheduled time and revel in myself. You may learn extra about my tour expertise with them right here.
How a lot does Petra Value?
A one-day ticket prices 50JOD, however you may get higher worth with a two-day ticket for 55 JOD and three-day ticket for 60 JOD. Kids beneath 12 are free. At all times test present costs as it might change.
Many vacationers beneficial the Jordan Go, which incorporates entry to Petra and different websites in Jordan like Jerash, Amman, Citadel, and Wadi Rum. As our entry tickets have been a part of our Globus tour, I didn’t want to fret about this.
Petra Customer Heart and Petra Museum
You will get your tickets on the customer middle in Wadi Musa on the entrance to Petra. You can too rent guides and choose up some Petra maps.
Right here is the place you’ll additionally discover the just lately opened Petra Museum, which homes artifacts from the misplaced metropolis of Petra. The free museum options eight galleries with 300 displays that have been excavated from numerous archaeological websites in Petra. We didn’t get time to go to.
When is the perfect time to go to Petra, Jordan?
The perfect time to go to Jordan is in the course of the Spring and Autumn months, which in Jordan is March, April and Could or September, October and November. Common excessive temperatures are from 19°C–28°C (66–82°F).
Winter will probably be chilly with common temperatures 2–13°C (36–55°F). Because it’s the desert you gained’t see an excessive amount of rain nevertheless it’s extra more likely to occur within the winter months.
We visited in late February and have been so fortunate to have a heat 70 winter’s day. That desert solar beat down so fiercely that these temperatures felt unusually sizzling. I couldn’t think about attempting to discover Petra – particularly that hike – in the course of the top of summer season.
If you’re visiting in the summertime months of June – August anticipate excessive desert temperatures. Go early to keep away from the most popular a part of the day and reap the benefits of the little shade, you’ll discover.
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Remark: Do you’ve any ideas for visiting Petra? Please go away any questions or tales beneath!
Supply: Breaking Travel News
