The Levant is home to intriguing, vibrant and historical capital cities, of which Amman is the largest. Yet despite its size and population, it's arguably the least familiar to a global audience.
Like Damascus, it's one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities. Jerusalem might be most famed for its religious significance, but the Jordanian capital has this in abundance too. While Beirut often comes to mind for its nightlife and coffee culture, Amman also has plenty of character.
Amman is nicknamed the White City, owing to its pale limestone houses. Getty Images
What Amman shouldn't be is a stepping stone to Petra. The mistake many travellers make is to go through rather than to the city, even if it's for a short visit.
9am: Caffeine-hit at Sina coffee house
Bookshelf display at Sina coffee shop in Amman. Hayley Kadrou / The National
I start my day early with a short walk from The Ritz-Carlton, Amman for coffee. I admire the patterned-tile pavements with overgrowing tree roots bursting through as I take the backstreets to Sina.
Inside, I order an oat flat white before appreciating the decor: retro prints on the wall and Jordan-themed books on the shelf. Outside, I watch as two fluffy ginger cats welcome themselves into the patio and take up a seat not far from me, where they are wel
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