For millennia Aqaba has been a legendary destination. Its unique natural beauty--the red mountains, the gleaming sea and fierce desert, have long made it a spectacular magnet for international visitors. With hot, breezy summers and pleasantly mild winters, the town has a warm, welcoming community feeling and is a natural home to creative work. Widely known for water sports, the area has a range of leisure activities readily available from sailing to windsurfing, with some of the most breathtaking scuba-diving and snorkeling in the world. Aqaba is also a primary point of departure for desert activities, from camel safaris to Bedouin camping trips, with both the majestic expanse of Wadi Rum and the-world renowned rose red city of Petra—newly chosen as one of the Seven Wonders of the World--within easy driving distance. Rich local culture is found on a leisurely walk through the town, including delightful local shops and restaurants, the sounds of Arabic music from clubs and cafes, as well as late night shopping featured in this unique Economic Zone. Local restaurants serve a wide range of cuisine ranging from fresh seafood to traditional Arabic mixed grill dishes, and the growing number of sidewalk cafes and bars provide the ideal setting to sit with a coffee or beverage to watch the world go by.