ECONOMY Gn GITTLEMAN CONSTRUCTION inc TRAVEL 1 III Offbeat Honeymoon Destinations Why not start off your marriage with a grand adventure? By Masada SiegelIJNS.org hether it's the ancient lost city of Petra, the Wild Coast of South Africa or the enchant- ment of Alaska, the world is filled with untold beauty. Here are a few suggestions to help you escape the tourists and honeymoon craze in favor of a more offbeat and adventur- ous destination: W CD CUSTOM RENOVATION NO INTERRUPTIONS! Refresh your home with an expert remodel or expansion. Gittleman Construction delivers enhancements that add value, comfort and style to your home - on time, in budget and without chaotic disruptions to your home life. Kitchens • Bathrooms • Basements • Additions 30+ years of quality & professional craftsmanship. For a complimentary in-home consultation Call: 248 538 5400 or visit Gittleman.net to view our portfolio. - - CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY, SHOP WITH OUR ADVERTISERS! Mention that you saw them in the JNI Visit JNonline.us 34 February 2013 I RED THREAD JI' PETRA, JORDAN Petra is a mythical city that was hid- den to the Western world until 1812, when Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered the ancient city carved into the red rocks. It was established around the sixth century as the capital city of the Nabataeans, a tribe that turned the city into an important stop on the historic India- Eastern Africa spice route. In 1985, Petra became a UNESCO world heritage site. The magic of generations past seems to whisper to visitors as they walk through the entrance to the city or the "Siq." It's a narrow gorge, more than a half-mile in length and surrounded on both sides by soaring, 262-foot high cliffs. Walking into Petra makes you feel like an ancient explorer — the phe- nomenal colors and formations are mesmerizing. The view at the end is where you can catch the first glimpse of the breathtaking Al-Khazneh, oth- erwise known as the "Treasury' Carved out of the reddish-pink rock, the Treasury is a massive facade mea- suring 98-feet wide and 141-feet high. It was carved in the early first cen- tury and was used as the tomb of an important Nabataean king. You also might know it from Hollywood—the site was featured heavily in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. If you are traveling to Petra from Israel, use www.desertecotours.com . They provide transportation, border crossing assistance, guides and ac- commodations (you can either stay in a hotel or overnight in a Bedouin tent.) They can also custom design a tour. WILD COAST, SOUTH AFRICA South Africa is filled with a magic, a pulsing sensibility that is hard to touch but easy to feel. While the Wild Coast of South Africa is one of the poorest regions in the country, it is one of the richest in beauty. The birthplace of former president Nelson Mandela, it is located be- tween Durban and East London and stretches more than 150 miles along the eastern tip of the country. It was known as the Transkei Homeland during the apartheid period, from the early 1950s until 1994. The breathtaking jagged coastline is dotted with remote villages, numer- ous rivers, waterfalls, shipwrecks, unspoiled beaches, expansive open space and pristine forests. You can climb onto the shipwrecks and hike on private beaches and find your way over rolling hills covered with long blades of grass blowing in the wind. Depending where you go, you might find a lagoon surrounded by lush green foliage and shimmering waterfalls. If any part of South Africa is your destination of choice, the best travel agent to work with is isobel@belaire. za.net. She will design an outstand- ing tour for any budget, and can also point you in the right direction for anything Jewish related, from sites such as the South Africa Jewish Mu- seum to helping you book a kosher Safari. ALASKA Alaska is an adventure lover's paradise and can also be the ultimate destination for relaxation.The best way to see Alaska is to spend time on the land and take a cruise for a differ- ent perspective. Spend a night at the Historic Anchorage Hotel, which, according to legend, is haunted. Also be sure to go on Ghost Tours of Anchorage, where you will be both frightened and en- lightened while walking through the city streets. Enjoy a stylish decor and tasty meal at the Sweet Basil Café. The Mat-Su Valley, located about a 45-minute drive away from Anchor- age, is filled with gorgeous adventure opportunities. One of the most fun and exciting is the pristine Matanuska Glacier hike. While the drive to get there can be a little unnerving, the views of snow- covered purple mountains, aqua blue rivers and green forests make it well worth it. Be sure to stay at the romantic Matanuska Lodge, where you will be greeted with a mezuzah on the door. The lodge offers a cheerful sensory overload, from the colorful and com- fortable couches to the table covered with books and baskets of chocolate. But, if strapping on crampons and hiking a glacier is not so appealing www.redthreadmagazine.com