The 1962 movie "Lawrence of Arabia" recounted the swashbuckling tale of Thomas Edward Lawrence, better known as "T.E.," a British soldier who won wide renown for his role in the Arab Revolt of 1916 – 1918. Lawrence's dramatic and vivid writings, including his book, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom, as well as his extraordinary wartime connections and activities in the Middle East, have made him the subject of fascination, both stateside and abroad.

After completing his studies at Oxford University, Lawrence served as a field archeologist in the Middle East, studying Arabic and learning much about the region. His extensive knowledge of the region made him an appealing recruit for the British military, which sent him to fight with Arab troops under the Emir Faisal against the Ottoman Empire. In this role, Lawrence was instrumental in persuading Arab leaders to aid British interests, and in the final weeks of the war in 1918, Lawrence helped capture Damascus and establish a provisional Arab government under Faisal.

During the war, Aqaba was – and still is – the only port in Jordan, providing British troops ingress to the lands within. Nearby is Wadi Rum, which is still best known for its connections with Lawrence, who based his operations there and used it as the starting point for his revolt against the Ottomans in 1917. Wadi Rum later honored Lawrence by naming one of its towering mountain peaks the Seven Pillars of Wisdom.

Westerners may also be familiar with Wadi Rum from "Lawrence of Arabia," which was one of the major settings for the famous film. David Lean filmed many pivotal scenes there, showing off to great advantage Wadi Rum's romantic desert mystique and stunning natural beauty, including vast open spaces and towering granite and sandstone cliffs rising out of the sand. But, despite its acclaim, Wadi Rum remains the ancestral home of native Bedouin tribes, who have lived in its beautiful desert setting for generations.

Explore the striking desert scenery used as the backdrop for the film "Lawrence of Arabia" during "Lawrence of Arabia's Wadi Rum"excursion. View Itineraries for a complete list of cruises that visit Aqaba.