JORDAN
Rich in history and culture you can explore Biblical, Roman and Crusader sights or just enjoy the wild desert landscapes in Wadi Rum. Float on the salt-rich waters of the Dead Sea or swim the warm Red Sea. The highlight is, no doubt, a visit to the rock-cut city of Petra, the “rose-red city half as old as time”, with its dramatic gorge approach. It is not a big country and can be visited in a week or so although a few extra days will give you the chance to relax by one of the seas and enjoy more of the warm and friendly welcome all visitors receive. It’s also a great and easy introduction to the Middle East for families.
Petra 
As one of the world’s great “lost cities” Petra is a truly magnificent site and will not disappoint. The approach through the narrow siq (gorge) is magical enough however once you reach the Treasury, and then the basin opens up in front of you, you realise what an extraordinary place it is. It is well worth taking the time to get to the Monastery and also exploring the High Places. The light colours the surrounding rocks differently over the course of a day and you even come for a night-time candle-lit visit. The surrounding rugged mountains are spectacular and you should think about staying a couple of days to explore it all, see the contrasts and also perhaps visit nearby little Petra.
Amman, Dead Sea & the King’s Highway
The hilly capital Amman, although a historic location, has little in the way of big sights although it is the best base to visit the north of the country. That said it is a bustling and friendly city which gives a good impression of a forward-looking Arabic capital. Try floating in the Dead Sea, or enjoy one of the many spa treatments, and visit Jerash which is one of the best preserved Roman cities with its monumental public buildings. The Kings Highway is the traditional north-south route and along it you will find many of the historic treasures – Mt Nebo, from where Moses saw the Promised Land, Madaba with its Byzantine mosaic maps, the crusader castles of Kerak & Shobak and the spectacular Dana Nature Reserve.
Wadi Rum and the Red Sea
Wadi Rum is famous as the haunt of Lawrence of Arabia and has really beautiful desert scenery. The canyon sides rise sheer from the desert floor and the network of ravines and valleys give it a unique landscape. If you have the time, consider a night at one of the desert camps. At the southern tip of Jordan are Aqaba and the Red Sea. There is a good choice of accommodation and some excellent diving and snorkelling to be had if you want to do more than lie on the beach
- Watch the date of Ramadan – some Islamic countries will be stricter on their restrictions than others. In all cases you will need to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public places. If that is the only time you can go then speak to us first
- 2024 – early March to early April
- 2025 – Start to end of March
- The main sights in Jordan can be cold in winter – even if the Red Sea is very mild.
- Jordan can easily be visited as a long weekend or short week.
- Jordan is an excellent introduction to the Middle East for children and they can get to copy Indiana Jones, float in the Dead Sea, watch Roman Legionnaires in Jerash, explore Crusader castles & ride camels.
- You can easily combine Egypt & Jordan – Pyramids to Petra
- Petra – try to give yourself at least two days to explore it in depth and at your own pace.
- The Dead Sea – float in the lowest point on earth
- Visit the spectacularly well-preserved Roman city of Jerash
- The wealth of Biblical sites
- Explore Wadi Rum, ideally camping, to enjoy the open desert and mountain backdrops
- Visa Required: yes (on arrival)
- Population: 6.5 million
- Capital City: Amman
- Currency: Jordanian Dinar
- Flying time: 4 hours, 50 mins to Amman (direct)
- Classic Dishes: mezes, mansaf
- Local Tipple: Tea (30p) or Turkish coffee
- March to November (although summer can be very hot).
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by TMS
