Our Jordan Itinerary: The Details


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Last Updated on August 1, 2022 by Audrey Scott

Perhaps you've seen all of our photos and stories from our travels in Jordan but what exactly was your two-week itinerary? Where did you go, stay, eat? What did you do in Petra or Wadi Rum?

We've been answering a bunch of “I'm thinking of going to Jordan” emails and need a place to put all of our answers. So here it is: the details of where we stayed, where and what we ate, what we saw and experienced. The whole scoop for one final go-round.

Resting Below the King - Jordan
Tea break in Jordan

We'd like to thank the Jordan Tourism Board for arranging and sponsoring our trip. We had access to a driver to facilitate transport around the country and a host who provided us heaps of information, fielded questions from all angles, and acted as impromptu interpreter. Many of the places we stayed – luxury hotels and nature reserve lodges- were a spec beyond our usual travel budget. Trust us, we were grateful for the comfort and luxury.

But we are getting questions from readers whose budgets span the range. So in elaborating our itinerary, we include a few notes (inline and at the end) regarding how to carve a similar path through Jordan using some less expensive and independent travel alternatives.

If you're curious about a particular area, you can use the table of contents below to skip ahead.

Two Week Itinerary in Jordan

Amman

Early Morning View over Amman, Jordan
Big city Amman.

What to do in Amman:

Walk through thousands of years of history and layers of civilizations at the Citadel. Stroll along Rainbow Street and visit Wild Jordan, then take a dip into downtown Jordan to visit fabric, spice and antique shops and sample the produce at the fresh market area behind Hussein Mosque.

Where to eat in Amman:

You will certainly not go hungry in Amman, and you can eat very well without spending a lot of money. Al-Quds falafel on Rainbow Street, knafeh at Habibah, hummus and foul at Hashem, dinner at Kan Zaman (converted 19th century farmhouse and village on outskirts of Amman where you can eat well and get decked out in traditional Jordanian dress to boot).

Where to sleep in Amman:

For a splurge, try the Four Seasons Amman. We began our journey here, went knee-deep into breakfast buffet and had every need tended to and then some.

When we returned after being on the road for 10 days, we were welcomed back by name, quite possibly by every member of the staff. The oriental sweets and chocolate platter are mind-benders. The whole experience was personal and professional. No wonder this is one of the top properties in the Middle East.

Amman has many different types of hotels and guest houses for all budgets and styles.

Jerash

Just a few hours outside of Jordan's capital city of Amman lies Jerash, a city playing host to a rather impressive collection of Roman ruins. No “ruin fatigue” here: the history of Jerash – layer upon layer of civilizations, from Greek to Roman to Umayyad, keeps you wondering about the cycles of cultures and religions — and all the people who walked the same streets over the last 3000 years.

The South Theatre was built by the Romans in the 1st century AD. Its layout highlights the Roman skill of acoustic design. If you stand at the central acoustic point inside the theater and belt out your favorite tune or poem, every person in that 3,000 seat theatre will hear you loud and clear. Impressive.

Walking Down the Cardo of Ancient Jerash - Jordan
Ancient Roman City of Jerash

What to do in Jerash:

We picked up a local guide (20 JD or $28) at the entrance gate to show us around. The experience wasn't only an overview of the history of Jerash, but a broader lesson on ancient civilizations.

Although touristy, the chariot races and 11 AM Roman soldier reenactment at Jerash are actually kind of fun. What saves the show from uber-cheesiness is the sense of humor of the narrator. If you get there early, wander down to the stables and the caretaker will share each horse's personal story.

Where to eat in Jerash:

The Lebanese House. A really great mezze spread. Not a bad dish among them. Save some room for the grilled meat.

Where to sleep in Jerash:

We didn't spend the night here as we continued onto Rasun the same day. However, we know other travelers who have enjoyed spending the night in Jerash so as to have more time exploring the ancient ruins and to better understand the modern city. You can compare rates at hotels in Jerash here.

Ajloun and Rasun

Hanging With the Kids of Rasun, Jordan
Dan playing marbles with the kids of Rasun, Jordan

What to do in Rasun and Aljoun:

Visit the Soap House and Calligraphy House to see two projects involving local women in the production of natural olive oil and herb soap and calligraphy products.

When I think “shisha in Jordan,” where will my first memory go? I'll remember hanging with the guys at the corner store in Rasun. If you ever trouble for what to do on a weeknight in a Jordanian village, get yourself to the corner store for a little shisha and mix it up with some conversation. While the ambiance may not be 5-star, the people probably will be.

Note: Shisha (otherwise known as hubbly bubbly, also called nargila) is syrup-flavored tobacco (e.g., lemon mint, green apple, melon) smoked through a water pipe, or hookah. It is common to end dinner or spend an evening with friends smoking shisha. It's mainly smoked by men, but women also partake depending on the circumstances. Shisha is not an illicit substance, and smoking it will not have you swarmed by Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents.

If we had more time: We would have done the trek from Ajloun Reserve to Ajloun castle.

Where to eat in Rasun:

At a family home in Rasun. Another delicious spread of mezze followed by simmered chicken served with roasted green wheat. You'll also get the chance to see a Jordanian home with traditionally decorated guest and living areas.

Where to sleep in Ajloun:

Ajloun Cabins and Bungalows at the Ajloun Nature Reserve. Heated cabins come with a view of the valley and Ajloun Castle. On clear days you can see all the way to Jerusalem. In the summer months, you can also rent pre-pitched tents (a cheaper option).

Alternative: In order to arrange dinner in a family home (about 8-10 JD/$12-$14) or to do a home stay in Rasun instead of staying at the lodge, contact the Ajloun Forest Reserve (+962 2 6475673) to make arrangements. The tourist manager there speaks English and can set you up with a family meal or homestay with a local family.

Azraq

View of Umayyad palace Qasr Amra near Azraq, Jordan
Qasr Amra Desert Umayyad Palace – Jordan

What to do in Azraq:

Although the Umayyad-era castle of Quseir Amra, one of Jordan’s UNESCO sites and Desert Castles near the town of Azraq, may not look like much from afar, it’s worth a peek to see the frescoes inside. What makes them a bit unusual: images of naked women in an 8th century Muslim palace. You can also visit the Caravanserai (Qasr Khan) and Azraq Castle (where Lawrence of Arabia once stayed).

A visit to the nearby Azraq Wetlands is an important reminder of the harm humans do to the environment. What was once a thriving oasis and stopover area for migratory birds and other wildlife was drained of its water to supply Amman and other cities. The oasis died. Now the reserve is trying to pump water back into it and finding that recreating an oasis is an uphill battle.

Where to eat in Azraq:

At a family home. Another delicious home-cooked meal served in a friendly home. As the family was of Druze descent, there were some interesting specialties. (Contact the Azraq Lodge at +962 5 3835017 to arrange home stays and visits with local families for lunch or dinner.)

Where to sleep in Azraq;

Azraq Lodge. Alternatively, if the lodge is above your budget, consider visiting Azraq as a day trip from Amman.

Ma’in Hot Springs

View of Hot Spring Waterfall at Ma'in, Jordan
Ma'in Evason Hot Springs

What to do in Ma'in:

Relax and soak in the Evason Ma’in hot springs. You feel like a bit like Superman afterwards thanks to the combination of extra oxygen from being at 300 meters below sea level and the minerals from the water. This place is a fabulous way to unwind — we even met a woman who was there for a week to, as she puts it, “check out.”

We luxuriated in the hot spring-fed pool. There is also a public hot springs a few hundred meters away (entrance around $12-$15/day). You can catch buses to and from Ma’in from Amman.

Where to sleep in Ma'in:

Ma'in Hot Springs Resort and Spa. Designed to relax the mind (and no, this isn't something we read in a brochure). Calming and cozy. A really nice experience. If you are going to stretch your budget in Jordan, this is the place to do it.

The Dead Sea to Dana Biosphere Reserve

View of Dana Village in the Early Morning - Jordan
Dana Village in Early Morning Light – Jordan

What to do at Dana Village and Biosphere Reserve:

Drive along the Dead Sea and stop in several villages along the way (use coffee breaks as an excuse). We really enjoyed Ghor el Safi where we met this friendly shepherd. Continue along the FIFA route to Tafila and Dana village.

Surrounded by red rocks and canyons, you just might think you’re in the American desert southwest. Make sure you stop for tea at this place – a simple, hard-to-beat view of the surrounding valleys and deserts.

When you arrive in Dana village, walk up to the spring above the village at sunset for a beautiful view of the canyon. This walk is also nice in the early morning when you run into shepherds on donkeys taking their animals to the hills for the day.

What to eat in Dana:

Mansaf — a traditional Jordanian dish with saffron rice and lamb simmered in a yogurt sauce — at Dana Guest House. While they don't offer this every night, it’s worth asking whether they can serve it during your visit, particularly if you are traveling with a group.

Sleep: Dana Guest House. For a less expensive alternative, check out Dana Tower Hotel smack in the middle of Dana village. A double room, including breakfast and dinner is around 30-35 JD ($42-$49). Many types of rooms are on offer, but try to get one with a view.

Showback Castle and Little Petra

Shouback Castle, a Crusader Castle - Jordan Crusader Castle - Jo
Shouback Castle, Jordan

What to do at Little Petra and Showback Castle:

Perched strategically on a hill where no one could surprise attack is Showback castle, one of the Crusader castles built in the 12th century. The view of the surrounding valleys from the castle is quite impressive, as is the scenery along the way to Little Petra.

Take a peek into the water cistern at Little Petra that the Nebataeans created over 2,000 years ago to collect and store water for the caravans (with up to 2,000 camels) coming through the city. It’s impressive. The canyon at Little Petra is a nice preview of what you’ll see later in (Big) Petra.

From the entrance of Little Petra you can drive up into the hills to get a great view of Wadi Araba. Nice place to make a fire and drink some Bedouin whiskey (i.e., Tea).

If we had more time: Hike from Little Petra through to the Monastery at Petra onto the main Petra sights in Wadi Musa (around 5 hours).

Petra

A Camel's View of the Treasury at Petra, Jordan
Camel at the Treasury at Petra, Jordan

What to do in Petra:

Visit Petra by Night (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday at 8 PM) when you first arrive to whet your appetite for the main sight.

For our full-day visit, we picked up a local guide at the entrance gate and walked through the Siq to the Treasury, past the Wall of Facades to the Royal Tombs where the guide left us on our own to climb the steps up to the Monastery and the End of the World. It’s quite a lot to do in one day, so consider splitting this up into a couple of days and tacking on some sidetrip hikes.

If we had more time: We would have hiked several of the routes like the High Point of Sacrifice and spent more time at the area around the Royal Tombs. Additional details on visiting Petra and Wadi Musa can be found at the end of this post.

Where to sleep in Petra:

We stayed at the Mövenpick Petra, which was comfortable and in a convenient location. However, Petra is full of hotels of all different budgets and styles.

Where to eat in Petra:

Cooking class at Petra Kitchen where you can learn how to make a soup, various plates of mezze, and a main dish.

Wadi Rum

Walking the Rock Bridge at Wadi Rum, Jordan
Rock Bridge at Wadi Rum, Jordan

Wadi Rum, the colorful, iconic desert valley many of us know from watching Lawrence of Arabia. It remains the land of the Bedouins who move their tents of woven goat hair, the season depending. Whether they make their way camel by day or pickup by night, they seem to know the placement of every rock and every turn across the sand.

The golden sand and red rocks form the heart of the land that is Wadi Rum, but it's the Bedouin people living there — as they have done for ages — that give it its soul.

What to do in Wadi Rum:

Hire a Bedouin driver with a pick up a truck to take you into the desert to view the Seven Pillars, the rock bridge, and the vastness that is Wadi Rum. Take tea in a Bedouin tent (ask if it’s possible to see how abud, Bedouin bread, is made).

Ride a camel (be careful when they launch into a run, it's tough on the bum). It may take several days for your rear end to recover, but you'll have a whole new respect for both the animals and their masters. And when you look out across the desert, consider the thousand-camel caravans that once crossed the valley.

You can arrange all of this from the entrance gate or from the camp area where you choose to stay.

Where to sleep at Wadi Rum:

Captain’s Desert Camp. The first of its kind in this area. This tent camp (Bedouin tents, not camping tents) runs a tight ship with clean, mini Bedouin tents and a large eating and gathering area. Almost everyone employed is a Bedouin from the community.

There are also several other Bedouin tent camping options in the area. Compare rates for other camps and accommodation in Wadi Rum.

What to eat at Wadi Rum:

Zarb (Bedouin barbecue) at Captain’s Desert Camp. Zarb consists of a huge tray of meat and vegetables cooked in an underground barbeque pit and covered with plastic and sand to keep in heat and moisture.

Aqaba and the Red Sea

Taking Fins Off After First Dive in Red Sea - Aqaba, Jordan
Scuba Diving at the Red Sea near Aqaba, Jordan

What to do in Aqaba:

Scuba diving with Sea Guard. Professional, friendly and helpful. If you haven't been diving in a while, they'll help with everything so you won't feel lost. The standard trip consists of two dives in the morning followed by lunch. Fortunately, you don’t have to go terribly deep to see lots of colorful coral, Lion Fish, Parrot Fish, Puffer Fish and more.

Where to sleep in Aqaba:

InterContinental Aqaba

Where to eat in Aqaba:

Fish In restaurant at Kempinski Hotel. The mezze alone is almost enough for a full meal with its twelve tasting dishes, but try to save room for the fish cooked in a clay pot. (We also got a peek into the rooms here – each one has a view of the sea, including a bathtub view. Spiffy property.)

Feynan

Camel, a Bedouin's Best Friend - Feynan, Jordan
A Bedouin with his Camel

What to do in Feynan

Take a walk into the canyon near Feynan EcoLodge for a glimpse into Wadi Dana. In the evening, drink tea in a Bedouin tent and see what life is like for the locals of Wadi Feynan. End the day by hanging out on the rooftop terrace and watching the stars proliferate as darkness falls.

If we had more time: Take some additional treks around Feynan Ecolodge, including the sunrise and sunset hikes. The trek to Dana Village (about 6 hours) and the multi-day trek to Petra both sound great.

Where to Sleep in Feynan:

Feynan EcoLodge. This place takes the “eco” in its name seriously – no electricity (candle-powered), organic vegetarian food, solar-powered hot water, local employment and a strong commitment to tourism benefiting the local community.

Beautiful and peaceful setting, too. It's a hard place to leave.

We've been told that if you contact them directly well in advance you might be able to swing some good discounts.

Eat: Organic vegetarian buffet at Feynan EcoLodge.

Zikra Initiative and Mujib Reserve

Dan Tries to Work the Shrak Dough - Ghor al Mazra'a, Jordan
Trying to make the shrak (traditional braead)

What to do:

Spend the day with the women of Ghor al Mazra’a and Zikra Initiative. Hands on training to make shrak (traditional Bedouin bread) and a handful of local foods and handicrafts. A wonderful, uplifting experience. One of the highlights of our entire trip to Jordan. Read more about our immersive community tourism experience with local women and families.

If we had more time: Trek through the canyons at Mujib Nature Reserve. There is a self-guided trek for several hours that looks like a lot of fun. Be prepared to get a bit wet in the river canyons, depending on the season.

Longer treks with a guide are also available. Most routes are only open from April to October due to the possibility of flash floods.

You can spend the night at the nearby Mujib Chalet overlooking the Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea

All Mudded Up at the Dead Sea, Jordan
All Mudded Up at the Dead Sea

What to do at the Dead Sea:

Float on top of the world's most highly concentrated bathing-friendly saltwater. Try reading the newspaper in total bouyancy, then cover yourself with mud and pretend you’re an alien. The combination of the Dead Sea minerals and water, the mud self-treatment, and the oxygen rich air will make you feel truly amazing.

Where to eat at the Dead Sea:

Luigi’s Italian restaurant at Mövenpick Dead Sea. The property features a series of village-style rooms and a courtyard outdoor seating area with after dinner belly dancing and shisha.

Where to sleep at the Dead Sea:

For a splurge, stay at the 5-star Kempinski Hotel Ishtar. It's right on the coast so you can easily go to float on top of the Dead Sea and covers yourself with healing mud.

Biblical and Baptism Sites: Bethany Beyond Jordan, Mount Nebo, and Madaba

Madaba Mosaic Map at St. George Church - Jordan
Mosaic at Mudaba.

What to do in Bethany Beyond Jordan and Madaba:

Visit Bethany Beyond Jordan to see the baptism site of Jesus. When you make it down to the Jordan River, you’ll almost be able to touch Israel on the other side — talk about close neighbors! Take a walk around Mount Nebo, where Moses saw the promised land across the valley in Jericho.

Finally, enjoy the mosaics that line the floors of the ancient churches of Madaba. The most fascinating is the 1400-year old map of the holy land (pictured above) on the floor of St. George’s church. We'd like to know where those missing mosaic pieces went.

Where to eat in Madaba

Outrageous amounts of food served at Haret Jdoudna. Another restaurant that attracts tour groups, but the food is tasty and the courtyard pleasant.

Independent Travel in Jordan

Transportation in Jordan

  • Public buses: Amman has a northern and southern bus station with buses headed to most places you'll want to go throughout Jordan. Fares seem quite reasonable (e.g., less than $4 from Amman to Petra). Information and signs are in Arabic, so you may need to enlist the help of some friendly locals to help you find the right bus and get off at the right stop.
  • Rental Cars: It’s possible to rent a basic car for around $30-$35/day, which might be a good fit if you’d like some flexibility to stop off in random villages and take turns up, into and around canyons. If you’ve got a family or group of people, this could be both economical and fun.
  • Hitchhiking: We saw quite a few locals hanging out on the side of the road looking for rides to the next town, and we're told that hitchhiking is quite common and safe for tourists. I don't believe I’d hitchhike as a single female traveler because of cultural norms (we spoke with a single German female traveler who confirmed this based on firsthand hitchhiking experiece), but otherwise hitchhiking would be a good option if you are a couple and you need to get to the next town or village along your way.

Accommodation in Jordan

From our inquiries, accommodation is likely to be the biggest expense for independent budget travelers. As anywhere, you can find hotels of different prices and qualities, but expect more European prices rather than Asian prices.

Many of the Nature Reserves also have lodges, but those prices can also be high for budget-minded non-Jordanians (as in $80-$100+). If you come in the summertime, some offer less expensive camping options ($60-$70). A homestay network is beginning to form in a few areas.

Food in Jordan

For inexpensive and quick food, you can find shawerma and falafel sandwiches in most cities for a few dollars. It’s also possible to order mezze (hummus, salad, bread, eggplant dip, and other small plates) for a meal – trust us, you will be more than full and won’t need to order a main dish.

We’ve also indicated below where you can arrange meals in a family home. Not only is the food delicious, but these meals also give you a feel for what life is like for ordinary Jordanians. Read our comprehensive overview of Jordanian food.

Safety in Jordan

We've been asked by several people whether Jordan is safe and whether they should consider traveling there or whether they should consider rescheduling or canceling their trip there. Never during our visit did we feel unsafe in Jordan in the least.

Quite the contrary, actually — we felt very welcome everywhere we went, from cities to villages, urban to rural. Although Jordan is situated in the Middle East, a neighborhood with no shortage of political and diplomatic challenges, Jordan is peaceful and has a long history of being so. Also, with the culture of hospitality and the importance of guests in Jordan we felt that if anything unexpected were to happen during our visit, we would be well-taken care of by locals.

Disclosure: Our trip to Jordan was sponsored by the Jordan Tourism Board, but the opinions expressed here are entirely our own.
About Audrey Scott
Audrey Scott is a writer, storyteller, speaker and tourism development consultant. She aims to help turn people's fears into curiosity and connection. She harbors an obsession for artichokes and can bake a devastating pan of brownies. You can keep up with her adventures on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. And you can learn more about her on the About Page and on LinkedIn.

31 thoughts on “Our Jordan Itinerary: The Details”

  1. That picture of you two covered in mud is great. Seems like you two had a great time. Did you find the holy grail in Petra? Indy lost it when he was there last time.

  2. Jodi and I cracked up at the mud shot – that is so fun! What I’m wondering though is how the heck Dan’s pants stayed so clean?! 🙂 I can’t imagine a more thorough round up of what to see and do in Jordan and the sheer range of experiences and possibilities – wonderful.

  3. This is both amazing and comprehensive! When you guys set out on a trip, how do you find all of these things to do? I find I often have a lot of trouble doing so.

  4. A great review the place looks friendly and nos spoilt by tourism. I was going to ask if it’s safe but you covered that at the end. I think Jordan is a must for the future.

  5. This is nice. It’s really helpful for bloggers to write your itinerary. People who plan to go there would have a starting point even if they don’t follow it point by point.

  6. Hi,
    What a great experience you had. Reading this give me some comfort because I’ll be going there next week. Just like others, I keep on asking if I should postpone this trip, but after reading this, I can assure you,,,… I will be floating in the Dead Sea soon!!!! And will feast myself with mansaf etc.. Oh, just can’t wait. Thanks for this write up

  7. Awesome + comprehensive post with great tips! I spent a couple of months last year travelling through the Middle East and Jordan was amazing – the scenery is just mind-blowing.

    It was definitely pricier than the countries around it though (especially Syria, where you can get by on much less than $30 a day) and it hurt paying the Petra entrance fee and nearly $30 to swim in the dead sea, but it was worth it.

    My musts for Jordan are eating falafel at Hashem in Amman, splurging on a smoothie or a dessert at Wild Jordan, travelling along the King’s Highway from Amman down to Wadi Musa and spending a night in the desert at Wadi Rum. All of which I think you covered 🙂

  8. Oh, and I should also add that I felt very safe as a solo female in the entire region – Syria, Jordan and Egypt. Obviously this was last summer, but from your posts it sounds like nothing has changed safety-wise in Jordan despite the turmoil going on around it 🙂

  9. Great write up. I really want to visit Jordan and other countries in the Middle East so is very informative, thanks!

  10. @Matt: Glad you enjoyed the photo of us in the mud – quite fun in the moment & we felt great afterwards.

    Didn’t find the holy grail at Petra, but once we get back to the land of internet & DVDs I’d like to see that movie again now that we’ve been there. Movies always take on a different twist when you’ve been to the location.

    @Nicole: Jordan definitely is interested in more people visiting, so go!

    @Shannon: After we covered ourselves in mud (and got this picture taken), we got to chatting with other people around (as we’re apt to do) until we realized that the mud had hardened and was cracking all over us, making it stiff to move. Now, that would have been another funny picture!

    My bathing suit is black, so it blended in well with the mud. Dan, on the other hand, had a ridiculously white bathing suit that stood out.

    Hope you and Jodi have a similarly great trip next month!

    @Mike: In the case of our trip through Jordan, we had a secret weapon – the Jordan Tourism Board – that planned our entire itinerary and made all arrangements.

    Usually, however, we combine online research, talking with other travelers and guidebooks to figure out what we’ll do in a country.

    @Wanderlass: That was exactly the goal of this piece – to give people a starting point on what sort of places and experiences they could find in Jordan so they could piece together something that works for them and their tastes.

    @Sharifah: I’m very glad that our commentary on safety issues put your fears at rest. Have fun floating on the Dead Sea and enjoy your trip!

    @Megan: We were quite surprised – pleasantly so – how diverse the landscape was throughout Jordan. Sounds like you also had a fantastic trip there. We managed to cover all your recommendations except the smoothie at Wild Jordan – opted for herbal teas instead. Will make a note for the next visit.

    Regarding safety, you are right that it is just as safe as when you visited. There is turmoil in the countries around but Jordan itself is fine.

    @Phill: Jordan does have quite a strong tourism sector, but the country does not feel spoiled by tourism. Hope you make it there soon!

    @Roy: Glad this information was useful!

  11. Thanks so much for posting this itinerary! I loved hearing about the places I never got a chance to visit, and now I have some good recommendations if I’m ever able to go back!

    If one has time, I’d recommend spending a bit more time in Madaba than just seeing St. George’s Church and that awesome mosaic map. It’s a comparatively short bus ride from Amman, and I think it’s worth it to spend the day there if you can. I think we left Amman in the morning and got back right around dinner time. Plus, once you get to Madaba, you can walk around the whole town–no need for extra transportation.
    There is the Madaba museum with some artifacts (clothes, tools, jewelry, and always mosaics in Madaba) and eager guides. We were the only people at the museum, and the one guy there showed us around and told us about everything in broken English. He also wet down all the mosaics for us (without us asking) and suggested we take pictures. Although the language barrier was a bit tough, we did our best and all laughed when he would point to things and say “this for man” and “this for woman”. We also went to the archeological park with various ruins and mosaics brought to one place and we chatted to the guard about America, since he had family in Ohio. There are also a bunch of churches with more mosaics!
    It was just a nice little town with some awesome mosaics and artifacts.
    And don’t stay in the Dead Sea for too long! My boyfriend found out the hard way how much it can irritate your skin.

  12. @Cathy: Thanks for adding more information about Madaba and suggesting people spend more time there. When we first drove through Madaba on the way to Ma’in Hot Springs, we thought, “This looks like a fun town to walk around.” There was lots of activity and energy on the streets. But, then we ran out of time and were only able to stay for a few hours. It’s definitely on our list of places to revisit.

    We only had one night at the Dead Sea, which was perfect. Everyone had warned us not to shave for days in advance, so our skin was OK.

  13. Hi guys. I’m so glad reading your replies talking about my country, Jordan and its spectacular places.You are mostly welcome to the land of wonders and red desert. You have mentioned some of the amazing places found, but there are other wonderful places I’d like to mention some. You can go to Jerash,Um-Qais, Ajloun castle,and Al_Karak castle which is quite near to the dead sea as well as Petra.
    By the way, I’m Mohammad, a PhD student studying ELT at Eastern Mediterranean University in North Cyprus, and I’ll be on holiday to my country this summer. On behalf of all Jordanians, I welcome you to Jordan, the piece of peace.

    Truly speaking, I’m now working on a project of designing a coursebook in English for tourism and archeology as part of a PhD course named Curriculum Development in ELT. I’d like to see the wonders in my country in a teachable English coursebook by which our Jordanian students (i.e.university students majoring in Tourism and Archeology) are given a hand to develop their English language abilities and be capable to confidently use English in the tourism field, and thus good care of our tourists can be ensured.
    Mr. Audrey Scott, thank you very much for your detailed itinerary. You are more than welcome to Jordan all the time. Thanks are also given to all who made replies commenting on their visits or on their plans to have a visit to the wonderful and little-distanced country.
    As a syllabus designer, I’d like to ask the permission to use some of your replies in my future book. Mr.Audrey Scott, I would very grateful if you could let me use your itinerary (or some of it) in my intended book.
    You know guys, the main problem facing me now is finding English authentic listening texts about Jordan and its historical and tourist places. You can’t imagine how you guys would be so helpful in providing me with some texts, of any type (mainly speaking and listening). You would be participating in the good of tourism, education and tourism services in one part of the world, that is the welcoming Jordan. Your help and cooperation will never be forgotten.

    Yours very truly,
    Mohammad Tarawneh
    PhD Candidate, ELT Department
    Eastern Mediterranean University
    Famagusta, North Cyprus

  14. @Mohammed: Sure. I’ve sent you an email in response. We can continue the conversation there.

  15. Being an Israeli who grew up in Eilat across from Aqaba I could not help reading your experience in Jordan. I have been living in Canada for over 30 years now but the amazing childhood that I left in Eilat will never go away, the climate, dry air, Red Sea, so much shared with living in Jordan, not to mention the food too, I could identify with your experience and your writing is a pleasure to read.

    I wish I could find my way at 61 to experience this freedon in travel as you are doing. Stay safe, remember how you are viewed by others in some parts of the world, and take good care of your prized posessions all the time.

  16. @hareiana: Good memories and thanks for the kudos. There’s definitely something special about the climate, dry air and plentiful oxygen that lends a special something to that corner of the earth (Dead Sea to Red Sea).

  17. Hi Dan and Audrey, I came across your blog while researching for my upcoming trip to Jordan and I must say I’m really inspired by your travels! I can’t resist reading about all the other places which both of you have been too 🙂 Hope you get to continue doing what you love! stay safe and healthy!

  18. @Mark: Thank you so much for your kind comment. It really made our day. If you have any questions or need any more information about Jordan and you think we can help, just let us know. Am glad that you discovered us and have had a chance to check out some of our other experiences as well. Have a great time in Jordan. We’ll look forward to hearing about your experiences!

  19. The food! My god, the food!! I’m going to Jordan in a couple months and this is great inspiration for my trip! Thanks!

  20. Dear

    Thanks for the clear information for travelling in Jordan. What I would like to now is if it is possible to do this trip by public buses.

    Thanks
    Hilde

  21. @Hide: I’m pretty sure you can get between the major destinations (e.g., Amman – Petra – Wadi Rum) using public buses and transport. In between lesser connected areas like Ma’in Hot Springs or Dead Sea you may need to find local taxis to take you.

  22. Hi Audrey and Daniel,
    thank you so much for this enjoyable cyber visit to Jordan.
    Hubby and I will be heading there for real for 5 days in September. I can hardly wait!
    I do have a question for you…
    The local travel agent in Jordan is suggesting a hotel in Amman that is somewhat away from the downtown area. I notice you stayed out of town a little too. Now that you’ve been – where would you suggest is the best part of Amman to stay? West? Rainbow Street? Downtown near the Citadel and Roman ruins?
    Cheers from Australia,
    Michelle

  23. @Michelle: Good question. And the answer depends on what you’re looking for in a hotel and environment. The more luxurious hotels are a bit away from downtown in West Amman where things are a bit quieter. This is where we stayed. However, if you’re looking to be closer to the “action” of street food, markets, local shops, etc. then I’d recommend staying downtown – somewhere in and around Rainbow Street. That said, you can stay in West Amman and just take a short taxi or have your guide pick you up and be downtown pretty quickly.

    Enjoy your trip!

  24. Thanks for your reply, Audrey. We have opted to stay out west a bit where it is quieter for sleeping and taxi it in to downtown. Not that we’ll sleep. Too much wonderfulness to see 😉
    Happy travels…

  25. @Michelle: Thans for the update. Glad you got your accommodation worked out. As mentioned, it’s an easy ride to downtown so you’ll have the best of both worlds. Enjoy Jordan!

  26. I came across this post through google. I’m thinking about Jordan for my next trip and I must say: it looks amazing!! Thanks for sharing this useful post!

  27. Wow! What an amazing itinerary. I am contemplating a trip to Jordan and am going to go print out your article right now to get ideas. I love the sea mud photo also … I can just feel all those rich minerals absorbing into my skin … ahhhh … 🙂

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