
[Mom – September 18, 2019 – Our day started at an Ammonite watchtower (Ruim Al-Malfour) which was built in 500-1000 BC. We then moved on to Jerish, a Greek City…
The area of Jordan has been inhabited since prehistoric time, given that it is in the region known as the “cradle of civilization”. Known history began with the area controlled by the Canaanite groups Ammon, Edom and Moab. These tribal groups were in constant conflict with the Israelites, who controlled the region west of the Jordan River, and are mentioned several times in the Old Testament. During this time these groups were under the influence of various empires including the Akkadian, Egypt, Hittite, Assyrian, Babylonian, Achaemenid, and Greek. Once the Greek Empire broke into four parts it gave the small Nabataean Empire an opportunity to prosper from their capital of Petra in southern Jordan. Unfortunately, by the time the Romans ruled the land each of these tribes had lost their cultural identity.
The Roman Empire (and the Byzantine Empire once it split) ruled the area from the 1st century BC until the Arabs conquered it in the 7th century AD. For the next 800 years the area changed hands between the Arabs, Crusaders, and Mamluk until the Ottoman Empire arrived in 1516. They ruled over the land for 400 years until the Arab Revolt during World War 1 (think Lawrence of Arabia). Of course, the British and French had different plans than the Arabs, who were thinking of independence, and it would be another 30 years before that would become a reality.
Since Independence in 1946, Jordan has had a bit of a rocky relationship with Israel and some of the other Arab countries. A peace treaty with Israel in 1994 and a more secular and tolerant government has made Jordan one of the safest countries in the Middle East.
The Treasury at Petra
In 2016 I spent a week in Jordan after crossing from Israel at the northern land border. I started in the capital of Amman and worked my way south to Aqaba, where I crossed back into Israel. The highlights of the trip were the Amman Citadel, the eastern desert “castles”, Petra, and Wadi Rum.
I enjoyed my self so much, and missed a few sites, that I chose to return for 9 day in 2019 with my parents in tow. I was able to show them everything I saw the first time, visit a few new places, and connect with old and new friends.
Most people go into Jordan from Israel only for a day trip to Petra. Let me tell you this is a huge mistake and they are missing so much! There is so much more to Jordan than just Petra. Nine days is a perfect amount of time to really see Jordan.
A recommendation I have for you is to get the Jordan Pass before you arrive. As long as you stay more than three nights it covers the visa fee you have to pay, a 1-3 day ticket for Petra, and entrance to over 40 other sites and museums.
The itinerary I recommend would start in the north part of Jordan and see Jerash (a top 10 Roman ruin in the world), the castle at Ajlun, and the Pella archeological site. From there head to the capital of Amman, where you will find enough to fill a day with the citadel being the highlight. From Amman a day out into the Eastern Desert to see at least three of the “Five Desert Castles” (Qasr Al Kharaneh, Quseir Amra, and Qasr Al Azrad are the best and must dos). You can also take a day trip to the Dead Sea from Amman. Now you will want to head towards Petra and can stop at the castle at Karak and Dana National Park on the way. Another high recommendation is to do Petra At Night for your first time at this amazing site and then explore it the next day as well. Next is to spend a night in the Wadi Rum desert with a local Bedouin, where they will give you a day tour through this amazing World Heritage Site. The final stop is beach time in Aqaba.
Of course you can do this route in reverse order as I did my second time in Jordan when I was showing my parents around. In fact i had so much fun showing them around this amazing country that I would be interested in leading another group around, so if you are interested contact me and we can work out the details.
You can get even more helpful hints by watching the travel video I made for Jordan. Also, you can use my blog posts below the video to help make up the Jordan Travel Guide.
[Mom – September 18, 2019 – Our day started at an Ammonite watchtower (Ruim Al-Malfour) which was built in 500-1000 BC. We then moved on to Jerish, a Greek City…
My mom and I are continuing our story of the three week I spent show her and my dad Israel and Jordan. Her part of the blog is from her…
As my mom and I continue to write about the three week trip my parents went on with me in Israel and Jordan, you will find today I made a…
We continue to tell you about out three weeks in Israel and Jordan and as always I am going to let my mom start with here Facebook posts during the…
[Mom – September 14, 2019 – We have had another wonderful day. We drove to Little Petra, but had to wait for a herd of sheep to cross the road….
[Mom – September 13, 2019 – We spent the day at Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The pictures do not even begin to show how…
[Mom – September 13, 2019 – After leaving Wadi Rum we drove to Mousa’s Spring. On the way we stopped to take pictures of a working Jordanian train, road signs…
As I continue continue to share my trip through Israel and Jordan with my parents you find us crossing into Jorday today. I am trying my hand at a video…
as you can tell in this “Photo of the Day”! You can read all about our day doing a 4×4 jeep tour through the desert if you read the blog…
This photo is of our first day in Jordan when we visited the Citadel at the top of the hill in Amman. This grave site is within the walls and is…
Today is our last day in Jordan and we spent it in Aqaba at Bernice Resort on the Red Sea. I have to admit I am spoiled when it comes…
Khaz’ali Canyon is one of the coolest places in Wadi Rum….and I am talking both temperature and atmosphere. In fact back in history many caravans stopped here to cool off…
Today we spent the day in Wadi Rum, which is a vast desert National Park in southern Jordan. I am going to let Melek tell you her thoughts and then…
It would have to be the Monastery at the top of the mountain. You have to walk an hour to get here, but are rewarded with less of a crowd…
Today was the main reason I chose to visit Jordan (although I enjoyed every bit of this country now that I have seen it) and we got to the gate…
Did you see yesterday’s “photo of the Day”? I only ask because it would have given you a sneak peek at today’s blog about Petra At Night (plus it would…
What do you think? Is this not amazing? Please come back tomorrow so you can read about this magical experience…..plus there is a very funny story about me getting attacked…
For the most part Jordan is a hilly and rocky desert country that has fantastic vistas and not at all what you first imagine when you think desert. With that…
Today’s “Photo of the Day” shows the modern town of Amman, Jordan built around the 6000 seat of a Roman Theater built around 150 AD. If you go back to…
On Sunday I told you about crossing from Israel to Jordan (fyi, I used the northern river crossing) and how I met Melek at the airport at two o’clock in…
Here it is in the morning and I still have things to do. Do I have a deadline to get them done by? You bet I do since I I…