Amazing Jordan

Jordan | Oct 11 - Oct 21, 2026

The Mövenpick Petra Resort is a very good hotel, with its location right by the entrance to Petra. The rooms are comfortable, the food is excellent, and it’s an ideal base for exploring this incredible historical site. The only downside is that drinks are quite expensive, but overall, it’s a great choice and well worth considering for a stay in Petra.

We stayed one night at the Memories Aicha Luxury Camp in Wadi Rum. The camp features lovely glass pods where you can lie in bed and watch the stars at night. The staff were great and very knowledgeable about the local culture and environment. The jeep ride and desert experience were unforgettable, with wild camels, Arabian wolf tracks, and a beautiful sunset with tea by the campfire. I wish we had stayed longer to fully enjoy the desert.

We stayed at the Double Tree by Hilton in Aqaba, which was perfectly located in the center of town near dive shops and restaurants. Aqaba itself felt like an Arabian holiday resort, bustling with Saudi Arabian tourists. The hotel was convenient for exploring the town and enjoying local delicacies like Manzaff.

We stayed at the Crowne Plaza Dead Sea Resort & Spa for one night. The building itself was magnificent, but our room was not very clean and had maintenance issues like broken light fittings and poor air conditioning. The food at the Lebanese restaurant was disappointing and even upset our stomachs. The service was lacking, especially with basic requests like making a milkshake. Also, the resort has many steps down to the Dead Sea, which can be difficult for those with mobility issues, and transportation back up is not well organized. Overall, it was a bit of a letdown compared to the rest of the trip.

We stayed four nights at the Crowne Plaza Amman, which was an excellent hotel. It was very friendly, safe, and had good English-speaking staff. The hotel was of very good quality and not that expensive for Amman. I would thoroughly recommend it as a base for exploring the city.

The trip to the northern part of Jordan, included Umm Qais, Jarash, and Ajloun castle, was fascinating. The castle was well preserved and the views from Umm Qais were amazing, allowing us to see Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. The exploration of Roman and Byzantine ruins and Crusader sites gave a rich historical perspective.

Visiting Mount Nebo and Madaba was a highlight. Mount Nebo offered stunning views of the Jordan Valley and Jerusalem in the distance, and Madaba is famous for its beautiful Byzantine mosaics, especially the medieval mosaic map of the Holy Land in Saint George's Church. It was a deeply historical and cultural experience.

The full-day tour of Petra was phenomenal. Walking through the Siq to the Treasury and exploring the necropolis and main town with a local guide was a highlight of the trip. The guide provided great insights, and the Byzantine church mosaics were incredibly well preserved and a must-see. The Petra museum was also very well laid out and informative. I highly recommend visiting Petra and its museum.

Visiting Little Petra (Beidha) was fascinating. It is a smaller version of Petra with its own Siq and unique Nabatean frescoes, which you don't see elsewhere in Petra. It adds a lot to the overall understanding of the region's history and culture, so I definitely recommend it.

What a way to enjoy the peace and serenity of the desert than from camel back. Our camels were lovely and were obviously loved and cared for well by our guide, Abdulla.

Visiting the baptism site of Bethany was interesting with lots of historical significance and ancient churches. Seeing the Jordan River and the surrounding area was quite moving, regardless of personal beliefs.

After a tour of Amman’s Roman and Byzantine ruins, we were taken west to three Desert Castles. We spent the first half of the day exploring the Amman Citadel and its fascinating history, followed by a half-day tour of the Desert Castles. Our guide, Ahmed, was very knowledgeable and respectful, providing plenty of background information without being intrusive and allowing us time to explore the sites at our own pace. Both tours offered a wonderful introduction to Jordan’s rich history and culture and made for a fantastic day.